We are all on project overload at this point - project understanding, webquest, research project - and the final project - self-analysis.
So what have I come to understand during my time here this summer?
My initial musings are about conceptual teaching. I have heard about this in past conferences, but now I believe I have a better understanding of it having lived it for the past few weeks. Tying the reading, writing, and speaking tasks, as well as a cultural focus, to a big concept like nationalism makes every lesson seem more natural. The reading, writing, and speaking take place within a more authentic communicative context; they don't seem artificial as they sometimes can when you approach the lesson with the idea "Today we're going to practice the imperfect tense". So this is definitely something I want to develop in my own classroom.
And how did I arrive at this understanding? This is the more difficult question. My first response is that I arrived at this understanding through experiencing conceptual teaching as a student. My understanding was further developed through the process of project understanding.
These are questions that I am only beginning to answer, and which will require more thought and introspection on my part.
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About Me
- Laura P.
- Soy maestra del español e inglés. También soy estudiante. Estudio en "Bennington College" en Vermont. Me gusta leer (pero nunca tengo tiempo de leer lo que me gusta) y estar con familia y amigos.
1 comment:
It was great to work with you on Saturday as we presented what we understood and how we came to understand. I, too, want to develop the conceptual teaching style in my classroom. The idea seems daunting, especially after our three-week intensive plunge into this style of pedagogy. I just have to keep reminding myself to take baby steps! Enjoy your summer! I hope you had a nice flight back home.
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