Today I spent a bit of time with another teacher who is mainly works in the Curriculum Support Unit. She wanted to go through my lesson plans that I have done for the Geography and the Olympics unit. This was a very very great sessions. I have detailed lesson plans but its not word for word of how I would run the actual lesson. So for example:
Starter Activity: Watch the official Olympic Promo video
KWL activity - what you know about the Olympics, what you want to know and what have you learnt (to be revisted at the end of the lesson)
She said "so when you say, KWL, tell me exactly how you are going to get them to do that, tell me, as if you were teaching me"
I found that really hard! My answer was "well I will just ask them! and as we discuss it, they can fill in the table"
She went to explain to me, that some kids will go through an entire term never speaking in class. Think:Pair:Share is where its at. Always! That way, every gets a chance to talk, even if it not in front of the whole class. The more confident ones will put their hand up and answer when it comes time to, but I need to make sure I am not only engaging them but everyone.
We went through my lesson plans with a fine tooth comb and I found the experience invaluable. Sometimes I think we are surrounded by amazing resources, teachers who have years and years of experience, and we as pre-service teachers or even qualified teachers don't seem to ask for input and advice. A generalisation I know! But I see the value in talking through what works and what does not work with someone else and I would very much like to remain in that state and be open about where I am struggling.
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