Comments on: Be it before you teach it…

By: elizabethdn

elizabethdn — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:54:33 +0000

So true! I am in the continual process of guiding my 1st grade parents away from that “learn helplessness” and towards allowing children to do everything they can do for themselves; a collaborative self-care. I apply that same principle in the day-to-day life of the classroom.

By: elizabethdn

elizabethdn — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:47:09 +0000

I am a first grade teacher with my primary responsiblitiy being getting my students in one short year to be fluent readers & writers along with basic math skills, social & life skills. I am amazed at how many teachers in early childhood do not have any passion for reading themselves! But then we’ve all meet teachers who don’t enjoy children. So much of teaching is communicating effectively, motivating, and enticing a thirst for learning; not all people have those skills. I still hold that teaching, at it’s best, is an art. Investing in your craft is a continual process for comitted professionals.

By: Paul Bogush

Paul Bogush — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:27:25 +0000

I wondered about my wording in the post…should have written something more like Social Studies teachers that are historians, Science teachers who are scientists.

I also know that teachers who were really good at their subject usually suck at teaching it because they can’t get into the head of anyone who has trouble understanding it.

By: Paul Bogush

Paul Bogush — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:24:47 +0000

Do you have to be “really smart and energetic,” or just be able to focus the energy and smarts of the kids?
I was originally an elementary ed major, my wife taught elementary school, and my kids are now in elementary school. I think at that level there is the most “overteaching” than any other level. It seems everything is done by the teachers. That creates a learned helplessness that is so prevalent in middle school.

By: Delaine Zody

Delaine Zody — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:24:16 +0000

You have to be really smart and highly energetic to teach elementary kids, as well as be able to do all those bulletin boards. That’s why I am not qualified, and I would never begin to tell an elementary teacher how to do it.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:00:30 +0000

Lots of good, thought-provoking comments here. I have to wonder how this works at the elementary level. We teach everything there, so what’s the best preparation for that?

I always want there to be quick and easy answers in education. If hiring historians to teach history would work, I’d love it. Sadly, as usual, I think there is no one easy answer. Some historians are fabulous teachers, others are dull as dirt and unable to communicate effectively in a classroom. Teaching requires a pretty wide range of skills.

By: Steve J. Moore

Steve J. Moore — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:46:14 +0000

This is true, too many times people only see the black and white of this issue. It’s always better to combine the two and tap into the bloom levels that each does well at reaching separately.

By: Delaine Zody

Delaine Zody — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:39:52 +0000

I just had a conversation over at another blog about direct instruction versus project based learning. Too many people think direct instruction is standing up and lecturing and too many think PBL is turning a kid loose with no information or structure to go do something. Both viewpoints are wrong. A good teacher knows how to mix it up, and often that is a teacher who has been out doing something else besides teaching.

By: Charlie A. Roy

Charlie A. Roy — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:15:50 +0000

@ Paul
Perhaps the answer lies somewhere in the middle. A teacher entering the field with a depth of human experience in their area of expertise obviously has more to offer. Transferring that knowledge and passion effectively takes some pedagogical training.

Having worked my entire career in private schools – where certification requirements are certainly less stringent – I’ve seen it go both ways.

I’d have to say in all honesty some of my best teachers came to the profession after careers in their discipline. Having a former lawyer teach a class on legal issues and the supreme court is of value.

On the other side some of these non-teacher trained folks revert to their last individual formal educational setting which results in non-stop lecturing. The good ones learn quickly from their peers.

By: Paul Bogush

Paul Bogush — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:47:39 +0000

I think you comment might be found somewhere two posts that you have written on your blog:
http://billgx.edublogs.org/2009/06/25/get-outside/
http://billgx.edublogs.org/2008/06/11/staying-relevant-in-the-classroom/