This first week was like an introduction to inquiry-based teaching. I was familiar with most of the concept because of my graduate studies. But there was one imagery from a reading that stuck with me. I even drew a picture as a visual.
The idea is from one of the required readings by Laurel Schmidt's "Great Teachers Don't Take No (or Yes) for an Answer". She portrays the teacher like the synapse of the class's brain. The teacher models analytic strategies, connects and redirects ideas, tracks the progress of the ideas, is involved in the thought process and even shares personal thoughts, and clarifies errors by asking questions and not by correcting statements.
The idea is from one of the required readings by Laurel Schmidt's "Great Teachers Don't Take No (or Yes) for an Answer". She portrays the teacher like the synapse of the class's brain. The teacher models analytic strategies, connects and redirects ideas, tracks the progress of the ideas, is involved in the thought process and even shares personal thoughts, and clarifies errors by asking questions and not by correcting statements.
The classroom is a living thing--always active, always thinking, always in motion. Sometimes in the monotony can get to us and it's easy to just wait for Friday. But each day really is vital and crucial, and this image reminded me of that.