Starting with vocabulary, one big takeaway from class that will stick with me is how vocabulary is much more than just the definition. I have learned in other classes about how a new word must be used 8-10 times (I might have to go back and look that up to check myself) but there wasn’t much direction into the many ways that new vocabulary can be learned outside of reading and speaking the word several times. This class showed that you can set up many activities that can revolve around a central vocabulary terms (s). My fear will be not using the correct terms to center activities around.
As mentioned in the previous blog, I did not have the most interesting social studies classes in high school, nor in my college career for that matter. I don’t have the content knowledge that I should at this point, so re-visiting and re-learning content will be key for my success in teaching social studies. With that being said, knowing the importance of vocabulary and ways in which I can integrate vocabulary activities into my social studies (or another subject) teachings, I could use my lack of content knowledge to my advantage. While reviewing and re-learning the content, it should be easier for me to pick up on what vocabulary terms will be most meaningful for planning my lessons.
The front loading concept seems to make sense. More upfront information and time spent on specific areas would make learning more in-depth and meaningful but how would you do that? I know that “teaching to the test” is going to become less of the norm but in reality, if the students are going to take an SOL of any kind, won’t teachers always put the most focus toward them? Even if front loading should require less review, how would a new teacher (or any teacher) be able to take the steps in using the front loading approach without fear of not using the same approach as the teachers who will be our mentors (or students teaching guides) as we enter the school? Is front loading something we can do as beginning teachers or is it something we will have to adjust to over time?