First off, I apologize for my late post! I’ve never had a DB post due after class and the deadline completely through me off. I know the timing is WAY off but I still wanted to submit my thoughts on last weeks class/discussion.
First, I really enjoy the Social Studies book that was assigned for the class. Although I am not a fan of writing thoughts in margins and discussing the reading in depth with my peers, I appreciate the strategies the book offers and think it was an excellent choice as it provides easy, efficient tools to use in the classroom. Also, please don’t take my disdain for note-taking/book discussion personally. Ever since I was little, I have disliked note-taking and think it is something I will get better at/not find so difficult as I get older and teach more. My mom forced reading on me when I was younger and the result is well, me.
Regarding the vocabulary activity we did in class, I was torn. When you told us that looking up dictionary definitions wasn’t the best way to learn new vocab or fun for students, I was shocked! Throughout my entire schooling, that is all teachers ever made us do and get this..it was my favorite activity, probably ever! I guess for me, it worked and the definitions stuck. I loved searching the dictionary for the assigned words and drawing my pictures on the charts. Nevertheless, I DO understand how that technique doesn’t work for most students. I think the activity we did regarding “revolution” and “reaction” was a great way to enforce definitions into students’ brains while taking a creative approach to vocabulary. However, as mentioned it class, I believe it would only be appropriate for certain unit words that needed specific attention as the activity can be long and repetitive.
I am enjoying learning new ways to teach social studies as it was never emphasized in my elementary school. I think SS gets put on the back burner for literacy, math, and even science and I think it’s important that we learn how to incorporate it into our daily plans as future teachers.
Again, I am SOOO sorry for the late blog post and it won’t happen again as I’ve set a weekly timer 😀
Molly