In class it was brought to my attention how EASY it is to spend a whole class time on one topic. Just yesterday we focused on the definitions of “revolution” and “reaction” which lead to our class focusing on the topic of the Boston Tea Party for most of our class time. This must be frustrating to teachers who feel the need to teach to the test and speed through certain topics to get through everything. But this also brings up the importance of frontloading. If teachers took the time to do several hands-on activities or partner activities when first teaching, then the information learned is more memorable. This allows the teacher to spend less time during the last weeks of school. Teachers should be able to take their time like we discussed yesterday. Teachers should not feel the pressure to stick to a certain schedule and race through material despite their students giving them certain signs that they are not ready and not grasping the material. This just leads to more confusion.
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Hi Sophia. This sentence catches my attention: “If teachers took the time to do several hands-on activities or partner activities when first teaching, then the information learned is more memorable.” Bingo! This is your “and so,” or inference, from our lesson! Front-loading, to me, is like looking at a completed picture of a puzzle on the front of the box then working to put it together as you continue to look at the picture! Sometimes you put in one piece of the puzzle at a time and other times you build five pieces in isolation and then place it into the puzzle! I look forward to seeing how you will incorporate front-loading into your lesson plans! Thank you for your thoughtful reflection.