I started by talking to two history teachers about my concept of making history more real life like and relatable to students. I shared a couple of assignments I had prepared but not taught yet. They looked them over and gave me a couple of suggestions. I had planned to pick the groups that the students were going to be in, but they suggested I let the students pick their own groups. They said that this would encourage discussion and help students feel more comfortable with the assignment. I do not think I will take their advice on this, as I can differentiate the groups and change the assignments for the needs of the different groups of students. As far as the assignment itself, they were really impressed and thought it was a terrific idea. Asking students to make decisions about what land to settle and what they deem important and why rather than reading about it is a major shift in teaching history at our school. The teachers didn’t have much other advice other than to share how the implementation goes and how students react.
When conducting the focus group student discussion, I asked students how they felt about the way they had learned history in the past and how interesting it was for them. The agreement amongst the group was that good storytellers made the best teachers. Students also enjoyed short videos that they got to watch and respond to after. I asked students how they felt about getting to act out historical situations and they weren’t exactly sure how it would go, but said if it was them talking and trying to figure something out, they’d probably like it. I’m disappointed that the storyteller is the most popular teacher since I don’t have the experience in the subject to be a storyteller.
I’m excited to start teaching with a more living through history aspect of teaching and simply creating the scenarios that the students will be experiencing and making decisions about. Other teachers are interested to know how it goes and may follow my lead as changing the classroom dynamics. Students are interested in learning a new way as well. My project seems to be going well despite the last minute switch from Algebra to World Studies.
When conducting the focus group student discussion, I asked students how they felt about the way they had learned history in the past and how interesting it was for them. The agreement amongst the group was that good storytellers made the best teachers. Students also enjoyed short videos that they got to watch and respond to after. I asked students how they felt about getting to act out historical situations and they weren’t exactly sure how it would go, but said if it was them talking and trying to figure something out, they’d probably like it. I’m disappointed that the storyteller is the most popular teacher since I don’t have the experience in the subject to be a storyteller.
I’m excited to start teaching with a more living through history aspect of teaching and simply creating the scenarios that the students will be experiencing and making decisions about. Other teachers are interested to know how it goes and may follow my lead as changing the classroom dynamics. Students are interested in learning a new way as well. My project seems to be going well despite the last minute switch from Algebra to World Studies.
