I have seen many hands on assignments used in math classes that are engaging for students, although I do feel that assignments such as this are under utilized. During my time in high school I can only remember doing one hands on activity in one of the five math classes that I took while attending. Not only was the assignment more enjoyable for me than doing seat work day after day but I fell like it was the most effective way for me to learn the material.
It is difficult for me as a tutor and supply teacher to take advantage of differentiated instruction because of time constraints but I do try to use it whenever I can. I can relate to the kinesthetic learners because I was once in the same spot as them and I am motivated to teach lessons in a way that will grab every students' attention. As the push for differentiated instruction increases I hope that more and more teachers will become motivated as well.
There is a huge push for differentiated learning in our classrooms. One way that I have found to help those kinesthetic learners is through the use of manipulatives. There are manipulatives or a tool such as a graphing calculator for all strands of math. I also try to use the minds on activities at the beginning of my lessons because they seem to be more hands on.
ReplyDeleteHi Jake,
ReplyDeleteI try to reach out to kinesthetic learners by playing games that get them out of their seats. Sometimes games as simple as Around the World, or I Have Who Has, that get students at least standing up can be just what it takes to motivate them to pay attention to the rest of the lesson that may not suit their particular learning style. I think that's a great way to differentiate instruction.
Differentiating instruction is always really tough, especially as a first year teacher, because you are always behind on everything and differentiating takes more time to deeply think about the lesson and come up with more ideas about how to best engage the students. Does anyone have any suggestions when it comes to kinesthetic learners and some examples of how best to engage them in math? The way we learned math was, as Jake mentioned, mostly aimed at audio/visual learners and math seems conducive to this type of learning. But its harder to think of ways that appeal to kinesthetic learners in certain subjects such as math..
ReplyDeleteDifferentiating instruction is always really tough, especially as a first year teacher, because you are always behind on everything and differentiating takes more time to deeply think about the lesson and come up with more ideas about how to best engage the students. Does anyone have any suggestions when it comes to kinesthetic learners and some examples of how best to engage them in math? The way we learned math was, as Jake mentioned, mostly aimed at audio/visual learners and math seems conducive to this type of learning. But its harder to think of ways that appeal to kinesthetic learners in certain subjects such as math..
ReplyDeleteI've asked for some advice from current teachers about making my lessons interactive and engaging for students at all levels. The best, and probably most honest advice, that I received was that your first few years are going to be a struggle and super stressful. Sometimes you may have to have a less engaging lesson because of a simple lack of planning time. However, as you progress as a teacher, you should continually reword your lesson plans to make them better.
ReplyDeleteSo a lesson that was mostly auditory and visual for your first year could be made into an activity in your second year. Since we're always trying to improve our teaching, making small changes like that on a yearly basis.
I've asked for some advice from current teachers about making my lessons interactive and engaging for students at all levels. The best, and probably most honest advice, that I received was that your first few years are going to be a struggle and super stressful. Sometimes you may have to have a less engaging lesson because of a simple lack of planning time. However, as you progress as a teacher, you should continually reword your lesson plans to make them better.
ReplyDeleteSo a lesson that was mostly auditory and visual for your first year could be made into an activity in your second year. Since we're always trying to improve our teaching, making small changes like that on a yearly basis.
I think you make an interesting point Watson. The first few years of teaching can be a little busy. Especially with the job market now, many teachers will not even get a chance to teach their teachable subjects for years. Many may not even get a chance to prepare actual lessons. Now that I have taught for 6 years, and have had the opportunity to teach the same courses a couple of times, it is true, you always make improvements. Especially as you are introduced with new strategies or teaching methods, or new technologies, your practice is always evolving. You really don't have a choice, because the school boards are always promoting new strategies and want to see them being used in classrooms.
ReplyDelete