Week 9

The one phrase stressed throughout our classes has been that no longer is the teacher the “sage on the stage”. With that in my mind, I found it interesting to read a whole chapter devoted to direct instruction, or teacher –centered instruction.  As a teaching approach, I can see the benefit especially when active student learning is included.  When you can teach material that reflects the interest of the student, they are more willing to be engaged in the learning. I thought several of the lessons suggested would have that appeal. One I connected to was the Fountain of Youth; I could see a tie in to my community.  We have a park that is located on a spring that was said to have healing powers, even Native Americans had thought of the water this way.  First learning more about who were the First People that lived in our community and then continuing to the white settlers then the development of the water.  Students could debate the possibility of the water being a health aid and questions whether it could still be one today would be interesting.  I also like the idea of storytelling, as was mentioned in an earlier chapter.  Young elementary students enjoy a good story and it helps them to relate to the subject more easily.