Instructional Strategies
Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences emphasizes the idea that students have unique gifts in many areas. As a teacher, I personally use this philosophy within my own classroom. I prefer to teach with a variety of instructional methods, including independent research and individual student presentations. My students are not passive recipients of direct instruction; in my classroom, students are actively involved with the learning process.
Evidence of standard -
cross-curricular waltzing to poetry lesson
During my 8th grade poetry and literary devices unit at Trap Hill Middle School, I had the opportunity to work with a physical education field student while delivering a lesson about Theodore Roethke's poem, "My Papa's Waltz." First, we read the poem as a class and discussed the use of literary devices in the poem. I also introduced a new concept to the students that day: the use of rhythm to emphasize thematic content.
To show how the rhythm of the poem matches the rhythm of a basic 1-2-3 waltz step, my field student and I taught the boys and girls how to perform a basic waltz step. Upon learning the step, students then "waltzed to the poem" as I recited it aloud and waltzed at the same time. This was one of my students' favorite lessons, and I was elated to see my students waltzing with one another when supervising the following school dance.
You can view the poem, discussion questions, and pictures of the lesson below! You may also download the discussion guide as well.
To show how the rhythm of the poem matches the rhythm of a basic 1-2-3 waltz step, my field student and I taught the boys and girls how to perform a basic waltz step. Upon learning the step, students then "waltzed to the poem" as I recited it aloud and waltzed at the same time. This was one of my students' favorite lessons, and I was elated to see my students waltzing with one another when supervising the following school dance.
You can view the poem, discussion questions, and pictures of the lesson below! You may also download the discussion guide as well.
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For this project, my students had to pick paintings, sculptures, murals, or other works of art and present them to the class. One important element of my anticipatory set was to use and recommend works of art that the boys would like.
This project description shows that I am able to use a variety of instructional strategies and cross-curricular lesson material within my own classroom. It involves small group instruction, independent research, and individual presentations occurring within my class.
Here are some of the works of art that the boys chose to present to the class:
This project description shows that I am able to use a variety of instructional strategies and cross-curricular lesson material within my own classroom. It involves small group instruction, independent research, and individual presentations occurring within my class.
Here are some of the works of art that the boys chose to present to the class:
Code Talker "Sculptures" Workshop
One of my favorite instructional strategies to use during reading is to have my students create tableaus or "living pictures" that depict their interpretation of the text. During our study of Code Talker, I had my students review for a quiz by creating tableaus in class to demonstrate their interpretation of the events in the novel. This also showed the students that no one interpretation is correct; literature is interactive with each individual and one person may envision something that another person does not. The point of concentration (the main focus for each student) was to express a theme word, event, or concept physically.
Detailed lesson instructions are available for .PDF download to the right. Pictures of this unique educational opportunity are compiled in a slideshow below. |
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