(2)How to do it
By Helene Ibrahim
When we plan lessons, we usually first look in the curriculum and then we get started, mind-mapping everything that is to be included in our lessons, not to leave anything out.
We chose the methods, the ways to work, and we keep the final goals in our minds! What are they to learn and why?!
Yes, we do need the curriculum. We do need a systematic progress in the subjects we teach. But we also need THIS:
FIRST OF ALL: Ask yourself
WHO IS IN FRONT OF YOU?!
Who will you teach? What are their favourite occupations, what do they enjoy playing or doing, what are their current interests, ideas and previous knowledge?
THAT IS WHERE YOU HAVE TO START. THEN SURPRISE THEM!
Lead them around the corner to see what is behind it! And make it an ADVENTURE!
Teach "unusual" stuff in familiar ways like I did with probability for pre-schoolers (story, laborative materials, making hypotheses and act out) and usual stuff in unusual ways : - )
Take ANY OPPORTUNITY to put in activies that your pupils LIKE and ENJOY!
Usual birthday or family games can be turned into pedagogic tools.
Common win/lose-games can be turned into nice non-win activities for repetition of teaching items.
Sometimes a team competition can be nice too. - And did you ever meet a child who didn' t like to play the cards?!?!
The only geography I learned in school was from a card game with questions, put in the hallway for play during breaks!
I learnt every answer in that game, while the book stuff just didn't want to get in!
(Yes, I do remember a beautifully coloured picture of the rain-forest, a large sized two-paged spread, in the book. It was too beautiful to forget!)
When you plan your lessons, put in activities, surprises and use of pictures. This will make your teaching so much more efficient and enjoyable!
SECOND: Ask yourself
IS WHAT I DO EFFICIENT?
Is the overall interest and learning getting better? If so, continue!
If not, do things differently!
Activity based learning has many advantages, like
moving information into the long term memory,
initiating communication between students (use this for reading, writing, talking & listening),
socializing of difficult classes and individuals.
Make sure everyone has a (written) list with what to do!
THIRD: PREPARE WEAK STUDENTS IN ADVANCE
REPEAT THROUGH PLAY