It appears to me that class participation is an activity that is not relied upon as much as it should be at the middle and high school levels. Do you agree or disagree? Do you think that class discussion is an important part of learning? Why or why not? Do you believe in giving students a grade for class participation/class discussion? How much class discussion are you seeing during your observations this semester? And finally, when you begin your student teaching how do you plan to encourage your students to add their thoughts and opinions to class discussion, in essence, participate more while they are in your class?
I agree that class discussion is an important part of learning because it gets students engaged and thinking more deeply about the topics that are being discussed. It is important to listen to everyone's ideas and opinions in order to have different points of views. I do believe in giving students a grade for class participation because I would want them to talk and feel more close to each other and the class.
ReplyDeleteOnce I begin student teaching I plan to encourage my students to add their thoughts and opinions to class discussion by asking questions related to something outside of the class that would interest them or that they could relate with just to get them started and I would also ask questions and spend most time by doing activities along with the students together than just have them do them by themselves.
- Laura Cardona
I agree that class participation has become overlooked in recent years. Now teachers depend more on writing and reading in the classroom than conversation. I believe that class participation should be incorporated more in the classroom as it build students social and language skills. I do not believe in grading class participation as some students may not feel comfortable talking in front of a class but a teacher should keep track of who participates and who does not. As I have been observing a music classroom, there is not much discussion taking place. I would encourage students to participate in class by asking questions and showing enthusiasm as there is not much discussion involved in most music classrooms.
ReplyDeleteNoreen Abedrabbo
I think that class participation is pretty important but forcing it upon every student in the way of presenting or the like can be a bit much. However, in an english class I had in high school, we had to share three times a marking period our do nows. It was always fun and the teacher would keep track so the students knew how many more they had to do. I think this method is pretty smart because then you have written evidence that the students participated but without the fear of not being able to ask a question. When I student teach, I think I will ask questions that gets the kids to say their answers out loud. And just watch to see that kids look engaged in the lesson.
ReplyDeleteSarah Morris