Question on teaching technique
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| Thu, 09-14-2006 - 10:49am |
DS14 is a freshman, and is taking a class called World Studies (all freshmen take it). The technique is unique to me, and he's struggling so far to 'get with the program'. The teacher assigns a chunk of the text, tells them to go home and read it and write notes, the notes are then permitted to be brought into class with them during the next class, and she gives them a quiz on the material. Only after the quiz does she teach them the material. Is this common? He says he finally got to talk to her yesterday (freshmen can't 'travel' during 'academic lab' yet to visit teachers to get help; that starts next week) and now knows what she's looking for - but this is 4 weeks in, and the usual A-/B+ he has in social studies is a C-; going to take a while to dig out of that one. He's frustrated but determined to bring it up. Sigh.
Sue

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This is a common teaching technique in upper high school and college. I personally have taught DD to take notes while doing her reading assignments b/c she has ADD and can't focus on the reading unless she's writing the notes. Also she gets a little distracted in class and if the notes are already written, she focuses by trying to highlight what the teacher's talking about or adding things in that she may not have written down. This method of teaching helps the students learn to pick out the main ideas from the reading material.
I would be a little concerned with high school freshmen though. I'm not sure that they have the skills yet to do this. DD started this as a sophmore and I had to help her for a few weeks. He might try getting to school early and going over his notes with the teacher to see if he's picking out the important ideas. Also if teachers see that students are willing to come in early (or stay late), they know that the student is concerned and trying. The teacher usually becomes a little more receptive to that student in class as well.
I hope this helps.
This sounds a little bit how DD's World Cultures class was during her freshman year. Her teacher actually made students write outlines of each chapter in the text each week. It was a very tedious task and DD hated it. But because she had to write out an outline, her retention of the material was very good and she did well.
I don't know about the testing part, however. I believe her teacher gave unit tests as opposed to chapter quizzes.
You can probably contact your DS' teacher via e-mail or phone and ask about her testing before teaching and learn what the reasons behind this are That part does sound a bit unusual.
I'd just never heard of that technique. As a technical type, I honestly can't imagine doing it in that order!
I think I'll propose that his plan should be to go during 'academic lab' with his notes for the next week or two (now that he can travel as of next week to do this kind of thing) and have her review them as you suggest to be sure he's on track; he has 'ac lab' the day betwee social studies days (block schedule; he only has one more quiz (tomorrow) before he can travel for help). He loves the teacher, so at least that's a plus. Thanks for the input!
Sue
If I emailed or talked to the teacher, ds would be mortified. They (teachers) basically told us to have the kids do all the contact, starting in 6th grade. So all I can do is provide guidance, and thankfully he has a good head on his shoulders to take care of things.
Also, this isn't a chapter test. Each chapter has about 5 sections; each one is a nightly assignment (again, they're on block days so he has it every other day), so they're quizzed every day they go to class. She then teaches the material, and they get the next assignment. They had a big test on Greece a week ago; once it's a chapter test like that, no notes are permitted.
Sue
Lea,
Since you're a teacher, do you also know anything about Cornell notes? This is a new method our school is teaching across the board. You divide the paper in half (or thirds) and on the right side right your notes. On the left side you are to write a question whose answer would be the notes to the right...?
DD being a 9th grader and new to this, is struggling with this method. Have you heard of it?
I hope they make exceptions for kids with LD and/or ADD!
I'm sure they do.
Sue
I have not heard of this but will be happy to look into it. The classes I teach are computer lab classes so its mostly hands on. However, I'm always interesting in new teaching and learning methods so that I can offer advice to my students. Since I also run an open lab, students are always asking for help with a variety of subjects and problems.
I'll let you know what I find out.
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