Reflections

Transformative Moment in Teaching

Early in my long practicum, I began a 2-D shapes and 3-D objects math unit with my students.  One of the learning outcomes for this unit is to be able to identify shapes in the environment.  I planned a lesson where I took the students outside to the playground, where they would be "shape detectives" and they would search for shapes as a part of the playground structures.  I was nervous that the students would become distracted and would be off-task, but I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with their focus on the assignment.  Students were to work in partners to identify shapes and draw them on clipboards.  I couldn't believe how engaged they were, and at one point, I heard a student shout, "I see a cylinder!" with utmost excitement.  We had discussed cylinders in the classroom when students were showing interest in the names of 3-D objects, even though the names are not a part of the grade one math curriculum.  While students were searching for shapes, I interviewed students as an assessment "for" learning, asking where they see a shape, what the shape is called, and how they knew it was a shape.  Every student was able to identify shapes and every student remained on task for this activity.  This lesson truly showed me that students learn very effectively when they can relate what they are learning in the classroom to the real world, and they are able to handle interactive experiences even at a young age.