Today we began the day playing guess the word through a powerpoint. The tutee did a great job with the words and only had real difficulty with one specific word. All of the words related to a book that we read about Michael Jordan so he was very engaged and had plenty of background information. Reggie was asked the predict what would happen throughout the story. I could tell he wasn't into the whole stopping and asking questions about what he thought would happen next but he participated and always gave pretty accurate answers.
When it came to the Bloom's questions Reggie answered them with short answers. He really didn't elaborate on any of the answers but he did answer them correctly. I think just getting him comfortable after a while will help on his lack of detailed responses and after awhile he will give more detailed responses. The environment is pretty comfortable but I think he is just trying to get the feel of things because he was very interested in what type of things we were going to be doing. It was rewarding to know that he was interested in the activities and wasn't just bummed out that we would be tutoring.
We actually began our brainstorming for our digital story we will be completing for the writing section. I can tell this is an area Reggie needs to work on because he had a difficult time trying to come up with ideas. I coached him through the exercise and we came up with some ideas by working together. We did a small web in order to try to come up with ideas and I helped him summarize his thoughts so that he didn't have to write down a very long idea for a story.
Today's experience was a good one and I hope this continues. You feel really good when you know you are helping them and it is very rewarding to hear them tell you thank you. I didn't realize how much a of a struggle it would be for him to brainstorm. I tried not to put him on the spot because we do tend to freeze up so I gradually went into it but he still struggled quite a bit. It makes me think that he was uncomfortable, yet never admitted to being in that situation. I just know that next time I may take a more guided approach and help him even more.
I love middle school aged children and they are my favorite ages to teach. Most of the time they are focused on how cool they look in front of everyone else. This is really the first experience I've had where I was outside of a school setting and away from everyone else. You really get to see the child without the entire act. It is a refreshing change because you can see that these kids need our help so much and they often get lost in the social aspect of everything. I remember it being like that when I was in school. I have the opportunity to help this student academically where he struggles within the privacy of his own secure location. I think it will be very beneficial to him and myself because this is a rare experience I get to have.
The Bloom's questions is an unique opportunity to have the students think and respond. Too many times, in schools, the time for discussions is so short that questions are low level and many students, like struggling readers, wait for the others to answer. They sit back like "turtles" with head down hoping the teacher will not see them and ask them to respond. This area has to be a confidence building by modeling answers and the opportunity to respond. This is an environmental issue.
ReplyDeleteI too love the middle level child. They are like grown up kindergarteners testing the limits, unable to control their growing bodies at times, and fragile in keeping social friendships and groups. They are so interesting. They also are craving TLC, and a teacher who really cares about them. I am glad you are there with them. They need you.