Unpacking the Power
Imagine teaching a complex historical event. Why might it be beneficial to explore different perspectives on the event, rather than just presenting a single narrative?
Exploring perspectives from both sides can provide a more nuanced understanding of the causes and consequences of the event.
Think of a challenging concept in your subject area. How can you use manipulatives or hands-on activities to make it more accessible for learners?
Example:
When teaching about the solar system. Use manipulatives like balls of different sizes (from bouncy ball to yoga ball) to represent the planets and demonstrate their relative scale in. This can help make the vastness of space and the size of planets more relatable for students.
As educators, we all have our own biases. How can we be mindful of these biases when presenting information in our classrooms?
Example:
Be mindful of the language you use and the examples you choose. For example, presenting mostly male scientists in a science lesson might create a gender bias. Aim to showcase diverse historical figures and perspectives in your subject area.
In your own teaching experience, how have you incorporated examples or perspectives from different cultures into your lessons? What impact did this approach have on student engagement and understanding of the content?
Assists students to activate their background knowledge and use their thinking skills to make connections with what they already know in relation to the new information. Which allows for deeper analysis through discussions and the sharing of different perspectives, ideas and knowledge.
One of my student’s inquiry questions for the Wonder Wall was “Who found the simple machines?”. We haven’t had a lesson about the history of Simple Machines yet but during our lesson on Wedge I shared that my Zulu ancestors were hunter-gatherers and used assegais (spear/javelin) to hunt wild animals for food. Upon showing the students a picture they could relate and shared that in their culture, they’d seen pictures in museums and movies of ancient warriors also using spears. So we thought about the time that our ancestors lived in compared to wedge simple machines we use today (scissors, knives, pins, needles, doorstop, etc)
Think back to a time you learned something new. How did the teacher connect it to something you already knew?
This helps students visualize the idea based on what they already know before diving into understanding more complex concepts and knowledge.
We all learn differently! Describe a strategy you use to differentiate instruction and cater to diverse learning styles in your classroom.
Reading Diary:
Where my students need to choose a book from the 6 they took home weekly and summarise what the book is about and what they like / didn’t like in the book.
Emergent students: Allowed to draw pictures, label the pictures and write simple sentences if they can.
Advanced students: Are encourage to elaborate on their ideas and write more detailed responses.
Science is a great example of a constantly evolving field. Why is it important for teachers to view content knowledge as something that grows and changes over time?
Acknowledging the evolving nature of knowledge encourages students to be critical thinkers and lifelong learners. They understand that scientific discoveries can change over time, and new evidence can lead to new theories.
Think about a subject area rich in visual arts, like music or dance. How can you integrate artistic expressions from various cultures to create a more well-rounded learning experience?
Students could explore traditional music from various cultures around the world and could learn about different instruments, rhythms, and musical styles.
(Global citizenship / International mindedness)
We all have experienced misconceptions at some point. Share an example of a common misconception in your subject area and how you might address it in your teaching.
Misconception: There's one right way to speak English:
English has many dialects and accents, and there's no single "correct" way to speak it. As long as you're understood, different accents and regional variations are perfectly acceptable.
Collaboration is key! Please share a group activity where students were asked to analyze and compare different approaches to solving a problem in your subject. How would you structure such an activity?
Example:
My students are learning about Simple Machines in our Inquiry Lessons so an activity I have planned for one of my observations is to tell students that I lost my hair clip in the sandpit, the team that helps me to find it will be rewarded with playing on the slide.
One team can only use their hands to dig, another team will be given toy shovels:
- We’ll predict who will complete the task first
- Evaluate the usefulness of simple machines
- Going further: Students think of how much faster a mechanical crane would complete the task if we had a 3rd team.
- Students can think of the importance of the advancement of these simple machines and how they’ve impacted our lives today.
History is full of diverse perspectives and interpretations. How can we use this richness to create more engaging and thought-provoking lessons for our students?
- Inquiry-Based Projects: Assign research projects where students can explore a topic of interest from multiple perspectives. This fosters independent learning and allows students to delve deeper into the complexities of history.
- Primary Source Analysis Activities
- Debates and Discussions
- Role-Play / Simulations
- Comparative Studies
- Guest Speakers and Field Trips
Finding the right balance is key! How can a teacher ensure their lessons are culturally relevant while still maintaining the academic rigour of the subject they teach?
By finding ways to connect the content to students' own lives and experiences to help them make connections and visualize the concept so that they can gain a deeper understanding of the topic.
Share a quick activity that helps you to gauge student understanding of a key concept in your discipline.
Technology can be a powerful tool! Share an example of how you've used educational technology to enhance student learning in your subject area.
Example:
Epic! Reader: my students like that they have their own profile and that they can read independently and some books can be read alouds which is beneficial for emergent readers. And the library has books of varying levels and some books have quizzes which is a great formative assessment to help check their comprehension.
In a history lesson, you could use educational simulations like virtual reality experiences to allow students to walk through historical sites or participate in reenactments. This brings history to life and makes it more engaging for students.
A teacher passionate about literature might emphasize the beauty of language and storytelling. How might this critical disposition influence the way they teach their subject?
A teacher passionate about literature might design lessons that analyze the use of language, symbolism, and other elements of literature. This approach deepens students' understanding and appreciation of literature.
- Developing Critical Thinking Skills: The process of analyzing literature encourages students to question, interpret, and draw their own conclusions. They learn to think critically about the text and form their own interpretations, becoming more independent learners.
- Connecting Literature to Life: By analyzing themes and messages in literature, students can connect them to their own lives and experiences. This fosters a deeper understanding of human nature and the world around them.
Imagine a classroom project where students research and present on traditional games from different cultures. How can such an activity promote student engagement and content mastery in your subject area?
By researching and presenting on traditional games from different cultures. This will allow students to explore cultural similarities and differences while learning about game design and strategy.
(International Mindedness / Open-minded / Exposure to different perspectives and views)
The world around us is constantly changing, and so is knowledge in many fields. Why is it important for teachers to stay updated on the latest research and discoveries in their subjects?
Staying updated allows teachers to incorporate the new discoveries and research into their lessons. This keeps content relevant and engaging for students, and ensures that they're learning the most current information in the field.
Learning shouldn't be a chore! How can you integrate games, puzzles, or simulations into your lessons to make the content practice more engaging and effective?
I’d turn vocabulary practice into a game by dividing the class into teams and have them compete in a jeopardy-style games, Kahoot!, etc focusing on key vocabulary and terms from the current unit. Which will make learning academic language fun and interactive.
Imagine you are a veteran teacher with a strong understanding of a particular subject. A new curriculum is introduced that challenges some of your long-held beliefs about the content. How would you approach this situation, demonstrating a critical disposition towards your own knowledge?
(Open-minded to new information) A critical disposition involves being receptive to new information and evidence that might contradict your existing understanding. You could approach the new curriculum with an open mind, willingness to learn and re-evaluate your perspective.
(Be a lifelong learner) A critical disposition encourages you to see yourself as a lifelong learner. This new curriculum presents an opportunity to expand your knowledge and stay current with the latest research in your field.
(Research and Verification) Don't simply accept the new curriculum at face value. Conduct your own research to verify the claims and evidence presented. This allows you to form a well-informed opinion about the new information.
(Reassessment) If the new evidence is credible, then this will involve revising your lesson plans or classroom discussions to reflect the new information.
Teaching is all about connection! Share a personal experience of how you've integrated culturally relevant content into your lessons to create a more inclusive and engaging learning environment for your students.
For our Travel Unit - I integrated my own culture and taught my students about different vehicles in South Africa when we looked at transport and phrases in Zulu, my mother tongue, when we looked at languages. They also learned how to say hello in different languages. They also tried traditional foods like biltong, boerewors rolls and Melrose cheese spread.
This creates a more engaging, and well-rounded learning experience for students and provides inclusion for those from diverse backgrounds.