Teachable Moments
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Birthday Party
I was standing between two buildings after lunch to make sure that students arrived on time to class. A very sweet and friendly female student ran out of her classroom and demanded that I come into her math teacher's classroom immediately. At first, I thought there was a problem. Why would she need me to come inside the room? It didn't make sense. The bell had not even rung yet! Was there a fight going on between students? Did the teacher get sick? What could it be?
As I approached the classroom, I could hear the chatter, laughter and shouts of joy among the students. They explained to me that it was their teacher's birthday and they bought her a birthday cake! They sang the "birthday song" to her, gave out plenty of hugs and took a lot of pictures. One of the students even videotaped the party and everyone was in a celebratory mood.
Suddenly, the student who bought the cake gasped and announced, "Oh my goodness, I bought the cake, but I forgot the plates, forks and napkins!"
Well, after walking her over to the Parent Center and securing those necessary items, I walked back to my office thinking that this situation was a "teachable moment".
It may be the case when classroom teachers are providing the cake or the headline feature of their lesson. They may not have remembered to bring the assessories-tapping prior knowledge, preparing sufficient packets or materials, grouping students strategically according to ability, skill and talent and/or developing the assessment to compliment the lesson.
Please be prepared that when you are hosting the "learning party", you remember to bring everything it takes to celebrate success.
Don't just bring the birthday cake!
As I approached the classroom, I could hear the chatter, laughter and shouts of joy among the students. They explained to me that it was their teacher's birthday and they bought her a birthday cake! They sang the "birthday song" to her, gave out plenty of hugs and took a lot of pictures. One of the students even videotaped the party and everyone was in a celebratory mood.
Suddenly, the student who bought the cake gasped and announced, "Oh my goodness, I bought the cake, but I forgot the plates, forks and napkins!"
Well, after walking her over to the Parent Center and securing those necessary items, I walked back to my office thinking that this situation was a "teachable moment".
It may be the case when classroom teachers are providing the cake or the headline feature of their lesson. They may not have remembered to bring the assessories-tapping prior knowledge, preparing sufficient packets or materials, grouping students strategically according to ability, skill and talent and/or developing the assessment to compliment the lesson.
Please be prepared that when you are hosting the "learning party", you remember to bring everything it takes to celebrate success.
Don't just bring the birthday cake!