Learning Styles

So today, as I had already stated it would be, was super busy; but also super successful (in my opinion... and quite frankly, that's all that really matters to me).  My meetings in the morning went as smoothly as they could and then, before I knew it, it was time for my first formal observation of the year, which I had been panicking about (as I always do).

The observation took place during my resource period with my entire group of hooligans.  My tutor, who is always with me during that period, was out this week due to a death in the family, so I was flying solo and I was stressing out.  But by the grace of God, the stars seemed to align for me: my biggest problem student, GrandLarceny, had been suspended, so he wasn't in class.  A female student who I really like, but who constantly questions everything that is asked of her was absent.  And then Shoelaces, who is the most disruptive student due to his unmedicated ADHD that I have ever come into contact with, requested to go to the Career Center for the period since he knew that I was going to be observed and claimed that he was, "just going to get [me] in trouble if [he] stayed in the room while that dude was here".  Needless to say, he didn't have to ask me twice.

So the lesson I did was all about the students discovering what type of learner they were (visual, auditory, or kinesthetic) based on eye movement.  The students paired up and took turns asking each other questions.  The student asking the question, tracked the eye movement of the other student by checking off whether the student looked up (visual), to the side (auditory), or down (kinesthetic) when thinking about the answer to their question.  It went really well and the kids actually seemed to enjoy it; especially when I told them that I had done this activity in one of my college courses.  College?!  And they are doing this in the 9th grade?!  OMGAWD THEY ARE SO AWESOME AND MATURE!  Ha ha... right.

We then discussed what ways their different learning styles could be utilized in their classes and how they plan to use this information in the future.  I thought it went great.  Before I knew it, my administrator came over and told me he was leaving and that he'll have my report ready for me tomorrow to sign.  So I'm keeping my fingers crossed and really hoping that he writes me a positive (and literate) report this time.  Last year was rough.  Just click on "Formal Observation" in the labels below to read about my previous experience with this guy.

New Teacher Tip Of The Day: "The only sin is if you hear a good idea and don't steal it."  I've made it easy for you to steal this one: