Blog Post 7

When Ayers uses the metaphor of building bridges I believe he is talking about building bridges between the student and teacher. This is done through the teacher being able to relate to the student on a personal level.

The pattern of greatness:
1.) Greatness in teaching, too requires, a serious encounter with autobiography.
2.) Greatness in teaching is always in pursuit of the next challenge; the next encounter…greatness demands an openness to the new and the unique.

All the examples show how a teacher is to build a relationship with their students and why it is so important.

We are planning a lesson on the Declaration of Independence.

When planning the lesson we considered:

·       The interests of students

·       Students prior knowledge

·       Students learning styles

·       The length of presentation

·       The teaching styles

o   Student involvement

·       Any materials needed for lesson

·       Consulting with colleagues

·       Self-reflection

o   Relationship with students

·       Awareness of

o   Tone of voice

§  Fake it if needed

o   Interaction of students

o   Dress

·       Simplify and relate to students

 

In our group we also discussed the activities we would do with the students to help them have a better understanding of the lesson.

We would have the students write a mock Declaration of Independence to declare some independence from their teachers and parents just as the colonies did to the king.

We would also do an activity where we had a king barking orders to the students without them receiving any benefits to show them how the colonies felt and why they wanted their independence.

We also talked about having the students do a debate of patriots vs. loyalist so that they understand both points of view.