Richie's Taxonomy

Journal entry #4: a taxonomy drawing

As funny as this can be, I can say that back in the day, planning lessons for my very first classes and job applications was a challenge because of the fact that I literally didn't know what to do. So, I have seen Bloom's Taxonomy as a beacon for my planning skill since the moment I discovered its existence. 
It doesn't really matter if my activities have gone well or wrong in my short teaching story as the taxonomy has given organization and marked limits to every single plan I have made: they no longer look like one big stage.

Allow me to explain the image above: it is my version of Bloom's Taxonomy. 

It is a graphic taxonomy that starts from zero and, as Cartesian planes develop single equations to complex ones, it evolves in cognitive environments marked by verbs from the lightest (near zero) to the deepest level. 

I hope you can see the analogy I made here as both students and teachers try to grow and develop knowledge all the way from simple things to remember to big creations. 

The 10 Commandments

Journal entry #3. Giving feedback in class: The 10 Commandments

Being a teacher is not just about planning lessons, "backup plans" and hoping not to use them. I mean, have you ever wondered what to do when correcting your students while giving a class? 

  

Well, next to most of my classmates and friends, my teaching experience is almost zero but, still, it is slowly growing and so is my opinion on what to do when the time comes to stop a student from doing something incorrect or wrong. 

 So, if you wish to keep a good rapport with your students, here are the things that have helped me throughout my short experience as an English teacher:

1.- Keep it simple: Do not overcorrect.

2.- Let other classmates give feedback: teachers may rest for a few seconds.

3.- Don't expose anyone: this will probably destroy a hardly built rapport. 

4.- Balance your feedback: look for this thing called "sandwich feedback", you'll thank me later.

5.- Do not interrupt: give your students the chance to finish their idea because they may find the mistake and correct themselves. 

6.- Adapt your feedback: every student is different, and so your feedback should be.

7.- Go to the point: Students prefer to know their mistakes at once.

8.- Be patient: YOU ONCE WERE A STUDENT TOO.

9.- Allow students to make some reflection by themselves: teachers may rest for a few seconds.

10.- Find balance: there is a thin line between constructive feedback and being disrespectful.

Most of the time, teachers are models that are followed by students who learn from them. It would be wise if we mind what we say when giving feedback. If we do this, I assure you that you won't fail your students.

Tough situations

Somewhere in their careers, all teachers must deal with situations that force us to make important choices. At the same time, we are supposed to be loyal to our values. This incidents happen even when you, teacher, don't have that much experience in teaching.

I was once giving particular English lessons to a pair of brothers: boy, and girl. They were really talented and also willing to participate in all the activities I prepared for them. As time went by, they were aware that their English mastery was noticeably rising resulting in a rise of their confidence as well. This triggered a wave of incidents that included the fact that they started not to do the homework I assigned for them, which was bad because their midterm exams at their school were upon them. Eventually, the exam results came out and the children's parents asked me to talk with them: they told me to change my teaching technique, which included videos, readings and games to practice speaking and listening, and practice grammar and working in a useless book instead. 

Kids are full of energy. They need to do meaningful and moving things to keep their interest, so, I assume you can imagine my dilemma. 

I decided to stick to my plan. I kept my teaching technique but I used the last minutes of the sessions to remind them of the importance of the lessons and their grades at school.

Some weeks later, their parents spoke to me again to ask why I hadn't listened to them but I just told them to be faithful to their children as they had been doing their homework and, actually, corrected some grammar and pronunciation particular mistakes they had been doing. Eventually, the course at their school came to an end bringing the results of their final exams. Both kids approved their English subject but, despite I was supposed to continue my process with them for their next course, I was never called for again. 

Every working person at their jobs should stick to their plans and values. No one should change them only because others tell you to do it, especially when you know you're right about a situation. 

Despite I lost my job, I know I chose well.