When we first were assigned the reading and GAME plan development activity, my initial thought was “what a great concept to work with students”. Then as we got started I wondered if it really could be something to use with students. It seemed like it would be a side track from my already packed science curriculum. But as we processed through it the steps over 6 weeks, I began to see how it was possible to blend in with my sciences when we set up a larger project.
In a month from now, we will be starting our last large 6 week unit on Energy. My goal with my kids outside of science content is it prepare them for high school without hand holding. I think the structure of GAME is something that middle school students can use. It will be interesting to see what “goals” my students will chose for their GAME plan.
On a personal note, though I am frequently learning and exploring technology applications, using the GAME plan structure made me more conscience and more focused on my learning process and certainly more reflective on the progress. I was also more time conscience of my work where in the past I haven’t gauged the window of time so much before. It is something that I will use again in the coming years of learning new and more technology. I can also see other ways of applying the GAME to other educational adventures such as pursuing my PhD next.
Please come teach at my Jr. High. Your concern is preparing the students for high school and you realize that hand holding does not assist in the process. Good luck on attaining your PhD.
ReplyDeleteThe students are capable of doing more than some give credit for. We need to let them wander on their own and find their way around things. We can always be there for guidance if needed, but let them figure things out. We focus so much on how much time we have to accomplish things because there is a lot of money involved, but we can develop more accomplished learners if we let them fall down on their own every once in awhile.
ReplyDeleteMike
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteThe idea of using the GAME plan with your students is great. I believe this plan can fit almost anything because is about how we can monitor and adjust our goals to what is realistic and what works or doesn’t work. Students need guidance and if they are able to monitor their growth they can see that they have potential to improve and be successful if they do it the right way.
I’m glad the plan has worked for you and that you plan on using it for future endeavors. Good luck with pursuing your doctorate program. I’m sure you will be very successful at monitoring your progress when you get there.
Thanks Everyone for their comments and support. I am right there with you Mike on letting them fall and stumble. I am always telling my kids that it does not alway have be perfect, science make mistakes all the time, and what is important is that we learn from those mistakes. As my Grammie always told me "if you pick yourself up, dust yourself off and figure out some that you did wrong, and push on ahead then you have not really failed - you have learned instead."
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