Strategies and QuickChecks - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 opened with logistical suggestions for a classroom and including science. While many of the suggestions echo what we have learned in other classes about classroom it addressed setup with more of a scientific mindset. For example this chapter addresses including living organisms in the classroom such as classroom pet or an aquarium. I think having a system such as an aquarium can be a source of engagement as well as wonderment. I found this short article about some of the benefits and ways to utilize a classroom aquarium. An aquarium could also be utilized for cross-content lessons such as writing about aquatic life or like the book suggests practicing collecting and organizing data.

This chapter also provided several useful quick checks. I liked the Demonstration QuickCheck on pg. 78 because I can see myself as a teacher wanting to do as many demonstrations as possible. However, having criteria to narrow down or conceptualize demonstrations is helpful in creating an effective demonstration. Another concern of mine as a new teacher is engaging students and having active listeners. I really appreciated the Active Listening QuickCheck on pg. 83. It gives some great strategies to increase active listening. 

I think active listening is also a skill that is necessary in an effective teacher. It's no mystery that teachers' attention are spread across an entire classroom at any point in time around the day. Students are in-tune to whether or not we are actually listening and when a teacher truly engages in active listening with a student it can help foster better relationships between teachers and students. Here is a video I found on techniques to engage in active listening as an adult. 

And another video on the power of listening. A couple minutes into the video, after William Ury (2015) gives an example of the power of listening he states, "because I listened to him, he was more ready to listen to me" (time 4.25). I think this holds true within the classroom, as well as in negotiations, because of three benefits of listening they Ury gives. The first benefit is that listening helps us understand the other person, the second helps our connection/trust, and the third benefit is that it helps the other person listen in return. This was a very insightful talk that can be used not just in political negotiations but to help strengthen other relationships in our lives including with our students through simply listening.