Change the lessons... Here's a thought

I recently listened to Richard Wells at iPadpalooza 2015 in Austin. He was incredible and I can see why New Zealand is 20 years ahead of America in the education field. He made me want to move there.

His article this week about changing the lessons http://wp.me/p2KVKA-C6
Made me think, YES. We need to think as if we are the student!

Teachers tend to think, it's all about me and my subject, my scores, and my knowledge, right? I know I did, it was my students, my classes, my "smart" lessons of course, making me feel like I was so smart. After reading this article, I thought about the student's next hour is filled with another whole topic, teacher another lesson, switching gears totally to fit some schedule.

Is it because we have always done it this way?

Could we work together to combine lessons, and schedules so students reading skills are targeted while they are reading in history class, or vocabulary is mixed into math and extend the days into two parts. Half a day with mixing topics, then lunch break students then move second half of the day blending science and math? Then after that students pick their "elective" art, band, sports.
I believe giving students choice in their learning builds stronger thinking, and then it would not be about ME the teacher, it's more about smarter students. Isn't that our goal?

Would it help and if so, How long will it take us to change? Just my thoughts from Twitter articles today.

Comments

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