Reading Workshop (Vygotsky and the Three Bears)

Journal Jot:

I think that learning happens through modeling, good instruction, thoughtful feedback, and kind words. For instance, if one is riding a bike, I feel like one learns the best if they are taught by someone else and shown some of the basic skills. I think it is also important to touch on the fact that sometimes you have to learn by not succeeding the first time and making mistakes. With mistakes, you need to be in a safe environment where mistakes are okay and you will not be ridiculed.

Vygotsky and the Three Bears:

Notes: "How do I reach all the needs of my students?" This is a really good point and one that I am afraid of. When you have a classroom of 30 kids then how can you reach all your learners? What activities can you do to show that you care about the needs to every child? Perhaps this is why we talked about differentiated instruction in Jacque's class and how we as teachers need to design activities that help every learner through the learning process.

Comments on reading:

1. This article stresses that the world should be a "fascinating place" where learning is fun and new adventures are key and accomplishments are endorsed.

2. Direct quote: "Take one precious bear cub and give him a safe, encouraging environment. Let him grow strong with good food and a positive atmosphere to try new things, where getting the wrong answer is ok". Can you say growth mindset? :-) This reminds me a lot of the other articles we have read so far on making sure that students feel okay with making mistakes. This also goes along with the idea that I have that learning takes place only if the students feel safe and that they are not going to be made fun of.

3. Direct quote: "My other concept is called zone of proximal development. Children will make progress learning when parents and teachers give them opportunities that are challenging but not to the point of frustration." Learning must require stretching of what the learner already knows but it cannot require too much stretching that they get overwhelmed. This also goes with the growth mindset we read about earlier. Learning happens by challenges and overcoming those challenges.

4. Learning takes place in groups. The learning process cannot always happen on one's own. Sometimes students need to help other students through modeling and more explanation. This is key to the learning process.

5. Learning expectations need to be age specific and appropriate for the learner. A teacher cannot assign a high school assignment to a middle schooler and have the expectation that they will succeed.

6. "The more opportunities to manipulate physical objects to understand the relationships the better." In my mind this touches on project based learning activities to promote true understanding of a topic. It is imperative that we have a chance for students to learn the information in the way that makes sense to them. This might mean using objects, constructing a visual, or writing a paper on the topic. This also touches on the idea that students need to practice and practice.

7. Like I said earlier, learning needs to take place with playmates, groups and teachers. Learners need to feel like they can come up with their own way for understanding something and that if their way is different from the teacher, playmate, and group it is okay.

Overall, I thought this article was okay. I was kind of annoyed though that it was in parable form because I feel like the main points could have just been stated and it would have been the same. But perhaps, I learn in a practical way and listening to a story doesn't work for me.