Journal Practicum student: Joel Wright Date of Entry: October 23, 2011

Describe an instructional interaction that is ___ effective

This week, we were finally able to finish The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in our 12th Grade reading class. Contrary to my suppositions, the students were still able and willing to participate in group discussions, even after weeks of the same material. Furthermore, the students were even more willing to perform tasks that made them hesitate just two weeks ago, such as reading out loud, or volunteering personal information to contribute to group discussions. Hopefully, I will be able to encourage this kind of engagement in subsequent lessons, and build upon the classroom climate of openness and free participation.

Mark the learning variables that made it problematic/effective: ___environmental considerations Curriculum meaningfulness _clarity of task Consequences If the scenario above was problematic, describe solutions to variables mentioned. If the scenario was effective, describe how the variables were used correctly.
Curriculum meaningfulness, again, was the most important factor in encouraging meaningful participation. As long as students can connect with, and take ownership of, curriculum, then they will be able to become active and engaged participants with their curriculum. Related to this are the positive effects of natural consequences; if students can perceive the natural benefits that they reap from their open and honest engagement with meaningful instructional material, then, hopefully, they will continue to pursue such authentic engagement.

Based on your reflection above, describe 1 action you choose to use to be effective and explain why. The most effective teaching strategy for working with students at this level is to provide them with an avenue by which they can make the instructional material their own. Some ways in which this can be accomplished include making the curriculum relatable to their personal life experiences, giving them the opportunity to dictate the direction in which various lessons will proceed, and making well-known the natural, positive consequences that will occur as a direct result of their engagement with the instructional materials.