Today's class made me very frustrated, because it made me question the reasons that I'm teaching.
It's like I can see the future of what we have to do, and I have no comprehension of it. Like I'm a caveman looking at a credit card machine.
Not only do I not understand how to implement in a SERIOUS way the strategies to extend student memory and retention of information, but I really don't know how to overhaul the way I think about teaching math to accomplish it. I keep running-against the same hurdles: what about the ones who are absent? What about the ones who don't like work and I have to make second-level work for them?
And then the assessment is one DIFFERENT way. What the heck am I supposed to do about having to teach how to take a test? Why can't I just teach what they'll be needing to know?
I just hit a wall when I need to not only teach new material, but also teach RULES to play a game to teach that new information and THEN have them practice it. But I want them to have a way to LOOK BACK and review. Where do notes fit in?
I don't remember any labs or activities I did as a kid. I don't think I did activities. My mind doesn't work that way yet. I'm trying, but it's... It's just so frustrating and I feel like I need PD time JUST to re-work how I teach and present the information.
I don't know how to CONSISTENTLY implement best practices. I have an old bridge and I don't want to patch it up, I want to tear it down and build a better one. But I only know how to patch-up.
