This book at first seemed like it was going to be dry and scientific. Not something that I would enjoy or be inclined to use. But as I got deeper into the text I became more engaged in the symmetry of the learning process as a natural act and how we can use that in our teaching. It also made me realize how lucky I am to teach in my content area. While teaching Project Adventure based curriculum I have the luxury of being in a "learning lab" every day. My students are physically doing tasks both individual and group that engage the senses on so many levels. Zull was able to articulate how experiences, emotions, and senses cement and anchor learning. I was able to connect his explanations of the research and his own stories of his experience to my own teaching methods. What it reinforced for me is to have faith in letting the students "do". Let them struggle. Guide them with words, resources and thoughtful planning. Then get out of the way as much as possible. They will learn. The brain will change.
Sometimes the hardest thing about realizing what is best practice is facing the fact that you have been doing things poorly for so long! This book by Wormeli is a great resource for educators (and I think parents!) to understand how to treat students fairly. Creating systems that respond to individual student progress is not always easy but it is necessary if we want to be fair. Changing how we assess students can truly change the focus to learning and not punishing. Supporting students with materials, scaffolding, and time will allow all students to meet the standards.
I plan to revisit this work often in the future when I am stuck or frustrated in my process of developing curriculum and assessments.
I plan to revisit this work often in the future when I am stuck or frustrated in my process of developing curriculum and assessments.
Rick Wormeli@RickWormeli Rick Wormeli twitter feed. A resource that generates many more resources.
http://cvulearns.weebly.com/ Professional Development site created and maintained by CVU Teacher Coaches Emily Rinkema and Stan Williams with contributions from entire staff and other outside resources.
http://cvulearns.weebly.com/ Professional Development site created and maintained by CVU Teacher Coaches Emily Rinkema and Stan Williams with contributions from entire staff and other outside resources.