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| Photo: Faith Merino |
A few years ago, when I was a new creative writing teacher at a Brooklyn charter school, I made a rookie mistake. I delivered a lesson on perspective and voice, and wrapped everything up with, “does anyone have any questions?” Fifteen pairs of eyes stared back at me blankly. Finally, one hand went up, and a quiet 10-year-old named Shane asked: “Is it true Chinese people eat dogs?”
In retrospect, I really should’ve handled it with more poise and maturity, but the question totally blind-sided me and I couldn’t stop laughing.
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| Photo: VatorNews |
Most teachers—new and established, alike—know that asking a room full of students if anyone has any questions is pointless, since those that do aren’t likely to raise their hand and ask in front of their peers, and those that actually raise their hand may have a question that no one else has. Either way, it means wasted class time.
How do you make sure that every student in the room understands the material without alienating those that don’t and slowing down those that do? One of the responsibilities that comes with being a teacher is knowing how to roll with the punches, so many teachers have come up with quick and easy methods to get around this kind of hurdle. One teacher might have his students write their answers on cards and hold them up so that he can look around the room to find out who is struggling. Another might have her students take a brief quiz after a lesson or assignment to see who needs further help.
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Source: VatorNews
