Blog Number 1 Classroom Reflections

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

This blog entry denotes my reflections of an introductory lesson on symmetry that I recently presented to my kindergarten ELL students on January 25, 2010.
As I was preparing my lesson on symmetry, I was thinking to myself, Wow! Symmetry! How am I ever going to get this concept across to my class of eighteen kindergarten students in a manner that is engaging, thought provoking and conceivable? How am I to show that in order for an object to be considered symmetrical, both sides have to mirror one another. What activities and vocabulary would best fit the lesson? Will this lesson be one they remember or one they forget?
As my experience grows in the ELL classroom, I have noticed that I tend to differentiate my lessons so that students have several opportunities for success. In this particular lesson, I opened the lesson by reading the book, Let's Fly a Kite. While reading, the students were seated on the carpet sitting with legs crossed in their assigned space. Reflecting back, all but three students seemed to be engaged in the story. The three not so engaged students were either playing with their shoes or staring off into space. I thought to myself, at least they are being quiet and I have other activities planned so maybe they will take something away from the lesson. I continued to plod on as I would occasionally ask comprehension questions. The students would raise their hands to answer the questions. Occasionally one or two would get excited and blurt out the answer. Over all, I remember being quiet surprised and so pleased at the answers given. I remember having a feeling of great satisfaction at that moment as I have noticed the growth in their vocabulary and understanding over the last few months.
After reading, I took a large piece of construction paper that was folded length wise, with half of a kite drawn on one side. I asked my students if they knew what this was going to be. I recall even mentioning it was something that we just read about. The students at that point were very excited and loved guessing what the paper was to be after the cuts had been made. I remember getting answers such as a diamond, a triangle and yes, someone said a kite! Well needless to say, they all applauded when I cut the paper and opened it, and a kite appeared. I then used the kite to show another example of symmetry, as I drew a line length wise of the kite pointing out that on both sides the kite is the same. As I was planning the lesson I just keep thinking to myself that I needed more than a book and a couple of cuts on a piece of paper to get this concept across. With that being said, I used mirrors. During the lesson I passed out small mirrors to every student. I even gave myself one. We all looked at ourselves in the mirror and I explained to them that this is another way to show symmetry, as on both sides of the mirror the object is the same. I remember using the phrases same size, same shape and on both sides throughout my lesson. Now that I think back to the lesson I noticed several of the students repeating the phases or saying them along with me! The mirrors were a huge hit but I am not so sure for the right reasons! Oh well, next I drew a picture of a house with a rectangle bottom and a triangle top. I drew a line north and south on the house. I drew several features of a house on one side and called for volunteers to make the other side exactly the same. I remember the students being very excited to show that they could copy mine! I recall the smiles on the children as they were experiencing their success. I remember having a feeling of satisfaction with the lesson at that point as all of the students seemed to be gaining an understanding of symmetry and they all appeared to be having so much fun learning. Well, I was in for the biggest thrill ever, as before we broke off into our math small groups, I did one last activity. Looking back, this activity was the clincher and engaged everyone. It even fostered lots of language, before, during and after the activity. The students were cued to go to their seats by my bell. After being seated, I gave each student a pre-cut kite with a line drawn north and south. I then put out three bowls of paint and paint brushes on each table. This really caused a stir as they love to paint! The students appeared to be anxious to get started as I gave instructions about not mixing the paint colors, taking turns etc. Anyway, I instructed the students to blob three colors of paint on one side of the kite. There was much conversation as they seemed to be very excited and ready to guess what was going to happen. Then I instructed them to fold their kite along the pre-creased line and press upwards on their paper. I recall watching the students carefully chose their paint colors and so carefully blob their paint onto the kite. Two of my students that are fairly new to the US need a little help but for the most part everyone was willing and able to complete the task at hand. During this time there was much chatter about what was going to happen to the paint. I remember the students code switching as they were talking excitedly. I also remember feeling euphoric as to how this lesson was unfolding. As the students unfolded their papers they were so excited to see the same shape, size and color on both sides of the paper. They went around the room showing off their kites. I remember the students praising each other's work and they all seemed to share the same excitement.
I closed the lesson by showing previously explored examples of symmetry.
Overall as I reflect back on this less , this was an engaging, fun, and very conceivable lesson as there were many opportunities and activities for each type of learner. After reviewing my reflections I believe this was a lesson that the student will not forget!

MTSU Honor Statement:
This assignment/assessment was soley written by me. In no way have I plagiarized (represented the work of another as my own) or otherwise violated the copyright laws and academic conventions of fair use. I know that violations of this policy may result in my being dismissed from Middle Tennesse State University and /or appropriate action being taken against me.
Signed (submitting this statement to Taching Faculty with student's name typed below constitutes signing):

Cindy Mann
01/27/10

First Blog Ever!

Hi! My name is Cindy and I am a kindergaten ELL teacher. I am currently enrolled in a graduate program thus leading me to create this blog. I am looking forward to posting and blogging!