What did you learn today?

After a very busy January with exams and report cards followed by the start of a new semester this month, it's about time I did some reflection and wrote a new blog post.  I was inspired to do this one by another teacher in my school board, Phil Young, who is coordinating a blogging series called Project 188.  The goal of this is to have more voices heard from our schools.  Be sure to check out the website and follow the project hashtag on twitter, #peel21st188.  

What did you learn today?  That is the key question.  In order to answer it, I looked to my Grade 9 Physical Education class, which was learning the key steps involved in completing a successful lay-up in basketball this afternoon.  During the lesson, we progressed from shooting directly under the basket to a full lead up with dribbling from a distance away.  At key moments, I stopped the class to ask questions, such as:

- At which part of the backboard should you aim for?
- What is the best way to hold the ball?
- What leg should you jump off?  

Partway through the lesson, we co-created a list of key points:  

 

 After our discussion, students practiced the task in pairs.  One of the baskets had an "instant replay" station that consisted of an iPad app called BAM (Bust a Move) video delay Airplayed to a flatscreen TV.  Here, students could practice their lay-ups and then walk over to the TV to obtain instant feedback on their performance (NOTE: A delay time of 7 seconds was ideal).  When they were doing this, I stressed that they refer to the key points we had discussed and ask themselves if they were achieving them.

At the conclusion of the class, students were given an Exit Ticket that asked them What they learned.  These were some of the more interesting responses!

 

I especially like the honesty of the student who said he didn't learn anything today because he already knew how to do a lay-up.  I appreciate a child who is not afraid to speak his/her mind.  Why?  Because these are the kinds of comments that challenge me and, when I'm challenged, I am able to continue improving as a teacher.  

So, what did I learn today?  I learned that no matter where we start or where we find ourselves, we always have room to improve.