Know When It's Time To Call It A Day
Today was a good day at school. I was feeling pretty good, my voice held out, and I was able to keep my students engaged with the lesson. But now it is time to go home.
I was going to stay and do some paperwork but after finishing one bit and realizing I had just done all the numbers in the wrong column I realized I had reached the point of diminishing returns and should call it a day.
Today's lesson bridged the Middle Ages to the European Renaissance via The Black Death. We will continue this lesson tomorrow. The BBC has an excellent 50 minute long documentary on this subject which, after a bit of setting the scene leading up to it, engendered considerable comments and conversation with the students. So much so, in fact, that we only got about half-way through the movie in each class.
I love it when a lesson plan goes well. Especially when it goes so well it pushes into a second day.
education | school | class | teacher | students | lessonplan
Image Credit » https://pixabay.com/en/clause-attorney-human-person-doubt-67401/ by geralt
Comments
markgraham wrote on September 8, 2015, 3:24 PM
Congratulations! The time period helped I remember studying that era when I was in 7th grade. Renaissance was a great time in history and believe it or not the "The Black Death" was interesting in its own way. That disease taught us a lot about germs even back then and since it is still around today is still teaching us things.
lexiconlover wrote on September 8, 2015, 3:40 PM
We studied that time period in 6th grade, it was one of my favorites.
valmnz wrote on September 8, 2015, 3:58 PM
That's what real learning is about, isn't it. When the role of teacher slips back into facilitator. Well done.
MegL wrote on September 8, 2015, 4:01 PM
It's great to have a subject that pupils enjoy, especially when you can find resources that are interesting too.
Feisty56 wrote on September 8, 2015, 4:03 PM
It sounds like it was a rewarding and interesting day for both teacher a students. I'd label it a great success!
CoralLevang wrote on September 8, 2015, 4:22 PM
I think I want to go back to elementary/middle school, as long as you were the teacher.
But I might develop a crush on you.
DWDavisRSL wrote on September 8, 2015, 5:22 PM
The Black Death taught us a lot more as well. It taught us some unbelievable lessons about the way human communities react under the stress of such a disease.
DWDavisRSL wrote on September 8, 2015, 5:24 PM
It was an awesome feeling.
DWDavisRSL wrote on September 8, 2015, 5:33 PM
I was especially impressed that the students kept asking me to stop the video so they could discuss what they'd just seen or ask questions if they didn't understand. Usually they just sit there docilely and let the vid play through.
markgraham wrote on September 8, 2015, 6:24 PM
After your post I went back and now I am re-reading the chapters in my Western Civilization book from college. I might even have a few articles to write from them. You do remind me of the teacher I had during those years. Thank you very much.
bestwriter wrote on September 8, 2015, 7:38 PM
Each time you talk about your teaching in the class it takes me back to my school days. There were teachers and teachers and very few with the kind of approach you have.
cheri wrote on September 8, 2015, 11:16 PM
You had a very interesting lesson. I have actually forgotten all about this and wish I was there in your classroom.
wolfgirl569 wrote on September 9, 2015, 12:21 AM
Glad you are feeling better but your body found a way to tell you it was time to rest. Sounds like a great lesson
Paulie wrote on September 9, 2015, 3:50 AM
Do your students have much of a reading assignment on this topic? It sounds like a good one for discussion especially if accompanied by a documentary.