Monday, February 25, 2008

Flexibility

Last week got me thinking. Not just the craziness on campus on Wednesday, but the week as a whole. We're always taught while making lesson plans to be sure to be flexible and prepared when we're actually out there teaching. Last week was a perfect example. Monday we didn't have class, which we knew about since it was a holiday. Tuesday was normal. Wednesday we had two classes, then lockdown. Thursday was normal, but classes were unusally small, perhaps students were wary about coming to school after Wednesday's events. Friday was a snow day (yay!). If this had happened in a high school, the lesson plans for that week would almost be shot. If a teacher is flexible enough with their lessons and prepared with extra material, a crazy week like last could be handled beautifully unlike so many times days are wasted in high school because teachers cannot deal. Just a thought..

1 comment:

Dr. Luongo said...

Jackie,

You make such a good point. Last week was a crazy week on campus. Flexibility is a huge issue. Although lesson plans need to be written, teachers must be flexible, too.

Being a former classroom teacher, another thing comes to my mind-- sensitivity. Teachers must also take the students and their feelings into account. If something like last Wednesday happened in a high school, I feel it must be addressed. Students may need to talk. They may need to write about it. They may just need a place to feel safe for a day--before they start "learning" again.

Thanks for posting!