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The teacher as facilitator
Posted:
Mar 28, 1999 2:40 PM
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X-mailer: epigone
I think the role of the teacher in the new investigations curriculum
is that of a facilitator more than that of being a teacher. When
teaching an investigation, I try to model what the appropriate
behavioris when using the manipulatives but without suggesting the
exact way an investigation is to be solved. I even give them five or
ten minutes of free exploration with the understanding that they must
then give me their attention when I ask for it otherwise they won't be
given any more free time. After the investigation, I then allow each
student or group to share their ideas they came up with to the class
and allow them to explain their thinking. I do emphasize to the other
students that we are here to support each other and everyone is
special because they are different and in how they think about solving
problems in different ways. When I notice that someone can not handle
the group work or pair work I then intervene and become another member
of the group to get the ball rolling. I make them become active! I
think that at the fifth grade, the children have become so used to
being told answers that they sometimes forget to think or investigate.
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