Comments on: Teaching Individuals with a Workshop Instructional Model

By: Kim Rowe

Kim Rowe — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 20:18:00 +0000

Thank you for sharing this. I love how you knew when to back off with that student, but really challenged him to question his own thinking. In working with children with language delays, we often also see challenges with executive functioning and children having difficulty questioning their thinking. I think you modeling that lesson in questioning is so helpful, as it’s a skill for every teacher, therapist, and parent to hone.

By: Cers @ Rainy Day Mum

Cers @ Rainy Day Mum — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:01:36 +0000

In reply to Melissa Taylor.

The private schools have always worked one way and got the results – if it works don’t fix it – problem is that the system is not creating individuals that are ready for a world that doesn’t spoon feed them and needs alternative independent thinkers which means many get into the top universities but don’t find it easy to get the jobs as others that haven’t gone to top universities but are independent thinkers and learners

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:01:44 +0000

In reply to Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum.

You’ve had a lot of experience – & it’s so encouraging it is to hear you were in a state school that supported independent thinking. What’s up with the private schools?

By: Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum

Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:44:02 +0000

I find your articles very interesting – I’ve taught in both sides of the English school system – private and state schools. Interestingly state schools are embracing the work shop, divergent and constructivism way of teaching where as private schools are the complete opposite. The last state school I worked in had an amazing programme where each lesson was broken down into a starter, group, pair, individual work (each had to be targeted as much as possible in each lesson) and then a reflective plenary activity. We were discouraged from using worksheets unless it could be open ended and had to take into account different learning styles within the classroom – I found that with teachers that embraced this form of learning they knew the students better, could connect with them and they achieved better grades and also when going onto college were known as students that could independently think without having to be spoon fed and had the skills ready for a life in the work place and further education.

By: patricia

patricia — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:47:33 +0000

In reply to Melissa Taylor.

What I’m working on now is a stand-alone e-book on facilitating writer’s workshops in the home. (A little different than how you might use a workshop in the classroom, although I did that too, when I taught elementary school.) It’s a relatively short and achievable project! I still have a chunk of writing left, and then I have a whole lot to learn about e-book publication–but the end is in sight. Projects are good, right? Thanks for asking!

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:56:01 +0000

In reply to patricia.

I can’t wait to read that book – as I told you on your blog. How’s it going?

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:55:22 +0000

In reply to Natalie. You can do it!!! Glad to hear you got a shot of encouragement. :)

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:54:52 +0000

In reply to Gwyn Ridenhour. sounds amazing, Gwyn!