tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525941061387824183.post4599787069577437790..comments2024-02-20T15:17:27.759-05:00Comments on Concrete Classroom: Confused? Frustrated? Good!concretekaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03817234454056267050noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525941061387824183.post-38491761060263734272011-06-28T13:39:47.068-04:002011-06-28T13:39:47.068-04:00I was thinking about this issue of frustration tod...I was thinking about this issue of frustration today at the summer course I'm teaching. The kids and I only met each other a few days ago and tomorrow is already the last day. <br />Reflecting on your post made me realize the main reason I'm MUCH more wary of the level of frustration than during the school year - the kids don't know me well enough to trust me. TRUST is important. My students at school know that I'm letting them "deal with it on their own" at the moment, I'm not leaving them or giving up on them.naomi epstein - editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11313570483533421633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525941061387824183.post-72973908737844840632011-06-27T19:28:56.685-04:002011-06-27T19:28:56.685-04:00Thanks for pointing out this important point, Naom...Thanks for pointing out this important point, Naomi. Our school has a 25:1 student to teacher ratio with some integrated classes with 50 students and 2 teachers.<br /><br />The level of frustration is a touchy thing that requires constant moderation by the teacher. The key is to allow a low level of frustration but to not let students become discouraged. The other thing about PBL is that the teacher can offer optional workshops for students who are quickly frustrated while other students plunge ahead on their own. Later more advanced workshops can be offered if other students get stuck. The workshop concept is critical because it allows the students to ask for "just in time" instruction about the topics needed. It also facilitates more individualized instruction.concretekaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03817234454056267050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525941061387824183.post-45483701997811311732011-06-27T16:21:08.191-04:002011-06-27T16:21:08.191-04:00This is a very interesting issue. I can see the po...This is a very interesting issue. I can see the point of utilizing the situation of some confusion / frustration, but do your worksops address the heterogeny of the classes? I'm a special needs teacher but I know that in "regular" classes there are children (even high achievers) who do not deal well frustration (and even "shut down"). The teacher must be sensitive to the fact that in the same class there may be very different reactions.<br />What is the size of the classes at this school?<br />looking forard to hearing more about this intriguing program!naomi epstein - editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11313570483533421633noreply@blogger.com