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If at first you don’t succeed

If you give students the opportunity to debate and you’ve prepared them with a wealth of resources,
Will they participate successfully?
Today my answer was no. I found that my best laid plans were unsuccessful. Some students were well prepared with notes while others had no idea we were doing a debate.
My success rate is not particularly high with this class, but at our second attempt at a more formal class discussion I had high hopes.
I’m feeling down on myself like I let them down. But I’m trying to take the unsuccessful lesson in stride and use what happened today to improve the next time.
If at first you don’t succeed, revise your lesson plan.
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Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 6, 2019 at 12:19 PM

    This is a great reflection of your lesson. We have good and not so good lessons so as your quote states ,"If at first you don’t succeed, revise your lesson plan." Thanks for the advice.

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    Replies
    1. MSheehanMarch 6, 2019 at 7:01 PM

      Thanks for reading Juliette! I'm hoping to continue to reflect to improve rather than to remain in negativity.

      Delete
  2. jennasemMarch 6, 2019 at 12:52 PM

    Great reflection! Sounds like a perfect opportunity to revise and try again! Have a scoop of ice cream or glass of wine or whatever you fancy to "erase" the frustrations of the lesson and know that your students still love you and you're still a great and effective teacher!

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    Replies
    1. MSheehanMarch 6, 2019 at 7:02 PM

      Thank you for reading and for your advice to unwind Jenna! I appreciate it.

      Delete
  3. Katlyn BennettMarch 6, 2019 at 2:12 PM

    One of my colleagues once told me, "Nothing that you do is harming your students. They learn even when you don't feel like it went well." Keep that in mind, I think it's true- especially in situations with discussions!

    ReplyDelete
  4. JenMarch 6, 2019 at 3:26 PM

    I think "If at first you don't succeed, revise your lesson plan" should be a sticker on an lesson plan book. We definitely need to remind ourselves that like a piece of writing, revision is always an option and that revision is a good thing. We can learn from the experience, which will help us the next time.

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    Replies
    1. MSheehanMarch 6, 2019 at 7:03 PM

      Thank you so much for reading Jennifer! I love thinking about lessons as a piece of writing that can use revision and that we can take lessons from any experience, positive or negative.

      Delete
  5. SallyMarch 6, 2019 at 5:43 PM

    As you revise, be sure to name what DID go well. Then grow that!! I bet they approximated some debate skills. Perfect is not the goal. Embrace all they can do and help them to grow.

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    Replies
    1. MSheehanMarch 6, 2019 at 7:04 PM

      Thank you for reading Sally! I will continue to remind myself "perfect is not the goal".

      Delete
  6. Leigh Anne EckMarch 6, 2019 at 9:34 PM

    I love your last line, and I agree with Jen in that it needs to be on a lesson plan book. I found all of the comments you received very inspiring, too! Might be because I also needed to hear their words!

    ReplyDelete

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