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Subjects Matter: Synthesis Blog on Chapter 11

How To Use a Textbook 

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Textbooks are often seen as the standard text incorporated in classrooms. How effective are textbooks really for our students? The authors of Subjects Matter discuss in Chapter 11 how we as teachers should properly engage with textbooks in our classrooms. The reality is, using textbooks as our sole resource in the classroom is not helping our students learn most effectively. The authors write: "Textbook based teaching doesn't work" (178). So, do we completely disregard textbooks? No. Textbooks provide good content for our subject areas. However, we must be choosy with our selections from the textbook and how we present the text to our students. 

Image result for textbook memeRather than present the text by assigning individual reading, use activities that help students engage in the text and draw out the concepts you feel are essential for deep understanding of the subject. One activity in particular that I would like to use in Jigsawing. To use the Jigsaw activity, divide the class into small groups and assign sections of the text to each group. After allowing time for the students to collaborate and analyze their text as a small group, have each group present their section to the class by providing a small summary of their text. This method allows the students to build off of ideas from one another, but also makes the workload bearable for each student. I like this method, because I think it can be very beneficial for students that potentially struggle with literacy skills in the classroom to gain a deeper understanding of the text. Collaboration is going to be a huge aspect of my classroom in the future. This method allows students to learn and grow together both in their subject area course and overall literacy skills. As a future social studies teacher, this method can allow students to explore their own ideas of history, government, geography, etc., while providing a space for fun and collaboration with their peers.

Word Count: 320

Comments

  1. Thompson1 October 2019 at 12:27

    This was supposed to be chapter 6

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thompson1 October 2019 at 12:28

      Ah. It seems you did Chapter 6, but you labeled it chapter 11. No problem.

      Delete

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