Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Teachable Moments
Don't you just love when a concept you are attempting to teach your students, comes to life during the school day and you can capture those teachable moments? That happened for me today. Over the past few sessions of social skills, we have been working on the concept of a "social filter." It's okay to have weird or rude thoughts, but it hurts others when we turn that "thought bubble" into a "talking bubble." Today, as I was doing inclusion with a student, she was waiting in line to discuss her book she finished reading with her classroom teacher. A student was in front of her sharing his book with the teacher. My student blurted out, "Come on! What's the hold up? There are people waiting!" I simply leaned over and whispered, "Remember our 'thought' and our 'talk' bubbles? Well, that should have stayed in your 'thought bubble." She looked up at me as it clicked in her brain. She leaned over to the student and said, "Oops! Sorry!" She patiently waited in line until it was her turn. What's your fun teachable moments??
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I really like your concept of "thought bubble" versus "talking bubble." I use these concepts frequently in my class but haven't had a good, clear way to communicate it. I have recently used it when I change seats or pods. I tell the students "you can complain in your head, but not out loud because you will hurt someone's feelings." Now I can use these phrases! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI like that "bubble" concept too! Teachable moments are something I am trying to take more advantage of this year. Sometimes I catch myself getting so caught up in the content and what I need to teach I let some of those moments pass by. I am trying to make more of an effort to reflect with students and ask them what we can do to improve next time, or just to take time and discuss things when they come up. I am trying to keep in mind that teaching some of those life lessons and skills can be just as important as the content I am teaching.
ReplyDeleteThat is great! I use a lot of vocabulary from Michelle Garcia Winner. She is an amazing Speech Language Pathologist who works with people with autism. Although her blog is directed to those with autism, I feel that all students can benefit from her vocabulary. Here is a link to her blog;
ReplyDeletehttp://socialthinking.com/
I recently attended a Michelle Garcia Winner workshop and really liked her message and the vocabulary that she uses to teach social skills/communication. I have been applying some of the ideas in my speech/language therapy sessions now.
ReplyDeleteOne memorable teaching moment for me so far this year, involved a student who I see for social communication needs. When picking this student up from the classroom he would loudly state, "I need to go now," while the teacher was instructing the class. After leaving the room, we discussed perspectives and what the teacher is thinking when she sees me enter the room. We determined that he didn't need to state that he was leaving for Speech because she was already thinking it was time to go when she noticed me there standing by his desk. I am now not entering the room at all and just standing by the door, making eye contact and this student is quietly leaving for Speech/Language services.