Groundwork (Chapter 6)

Groundwork is such a great keyword for chapter 6 and essential when designing any product.  I can’t agree more that the careful planning that goes into instruction has a direct impact on student achievement.  I like the focus on accessing prior knowledge and assessing where students are at a given time and place.  This chapter fits perfectly in with the district’s focus on the formative assessment process.  In particular I liked the section of the chapter that ask the reader, “What tools are best for the job? Imagine these tools in students’ hands.  What do students already know how to do?  What will they need to know?”  As I experience introducing new tools and techniques to my students I have spent the time to lay groundwork…but like trying something new there are glitches and unforeseen issues.  There have been times that I wanted to give up even when I thought I had scaffolded the lesson- only to not anticipate student’s questions and struggles to do things as an independent learner.  Take for instance, setting kids up with an e-mail account.  While the steps were spelled out and we had students fill a hard paper copy out of what needed to be done before every entering anything in a computer- it ended up being one of my nightmare days.  All I dreamed about that night was the little crazy, insanely hard to read verification codes…!!!