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Aren't Children Amazing?

Last week my students presented what they had learned about Guatemala to three different groups of classes at my school. It was part of the now annual Celebration of Learning. Although it started out as a way to highlight the Latin American holiday of Carnaval it has taken on a life of its own. We now share what we're learning about the different Latin American countries that we study, whether or not it's to highlight that country's particular customs around Carnaval time. Although my students' presentations were far from polished and they had been nervous while presenting, they felt they had done an awesome job . At the end of the day, I asked the children what they could improve on for the next time they had to give a presentation in front of a group. In a nutshell, this is what they said:

--Even though I was nervous I pretended there was only one person in the room and that I was just talking to that person.
--I just told myself that this was only for a few minutes and that I could do it for that long.
--I think I need to practice speaking in front of a large group.

Next week I am presenting at our local Teacher's Convention and I will most definitely remember my students' words of wisdom.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Look at what they learned! It never ceases to amaze me how students will rise beyond our expectations if we, as teachers, let go enough to let them. What a wonderful learning experience for them! :)
10 February 2009 at 01:38
Unknown said…
Yes! And, you know what? As I reflected on my presentations at our local Teacher's Convention I realized that I used these three reflective comments to help me do the best job I could. And, it worked!
14 February 2009 at 11:36
nunuwins said…
Wonderful! Smarter than us!
2 April 2009 at 22:34
Unknown said…
Yes, they are! Thanks for leaving a message!
Elisa
3 April 2009 at 23:36
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