##### Straight Off the Tracks #####

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     Friday I completed my videotaped literacy lesson in my second grade practicum classroom! It was a fun experience. I taught my students about prediction by using the book Two Bad Ants. The students saw me walk towards the front of the room with my stuff, and they asked me if I was going to be teaching. When I informed them I was, they screamed "Yayyy" and then asked me what I was going to teach them. :) It was a great start to the lesson. I started out my lesson by asking students if they liked to make guesses. When they excitedly said yes, I told them that in math, they make guesses, or estimations, about numbers. I pulled out a jar of bugs! Don't worry, they were just made of plastic. I asked them to think about what they already know based on what they can see. I helped them by pointing out the size of the jar, as well as the size of the bugs inside. Based on the knowledge they already know, I had students guess how many were inside (to avoid an outburst of guesses, I drew three popsicle sticks from the "Name Cup"). The three students guessed "40" "40" and "44." There were 37! Pretty close!

      I explained that in reading, they can also make guesses, or predictions. They can think about what they already know and make a prediction based on those ides. To get them started, I pulled out the book. I told them to look at the cover. We discussed how the cover and title had 2 BAD ANTS. We also did a quick picture walk (just looking at the pictures in the story). Based on these images, I had students write down what they predicted the story would be about. I told them that while they are listening to the story, they should think about their predictions and look for clues in the story that would confirm their predictions or not. As I read the story, students predicted two other parts of the story. I modeled my predictions to give them ideas on how to form a prediction. As we discovered new information, I encouraged students to think about their prediction and if they thought they should change their predictions, they could. I modeled an example of my own change of prediction based on contextual clues in the story.

      Once we finished the story, I had students share some of their predictions (used the Name Cup again). We then checked our predictions using the text. After the lesson, I looked at the papers the students wrote their predictions on. All the students participated in the lesson, and ALL of them were able to use this skill very well. It was evident that the majority of the students changed their predictions throughout the story! :) They totally grasped prediction! Each student left my lesson with a great understanding of this skill, as well as a new plastic bug friend! :)

      Playing back my lesson, I got to see myself teach for the first time. It was both exciting and intimidating. I saw many areas of needed improvement (stop saying "So"!!). This video was a great resource to use in my personal teacher development. I recommend that all teachers in training do this! :)