Scientific Rotation

At first I though what a great idea. Then as it sunk in I began to realize I would have three days of someone else's students. This began to worry me a bit. Then I remembered not 6 classes of this particular lesson but 24. Is this a good idea I asked myself. But, I refuse to give up on a challenge, so I got my team on board and after one day back from the holiday break we began, scientific rotation, or three days of students rotating around between teachers to learn about humans in space. Rather than teach all 8 topics we each chose two and well we became experts at these and created what I was hoping would be engaging lessons.

I was warned, "you have to be careful of this student, this period has these students who will misbehave etc.: I chose to ignore their warnings because it was only for one class period and who knows maybe they will "behave" not my words, for me. Thursday one teachers students, Friday another teachers students, Monday the final rotation of a different teachers students. Then Tuesday my students returned, mumbling about how happy they were to be back in my class. I missed my students. I enjoy having my students, I know them, can anticipate the days events, laugh and play with them. It was a relief to have them back. However, I enjoyed the last three days. I thought it would be awful. But it was quite fun.

My lesson was about spacewalks and sleeping in space, two of the most boring of the topics. But to spice things up I had 4 2-5 minute video clips interspersed in the lesson so as not to talk to much. I do not lecture in my class too often but for this rotation we all did to keep it consistent. I told a few jokes, they laughed. I had them brainstorm and collaborate, they enjoyed this interaction. They were intrigued and interested in the video clips, who wouldn't be they were about astronauts in space. At the end of each class, I thanked them for coming and told them how much I appreciated their attention. I explained that I enjoyed having them and hopefully we would have the opportunity to do this again sometime. They smiled and said "Thank you Mrs. CJ this was awesome." I could see in their eyes that teachers rarely thanked them. But for my students it is a daily occurrence. We exchange thank you's and good byes every day.

After this rotation lesson I reflected a lot. I was curious how everyone else on my team felt about it. Overall they agreed. They did not like having kids they did not know. It was hard to control them they explained. I did not like not knowing their names but I did not really need to control them. I had no issues at all. Whether they were on their best behavior or were truly engaged I will never know for sure but the three days were a great experience for both the students and myself. I learned that a good lesson will appeal to all students, if you make it interesting they will listen. If you are authoritative in stature but relaxed and energetic in nature they will respond with respect and interest. This is how it was for me. I made them laugh, I was passionate and eager to teach them and they in turn were motivated at least to listen to what I had to say. Not a lesson I would want to do all the time but rotating the students gave me an opportunity to meet all of them and them me. Now in the hallway they wave and say hello. A week ago they didn't even acknowledge me and now after one class with them they at least know who I am and smile my way.