Today was another busy day and another highly productive one. We observed three classes, presented to three classes and conducted an ecology lesson/lab for students in the 11th grade. And then to top it all off, we participated in a teachers workshop that was arranged by our school that included 44 English teachers from around Khabarovsk and the director of the Khabarovsk Education Center.
Computer Science
First off was a 6th grade computer science class. The teacher was showing them how to program algorithms in order for their computer program to draw various geometric shapes. Then she let them loose on the computers to try it for themselves. Some were achieving some level of success, some struggled. But I was impressed at the level they were working. The program they were using was ROBOWIN.
Geography!
Our second class of the day was observing a geography class. Now, geography means a little something different in Russian schools. The teacher explained to us that 6th, 7th and 8th grade geography lessons include studies of topography, plate tectonics, the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmospherics. Upper level grades include studies in economic geography.
This particular lesson focused on biotic and abiotic factors associated with the soil, including learning about the zones of soil that make up the lithosphere. All in all, in our schools, this would be a earth science lesson, or a basic geology lesson. I particularly enjoyed the teacher's dynamic personality in the classroom and how the students responded to her. She also used a visual aide that she moved around the classroom for students to see how the various factors that make up soil settled at different rates.
One thing I was wondering about: All of the teachers have very nice PowerPoint presentations for each of their classes. I asked if they all make their own PPTs and Marina told me that the PPTs come with the curriculum. I think this is a really good thing for teachers to have access to for their classes. I don't know how much time I take making my own PPT presentations for my classes. And since I teach 6 different subjects, this eats away at a lot of my time.
For the next two classes, Eric and I made more presentations to 10th graders and 11th graders about who we are, our schools and where we come from. It is really fun interacting with these students as they have a lot of questions about Americans and schools, and it also gives them a chance to hear native English speakers and practice their language skills.
Eric at the board presenting
For our 5th period (an English class with a focus on ecology as today's lesson), we heard a beautiful presentation made by a student who researched environmental issues about the Khabarovski Krai -- all in perfect English (including her PPT). She is an 11th grader and spent about 6 months working on her research and presentation. She even created three lessons that she taught to lower grades to help educate them and raise their awareness about environmental issues in their area. Very impressive!
When she was finished, I took one of my hands-on lab activities (using M&Ms, always a favorite) and used that to address the issues surrounding overfishing and resource depletion, and the conflicts it creates. I hoped this would be a good lesson to address an ecosystem issue and the students really seemed to enjoy it. One comment we heard from a teacher later in the day was that she thought the Russian school system relied too heavily on teaching theoretical knowledge as opposed to practical knowledge. She told me she thought is good that I do many hands-on labs in my science classroom and she thought the Russian system may be moving more in the direction of "Inquiry-based" learning.
Physics:
After our Fishing For the Future lab, Eric and I observed a Physics lesson. The principal informed us that the physics teacher there is the best teacher in the area and that she teaches in a more "classical" way.
Today's 9th grade lesson was on electromagnetism and induction theory. The teacher seemed stern, but it was obvious that the students respected her a great deal. This was the first class we have seen that the teacher used handouts with problems for the students to work on and turn back in. She also used a giant stopwatch on her Smartboard and the problems that the students needed to work on (in teams) were timed. When the time was up, everyone's pens went down and the worksheets were tuned in quickly. Once the students demonstrated that they understood the key concepts and could explain them, the teacher had a hands-on lab activity using electromagnetism for students to use to solve more problems. It seemed that everyone was successful and by the end of the class, the mood had changed so that the teacher was joking around with the students and the students with her.
More Americanism!
We didn't have any more classes planned after that lesson, but the students and teacher from a 10th grade English class asked if we could join them. How could we say no? Of course we did! We both gave more presentations about our schools and had a great question and answer period afterward. It truly is a joy to interact with these students, and afterward get together to do group photos and individual pictures with everyone who wants to.
But that's not all ...
Marina and a team of teachers from the Lyceum had arranged a teachers' workshop where 44 English teachers from around the area came to hear us talk and for a matter of fact discussion/Q&A session about the state of education in our schools and in our countries. I will write more about this workshop in the next blog.
Afterward, Eric and I joined Marina, Ira and the school's principal for a delicious supper at the principal's favorite restaurant. The conversations were lively and it was a great opportunity for us to discuss important similarities and differences between our school system at the administrative level. I will greatly cherish that time we spent breaking bread together, sharing our ideas. Thank you!
Exchanging pics and Instagrams after class
Students in line at the cafeteria
And ..... Lunch!
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