Busy Bees Session 2

Our group met on 5 February and our question was:
How appropriate are the following teaching methods for students in Grade 4?
Team work
Story Line
Problem Based
Esra led the session, using the Consultancy Protocol and I did my best to facilitate.
Esra gave us a very detailed overview of the work being carried out in 4th Grade, so detailed in fact that we felt overloaded with information!
Clarifying questions were:
Q: How often do you carry out projects using the above methods?
A: Can vary from class to class.
Q: How long does such a project take?
A: It varies.
Q: Do you carry out pre and post evaluation of the project?
A: Yes.

Probing Questions:
Q: How do you prepare the project?
A: Teachers work as a team.
Q: How do students react to working at different stations in the classroom?
A: Very well as gradually they are choosing where to work and judging the level at which they will be comfortable within the project.
Q: You spoke about the 'Instructions/Guidelines' which students and teachers decide upon? How do the students get on with these and what does it lead to?
A: They learn to question what they are learning and assess themselves in the process which leads to autonomous learning.

Group Discussion: The group felt that they needed a concise summary of the techniques used and it would be a good idea to be present in class for first-hand observation.

Esra promised to give us a summary in chart form.