As I reflect on what I have learned this week I have noticed how hard it is to learn something new. The amount of patience it takes to push threw the pain and failure is frustrating. As I go through my daily life, which can be monotonous at times. It seems like I'm going through the motions and I tend to forget what it feels like to struggle. When you do things day in and day out you tend to be good at it. Learning the guitar has changed this perspective.
This project has given me a new outlook on how my students may feel learning a new subject. I do forget that we are all learners and as teachers must recognize how difficult it is to learn new things and put our selves in out students shoes.
This week I have struggled to learn Nirvanas "Come as you are" but have felt pretty proud of what I've learned in one week. I have learned to play the Riff but struggle to keep it in tune. I hope to play it better by next week using more muscle memory. I have noticed my learning style has been not giving up until I've reached my goal for that day. I usually set my goal for a certain project and try not to stop until I have accomplished it.
I love that you are tying this experience into what your students might be feeling learning in our classrooms. I've done the same and its enlightening. I agree that throwing a new adventure into life breaks up the monotony. I would love to aim to try something new every summer when we have a little more time to dedicate to it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great take away and connection to your students. You bring up a great point, what we do everyday becomes routine and often does not challenge us and then when we are faced with challenges it can feel huge. I thnk setting a daily goal is a great strategy, but I can also imagine that gets frustrating when you aren't getting there as quickly as you hoped. You are doing awesome, keep it up!
ReplyDeleteJose, Thanks for sharing. These videos will be great examples to share with your students when you (or , if you) decide to try genius hour in your classroom. Allowing and encouraging students to go for something that interests them...even if it's once a week, can help grow that culture/relationships in your classroom. Excited to hear more of your guitar learning.
ReplyDeleteI like the reminder that those routine things we do, we become pretty good at. It is so good to remember what it is like to learn something new for the first time. I remember when I taught a new class one year and although I had background in it, it was the first time I had taught that exact subject. It was so good because I struggled a bit along with the kids and felt like I was learning it with them. Then after a few years you forget that feeling because the course becomes more comfortable and routine. I have to remember what that early feeling was like.
ReplyDelete