Immersion
Being Focused vs. Being Immersed
Burgess discusses the difference between being "Focused" and being truly "Immersed." He does this by comparing a lifeguard and a swimmer/swim instructor. Yes they both are around water, but which one is truly immersed?
vs. 
A swimmer/swim instructor is completely immersed in the water. The lifeguard is out of the water watching the water. The lifeguard is "Focused" on the action, but the swimmer is "Immersed" in the action.
"It's far more powerful to 'swim' with your students." (15)They need the benefit of your complete immersion in the class.
Discussion Questions
- Think of your interactions with your students. How can you ensure that you are fully immersed in a whole group lesson and also a small group lesson? What would that look like in your classroom?
Don't forget to respond to at least one one other person's comment.
ANSWER:
ReplyDeleteThe need to participate and be an integral part of the action is crucial in teaching. As educators, we need to be fully immersed in a whole group lesson and small group lessons. I feel this is most often happening in the "We do" part of lessons. I feel this happens most upon first instruction of a new concept/idea.. when students are working together with you to fully grasp/understand it. You need to be right in there with the students. Once students can "swim" on their own (begin to understand and apply a new concept), you are NOT going to still be in the water showing them how to do it. You're going to allow them to go try on their own (independent practice)... the "you do" part of a lesson and observe them (more of the lifeguard stance). For those struggling learners, you're going to be in the "pool" with them most of the time... you'll be swimming with the students, engaging them in the learning process. For me, I'd be going back and forth with the "I Do" and "We Do" engagement pieces... working with hands on experiences for my struggling learners. This looks very different in the various content areas of 3rd grade... whether it's whole group or small group, it's finding the struggle and scaffolding to success WITH the students.... sitting with them, working with them, talking with them... not just sending them to their seats to "figure it out" on their own.
As a parent of swimmers, the analogy used by Burgess is one I can really appreciate. Being able to be in the "pool" with the kids is one of the hardest things to do in teaching but also one of the most rewarding. Learning how to ignore distractions, from behaviors to noises in the hall to be truly focused takes an extraordinary amount of effort and energy. I know when I have been immersed in the lesson when we (the class) look up and realize that someone has walked into the room and we haven't even noticed. When Burgess talks about the teachable moments and using them to engage your students resonated with me. If you make the most of your time and structure your classroom well, those teachable moments are the ones students remember the most. Yes, I have to teach the content but I teach kids.
ReplyDeleteI can remember having conversations with an administrator who used to continually look up at the clock whenever we would meet. It used to drive me crazy. As an administrator I often think about how I can be immersed in what's happening in the school because to be honest, I often fee like the the lifeguard just making rounds checking in and out of classes. I think I want to really take some time and focus on that and how I can be more like the swim coach. What would that look like for a principal?
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