Last week I tried my hand in lesson planning and wow, what an experience.
Although I have lesson planned before in previous jobs, it was hardly comparable to lesson planning at a museum. The program we are currently working on at the Amon Carter is an elementary school program where we provide entire classes with a book (each students receives and gets to keep said book) and then we do a virtual program that consists of three different lessons, each connecting artwork in our collection to aspects of the book and then to an art-making activity. Our deadline for finalizing our script was last Friday so we all worked hard to edit each others lessons and get everything perfect (I did less editing and more observing). It was a little stressful, but more exciting than anything! One of the three lessons I wrote entirely on my own and I was really nervous about it. I was terrified that I was doing everything wrong (imposter syndrome strikes yet again) and stayed up super late trying to make it perfect. Then on Friday we all critiqued and edited each other's lessons before my boss, Jessica, went through and made some final edits. I love how much the Amon Carter collaborates on everything, it takes a lot of pressure off and builds a team. And in the end, Jessica said it was a great lesson.
It was also really helpful seeing how the scripts started off and how they change and change until they are perfect! It also made me realize many big words I use - ha! Luckily Julianna (shoutout!) referred me to Hemmingwayapp which you can plug your writing into and it'll let you know what grade level of writing you are on, so that helped me to see where I was going wrong. We have to prerecord these lessons but also administer them live (virtually) in the Spring. We will be recording in December - so stay tuned for my post about that! I am nervous and constantly doubting myself (but I am trying to get better about that!) but the women I work with are so amazing and helpful. I have a lot to learn but this was an exciting first experience to say the least.
Looking forward to hearing everyone else's experiences!
Emma, I loved reading about your lesson plan writing experience! I am super interested in the book virtual program that connects the book to pieces from the collection. What a creative way to engage students with literature/reading and works of art. What age group are you working with for this program and is this a chapter book or picture book? I also had no idea that you could use a digital software to check your writing. I know how you feel with the worry and the self doubt. You are a great educator! Great work!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for you encouragement, Beatriz! For grades 1-3 we are focusing on a short picture book (The Hugging Tree) and for grades 4-5 we are focusing on a small chapter book (A Wolf Called Wonder). We are also doing this program for middle schoolers but have decided to not focus on a book this year and to instead focus on the art-making process since it is harder to fit in books to their curriculum because they are already reading other books for class. I am very nervous to be recorded but even more nervous to be in front of an entire class - ah!
ReplyDeleteThis is really awesome, Emma! I now want to read both The Hugging Tree (what an adorable name for a book) and A Wolf Called Wonder (the title alone makes me smile :). Like Beatriz, I am excited to hear more about your lesson plan and how it goes being recorded and speaking in front of a class. I don't think you need to fret at all about how that is going to go... those kids are going to love seeing your bubble gum pink hair, your bright smile, and they will be able to feel your enthusiasm for art :)
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