Delta Autumn

After reading Delta Autumn, I'm glad that MTC continues to print copies for First Years to read year after year. As a first year teacher and a lifelong student, I am slowly learning that there is more to teaching that I don't know than I actually do know. That being said, I really believe that most of the information highlighted in this book will be of some use to me next year. And I'm sure it is one piece of literature that will never be too far from my reach.

While I will probably find the information concerning the first day of school more helpful in August, I found the section on teaching students with ADD/ADHD and learning disabilities interesting. Our one student in MS Studies is the ideal student- she’s motivated, she’s smart, she does her work without much (if any) prompting and she most certainly does not appear to have ADD/ADHD or any learning disabilities. However, as I begin to write my own lesson plans, I can’t help but wonder how I would teach a classroom containing several ADD/ADHD students. Throughout my years tutoring athletes coupled with my own personal experiences as someone with ADD, I know how difficult simple classroom tasks can be. As a student, I preferred lessons with multiple activities, as I tended to get distracted by the bigger, lengthier projects. Also, my eyes tended to glaze over during any movie clip longer than a minute or two. Fortunately, I had teachers who knew what they were doing and I didn’t get left behind. I want to make sure that I do the same for my students with those kinds of issues- every kid is capable of learning, some in different ways than others.

After watching some of my Second Years in addition to reading the book, I have come up with several ideas that I plan to use in my classroom next year. Longer movie clips are acceptable as long as there is a sheet of questions that engage the student in active learning. Longer projects and readings are perfect as long as there are detailed instructions to guide even the most distracted students. Independent work time is the perfect opportunity to give students with learning disabilities the one on one attention they may need.

Overall, I liked the book. I’m glad that I have my first two lessons under my belt. So far, I’ve enjoyed teaching and I’m excited to see what tomorrow’s lesson on Choctaw Indians actually becomes.