Chapter 2 - FIAE

This chapter was all about the mastery of the information. It described evidence of mastery as having a clear understanding of the information. Students can understand the info enough to retell it in their own ways, elaborate on the basic information, and be able to relate the information to real life concepts or ideas. Ways to see that the students have mastery of a subject is to see a long term pattern of success on work they have done, as well as understanding the lesson beyond the week, or month that it was taught. Teachers must make their objectives clear, in order for a student to understand what they need to master. I really like the quote on page 12 stated by McTighe and Wiggins: “True understanding manifests itself by spontaneous application.” So if students can apply the information almost immediately to something without having to put much deep thought into it, then they have mastered that content. I think this is really true. I can spontaneously add 3 plus 3 and know it is 6. I don’t have to spend time thinking or adding the numbers together. The big question is, how can I create this mastery to take place in my classroom. I think that the big key is constantly having the students engaged. If the class is board with what we are doing, they won’t pay attention or learn from it. Or if it is too hard, it will go right over their heads. I think I really need to find ways to make what I teach engaging yet still challenging in order to see this spontaneous mastery within the classroom. A big question that applies to me and that I ask myself is, how will I know I am adequately providing mastery material? The book answers this question nicely; communicate with your colleagues when you are a first year teacher. This will help me know if I am properly addressing the standards I am teaching.