I want to jot down thoughts from my first VTS lesson of the year.
I had 2 kidergarten groups experience their first VTS lesson yesterday. Wow! I had the group I knew would be a challenge and one of the other kidergarten classes back to back...two, 30 min. sections. By the time the teacher drops the class off and we finally get started, our time is already reduced, takeaway the five minutes we use to line up before the end of class, and it leaves 20 minutes to VTS.
I started each class with the expectations and an explanation of what VTS is. I shared with students that on our "short" art days, we will either be looking at pictures or reading a book. I adopted this from a colleague who introduced me to VTS, we say this together..."V-stands for Visual, we used our eyes" (we point to our eyes), "T-stands for Thinking, we use our brain" (we point to our brain), "S-stands for Strategies, it's a way of doing something" (we move our arms like we are running).
I let students know there are 4 rules for VTS. 1. We look 2. We listen 3. We raise our hand and 4. No crawling around. It is a long time to sit for a 5 year old. In the past, I have found crawling around to the be the biggest distraction during VTS. When I stop to correct this behavior, we lose our momentum. I try to give quick hand signals to let students know to sit up or stay put. Students also seem to realize that they need to use the restroom as soon as they sit on the rug. I try to see if they can wait because once I let one go, they all seem to have the urge.
*let me know if you have any suggestions for this.
Our first lesson went well and better than I expected with my squirrely class. I tried to recognize and point our when students were sitting still before I called upon them. "I noticed you were raising your hand patiently and waiting your turn, What do you see?". If a student was up on his knees and waving his hand with frustration, I told him, that I call on "quiet" hands and as soon as I noticed that behavior, I tried to get over and call upon him as soon as possible.
As the lesson moved on, I noticed I was not giving positive feedback after each student. I need to find my word or phrase and be ready for next time. I also noticed that paraphrasing can be hard and finding synonyms for certain items can be a challenge. I will continue to work and address these areas. I was more aware of every move I made during this lesson...more so than last year.
I am looking forward to the next lesson.
Your last sentence says it all; "I am looking forward to the next lesson." That means it was a success! (Clearly not an "I'll NEVER try that again!" experience!
ReplyDeleteYou might limit the kindergarten lessons to a 10-12 minute time frame until their stamina and interest in the process builds. I have had Kindergarten lessons go 20-25 minutes, but that was after they had learned the process and were very engaged in a particular image. Give them wait time, but if the wiggle worms get wigglier, have draw it to a close for the day. They'll grow into the process quickly.
Beth, You are so brave for deciding to go for it with Kindergarteners, I don't think i could have the courage to do that! Responding to your first lesson, I really think the thing that captured my attention was your four rules for VTS. While the fourth one does not necessarily apply to my situation, I feel that I might have to borrow those rules and replace #4 with 'No Texting.'
ReplyDeleteIt seems that you have double doses of kindergarten and I have to applaud you for giving VTS a chance with wiggly kiddos. While you mentioned that sitting still is quite hard for them, I think that these students will be able to focus more and more the more you implement VTS with them! As i recall, you have VTSed with your students before taking this class, so I am sure that you will be able to handle it! I thought it was great that you highlighted good behavior before you called on your students and were able to reinforce that behavior that you desire, it works will with younger students.
It also seems that you are also in a situation that I was in during Student Teaching, the kids would be dropped off late by their classroom teacher and it woudl cut into some of your time. Using Mary's idea above by allowing on ten minutes to VTS, do you think you will have time to do a small activity with them during the VTS periods? Or would you like to make VTS the main priority of the class period?
Lastly, I am so excited that you will be able to have these students year after year, it will be amazing to see how much progress they have gained as they progress in their grades. The scaffolding that you are laying out now will work wonders as you get to have these students each year. They will be rock stars in fifth grade! Something fun to look at.
Great job, Beth! Can't wait to hear more about you!