{"id":3916,"date":"2021-09-30T23:27:39","date_gmt":"2021-10-01T03:27:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/edt431-531\/?p=3916"},"modified":"2021-09-30T23:27:39","modified_gmt":"2021-10-01T03:27:39","slug":"going-to-the-margins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/2021\/09\/going-to-the-margins\/","title":{"rendered":"Going to the Margins!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What does it mean to teach in the margins?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going to the margins in your classroom means that you are going into a lesson, topic, or an activity where you explore the unknown! Not everything in the classroom can be, nor should be, planned out and structured. Curriculum is important, but following tracks of student interest increases engagement in the classroom and makes for meaningful learning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is a margin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a classroom, instruction is often planned and structured. Teachers create and present slide shows, plan activities, and do experiments in the classroom setting to teach students the standards and curriculum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my experience, when teaching is always planned and structured, students are often less than engaged and just going through the motions. When students truly become engaged and interested, when they really learn<\/em>, is when the class moves outside the structured center and move to the potentially messy, unknown world in the margins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about a road. You have the asphalt, with the nice, structured, yellow lines. It is all very intentional, and there is a clear destination. Then you have the gravel along the shoulder on either side of the asphalt. You might have a ditch and some woods as well. Maybe a few trails from animals even. These<\/em> are the margins! The messy, unknown destinations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Students ask questions in class and become explorers! There might not be a known destination, nor a plan, but learning is so meaningful here! Students are excited and engaged in the activities, and these are the times they are going to remember years from now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the margins, students are leaders. They are guiding their education and they are curious and excited about what they are discovering! They are building their critical thinking skills and memories to last them a lifetime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How do you go to the margins with your students?!

– Make space for classroom discussions
– Ask and encourage open ended questions
– Embrace the unknown! #tothemargins<\/a> #EDT431<\/a> #margins<\/a> #explore<\/a><\/p>— McKenna Miller (@MissMillerChem) October 1, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote>