Guide on the Side

As it is used in teaching, the phrase “be a guide on the side, not the sage on the stage,” refers to the idea that the teacher functions as an informative facilitator, and allows students to actively interact with new information by working with one another. This ETP goal is to optimize active student learning by teaching students how to respectfully engage and lead the directions of their conversations with one another. As an introductory project to the year, the unit will support second grade students’ abilities to lead an effective presentation about their “All About Me” items. Students will list attributes of strong communicators, find a trait that they would like to develop moving forward, identify a goal for their presentation, and provide feedback towards one another to lead a successful meeting. The outcomes of this ETP can be extended towards use in virtual learning platforms, as students will have experience leading conversations with their small groups.