On a side note, bservation was good today, we got to talk about Judaism today! Anyway, my Co-op teacher developed a couple of new ideas to motivate the class. She realized her previous methods weren't working so she thought she would try something new. She needed all the students to turn in their homework and they weren't so she thought of something new. There is a number line and everytime the whole class turns in all their homework, they move up a space. They have to do it 31 times and then they get a party. There are good and bad consequences that can occur. Like Friere points out, now these students might only be doing the homework so that they get that incentive, that party. However, she is following McLaren's view by changing her methods. She saw it wasn't working and so she changed her methods. She is going to try something different and see how that works. It is going to be interesting to see how it plays out.

She also started using a ball to help limit the side answers. She would throw the ball around and then the student will be able to answer. It limited the talking slightly today but there were still al ot of side conversations. I'm interested to see how long the ball lasts.

It's really nice to see a teacher willing to change her methods. It will be interesting to see what works and what doesn't.