After my appreciation for the author’s directness in the vocabulary chapter in saying that old school vocabulary instruction is not good instruction and needs to be replaces, I appreciated this chapters notes on how there is still a need for direct instruction within the classroom.  I think sometimes we focus so much on what technology we can implement, how students can “discover” on their own, and new school ideas that it was good affirmation that sometimes students just need to hear and see me do something first.  The quote “direct instructions greatest potential is when it’s used to teach new knowledge” helped to confirm to me when direct instruction is most important.

+bethboswell I too thought the part about teachers being transparent was an eye opener.  I started writing our weekly goals on the board for students last year.  In 2nd grade I hadn’t ever thought to do that before.  It was amazing how they knew what the plan was and got more from our lessons.  It made me think about when I go into a meeting or conference.  When I am trying to figure out what exactly the instructor is teaching it distracts from me actually taking away what they are teaching.  As an adult to determine this is easier but my kids are surely sometimes confused if they don’t know what the end goal is!