Mischief Managed

So our group is finally done planning!  that being said, the frightning part has yet to come.  Tomorrow we will finally get to present our group teach and there is a lot to think about.  What if something goes wrong?  I know it's a learning experience but it would be awful to work so hard on something and see it fall apart (which I know will be the case with lessons in our own classroom).  Through the planning period there was a lot to learn and a lot to be said.  First of all, timing was the hardest part of it all.  We all had different schedules so communication was crucial.  In the end, it worked out and everything got done in time.  Personally, I don't think I could have had a better group..not to get sappy.  Everyone was so open-minded and great to be around that we had a positive atmosphere at all times.  On the other hand, we did get off topic at some points but what group doesn't?  If we did something on the internet...by habit we would end up on someone's facebook looking at something....but we ended up getting back on track. It was really nice to see everything come together at the end.  The packet ended up being nicely done and Nicole assembled it perfectly.  I am really glad we got this over before Thanksgiving because those few days we can relax.  I hope everyone can tell the effort that was put in to it and that they learn something from our lesson because we definitely learned a lot by doing it.  I think the best thing about the whole experience was actually doing the things that teachers do.  I was in charge of making the rubric and that was really hard to do.  I thought it was going to be easy but it was actually pretty difficult.  I had to grade things that were tangible and concrete.  I couldn't grade on things like effort or creativity very much because you cannot really measure that when it comes down to it.  That being said, any student could argue a grade on something that is abstract but if it is something that is definite...then it is easier for you as a teacher to justify why you graded the student as you did.  The worst part about the packet was trying to create the time duration of each activity.  We had to cut some time and think of the best and worst case scenarios in order for us to get the timing just right.  I am sure the timing is not going to be perfect but hopefully it is somewhat similar.  I also liked getting to know what kind of teachers my peers are going to be.  I don't meant oto pinpoint people but this is what I assume.  Nicole is going to be the organized, clever, and abstract teacher.  Arlen is going to be the scholarly, masters his lesson well kind of teacher, Bethany is going to be the down to earth and creative teacher, and Heather is going to be the motherly caring and a very intellectual teacher.  These are all amazing different types of teachers and it was great to see how different everyone was when it came to the lesson and how similar we all were.  Based on the peers in my group, I can tell the future of education is going to be in good hands.  I think it is also interesting that we are the "dumbest" generation but it was in fact technology that really saved us.  Between emails, texts, facebook posts, and etc. we would never have been able to meet up or express ideas.  These tools definitely helped us and kept everyone in the loop.  Overall, I think our lesson will be effective and I think it is something that will truly engage the other groups and keep them interested.  Hopefully all goes well tomorrow and that we can leave being satisfied with what we produced.