Geo-graphy

Today I worked with my buddy and a new girl.  We were looking over their Geography homework that dealt with the Middle East, and I helped them by introducing a study strategy: list-group-label.  We looked over the countries and major bodies of water in the region.  The most important idea that I communicated to them was writing down the information more than once, in fact several times, in order to learn the information on a map.  As obvious as this seems to me now, I don’t believe I learned how to study until I got to University, and the idea of writing down information that was difficult for me to remember was a revelation at one time.  We also discussed the region in light of current events, past and present, and I asked them why studying the region might be important, and what do they think is the benefit to them of learning geography. 

Nevertheless, I do think I taught them a study strategy that is rather obvious and basic, but one that they had not necessarily been taught.  For example, one of my buddies showed me her study guide, which was only partially filled out mind you, but she showed it to me as if to say “here’s my study guide, I have it, it’s in my binder, and that’s all I’m going to do with it!”  If I had had more time with them, and with the hindsight that I now have, I would have gone further with introducing the students to graphically organizing their information with the goal of retaining the information and ultimately learning about the region so that they would eventually be able to think of the places on the map as dynamic, populated, and fascinating.  I think that many students at the high school level simply have trouble with learning the information, and not because they are intellectually deficient in some way, but because they need to learn how things are organized in text and graphs, and how to use that organization to their best advantage.

The experience was quite good for several reasons: 1.) I realized that I don’t have to know my topic so completely and perfectly in order to teach these kids because it’s the study skills, reading skills, and thinking skills that they need help cultivating at this stage. 2.) My buddies were cooperating and learning because they were engaged with an activity, and not just listening to me speak–they were forced to participate because there were only three of us, and I think that was definitely good for them.