Constructivism in the Classroom

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Constructivism in the Classroom

Let’s replace old strands with those that are new;

Coach students to be good, and to construe;

Teaching facts alone is no guarantee

Students will learn concepts, we must agree;

Use topic webs to stimulate the brain

To receive knowledge and it will remain.

Student-centred learning, it must remain;

Cooperative learning is not new;

But too much chalk and talk will dull the brain;

Lectures alone make it hard to construe;

On this matter, educators agree;

Interactive learning we guarantee.

Students’ involvement we must guarantee;

Direct teaching can no longer remain;

Nor seating charts for students we agree;

To replace worn-out techniques with the new

Constructivism, so students construe;

And learn from teaching that rouses the brain.

Thematic teaching webs enrich the brain;

Are also planning tools to guarantee,

That those concepts taught students will construe;

The knowledge gained in their brains will remain;

These progressive ideas are nothing new;

Lesson planning is vital, we agree.

With this paradigm shift you will agree;

All parts of the body support the brain;

No regurgitating facts old or new;

Concepts transfer and learning guarantee;

And on-going assessment will remain;

Quick feedback will help students to construe.

Portfolios help students to construe;

Technical teachers on this do agree;

Visit their classrooms for a while remain;

Their demos and designs stir up the brain;

Attention span becomes a guarantee;

Thus, John Dewey’s ideas are nothing new.

That, self-growth will remain when modes are new?

How can we agree to a guarantee?

Teachers must construe ways to stir the brain; 

©Paterika Hengreaves
September 2002

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