Background Information. In the Tale of the Teaching Elephant, the elephant represents the task you face this semester—developing an understanding of how to teach science to K-6 students. Seeing, or rather feeling, only the tail or the trunk or the ear of the teaching elephant, gave each blindfolded student a false picture of the whole beast. You’ve been observing the teaching elephant for more than 14 years. Researchers refer to this as an “internship of observation.” The piece of the teaching elephant you have is real, it is valid, AND it is not the whole beast.
The purpose of Written Reflections is to activate your thinking and to assess where you are or what you’re learning. Although you may take as long as you like thinking, DO NOT spend more than 10 minutes writing your reflection. A “sloppy copy” is acceptable—spelling, grammar, etc. are not grade, BUT it should be readable.
The Assignment. For this first assignment, you have an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to think outside the box as you reflect on this teaching metaphor. Respond by telling which part of the teaching elephant you are holding, and how your part represents an important aspect of teaching. Are you standing in front of the elephant and holding the ear or the trunk? Are you holding the tail or one of the legs? Why? Be as creative as you like. There is no right or wrong answer so have some fun. If you’re completely stumped, here’s a sample response to get you started:
| I am holding on to the elephant’s tail because it reminds me of a paintbrush. A paintbrush is important in teaching because not all students are auditory learners. I am a visual learner and it’s important for me to see and hear information. Because I am good at recalling information, I can fool people into thinking I understanding something when I don’t have a clue. But I know I don’t understand unless I can create a picture of it, and that’s where the paint brush-tail will be handy. I’ll use it to paint a funky elephant with a bright red tail to remind me that seeing and doing are as important as telling in teaching. |
After you respond to the above prompt, if your 10 minutes is not up yet—or if you’re enjoying this unusual assignment—respond to one of the following prompts:
- How can I help you “see” more of the elephant?
- How can you expand your own understanding of it?
- How
can you help enlarge your classmates’ views?
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Created by Judith Longfield, December 2001
Last updated: August 23, 2002
URL: http://mypage.iu.edu/~jlongfie/portfolio/teach_elephant_reflect.html
Comments: jlongfie@indiana.edu