I think that the groups were really effective. Most of the time it takes seeing a situation from multiple points of view in order to understand all sides. Seeing the different situations in the video and then being able to act them out helped me to understand not just the teacher's point of view but helped me to understand the student's point of view. I think that each group made their skit effective because they showed some major themes that occur within any classroom- issues with homework, issues with classroom activity and consistancy, problems with student behavior, how to handle student behavior, as well as how to stay calm and continue to be effective when there is so many different things going on around you.
I think that the movie overall was an effetive way to learn and understand how to manage different aspects of the classroom. Again, seeing it instead of reading about it or learning about it from a lecture is much more effective. I think that it is important to have all teachers understand these different points of view in order for them to be an all around consistant, effective, supportive, and guiding leader in the classroom.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Reaction to Behavior 101 Movie
What would you do?:
If a student was ever that disruptive not just towards me and my teaching but towards the other students in the class action would have to be taken immediately. I think that if any student, no matter how disruptive they had been in the class, got physical with another student or with me, I would immediately go across the hall, ask another teacher to watch my room and then take the student down to the office. If the student was unwilling to go, then I would make a phone call from my room to the office for someone to come down and help me whether it be a resource officer, the principal, or another teacher. The student needs to be removed from the classroom and taken to another area, probably the office. The parents would have to be called immediately and maybe even authorities if the student continues any physcial behavior or threatens the physical safety of another. I would do everything in my power to make sure that the other students in my classroom were safe and my own safety as well.
If a student was ever that disruptive not just towards me and my teaching but towards the other students in the class action would have to be taken immediately. I think that if any student, no matter how disruptive they had been in the class, got physical with another student or with me, I would immediately go across the hall, ask another teacher to watch my room and then take the student down to the office. If the student was unwilling to go, then I would make a phone call from my room to the office for someone to come down and help me whether it be a resource officer, the principal, or another teacher. The student needs to be removed from the classroom and taken to another area, probably the office. The parents would have to be called immediately and maybe even authorities if the student continues any physcial behavior or threatens the physical safety of another. I would do everything in my power to make sure that the other students in my classroom were safe and my own safety as well.
Monday, March 23, 2009
FITB- Chapter 10: Going Beyond The Classroom
So many students are waiting and willing to spread their wings and try new things inside and outside the classroom. However the classroom setting is not always conducive to a particular students’ learning style or ability. Students look to their teacher for inspiration but more importantly to provide other examples of people who can inspire. One way to do this is to establish connections between what they know and love and what they want to do in the world after high school. Any opportunity for a student to be able to learn “outside the [ir] usual classroom routine” can evoke so many new emotions and stir motivation for grasping their education.
Allowing students to complete regular class work outside of the school can aid in helping create a concrete example of their future. Designing projects that involve other experts shows them that what they accomplish now is related to what they can accomplish later in life. Focusing on not many but maybe just one particular learning experience, ensures that the students will gain a lot from one and not the other way around. Arranging for students to participate in internships is one way that can directly correlate what they currently know and understand with what they want to know, understand, and eventually do with their life. Once school is out for the summer or for a break, it is important to still be able to reach your students. Helping them to find summer and enrichment programs that can build/continue on their knowledge while you or another adult figure in their life is not there can be very beneficial.
Being able to recognize and support each student’s learning is crucial. But more importantly being able to support each student’s learning on their own is vital to their future understanding of material. Giving students the tools they need to succeed is what helps not just to shove them through the education system but helps them to really know what they are doing and take charge of their life.
Allowing students to complete regular class work outside of the school can aid in helping create a concrete example of their future. Designing projects that involve other experts shows them that what they accomplish now is related to what they can accomplish later in life. Focusing on not many but maybe just one particular learning experience, ensures that the students will gain a lot from one and not the other way around. Arranging for students to participate in internships is one way that can directly correlate what they currently know and understand with what they want to know, understand, and eventually do with their life. Once school is out for the summer or for a break, it is important to still be able to reach your students. Helping them to find summer and enrichment programs that can build/continue on their knowledge while you or another adult figure in their life is not there can be very beneficial.
Being able to recognize and support each student’s learning is crucial. But more importantly being able to support each student’s learning on their own is vital to their future understanding of material. Giving students the tools they need to succeed is what helps not just to shove them through the education system but helps them to really know what they are doing and take charge of their life.
FITB- Chapter 9: When Things Go Wrong
This chapter, more so from my perspective, was for the emotions of the teacher. It can be very hard and overwhelming to try so hard with so many students and not be able to reach all or even the ones who you had hoped to reach. An important aspect of teaching is failure. Learning and teaching both need failure in order to learn, grow, accept, and move forward with more learning and more importantly understanding. Many students, similar to teachers (interestingly enough), want to succeed in every aspect of their lives and when one aspect does not go right, it usually affects all the others. The most important tool to remember is to not give up on others but more importantly yourself.
Having confidence in yourself and in your students can help the overall atmosphere within the classroom. Students’ confidence can receive blows from many aspects of their life and academic journey, beginning with grades. But communication can help to solve these confidence blows with reassurance that the help is there, the ability is there, the implementation of all of these just needs to come together. Students who have these blows or feel unnoticed at school may often want to stop going especially if they think that they will never be able to do the work and pass anyway. As a teacher, reassuring students that whether they succeed or fail you are there and will help is important. Response to these situations does matter to students as well as how teacher reacts to different situations within the classroom. Whether it is during a discussion, group work, partner work, or even just talk, students need to feel safe, physically, mentally, and emotionally within the classroom.
There are many important things to remember as a teacher and some of them can help when trying to overcome learning, behavioral, or emotional issue within the classroom. Remembering to have a hard shell but remain true to yourself is important. Share who you are and what you want from your students, keeping in mind not to cross the line of being friendly versus being a friend. Teachers should not be afraid to apologize to their students if something is said out of line or if they cross a line. Sometimes reexamining your approach can make a big difference. But some of the most important points that I thought were in this chapter were to not take a bad day too hard, don’t judge yourself by whether you are popular with your students and don’t try to be a superhero. All teachers and students make mistakes but working together is the most important part of learning.
One thing I loved is that I now understand the title of the book. Some students set “Fires in the Bathroom” and you have to learn and know how to handle, deal, and help them. It is not just an act but something more going on within the student and maybe you can be the one to help them work it out, or at least give them an outlet for that possibility.
Having confidence in yourself and in your students can help the overall atmosphere within the classroom. Students’ confidence can receive blows from many aspects of their life and academic journey, beginning with grades. But communication can help to solve these confidence blows with reassurance that the help is there, the ability is there, the implementation of all of these just needs to come together. Students who have these blows or feel unnoticed at school may often want to stop going especially if they think that they will never be able to do the work and pass anyway. As a teacher, reassuring students that whether they succeed or fail you are there and will help is important. Response to these situations does matter to students as well as how teacher reacts to different situations within the classroom. Whether it is during a discussion, group work, partner work, or even just talk, students need to feel safe, physically, mentally, and emotionally within the classroom.
There are many important things to remember as a teacher and some of them can help when trying to overcome learning, behavioral, or emotional issue within the classroom. Remembering to have a hard shell but remain true to yourself is important. Share who you are and what you want from your students, keeping in mind not to cross the line of being friendly versus being a friend. Teachers should not be afraid to apologize to their students if something is said out of line or if they cross a line. Sometimes reexamining your approach can make a big difference. But some of the most important points that I thought were in this chapter were to not take a bad day too hard, don’t judge yourself by whether you are popular with your students and don’t try to be a superhero. All teachers and students make mistakes but working together is the most important part of learning.
One thing I loved is that I now understand the title of the book. Some students set “Fires in the Bathroom” and you have to learn and know how to handle, deal, and help them. It is not just an act but something more going on within the student and maybe you can be the one to help them work it out, or at least give them an outlet for that possibility.
FITB- Chapter 8: Teaching Teenagers Who Are Still Learning English
It is interesting to think that America is growing as rapidly as it is considering that “At least one in every six adolescents going to school in the United States comes from a family in which English is not the main language”. This means that it is not those students who must adapt but the teachers as well. Teaching to students who have a language barrier are not any less intelligent than other students, they just have a different way of learning. To reach these students the most important thing is to establish a connection. Really knowing your students, who they are, what they like, what home is like, where they are from, when they came to school, and why they do the things they do can help to ensure that you reach them on many levels including academic.
Allowing your students to see the “links” between their lives and culture and the life and culture they have been thrust into can help them understand that they are valued and they are an important part of the class and are expected to learn. Making sure all students know that you believe in them, you have confidence in their abilities can help them to find their own confidence. Focusing on the important thinking and not their mistakes as well as helping to succeed not simply get by can help them in their future whether academically or not. There needs to be a transition between the important texts and the texts they can handle, helping them to understand the “language” of the textbook, which means also giving them clues to reading material that is not in their own language. This also means giving students alternate methods to learning the material at hand, even if it means putting it into another form to aid in their understanding.
Allowing for you students to take risks is so vital. When they can learn from a mistake or a huge risk gone right, then they know those risks are worth taking. Students should also be able to use their own language to work with others and work on problems in class. Students, taking into account that they are dealing with an ongoing struggle, need to be able to use repetition to enhance their knowledge of the material. Listening, seeing through the disruptive behavior and having patience is crucial when you have students who relate to the information at hand in a whole new way. Above all, respect is what any student is after or desires from another. But those students who are of another culture and language are looking to be respected for who they are and where they are from. Respect can form the basis for all learning, allowing all children to be on an equal playing field no matter the background, no matter the learning style, and no matter what culture.
Allowing your students to see the “links” between their lives and culture and the life and culture they have been thrust into can help them understand that they are valued and they are an important part of the class and are expected to learn. Making sure all students know that you believe in them, you have confidence in their abilities can help them to find their own confidence. Focusing on the important thinking and not their mistakes as well as helping to succeed not simply get by can help them in their future whether academically or not. There needs to be a transition between the important texts and the texts they can handle, helping them to understand the “language” of the textbook, which means also giving them clues to reading material that is not in their own language. This also means giving students alternate methods to learning the material at hand, even if it means putting it into another form to aid in their understanding.
Allowing for you students to take risks is so vital. When they can learn from a mistake or a huge risk gone right, then they know those risks are worth taking. Students should also be able to use their own language to work with others and work on problems in class. Students, taking into account that they are dealing with an ongoing struggle, need to be able to use repetition to enhance their knowledge of the material. Listening, seeing through the disruptive behavior and having patience is crucial when you have students who relate to the information at hand in a whole new way. Above all, respect is what any student is after or desires from another. But those students who are of another culture and language are looking to be respected for who they are and where they are from. Respect can form the basis for all learning, allowing all children to be on an equal playing field no matter the background, no matter the learning style, and no matter what culture.
FITB- Chapter 7: Teaching Difficult Academic Material
This chapter was very interesting to me because it discussed so many different ways to helps students when tackling difficult material. Many times students feel that they do not have enough freedom or enough strictness in the classroom. This means that there needs to be a happy medium of freedom with guidance in order for the teacher and student to be able to work harmoniously together. In order to begin any subject, topic, or difficult piece of material it is helpful to know what the students have already learned as well as link the hard material to those things they understand well. Breaking down the material that seems to be very complicated can be done in many different ways, with different approaches and connections to their other classes as well as personal interests.
To further push a student’s thinking questions that make them think and ask not only about the material but about their own understanding is important. Relying heavily on just the textbook for support or for the students to learn the material will only end in the majority of the students remaining bored and uneducated. Helping students to find new ways of thinking about the material can begin by helping them to find and use multiple resources. They need to be able to work with what they see before them mentally, physically, and socially. It can be helpful to view some students through the eyes of another. Many times the barrier between a teacher and a student can be broken by a student and a student, working in partners or in groups. If a teacher can monitor this partner or group work and then work with them, not just leave them on their own, then the teacher has the opportunity to clarify, explain further, and tie all tie all the information together.
Changing the way students think is crucial for them to positively view their education. A teacher who asks for feedback, uses assessments that show the students’ understanding as well as put their up coming tests, quizzes or even standardized testing into perspective can help students to better see where they are going with their newfound knowledge. Walking a student through the process of learning is just as important as their actual learning. Realizing their process, struggles, and potential may help them see their education as a journey for something greater. Using different ways to see something such as giving examples that relate to something outside class, not relying on a book too heavily, doing problems or creating drafts for understanding and not drills are all ways that could help students become more engaged in the material at hand. Break down complex pieces into parts, take their questions and responses seriously and best of all introduce humor or props that can help them to view the material as approachable and fun not horrible and frustrating.
Creating fun ideas or “hooks” can enable more students to want to learn and engage in the material. Focusing on the important parts of the problem, the novel, the essay, the facts of history may help the overall understanding rather than the minor details that can cause confusion. Letting each student feel they can find their own opinion and then defend it is crucial. The only way for this to happen is through encouragement. Let your students know from the beginning that you are here to learn and grow with them not apart from them.
To further push a student’s thinking questions that make them think and ask not only about the material but about their own understanding is important. Relying heavily on just the textbook for support or for the students to learn the material will only end in the majority of the students remaining bored and uneducated. Helping students to find new ways of thinking about the material can begin by helping them to find and use multiple resources. They need to be able to work with what they see before them mentally, physically, and socially. It can be helpful to view some students through the eyes of another. Many times the barrier between a teacher and a student can be broken by a student and a student, working in partners or in groups. If a teacher can monitor this partner or group work and then work with them, not just leave them on their own, then the teacher has the opportunity to clarify, explain further, and tie all tie all the information together.
Changing the way students think is crucial for them to positively view their education. A teacher who asks for feedback, uses assessments that show the students’ understanding as well as put their up coming tests, quizzes or even standardized testing into perspective can help students to better see where they are going with their newfound knowledge. Walking a student through the process of learning is just as important as their actual learning. Realizing their process, struggles, and potential may help them see their education as a journey for something greater. Using different ways to see something such as giving examples that relate to something outside class, not relying on a book too heavily, doing problems or creating drafts for understanding and not drills are all ways that could help students become more engaged in the material at hand. Break down complex pieces into parts, take their questions and responses seriously and best of all introduce humor or props that can help them to view the material as approachable and fun not horrible and frustrating.
Creating fun ideas or “hooks” can enable more students to want to learn and engage in the material. Focusing on the important parts of the problem, the novel, the essay, the facts of history may help the overall understanding rather than the minor details that can cause confusion. Letting each student feel they can find their own opinion and then defend it is crucial. The only way for this to happen is through encouragement. Let your students know from the beginning that you are here to learn and grow with them not apart from them.
FITB- Chapter 6: Motivation and Boredom
Any one can tell you whether a teacher, a student, or any job profession, that it isn’t enough to be told to do something because it “might” be useful one day. Students need an extra push, and those who are having trouble need an even bigger push, to help learn and understand why school is worth all the trouble and work. Students need to understand that an education is important to their life and their success in life, so ask yourself, “why does this matter?” If you can’t answer that question then how can you teach your students? Help them to grow, to question and to more importantly think about life and how their lives NOW affect them latter.
Students know that school is important but they view this importance as an independence step not as an educational one. They want to use their age and knowledge for freedom away from a variety of situations and places. Help them know why everything they do in school matters in their not just as “a way out” but because it is a way into a whole new life of opportunity. School is a place for change in every aspect of their lives, now how can you impact every aspect of their lives? Students will appreciate the effort you put into them, but only if they feel you truly mean it. Teachers, in today’s world have become another outlet or adult figure similar to a parent- someone who holds rules and guidelines as well as hold high expectations from students. Students want many things, among these to “be well represented; to have a voice, to learn and survive in society, and to find a career path and a well-paying job”.
How can you motivate a student? Well for starters, let your students know that what society and the “outside” world expect of them will change consistently. Being passionate and presenting issues they care about that can connect to not just the outside world but to their world is important to them. Giving students the opportunity to make their own choices and learn with each other can help them to grow not apart from their peers but with their peers. A teacher should always being checking in on their students, but checking for understanding and then responding in a positive way will ensure that you really do care about their choices and opinions. Helping students stay on top of their work load as well as being able to show them how much their work matters, helps them to know that what they are doing is important not just to you but should be important to them as well. Giving examples of role models and people to look up to may help when they have no where else in their lives to look.
A lot of students do not want to complete an assignment or do their homework, mostly because they see no direct benefit to doing it. Therefore understanding that it will help in later assignments, that it will matter to their learning, it is or will be creative, then they can feel safe to explore the assignment and that they are not just repeating information. Treating their writing as important, as windows into their lives, and giving them opportunities for free writing as well as reading can help their interest in the subject. Lastly, students should be able to express themselves. This factor of expression is the biggest motivating feature in the classroom.
Students know that school is important but they view this importance as an independence step not as an educational one. They want to use their age and knowledge for freedom away from a variety of situations and places. Help them know why everything they do in school matters in their not just as “a way out” but because it is a way into a whole new life of opportunity. School is a place for change in every aspect of their lives, now how can you impact every aspect of their lives? Students will appreciate the effort you put into them, but only if they feel you truly mean it. Teachers, in today’s world have become another outlet or adult figure similar to a parent- someone who holds rules and guidelines as well as hold high expectations from students. Students want many things, among these to “be well represented; to have a voice, to learn and survive in society, and to find a career path and a well-paying job”.
How can you motivate a student? Well for starters, let your students know that what society and the “outside” world expect of them will change consistently. Being passionate and presenting issues they care about that can connect to not just the outside world but to their world is important to them. Giving students the opportunity to make their own choices and learn with each other can help them to grow not apart from their peers but with their peers. A teacher should always being checking in on their students, but checking for understanding and then responding in a positive way will ensure that you really do care about their choices and opinions. Helping students stay on top of their work load as well as being able to show them how much their work matters, helps them to know that what they are doing is important not just to you but should be important to them as well. Giving examples of role models and people to look up to may help when they have no where else in their lives to look.
A lot of students do not want to complete an assignment or do their homework, mostly because they see no direct benefit to doing it. Therefore understanding that it will help in later assignments, that it will matter to their learning, it is or will be creative, then they can feel safe to explore the assignment and that they are not just repeating information. Treating their writing as important, as windows into their lives, and giving them opportunities for free writing as well as reading can help their interest in the subject. Lastly, students should be able to express themselves. This factor of expression is the biggest motivating feature in the classroom.
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