A lot of the students in my classroom are at different reading levels. Which in my case is sort of nerve racking when they should be at letter G instead of at letter A. I believe it is very important when a child is younger that they should be read to and that they should have educational toys that could help improve them in their future. I am not saying students should not have fun toys but sometimes the fun toys are the ones that help with shapes, colors, numbers, and even music. I understand also, that parents are busy but if they could set a side an hour or so to play or read to their child even if it is before bedtime that could help a child improve so much more.
Many of the students in my classroom you would never be able to tell until they tried to read something at how far behind they are. All of the students are very smart vocally but when I tried having them read a problem they struggled. In writing in their journals they would ask me how to spell a word. Keep in mind the word would be on the board as well. Each time I go i try and encourage them and hope the participate as Shor discuss. I hope that all the students feel comftorable and try and strive to learn in the classroom. I try to encourage and empower them in the classroom while being explicit because I feel that some children feel that they should not read if they are not as good as everyone else. Delpit says that we should be explicit and accepting of how there are all different types of ethnicity. We need to accept these children and encourage them and show them it is okay that they are not at all the same because that is what makes them special.
I think it is important to have some sort of specialist to set aside some time in the classroom as well so the child can improve at their reading levels. Maybe instead of going to library they could practice on sounding out words so that they are able to read the books instead of just looking at the pictures. I can see some of the students struggle when they are trying to show me their books and say, "Ms. Amanda what does this say..." I ask them to tell me and along with them sound it out. I understand it takes funds for special reading teachers but sometimes it seems that it is assumed that all of the students are at the same reading level when clearly they are not. But this does not all have to happen at school. It is very important for their parents to be more involoved with improving their child's education. If in my classroom this ever occurs hopefully i will attain the support of the parents and be able to set up a time to help the students who are struggling more then the others.
I have I think around 6 students above our reading curriculum. More then half are below and the rest are average. If more then half is below then something needs to be done because how are the students suppose to go on to other grades. Reading is a big part in every grade and is a key factor in whether a child will do well on test, because if they understand what they read they have a better chance at answering the question correctly. If they do not understand then they will probably guess and most likely be wrong.
I understand parents are busy but hopefully if they could provide some educational activities at home the students will exceed in the classroom. Kahne and Westheimer talk and explain the importance of educational experiences within the home and the positive outcomes there are. When more families get involved then more children prevail. We want our children to prevail so they can have a successful future!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
My Teacher Identity
I never realized how much I could learn about myself going in to William Elementary School. When I am in the classroom i realize that I can adapt to any sort of situation presented to me. I realize the students think of me as more then just a person coming to teach them but some one that will listen and help them. I have two brothers, one who is older and one who is my twin. I learned from my mother the trude definition of patience. So, I am hoping that will have been something that I adapted over the years.
When I was younger I always pretended to be a teacher. I thought I could teach ABC's and 123 and that is what it was all about. These children showed me that they may not get it the first time and that it might take them multiple times to understand something. When I walked into my first grade classroom I did the lesson with them and sort of just tried to fly through it. The teacher must have over heard me and quickly said you need to make sure they understand it. I am not sure if some of them just memorized it but there were two who just could not grasp what i was tellng them. I had a little frustration but took them aside and remembered that they are children so this is all new to them. I know that a lot of the students just want attention or just need help, and I am willing to help. My older cousin inspired me to try and help others because she was always willing and is still willing to help me learn and understand things today.
Jonathan Kozol talked about the NCLB and the standards that are there. He mentioned that we can not treat and teach students the same. They are not the same and I am definitely aware of that walking into this classroom every Monday and Wednesday. I see first hand that children need to be taught in different ways and when i did that with my two students on their math problems the teacher said well they need to do it this way. I did not know why until she told me this is what she is being told by her administration.
An example of the addition problems would be 2+5=7. The teacher wants the students to have the number 2 in their head and then count on 5. Some of the kids get it but some just do not know how to do that without using their fingers or blocks. A trick question for them would be 0+9=9. The students do not realize you do not have to add anything. I was shocked. But I sat down with my students and we slowly tried to accomplish and finish the worksheet together. It was almost time to go and my little girl Sarah said to me I want to finish, so i said go ahead but she was getting so frustrated. I told her we could do it together again but she was determined to get it just like everyone else. I can see the pressure the children feel and I just tried to calm her down and with that we finished.
I realize that I have the patience that a lot of the teacher maybe they do not have or maybe they do but obviously cannot focus on just one student alone because the other students do see that it is not fair. For example, this little girl Alicia even though she did not need the help wanted me to work with her but I had to tell her maybe next time because she understood the math but she wanted the attention. But, I do make time to go to each table just to see how they are all doing and let them tell me something they did over the weekend or how their day was going.
I enjoy going to the school and going to the classroom. The students all welcome me with welcomed arms. They have nothing but nice things to say and I can see in their eyes that they just want someone to be there for them. I will keep going their until I cannot anymore because all of the students are special to me. They definitely have become important people in my life and I they are making my experience here worth more than I could ever imagine. My identity as a teacher has evolved over this experience and I can tell it is for the better of my self and the children.
When I was younger I always pretended to be a teacher. I thought I could teach ABC's and 123 and that is what it was all about. These children showed me that they may not get it the first time and that it might take them multiple times to understand something. When I walked into my first grade classroom I did the lesson with them and sort of just tried to fly through it. The teacher must have over heard me and quickly said you need to make sure they understand it. I am not sure if some of them just memorized it but there were two who just could not grasp what i was tellng them. I had a little frustration but took them aside and remembered that they are children so this is all new to them. I know that a lot of the students just want attention or just need help, and I am willing to help. My older cousin inspired me to try and help others because she was always willing and is still willing to help me learn and understand things today.
Jonathan Kozol talked about the NCLB and the standards that are there. He mentioned that we can not treat and teach students the same. They are not the same and I am definitely aware of that walking into this classroom every Monday and Wednesday. I see first hand that children need to be taught in different ways and when i did that with my two students on their math problems the teacher said well they need to do it this way. I did not know why until she told me this is what she is being told by her administration.
An example of the addition problems would be 2+5=7. The teacher wants the students to have the number 2 in their head and then count on 5. Some of the kids get it but some just do not know how to do that without using their fingers or blocks. A trick question for them would be 0+9=9. The students do not realize you do not have to add anything. I was shocked. But I sat down with my students and we slowly tried to accomplish and finish the worksheet together. It was almost time to go and my little girl Sarah said to me I want to finish, so i said go ahead but she was getting so frustrated. I told her we could do it together again but she was determined to get it just like everyone else. I can see the pressure the children feel and I just tried to calm her down and with that we finished.
I realize that I have the patience that a lot of the teacher maybe they do not have or maybe they do but obviously cannot focus on just one student alone because the other students do see that it is not fair. For example, this little girl Alicia even though she did not need the help wanted me to work with her but I had to tell her maybe next time because she understood the math but she wanted the attention. But, I do make time to go to each table just to see how they are all doing and let them tell me something they did over the weekend or how their day was going.
I enjoy going to the school and going to the classroom. The students all welcome me with welcomed arms. They have nothing but nice things to say and I can see in their eyes that they just want someone to be there for them. I will keep going their until I cannot anymore because all of the students are special to me. They definitely have become important people in my life and I they are making my experience here worth more than I could ever imagine. My identity as a teacher has evolved over this experience and I can tell it is for the better of my self and the children.
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