Respond to discussion 3

Helen

I am a fifth grade teacher of 62 students with three rotations. The students do not change classes but the teachers change. The process is a stressful one and some students appear to be on a low performing level. I have to keep my students encouraged as much as possible. I bought a mirror into the classroom and put the statement "I AM" at the top of the mirror and the students have written positive affirmations on the stars. The stars are taped on the mirror. I got this idea from a talk show and later looked it up online. This has actually motivated my students to speak positive and if someone doesn't speak positive, they will let me know. I also have a light bulb poster with different professions listed on them. I tell my students not to limit themselves, but believe, no matter what the circumstances may be. Bible scriptures are an inspiration to me by leading and guiding me the way I should go. All answers are in God's Word, if we keep His Word before our eyes and close to our hearts. I believe it a calling to teach. Days are long sometimes but I go home get in God's Word and regroup, return the next day with a renewed determination to be a great teacher. It is my prayer daily for the Lord to give me what to say and for His favor to be with me all day, everyday. At he present time, I am implementing  writing prompts for the students and they have a check-list to determine if they are constructing their writing prompts in the correct format. Group work with peer students has proven to be beneficial as well. The students love to interact with each other. In additions, I try to give as much feedback as possible. 

Deterria

Ephesians 4:23-32

New International Version

23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

When I look at these scriptures, I see that it is saying in order to be truly Christ like we have to be renewed in our attitudes and mindset. God requires that we get rid of everything not like him including anger and hostility towards others. We have to learn to replace those negative feelings with compassion and with the love of God. How can we expect to be forgiven for our downfalls when we refuse to forgive others. God is a just and fair God, the measure we pay out is what we will receive in the end.  When this comes to being an educator we encounter a lot, from our students, parents, and even coworkers. We can not let that deter us from the task at hand. We have to forgive and to start each moment over as nothing has happened. When we carry that weight it only holds us back from reaching a closer walk with Christ.

When I look at those scriptures and think in regards to self-efficacy, I think am I capable of doing what it takes to reach the goals of my classroom? Am I able to forgive and live an exemplary lifestyle that the children can look at me and see a positive role model. Do I speak with encouraging words to push them forward and keep them motivated or do I tear them down.  I always want to be the positive light in others lives and even more so in the lives of children.

Lastly, the ideas that I think I can implement in order to motivate and encourage students are reward boards, both individually and as a whole. I would allow rewards for model points throughout the month for the classroom at certain intervals, halfway through the month and end of the month where if the classroom as a whole has been doing well then we could do a special project or watch a movie or whatever they decide as a whole, as long as content standards are being met. Individually, children can go to the treasure chest and receive prizes at the end of the week as long as they past their test and maintain good behavior. Students can trade up groups of small prizes for bigger prizes to keep them encouraged. I would implement games that get students up and moving but still focuses on math and making sure they are efficient with what they are doing.

Shari

Self-efficacy talks about the belief one has in his/her capabilities to master a goal that has been set for oneself. Students that have a strong sense of efficacy often challenge themselves with tasks other usually struggle with. They are usually very motivated to achieve these goals. Self-efficacy may spark a high adrenaline rush of motivation for these students. A student who is confident in what he wants may show a bigger motivation goal than others. Self-efficacy grows students' note progress and helps them to focus on new challenges. Student success and mastery of skills in self-efficacy work hand in hand with these highly motivated students. When a student sees and feels the satisfaction of his/her mastered work, it causes a very effective learning outcome. 

Students may ask themselves while being faced with a new task "Can I achieve this?" or "Can I do this?" Self-efficacy is a key player in the values of the task at hand. Students that have a high self-efficacy have a bigger academic goal and show effective academic talent than those with a lower self-efficacy. These students really want to perform well and master anything they set out to do. When students have this type of mindset, it usually helps with poor behavior as well. 

I would implement activities in my classroom to motivate and encourage my students daily. Activities where students' self-esteem can be boosted, self-verbalization, providing feedback on their effort to achieve a goal, allowing students to model assignments and then explain themselves as to the teacher modeling and explaining, and even developing teacher self-efficacy. In the book of Ephesians, it talks about the calling of God, and when you wholeheartedly seek to give God all you have by honoring Him. This can be done by how you administer your work and live your life. By doing these things, you are walking worthy of your calling and living a life of significance.