Response to Discussion 7
Aquarius21
Responsetodiscussion7.docxResponse to discussion 7
Jarvalyn
There are many things that I have learned to impact me as a young teacher and as a learning teacher. As a young teacher, I see myself in most of the students I teach. My biggest pet peeve was not having a voice in what activities or readings I complete. Most of me being told that I have to complete certain lessons without having any interest in them. I have allowed the students to become the creator of their own lesson. Seeing them become more engaged in what they choose to complete as a practice lesson has increased their test scores, class scores, and student engagement level. I have also witnessed students eager to turn in their work a different way than expected. Another element that has impacted my status in the classroom is the use of vocabulary and how to deliver the strategies a different way. Incorporating many ways to deliver to students has improved the use of independent practice. As a starter, I was used to giving students information in one set way and seeing how well it would come together. I have learned that not all students work or learn the same and the message must be taught in many ways to gather all students learning. Another part is allowing struggling readers to practice many ways of understanding a text. For struggling readers, it is hard to allow them to read on the same level as the tested material they will have to perform on. It becomes a deeper burden to those students with any text. If students do not know how to read, they wouldn't be able to perform on the material that they have not had practice with. Implementing the many strategies that were given is a great booster for me as the teacher. Becoming aware of more than one method to bring students understanding and reading level up.
Deterria
I think more than anything this class and especially the discussions gave me direction as a teacher and as far as how I would like my class to progress. Between the lectures and the discussion post, I was provided with a lot of useful tools and trip but more than anything it provided me with guidance and the opportunity to reflect and see what I can change and improve and how. I believe it was lesson discussion 1 where we reflected on the teachers that made the most and least impact on us in our educational journey. Seeing and reading those responses made me appreciate those that had a hand in my journey and how I wanted to impact those that are coming along under my teaching. Sometimes we forget that the impact we make on these children are not just for a moment or a year but it can impact them for the rest of their lives.
Also in Module 5 where we started to introduce technology as a measure of teaching as well. We are moving into a digital age like no other. Technology has become a major part of our lives whether we wish to acknowledge or not and to be honest students are way more interested in technology than in listening or reading. When we take something that the students love and use that to educate them, we turn the odds in our favor. Finding and implementing new sites so that students are not introduced and familiarized with vocabulary or even reading content in a test or rewriting words a million times, but instead using these sites to teach them how words are connected and how they can be interchanged opens a new world for them. It was great to see how many sites where out there but it was also a little mind blowing because I start to wonder just how many teachers are missing out on this awesome new tool.
Nickio
As I reflect on the chapters, articles, videos, and scriptures covered in this course, I find that the scriptures helped me the most. I had to rely on God quite a bit over the past several weeks. It was very hard moving to the next assignment when I was unsure if I had done the previous assignment correctly. As I have indicated previously, I am not in a classroom; therefore, some assignments were challenging. One element that has impacted me overall (not a teacher yet) was the importance of providing feedback to your students. I also found the BDA strategies interesting. Providing instruction using these strategies allows students to see, learn, and use various comprehension strategies as they read. Implementing and being consistent with the strategies will help the students and benefit me as a teacher.
Lastly, the section on teaching students how to read backwards. That was something I found interesting and tried myself. Once I am placed in a classroom, that will definitely be one strategy that I will use. The course overall was interesting, with a few setbacks, but the inspirational weekly readings and classmate’s responses helped me gain a better understanding of this course.
Courtney
It is very important that we, as teachers, assure culturally responsive instruction is taking place in our classrooms. First, we need to understand the history and culture of our students before we can attempt to bring it into our classrooms. We can make positive connections and establish relationships with bout our students and parents. Getting parents involved would be a great way to inform everyone about their history and culture.
We are to still hold all students to high expectations. All students can and will learn, especially when we relate material specifically to them which is why we need to make sure we know their backgrounds. In our classrooms, we can label items with our students' native languages. Small group instruction, peer partners, and allowing students to make a connection between their native language and our native language are just a few ways to ensure culturally responsive instruction is taking place. Another way is to relate content to their backgrounds. Find the interests of the students and make the content fun and engaging using their background. We must make sure all students feel included and connected to their learning.
I taught in a title one school for six years and the school I am currently at is well on the way to becoming a title one school. I have had to adapt and break out of my comfort zone to think outside of the box to get some of my students interested in their learning and make it meaningful. I have had several parents come in our room to speak about their culture and do crafts with my students. I have also found a really neat website called Flocabulary that resonates with my students and we rap to the different content we are learning. One thing is we have to not be afraid to step out of our comfort zones, but to really dig deep into the differences our students bring with them into our rooms and really take an interest in learning about all the diverse cultures so we can bring it into our rooms.
Alensica
Would you agree if I say that we live in a world full of unique individuals with different personalities and backgrounds that everything we learn depends on our environment in this day and age? Like people, culture constantly change, they adapt to our everyday, they stay but they grow.
Living in a country unfamiliar and learning to adapt by means of understanding their beliefs is one great example of diversity is. You see, not everyone chooses to respect differences that's why it is crucially important in a class to know who understands and who don't because you get to modify and adjust some actions according to what they believe and vice versa. Openly communicating one's disbelief can also be a part of someone's culture anyway.
Basing on my own experience, teachers nowadays practices joining different nationalities in a class to advocate and encourage connection. It a form of learning wherein they help you grow and adjust to distinct individuals, which by the way we get to experience everyday, not just in a class but in every facility we go to. And I honestly think it is smart because not all the time we get to explore some nationality's culture by hearing stories, plus we get second hand experiences after hearing them.
Helen
