Chapter 4

One of the things that I really liked about this chapter is creating a classroom enviorment that is meaningful to the students. I loved how one of the scenario mentioned that the teacher wanted the students to be able to see themselves in the classroom. Making the classroom a place to explore, discover, and learn is essential to helping students reach their potential. Communication in a classroom is huge. Creating an environment where the students can ask questions, explore the options together and discuss the possible outcomes are very empowering. I also believe that it is important for the teacher to share their thoughts on a given topic to demonstrate to the students how they came to that conclusion and the thought process that was involved. I strongly believe that there is a needs to be alot of talking and discussing in a classroom so that students can understand their opinion about a topic, as well as others points of view, and that certainly can not happen in a quiet classroom. This also applies to the support system in that students learn to look to each other for help and in the process they learn together. Another aspect of creating support systems is giving the students the tools that they will need inorder to solve a problem that they incounter, such as word walls, math facts, or other tools relating to the current course of study that seems appropriate.

Chapter 3

Where Do I Begin................................................................. The overall idea of this chapter is to help teachers know how to help their students feel that they have a place within the classroom they are valued and as a teacher you will not give up on them. I love how it discusses that if the teacher and the students are not learning that there is no real satisfaction in the work, and that the classroom is just as much a learning environment for the teacher as it is the student. I loved the example of the first year teacher and how every morning she gives her students 3 things. A chipper greeting, an opportunity to act out how the students is feeling and any trouble they may be having, and a word that they have heard but may not know or a word of encourage meant that would be meaningfull to the student. With a large classroom this would take a lot of time to get everyone in to the classroom, but realizing the kind of power this gives to the teacher to know where her students are coming from that day and what other emotional distractors the student is facing is vital information in knowing how to help the child succeed for that day. Not only is it informative for the teacher but the student as well. Knowing that their teacher cares about them, has taken interest in them and want to help them succeed is very empower to any student. I also think is would be a great way to help create the community feeling within the classroom and that the students are in a safe enviroment where they are wanted, needed and cared for. The three things the teacher gives the students would also make a great morning meeting and allowing the student to help one another. I never really thought I would gain so much empowerment from a textbook, and though the task to becoming a great teacher is still daunting, it truly opens the door to endless opportunities.

Student Profile and Interest Survey

These surveys have a great approach of informing a teacher about her students interest and learning styles that she may or may not know other wise. The information that one would get from these surveys would be to know what role her students take with their education, are they chiefs or are they indians? According to most of the answers it would direct me to what kinds of lesson and activites to plan that would engage most of my students as well as assess them in way that would inform me of what they have learned about each course of study.
One thing I would add to the interest survey would be to give some brief explanationso of different kinds of learners, giving the students some idea of what kinds of learner there are. Other than that I think these are great tools to help any teacher form a curriculum that would be most benefical to the students.

Inventories/Pre-Assessments

There are several of the inventories and assessments that I would use in my student teaching such as the attitudes and interest inventory, Thinking about my reading, thinking about my writing and student checklists, as well as some of the mathmatical assessments. I really believe that if students are able to share their feelings about what they are learning and what interest them most and how they prefer to learn such, the classroom becomes much more of a participatory classroom instead of the teacher always dictating what should be done and how it should be done. I also believe that using some of the other inventories that are more teacher based and what the teacher is observing would be a great benefit as well. So using a combination of the two types of inventories would be a great way to help the students get more involved in their learning process but with the guidance from the teacher to help push their zpd to new levels.

Chapter 2

I really enjoyed chapter 2 and the elements that are discussed to ensure that students are getting what they need while in school. I truly believe that emotions trump learning. Therefore it is extremely important that students are given what they need to help them excel in the classroom. I love the 5 elements that the textbook discusses; Affirmation, contribution, power, purpose, and challenge. I can't think of a better way to impower my students then to help them believe in themselves, helping them find their purpose through their ZPD, helping them to realize that they have something worthwhile to share and contribute as they find their power that will enable them to be successful through school as well as through out their life. In such a classroom all become learners together students and teacher alike, as the teacher creates a safe enviroment that will allow maximum learning to take place.

Chapter 1

Chapter One was basically a review of part I in our other textbooks. I really like the metaphor about the fox and the little prince. Each of those students are like the fox, in that they need to be tamed and shown the possibilities that await them. I love how the text points out, that school doesn't just enable the students to become what they might want to be, but it involves them int he observing and contributing processes as well. It is important for the teacher to really be aware of where each of her students are at,teaching within their ZPD thus helping the students to reach their desired potential for that year, giving them a solid foundation in which they will be able to continually build upon throughout their educational experience/life. Creating a differentiated curiculum is very time consuming and requires a lot of persistance and hard work. Creating interest in new topics that will benefi the students, making sure each student is within his or her ZPD, and assessing them in different ways that will allow them to show just how much they have learned. But in turn the teacher also is learning much about her differnt students. Thus making any classroom environment a learning experience for all. both teacher and students taking risks, listening, teaching, giving and recieve. Enrich their experience together as their build their foundation.

Morning Meetings

I am sure we have only just began talking about the importance of morning meeting and I am already hooked. I loved how in the article the students discuss how they love morning meeting because they are known in the classroom and they know the other students. I love how one another student says that in order to be someone's friend you need to know their name. "You learn to get along with each other and you get to you know each others lives." What an amazing way to help build a sense of community within you classroom as students build friendships that are deeper than skin deep. This time gives students a great time to relax and prepare them for the upcoming school day. I love how it provides a safe environment for the students to learn, take risks, make mistakes, help each other succeed and become a family, which unfortunately maybe more than what some students get at home. I loved how one teacher said of morning meeting that it is the one time of the day when all of her students are 100% successful. What an amazing thing to enrich the education of our students.

Part I

In all honesty, this reading really started me thinking about all the overwhelming responsibilities of a teacher. Teachers much meet the demands of all their students and help them continue in their education no matter where they are starting from. One of the sections that I found helpful is How does a teacher plan for differentiation instruction. I really liked how the book discusses the different student characteristics of readiness, interest, and learning profile. It is extremely important that teacher teach within the ZPD to ensure the success of their students. Creating an interest level is also very important if the students are to become hooked and engaged in the learning process, as well as to make the interconnection of all knowledge. Learning profile is the last characteristic that is mentioned. There are many things that shape a learners profile such as; gender, culture, learning style, intelligence preference or a combination of these. This is why it is essential that the teacher creates different lessons and activities that will accomodate all the many differnt learning styles. Giving each student a chance and opportunity to succeed.