Blog #6

4.2) Chapter 4 is all about teacher responses to student needs. Throughout the chapter there are multiple bolded subheadings (scenarios, specific strategies, and ideas for classroom routines). Choose three of them that you believe you can work on or that you would like to do in your own classroom, and explain why you chose them.

1. I like the additional Strategies to build positive environments on pg 40. One in particular I like is 'Convey Status' because it focuses on the teacher helping the other students see someone else's contribution to the group. The teacher can bring out those students who don't stand out to others and help them see how essential they are to the group. If a person feels that he or she is not contributing or what they do doesn't matter then sooner or later they will stop trying altogether. This idea builds classroom unity and keeps everyone involved.
2. Under additional strategies to enhance classroom operation is talks about time being valuable. I agree with this. As a teacher it is so important to use time wisely. My mother, who has been a 1st grade teacher, reminds me that so much can be done in just 10-15 minutes. We often underestimate the power of time. Teachers need to learn to be on their toes and creative in using time wisely, not filling it with busy work but engaging their students in effective learning.
3. One scenario that was interesting to me, but makes sense, was how Ms. Schlim made room-arrangement charts and then made sure the students knew how to move the room around for different activities. In my recent observation at the school I noticed that desks and chairs are moved around the room often and most of the time it is chaotic and someone gets hurt or everything in the desk dumps out on the floor. This can be solved with simple procedures and charts. Some people may think that it is a waste of time but once the students understand it, time will save time in the future.

Obviously, these come from Figure 5.1 on page 59. Take a look at them, with their bulleted explanations, and list them in a prioritized order for yourself… from the easiest for you to the most difficult for you. Briefly explain your ranking.

1. Engaging
2. Important
3. Focused
4. Demanding
5. Scaffolded

Wow, this was a very hard decision to make. I am not sure I even like the order that they are currently in. I think all of these 5 are essential to positive growth. I put Engaging first simply because if a student is engaged they have a desire to learn, they are intrigued and therefore produce more quality results. I feel that I can produce creative ways to get students engaged in my classroom. I chose Important second because I don't like to teach "fluff". I learned from coordinating the after-school program that a teacher can waste a lot of time on fluff rather than teaching the essentials. To me important and focused go hand in hand. I am not as good at making things demanding especially for a range of students. Students give up when something is too hard or too easy, thus the importance of 'demanding', so we need to have a varied amount of resources and options for the students to succeed. Scaffolding is what I am working on the most. I want to have varied materials, resources, assignment options so that my students can learn at their level. This will take lots of work and time. I worry about being a 24/7 teacher and never having time for my personal life and husband. I am sure through the years I will be able to find a balance.