Would you want to be a learner in your classroom? Why or why not? Also the text talks about aligning beliefs with your practice. Do you honestly know you do this? Give a few specific examples.
I would want to be a learner in my third grade classroom for two reasons. First, I have a very structured classroom , and I love for things to be organized and structured (no surprises). Second, I allow my students to do a large amount of independent work, and I enjoy working independently. Also, I try to help all of my students to develop a good self-esteem. At the end of each school year, I measure my success not only by my students' grades, test scores, and projects from the year; but also, if they are leaving my classroom with an excitement about school and learning. After many years of teaching, I do have certain beliefs about student learning and about my teaching practices. I try to match my teaching practices with my beliefs about student learning. For example, I believe that students learn by practice and more practice (in reading and in math); therefore, I try to provide numerous and various ways for my students to practice necessary skills. I use powerpoint presentations, graphic organizers, skill sheets, student projects, student questions, computer programs (such as Ticket to Read, A.R., ClassWorks, IXL). Also, I believe that children and adults work and learn in an organized environment that is free from clutter. I try to keep my classroom organized and neat. That is why it is so hard for me to put up a lot of student work because I like a "clean" classroom. Another belief I have about teaching is to use the gradual release of responsibility when teaching new skills. I believe that the teacher needs to model the skill everyday, work with the students everyday to practice the skill, and finally allow the students time to independently practice the skill. I do a lot of modeling and working with students in my classroom. When I do allow them to work independently on a skill, I expect them to be successful. Although, I do have certain beliefs about teaching that do affect my teaching practices, I realize that I am a learner too. At the end of every school year, I always make a list of new ways to organize my classroom, new ideas about how to better organize my paperwork, and new teaching strategies that I plan to use the next school year. I always see the need to improve as a teacher (test scores can always be improved). I am always amazed at how much I learn about myself each school year! As I reflect about my teaching at the end of each school year, I always hope that my students have learned as much as I have during that school year.
Like Ginger, I would like to be a learner in my classroom. I want students to feel secure and know that the classroom facilitates learning. I stress the importance of it being our classroom and students should take pride in it. In the first chapters Debbie Miller discusses the importance of classroom organization, environment, and arrangement. I am structured and I feel that works for me as long as my students know my expectations. I have always been one to arrange and perhaps rearrange many times during the year. It is generally students at the beginning of the year as you learn their personalities, learning styles and other issues. Since technology is being utilized more I have found classroom arrangement has been difficult. I plan to use checklist and many other points stressed in the text. After many years of teaching you learn things about yourself and your teaching beliefs. As long as your focus is on what you want your students to learn, how you plan, and how carry out the plan makes an effective teacher. Teaching is a unique position and it’s the teacher that makes it real. Only when your in the classroom and deliver each day do you fully understand the role you play in the life of your students.
I would love to be a learner in my classroom. I strive to make learning meaningful and fun. I agree that the classroom should have materials organized and ready for student's access. The arrangement has to be reorganized many times because of personality issues and in order to promote classroom harmony and cooperation. I believe to be the best effective teacher, a sense of true family has to be insured to all class members. I agree, "The teacher makes it real." We as teachers have such a responsibility and I am proud to say that I have always had the best interest of all my students at heart. I end many days by pondering before sleep comes..."What can I do to reach a specific child?" There is nothing more rewarding as seeing the special light in the eyes of a child when they learn something new or just get the new concept. I learn new things daily from my students.I love teaching and I truly believe that the majority if not all of my students love our classroom and family.
I would want to be a learner in my third grade classroom for two reasons. First, I have a very structured classroom , and I love for things to be organized and structured (no surprises). Second, I allow my students to do a large amount of independent work, and I enjoy working independently. Also, I try to help all of my students to develop a good self-esteem. At the end of each school year, I measure my success not only by my students' grades, test scores, and projects from the year; but also, if they are leaving my classroom with an excitement about school and learning.
ReplyDeleteAfter many years of teaching, I do have certain beliefs about student learning and about my teaching practices. I try to match my teaching practices with my beliefs about student learning. For example, I believe that students learn by practice and more practice (in reading and in math); therefore, I try to provide numerous and various ways for my students to practice necessary skills. I use powerpoint presentations, graphic organizers, skill sheets, student projects, student questions, computer programs (such as Ticket to Read, A.R., ClassWorks, IXL). Also, I believe that children and adults work and learn in an organized environment that is free from clutter. I try to keep my classroom organized and neat. That is why it is so hard for me to put up a lot of student work because I like a "clean" classroom. Another belief I have about teaching is to use the gradual release of responsibility when teaching new skills. I believe that the teacher needs to model the skill everyday, work with the students everyday to practice the skill, and finally allow the students time to independently practice the skill. I do a lot of modeling and working with students in my classroom. When I do allow them to work independently on a skill, I expect them to be successful.
Although, I do have certain beliefs about teaching that do affect my teaching practices, I realize that I am a learner too. At the end of every school year, I always make a list of new ways to organize my classroom, new ideas about how to better organize my paperwork, and new teaching strategies that I plan to use the next school year. I always see the need to improve as a teacher (test scores can always be improved). I am always amazed at how much I learn about myself each school year! As I reflect about my teaching at the end of each school year, I always hope that my students have learned as much as I have during that school year.
Like Ginger, I would like to be a learner in my classroom. I want students to feel secure and know that the classroom facilitates learning. I stress the importance of it being our classroom and students should take pride in it. In the first chapters Debbie Miller discusses the importance of classroom organization, environment, and arrangement. I am structured and I feel that works for me as long as my students know my expectations. I have always been one to arrange and perhaps rearrange many times during the year. It is generally students at the beginning of the year as you learn their personalities, learning styles and other issues. Since technology is being utilized more I have found classroom arrangement has been difficult. I plan to use checklist and many other points stressed in the text.
ReplyDeleteAfter many years of teaching you learn things about yourself and your teaching beliefs. As long as your focus is on what you want your students to learn, how you plan, and how carry out the plan makes an effective teacher. Teaching is a unique position and it’s the teacher that makes it real. Only when your in the classroom and deliver each day do you fully understand the role you play in the life of your students.
I would love to be a learner in my classroom. I strive to make learning meaningful and fun. I agree that the classroom should have materials organized and ready for student's access. The arrangement has to be reorganized many times because of personality issues and in order to promote classroom harmony and cooperation. I believe to be the best effective teacher, a sense of true family has to be insured to all class members. I agree, "The teacher makes it real." We as teachers have such a responsibility and I am proud to say that I have always had the best interest of all my students at heart. I end many days by pondering before sleep comes..."What can I do to reach a specific child?" There is nothing more rewarding as seeing the special light in the eyes of a child when they learn something new or just get the new concept. I learn new things daily from my students.I love teaching and I truly believe that the majority if not all of my students love our classroom and family.
ReplyDelete