Week 2: Blog Post - Essential Attributes and Characteristics
In This We Believe, I enjoyed reading about the section that covered when students and teachers are engaged in active, purposeful meaning, a genuine learning community is present. I know exactly what this entails. We all have our roles at school. There are the teacher's roles and responsibilities and then the student's roles and responsibilities. However, these can be crossed over from time to time in order for meaningful learning to take place.
One of these ways is to allow students to become the teachers in your classroom. I've seen this work first-hand in my classroom. The kids love when they can come up and teach their peers a strategy they may have used to solve a math problem. It's builds confidence and also they are actually learning more about that specific skill as they are teaching it. Teachers can take on the role of a student too. Often times I've seen various teachers at my school take on the role of a student or learner. Kids love when they can teach a teacher new things. For example, in my intervention groups we may play math games from time to time and it could be something as simple as a student showing me a card trick that I have never seen before . . . and then I tell the student, I never knew how to do that or I never knew you could do that. Kids love to teach teachers something new. They feel empowered along with some well-deserved bragging rights to their friends.
Also, I think it's important for students to see an adult/teacher and understand (to some degree) that teachers are always growing in life and will never claim that they know it all. A teacher will be challenged everyday with a new task that will help them grow into a better person.
Another highlight that I loved reading about in This We Believe, was that of teachers must actively participate in learning activities and not just be observers. I've seen the positive side of this in classrooms when a teacher pulls up a chair and sits with a group of students working an in-class assignment and actively participate and become a part of the group. The kids love it and they don't feel intimidated or awkward, but rather the conversations flow and meaningful discussions happen. I've also seen the negative side of a teacher being just an observer. The tone is very different when a teacher comes up to a group and just stands over them and doesn't say a word. What happens to the group? The stop talking because they feel like they're being watched and assessed. The natural component of discussion and open up completely halts.
In the article, Middle School: Are They Ready to Move Up?, what I found the common theme throghout was that middle schoolers NEED support. And it's a techer's job to geive every student strong support. I read in an article that middle school is a time when every parent gains an understanding of why some animals eat their young. I love this. I think it's hilarious. Having a 5th grade girl and middle school is just upon all of us, I can relate to this comment.
Teachers need to show a great deal of support for their students. They need it. Many kids feel lost during this phase of their adolescent years. Support can come in various ways from a teacher. Here are some ways that I believe we can show support for our students:
Warmth - accept students for who they are and care for them as a good parent cares for their child. Show them that they are important to you.
Empathy – understand how your students think and feel about what is going on around them. Middle school students need to know that you "get them". Showing and having empathy will also build the relationship.
Time – take the time to physically and mentally be present when talking with your students. We need to make the time to be there for them.
One of these ways is to allow students to become the teachers in your classroom. I've seen this work first-hand in my classroom. The kids love when they can come up and teach their peers a strategy they may have used to solve a math problem. It's builds confidence and also they are actually learning more about that specific skill as they are teaching it. Teachers can take on the role of a student too. Often times I've seen various teachers at my school take on the role of a student or learner. Kids love when they can teach a teacher new things. For example, in my intervention groups we may play math games from time to time and it could be something as simple as a student showing me a card trick that I have never seen before . . . and then I tell the student, I never knew how to do that or I never knew you could do that. Kids love to teach teachers something new. They feel empowered along with some well-deserved bragging rights to their friends.
Also, I think it's important for students to see an adult/teacher and understand (to some degree) that teachers are always growing in life and will never claim that they know it all. A teacher will be challenged everyday with a new task that will help them grow into a better person.
Another highlight that I loved reading about in This We Believe, was that of teachers must actively participate in learning activities and not just be observers. I've seen the positive side of this in classrooms when a teacher pulls up a chair and sits with a group of students working an in-class assignment and actively participate and become a part of the group. The kids love it and they don't feel intimidated or awkward, but rather the conversations flow and meaningful discussions happen. I've also seen the negative side of a teacher being just an observer. The tone is very different when a teacher comes up to a group and just stands over them and doesn't say a word. What happens to the group? The stop talking because they feel like they're being watched and assessed. The natural component of discussion and open up completely halts.
In the article, Middle School: Are They Ready to Move Up?, what I found the common theme throghout was that middle schoolers NEED support. And it's a techer's job to geive every student strong support. I read in an article that middle school is a time when every parent gains an understanding of why some animals eat their young. I love this. I think it's hilarious. Having a 5th grade girl and middle school is just upon all of us, I can relate to this comment.
Teachers need to show a great deal of support for their students. They need it. Many kids feel lost during this phase of their adolescent years. Support can come in various ways from a teacher. Here are some ways that I believe we can show support for our students:
Warmth - accept students for who they are and care for them as a good parent cares for their child. Show them that they are important to you.
Empathy – understand how your students think and feel about what is going on around them. Middle school students need to know that you "get them". Showing and having empathy will also build the relationship.
Time – take the time to physically and mentally be present when talking with your students. We need to make the time to be there for them.
Kristen,
ReplyDeleteI love your point that it is important students understand that teachers do not know it all. It is very important for students to see this because teachers are human, they make mistakes, and teachers are still learning as well. Additionally, I like your three ways teachers can show support for students. I also believe if a student feels valued by their teacher, that will go a long way in helping the development of the student. Warmth, empathy, and time encourage a healthy learning environment and one that promotes academic achievement.
Hi Kirsten,
ReplyDeleteI love that you talked about the ways you personally feel we can show support for our students. I very much agree, especially with showing empathy. These students are in such a turbulent transition- physically and emotionally. Showing them we've been there and understand what they're going through, and how it affects their daily lives is important in supporting them. I also very strongly agree with the importance that teachers are also still learners. We do not know it all, and learn from students every day. I think when the students see that, it helps them to view teachers as real people, which can be helpful in forming connections to our students. Great post, Kirsten!
-Lisa P.
Kirsten,
ReplyDeleteI also found that theme in the online reading. I absolutely believe that students at that age need support. I would make sure to draw a fine line, as to not coddle them. I've seen, firsthand, from students that I substitute teach or coach, the lack of responsibility and accountability for assignments because the teacher almost does TOO much. Just my two cents.
Support - another huge aspect of middle school life. Regardless of where students are academically, they ALL need someone to support them. They are still "kids" and although we expect them to be more mature than they really are, teachers must show them that we are all human. No one is perfect. Admitting to mistakes as teachers is difficult, but almost a necessity at this age level. However, we must allow students to make mistakes and learn life lessons also. Allowing students to struggle is just as important as giving support. And be cautious of how much support you offer! Kids needs to learn responsibility and learn from their mistakes.
ReplyDeleteKristen,
ReplyDeleteI love how you engage your students and create activities that showcase what they learned. One thing that stuck out for me while writing my philosophy of education was the fact that we all must be life long learner and you truly know that learning is taking place when the student can teach what they know. How do you show them that you have learned what they have taught. I think if you are truly interested and ask them questions they will appreciate the gesture.