Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Raise Your expectations
Ok, the blogging is now for me. I am going to give it a shot. I know that I am to reply to a roll call someplace but have not found it yet. I too am out of town and have limited signal for my computer, hopefully it will last. I have taught math and science for two years after returning to teaching from staying home with children. I am excited about teaching language arts next year as I myself love to read. In reading chapter 1 of Regie's Teaching Essentials, I highlighted some things that really stood out to me. One that really made an imprint in my mind was ...being that we as teachers have to work smarter and teach ALL children HOW to learn so that they can go on learning. I know that I somtimes get caught up in the "what has to be learned" rather than focusing on the teaching my students how to learn so that they can go on learning. I feel that this is so important for all students today. If taught to how to learn, think for themselves and be problem solvers this only grows them as learners and contributes to their successes.
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Gaye,
ReplyDeleteI have also been trying to mark things that maybe weren't covered in our study this year. I'm particularly interested in having students who are more motivated to write this year. I like Regie's idea that if we are talking/writing about ideas that are real and authentic we are giving students permission to do the same. The same as you...I want to do this smarter to ensure success for everyone. I am curious about how Regie would do a whole week of Writers' Workshop. I want students to enjoy and not dread the process of writing...Wylie Whitesides
I agree! I also agree that it is so easy to get bogged down in the amount of content we have to make sure the students understand, and we forget to make sure we listen to each learner, value where they are, set high expectations, and then work together to make sure they get there! I think that as a relatively new teacher, it is easy for me to focus on the Academic Standards and forget about all the individual learners. I constantly remind myself that the Standards are the minimum of what has to be taught - not the maximum.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was a student teacher I was often critical that the teachers I observed accepted work that was mediocre from their students. I didn't understand why they didn't push them harder. Now, with a few years under my belt, I see how it is so easy to do this! It's sometimes easy to accept work that demonstrates an understanding of the standards when you know the student is capable of more. But time and energy (and 24 other students) are always pulling on you...
And the section in Chapter 1 about avoiding sympathy really hit home. I find myself analyzing my kids so much that I can see the reasons why they aren't performing up to their potential. I need to reexamine the difference btween reasons and excuses. These kids with difficult circumstances are the exact ones that need to be pushed the hardest so they can overcome their situations!