This blog will follow a school wide book study of the book "Do You Know Enough About Me to Teach Me?" by Stephen Peters. The faculty and staff of McDonnell Elementary will use this book to validate strategies and approaches in accepting the reality that today's students need more.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
What Every Teacher Needs to Know
Summarize Chapter 5 "Deposits and Withdrawals," Chapter 6 "Waiting for Their Next Audition," Chapter 7 " My Teacher Doesn't Like Me."
Chapter 5 The main fact a first teacher learned was that positive relationships with students begin outside of class. A secondary fact is your response to student behavior. Chapter 6 A chapter of statistics about family life which directly affects school performance. Television is blamed for students attitudes about life...fame and fortune. A teacher fact from this chapter is to teach each student as if they were your own biological child. Chapter 7 This chapter is giving teachers ideas to practice in the classroom...body language. It states the pressures on teachers... accountability and data. The author mentions that family life(adult lying) has let students down. This a good chapter to reread often.
Jonathan came from a legacy of teachers. He had a "grandiose" idea that as a teacher he would change the lives of his students. During his first teaching assigment, he realized this was not the case. He had students from a plethora of backgrounds, all having different needs/wants especially Keisha, the "attitude" queen. Also, he was the new kid at school as far as the teachers were concerned, and he got caught up with the "toxic teachers". He finally makes the deposit to show up at a school dance allowing the students to see his human side. From this point on he relaxes and begins enjoying his students and vice versa.
School now has to compete with television, movies, video games, etc. Teachers are forced to put on a show in order to get their student's attention. Kids feel that the only way to stand out is to make money and have the best of everything. Teaching is not considered glamorous nor a money-making endeavor by students.
Children are very observant. They know when someone doesn't like them. There are some teachers, unfortunately, who did not choose this profession because of the love of children. As teachers, we realize that as soon as a child comes through the front door of our school, we accept the challenge and the responsibility of their education, whether good or bad. We will use whatever means, verbal or nonverbal, to achieve our goal.
Becoming involved in school activites helps you learn more about your students. Just seeing them in a different setting might be surprising at the way they act. Their personalities change just like Keisha. We teach in an age of TV. This dominates the students' lives. Just because a student comes from a low-income household doesn't mean they are unteachable. Teachers need to motivate all students to be the best that they can. Using non verbal cues is second nature to most teachers. Keeping the student's attention can be difficult but just a pat on the shoulder, a smile of encouragment, or nodding your head shows them that you care about them. Teaching a child like they were your own should come naturally to teachers because we actually see them longer than the parents do during the week. They are our kids! Ann Brady
Chapter Five: Deposits and Withdrawals This chapter emphasizes the importance of developing positive relationships with students. When students feel they are important and part of the group, they tend to want to do more for themselves and please the teacher. This chapter suggests to make personal efforts to show students that you care by giving them specific attention and support beyond the regular school day of 7:30-2:30. Often times when students display an “I Don’t Care Attitude”, or constantly being difficult to teach and reach, they are looking for “extra” attention and time from the teacher. When a positive teacher-student relationship is developed, trust, respect, and being valued are very important traits that must exist. When a good relationship is in effect, teaching and learning can take place. The author summed this chapter best when he said, “Create a new climate inside the classroom by starting outside the classroom”.
Chapter Six: Waiting for Their Next Audition Today’s children hope to become rich and famous by the time they are twenty years old. Not long ago, the standards for success was focused on learning, graduating from high school, going to college, and becoming a professional in an acceptable field of working. The author noted that in the fifties, the major influences on a student’s life were home, church, school, and peers. Presently in 2009, the television has the major influence on the youth. Be that as it may, the T.V. shows that once aired with family values and good character or citizen traits are far and in between. The “Reality” shows and channels tailored to young people are portraying negative aspects of the “real world”. Educators must continue to stress the importance of learning and keeping it real for today’s children. They must also continue to help students set realistic goals and show them ways to achieve them. According to Mr. Peters, “Teachers and education at one point was highly respected. Students were ready or at least willing to learn.” Today’s educators face students who don’t care about what’s being taught in the classroom, they just want to get rich quick like it is so easy advertised on T.V. One way to help redirect students’ attention is for school leaders and administrators to “Put the best in front of the Best” to inspire, motivate, and teach today’s children.
Chapter Seven: My Teacher Doesn’t Like Me Developing relationships with students seem to be the underlying theme of this book. The teaching profession has become more than just teaching. Teachers face monumental tasks of dealing with difficult students, paperwork, and “extra everything”, so when does one find time to teach? How do teachers make difficult students welcome in class and teach them? This chapter offers suggestions on ways to improve verbal and non-verbal communication with students in the classroom. “One of the most effective ways to gain trust is to spend time with students outside of the classroom.” Be honest with the students and yourself. Remember that actions speak louder than words.
I found the list of Deposits and Withdrawls very interesting. I had never seen them stated this way before. They are really a list of do's and don'ts. I was also interested in the statistics stated later in the chapter on Characteristics of Low Income Families.
Chapter 5 When students see their teachers in a setting other than school, they always get excited about it. It is hard for the student to visualize their teachers as "human". When we reveal that "human" side of ourselves to them, we open up doors between us. You will find that students can find something to talk to you about that isn't about school. I think it is a bonding that does seem to help with the student-teacher relationship.
Chapter 6 Many children do see their future as having fame either through sports or through a record deal. Education is not a priority. I also hear back from form students who update me about their classmates. Several young ladies have already found themselves in the role of mother, with no prospect of continuing their education at that point in time.
Chapter 7 This chapter deals with our interactions with students,both positive and negative. I agree with the author that proximity to students is key. I spend most of my day on my feet. I rarely sit at my desk during the school hours. So once in awhile, when students are doing seat work or projects,and they need help, I might sit down next to a student if there is an open seat.There is definitely a different dynamic at work. The students are usually surprised at first, but then accept the fact that I am sitting with them.
In this chapter students find it easy to identify or relate to teacher that they see outside there school settings. For a first time teacher this can help break the ice with your students and make it easy for the both of you.
Chapter 6
In chapter six the author points out that the children of today want fame and fortune and they want it quick.The same way there favorite singer,dancer,rapper,athlete,or like that guy with all the nice cars from the neighborhood has it. As teachers we have to show them that hard work and education will pay off and convince them that 15 minutes of fame isn't better than a safe secure life.
Chapter 7
When dealing with students today, you have to understand that they are very independent. This is because parents are always working and dont make time to do their parent duties. So when teachers become firm the student doesn't know how to react and this causes tention between student and teacher. Teachers have talk with the kids and not always expect the student to understand or know something simple. Be patient and consistent.
Jonathon started off his career like so many other teachers. He cared about his students, but he wasn't sure how to show them. His simple gesture of being a chaperone was a great starting point. This showed his students that he cared for them and he was a person too. These three chapters really show how a positive attitude is helpful in teaching. Facial expressions are soooo important. Like adults, children can tell when you don't want them around you.
Ch. 5 I found this chapter really interesting because as teachers we look for different strategies to facilitate the students learning and most of the times just getting involved in an activity after school hours can actually make a difference. That was the case with Jonathan a new teacher, who just graduated from college and had been around teachers his whole life. One of his students Keisha had a terrible attitude and he did not feel he was prepared on how to overcome that. He asked the teachers with more experience if they had any insights on the situation, but non of the answers were positive. He decided to volunteer as a chaperone at a school dance, that actually made the difference in Keisha's attitude. This shows that we can establish a better environment inside the classroom by starting outside the classroom, just takes a little bit of time and effort on our part as teachers. Even though Jonathan was a middle school teacher, as an elementary teacher I really think that this can be put into practice and the outcome will be great. You can never start too early.
Ch. 6 This chapter shows a sad reality. Due to the fact of what the kids see on t.v. they think that they can become rich and famous quickly; but the number of people who actually make it is low. Even though that is an unrealistic dream it is understandable. There is a lot of poverty. Many families struggle to make ends meet and some can't even make them meet. So our students, the ones that are in our class day by day, carry their parents financial issues. Some even become their main providers. This chapter also showed how the respect in a way for education has dropped. School was the third influence in kids during the '50s. Iwould have to say that it is a lot different now. Television had no influence in the kids, unfortunately today some kids are being raised by the television. That brings a huge challenge to the teacher in the classroom. So, according to this chapter the question is: "Will we as teachers teach our students the same way we want our own chlidren to be taught? That is where the real challenge is; but I think that if we really love our job and our students, we find ways to teach them the proper way.
Ch. 7 In this chapter we see the reality of what a teacher experiments on a daily basis. It's true sometimes we feel frustrated and with reason in some cases, but the truth is that we need to show our students that we truely care about them and their education. They can sense if we do or don't. We should make an effort, a big effort, to not feel frustrated, because that frustration is half of the reason why we are not the teacher we can actually be. Our non-verbal language is as important as what we say. Sometimes we don't express what we feel with words, but we do with our body language and they can sense if it is positive or negative. This chapter gave us some good pointers on how to improve our non-verbal language. Taking these pointers in consideration and giving our students positive and inviting comments, instead of giving them negative comments that would keep them away from us, may improve the classroom environment and reduce the frustration.
I certainly can identify with Jonathan. When I start working at a new school, I am always encountered by one student that has "that" attitude. I have learned to win them over with kindness and respect. Sometimes that can't even be done. But you have to try. If you win the child over, we both get what we want. I get the assignments done and the student actually is able to learn from it. The attitude, I believe, is just a tool to help children cope with what is going on in their lives and also to gain attention. You must find their interests and try to identify with that child, even if it is not in the classroom. The deposits and withdrawals are a given. Behave kindly, responsibly, loyally, etc. and do not do the opposite. You cannot expect a child to respond to you positively if you behave badly in any respect.
Chapter 6: Waiting for Their Next Audition?
It is true that TV, video games, computers, and texting is close to the number 1 influence on children in this day and time. If it wasn't age inappropriate, I would show them the show "Famous and Broke". It is a new show about former stars that are now almost homeless. It puts the fame and money into perspective. The T.V. show's host teaches the irresponsible "star" how to make it without relying on his fame (or lack thereof). It is true that much of our nation is living in poverty. For these children, a caring, nurturing teacher could mean the world to them. The book says that most of these children's parents are not well educated and education might not be a priority for the child's parents. Therefore, they might not think of education as being a high priority for their children. This is where parental involvement and education needs to come in to play. When the parents' realize that education is still a very important part of a child's life, not just academically, but developmentally, they might just put a little more effort into helping their children excel at school.
Chapter 7 "My Teacher Doesn't Like Me"
I loved this chapter. It has a lot of good information on how our students perceive us. It also gives advice on how our nonverbal interactions with the children affect them. I never sit at my desk when I have a class. I am always sitting with the students, but I have smaller classes than regular classroom teachers, so I am afforded this luxury. From my experience, it makes the students feel special when you give them personal positive attention. As they always say, a smile goes a long way. In a teacher’s world, students respond more positively when the teachers are pleasant.
Chapter 5 Jonathan seemed a little doubtful at the beginning of his teaching career. However, things changed when he became involved with this students during their personal time, which was a school dance. The students (especially Keisha) was friendly toward him. After that night Jonathan's classroom environment changed for the better. His relationship with his students became better because he showed that he cared. Teaching became a little easier. Chapter 6 This chapter gave a few statistics on poverty rates family characteristics of low income children. Blacks had the highest percentage of poverty and low income families. This is a result of single-parent homes. It was mentioned that during the 50s the major influences of the child were home, church, school, peers, and television. That has changed where t.v is No.1. I believe it could be the same today if we had more parent involvement, and two parent homes rather than single mothers. Chapter 7 Focused on teachers caring about their students. Most of the time a student can sense if you care or don't about them. They can see through you. There were some pointers given of positive nonverbal communication and behavior. Inviting and disinviting comments. These are positive tips that I will try to keep in mind. D. Carroll
Chapter 5, Deposits and Withdrawals A good point was made about reaching students outside the classroom. Years ago when I was a permanent sub in second grade. I had a students who was a challenge. He kept asking me to come see him play basketball. It was funny because when I went, he didn't seem at all excited that I was there. But back at school on Monday, he was extremely happy that I had come. Our relationship was smoother after that. Students need to know we care about them not just in school but about their life.
Chapter 6 Waiting for their next audition Students do have a completely different mindset than I did as a child. They "grow up" so fast because of everything they see on television and the internet. They don't have the internalized respect for adults and authority that we had growing up. They believe the hype about making it rich fast and easy. They don't understand it takes hard work to make it in this world. And this is really not their fault. They have grown up seeing junk on tv made to look like the real thing. It is our jobs as teachers to help them see the reality that a good education is the best "get rich" strategy they can have. To do that we have to show we care.
Chapter 7, My teacher doesn't like me. The author says that students feel with their spirit and you can't fool a child if you don't like them. They know. It is important to find a point of connection with every child you teach, especially those that are difficult to like. I like the section on nonverbal communication. I see things that I already do and have gotten ideas about thing I can do. It is also important to be able to read our children as well. The list of non verbal cues they give off are a valuable asset.
Ch. 5 Deposits and Withdrawals This chapter talks about a beginning teacher named Jonathan. Jonathan encounters a student named Keisha and he realizes that eveything that he was taught in school could not give him everything he needed to reach his students. Only after Jonathan attends a school dance as a helper did he understand tht the best way to reach some students was to be involved in their lives in school as well as out of school. Stepping outside of the classroom help Jonathan get a postive review not only from other teachers, but also from his students as well. He learned that the most important part to teaching your students is a positive relationship.
Ch. 6 Waiting for Thier Next Audition This chapter talks about the different between studnets of the 50's and 60's, with students of today. We have to remember that tv is a great part of students life today and seeing people get a little fame, gives students of today the hope that they can do the same. We have to find ways to use that same information to get students to see education as an important part of achiving the great things they see evryday on tv and in other sources. This chapter also talks about the poor facts that affect students education and how we as teaches need to look at all the factors.
Ch. 7 My Teahcer Doesn't Like Me This chapter talks about how we as teaches must look at each studnet as one of our owe children. That we have to tret them like we would like our schildren teachers to treat them every day. It also talks about the nonverbal and verbal ways in which we talk to our studnets. It gives examples of ways that are good and some that can cause students to react in a negitive way.
Jonathan was so excited to start his profession as a teacher and he had imagined how great of a teacher he would be. During his first teaching experience at an inner-city high school, he met a student name Keisha. Jonathan felt like he hit a brick wall because everything he learned in school, he felt went right out the window with the issues he was facing with this student. Jonathon started second guessing himself and wondering if he entered the right profession. Jonathon always had a negative encounter with Keisha. But one night the school held a dance and Jonathon happened to chaperone. He did not have to volunteer but he did which is an example of a deposit. Now if he didn’t go to that dance, it can be considered as a withdrawal. When he went to the dance Keisha had called out at Jonathan surprised he was at the dance. This is the first time he had a positive encounter with Keisha and he was so surprised. He had finally built a relationship with Keisha. It is very important to have a relationship with students because positive things happen. Also, in the story it seemed as if the teachers do not communicate well with each other because when Jonathon went to ask them all they can say was “If you find something that works, let us know.” They are just letting the problems happen with know care. This made me think about my friend who is in her first year teaching going through the same problems and asked for help and got the same response as in the story. They also told her to just pass the students to the next grade even if they are failing so they don’t have to deal with them. May be I should recommend this book to her.
When you turn on the T.V., the first thing you see when you flipping the channels, someone is looking for there fifteen minutes of fame. The reality shows is taking over and it is influencing young kids to follow the same path. They see these kids like on The Real World (mtv) partying, messing around with each other, drinking and they think it is cute. The programs that use to be on back in the day are not the same. People are becoming famous just looking for love on a reality show and think that that it is what they have to do to become famous and rich. Kids watch an average 6-8 hours of t.v. a day. That is a lot of wasted time that can be used to do something educational. These kids need role models to help them distinguish real from fantasy. It seems so opposite because teachers spend the day teaching them positive things, but when they go home they get in front of the television and forget what they learned in school. That is why after school programs is important to have because instead of wasting time watching t.v., they can be with a positive mentor to guide them the right way.
If you want to be a teacher and your reason why is because you like kids, that will not help you much with this profession. As a teacher, you want to make sure you have that passion to want your students to succeed no matter what obstacles you have to overcome. Teaching is not just teaching, it is also building a life long relationship. You want to be the teacher the child remembers and not because you were always yelling in class or taking out frustration on the kids and being mean to them, but the teacher that cares instead. Students today are very challenging and as teachers we must have patience. Being a teacher is like a 24-hour job and you have to make yourself accessible. Treat them as though you would want your child to be taught. If you as a teacher don’t care, the students won’t. Because it will show on your face and body language and they can pick that up from you.
This was the part of the book where I got some insight. It talked about deposits and withdrawals. I believe building relationship with your students is the most important thing. If they sit still and listen and complete assignments that great but it goes much deeper than that. It is imperative that we learn who they are. We each need to learn from each other. This is my first year teaching and my students have already taught me so much. I just hope that they are getting as many deposits from me as I am getting from them.
This is Mary Montgomery Chapter Five: Deposits and Withdrawals this chapter mainly deals with the benefits you and your student will receive when you take the time to truly care. In other words to give more than simple “lip service”. I feel students receive much more attention from their teacher in elementary school than they do in Middle or High School. However, it is easier to see students outside the classroom once they are in high school as they will be doing things teachers are more apt to be interested in. Either way, if an educator puts time in, they can withdraw rewards. This not only goes along with after school activities, but also classroom lessons and time talking to the child.
Chapter Six: Waiting for Their Next Audition Deals with students who have unrealistic dreams about fame and fortune. But, what is our country built on if not dreams? I do not agree that we should make a student “face reality.” If they dream, let them dream. Just be there to support and offer the scaffolding they need to reach those dreams.
Chapter Seven: My Teacher Doesn’t Like Me Well, sometimes that is true. We are not being honest if we say we like everyone. I look at it the same way I have taught my children to look at life. Love the soul that God sees. If we do this, we will be less likely to get upset or take it personal if a student is disrespectful. Not liking a student or more honestly, their ‘ways’ is a fact of life. This is where the ‘professional’ starts in our certification. We are the adults. We need to remember that.
This is Mary Montgomery (again) I forgot my password. =) I agree with Kruger. I found it interesting what she said about being close to the students. I think all good teachers walk the room and mix in with the students.
Chapter Five (Deposits and Withdrawals) In this Chapter the teacher Jonathon came into the classroom with an idyllic point of view of teaching and a textbook perspective of his future classroom. Upon arrival, reality set in….Looking at teaching from a first year point of view, it must seem unrealistic because no matter the location, children are pretty much the same regardless of location. Students tend to test teachers to see what they are able to get away with…..now Jonathan’s is perplexed by Keisha and her friends negative attitude and she was obviously able to push his buttons well enough to have him question whether or not if he had entered into the right profession. Like most new teachers he sought guidance from his tenured colleagues to receive negative comments, but the moment he decided to involve himself in activities outside of the classroom, he (Jonathon) became more than a teacher to Keisha and her friends. He became someone that she could relate, to , count on, and see in a different role other than teacher. In other words it is important for teachers to make deposits into our student’s life other the classroom contribution. The gains will out weight any negative excuse for not investing into our student’s lives. Let’s make more deposits and less withdrawals in our student’s educational account., and even tack on some good “interest”. Chapter Six (Waiting……..) In this chapter we learn about the various influences on young learners and their economic status. How both components play a role in a child receiving a quality education. It is very important that teachers today identify their students background , interests, and major influences. What dominates their life outside of the classroom directly correlates with how a child learns and how successful of a learner he/she will become. Looking at the statistics about poverty level and educational status of a student’s parent will help determine the direction a child could possibly go. Yes, television has given today’s learners a miscued point of view of what success is and how to obtain it. Unfortunately we as educators are in constant competition with this misrepresentation of the truth; that is why it is my belief that the more I expose my students to literary works and genres the more interested they will become in activities and ideas outside of their normal conversation. Give them new vocabulary to explore, and define new meaning to an event. My goal is to broaden their horizon and think outside of the “X-Box”. Chapter Seven (My Teacher….) In this chapter the author explores the teacher’s role in a student’s life that could very well be life altering. Each year a child enters into a classroom wondering, “ Is she/he nice or mean”?…..Will he/she like me? Based on the answers to these questions, a learner’s educational path may be a positive experience or negative experience. I’ve often wondered why any child would say “ I hate school”….until I met the teacher they had the year before and no other explanation was needed. It is hard to believe but there are teachers who will admit that they “hate” their students or class and that boggles my mind. I agree with the author of the non verbal cues that we must use to interact with our students, such as eye contact ( this can speak volumes without you say a word), proximity, humor, gestures, and facial expressions to convey a message to your students and the class. All of these cues set the tone for either a successful classroom or a less effective classroom. I must admit, I do on occasion become frustrated with my students , but I am learning to sow good seed into them by giving more positive feedback and encouraging words when needed. I am using more “inviting comments” rather than “disinviting comments” in my everyday language with my students and class.
I agree with Mrs. Hurt. She made many good points. Getting your students' attention is the most important thing to do in a classroom. If they are not listening to you, they will not learn what you are teaching. You must grad their attention somehow, someway.
Teachers mean more to students then they can truly understand. Students are always watching and observing the actions and words of their teachers. Students do this so often, that years down the line that will actually do and say things just like their teachers, and the funny part about is; many of them will not even realize it. This being the case, teachers should make a pronounced effort to go to different functions out of school that are not required of them. This will have a great impact on many students and the teacher will see a side of interest in that student that they did not realize existed. A teacher that touches the personal aspect of a student’s life is quickly granted a deeper access into that student’s soul, sometimes more that the biological parent. And if people know that you truly care, then in return they will truly care about your input for their life.
Chapter 5 Deposits and Withdrawals Beginning as a first year teacher, I can relate to Jonathan. Students forget that teachers are humans. Teachers are a necessary part of students’ daily lives- good or bad. I have found respect to be a common ground in my classroom. Jonathan questions himself in the beginning, but finally felt that he had made the right choice by becoming a teacher. Having a positive relationship with students in the classroom and outside makes a positive difference in teaching.
Chapter 6 Waiting for Their Next Audition? Time spent watching television and playing video games takes away from important activities such as reading, school work, playing, exercise, family interaction, and social development. Children also learn information from television that may be inappropriate or incorrect. They often can not tell the difference between the fantasies presented on television and reality. Violence, sexuality, race and gender stereotypes, drug and alcohol abuse are common themes of many television programs. Young children are very impressionable and may assume that what they see on television is typical, safe, and acceptable. As a result, television also exposes children to behaviors and attitudes that may be overwhelming and difficult to understand. Educators and parents must find ways to motivate students toward a good education instead of fifteen minutes of fame.
Chapter 7 “My Teacher Doesn’t Like Me” A good teacher-student relationship is very important for children. Children spend approximately 5 to 7 hours a day with a teacher for 9 months. A positive relationship may be difficult to establish, but can be very rewarding for both the student and the teacher in the long run. The qualities of a positive relationship can make a difference in the learning experience by creating an approachable and inviting environment for students. A teacher and student who share the qualities of good communication, respect, and interest in learning result in a positive relationship that enhances the teaching and learning experience and classroom atmosphere. I feel that children need to be in supportive, friendly environments to enhance learning. Sonya Thomas
Chapter 5
ReplyDeleteThe main fact a first teacher learned was that positive relationships with students begin outside of class. A secondary fact is your response to student behavior.
Chapter 6
A chapter of statistics about family life which directly affects school performance. Television is blamed for students attitudes about life...fame and fortune. A teacher fact from this chapter is to teach each student as if they were your own biological child.
Chapter 7
This chapter is giving teachers ideas to practice in the classroom...body language. It states the pressures on teachers...
accountability and data. The author mentions that family life(adult lying) has let students down. This a good chapter to reread often.
I agree with you on re-reading often!
ReplyDeleteJonathan came from a legacy of teachers. He had a "grandiose" idea that as a teacher he would change the lives of his students. During his first teaching assigment, he realized this was not the case. He had students from a plethora of backgrounds, all having different needs/wants especially Keisha, the "attitude" queen. Also, he was the new kid at school as far as the teachers were concerned, and he got caught up with the "toxic teachers".
ReplyDeleteHe finally makes the deposit to show up at a school dance allowing the students to see his human side. From this point on he relaxes and begins enjoying his students and vice versa.
School now has to compete with television, movies, video games, etc. Teachers are forced to put on a show in order to get their student's attention. Kids feel that the only way to stand out is to make money and have the best of everything. Teaching is not considered glamorous nor a money-making endeavor by students.
Children are very observant. They know when someone doesn't like them. There are some teachers, unfortunately, who did not choose this profession because of the love of children. As teachers, we realize that as soon as a child comes through the front door of our school, we accept the challenge and the responsibility of their education, whether good or bad. We will use whatever means, verbal or nonverbal, to achieve our goal.
Becoming involved in school activites helps you learn more about your students. Just seeing them in a different setting might be surprising at the way they act. Their personalities change just like Keisha.
ReplyDeleteWe teach in an age of TV. This dominates the students' lives. Just because a student comes from a low-income household doesn't mean they are unteachable. Teachers need to motivate all students to be the best that they can.
Using non verbal cues is second nature to most teachers. Keeping the student's attention can be difficult but just a pat on the shoulder, a smile of encouragment, or nodding your head shows them that you care about them. Teaching a child like they were your own should come naturally to teachers because we actually see them longer than the parents do during the week. They are our kids!
Ann Brady
Chapter Five: Deposits and Withdrawals
ReplyDeleteThis chapter emphasizes the importance of developing positive relationships with students. When students feel they are important and part of the group, they tend to want to do more for themselves and please the teacher. This chapter suggests to make personal efforts to show students that you care by giving them specific attention and support beyond the regular school day of 7:30-2:30. Often times when students display an “I Don’t Care Attitude”, or constantly being difficult to teach and reach, they are looking for “extra” attention and time from the teacher. When a positive teacher-student relationship is developed, trust, respect, and being valued are very important traits that must exist. When a good relationship is in effect, teaching and learning can take place. The author summed this chapter best when he said, “Create a new climate inside the classroom by starting outside the classroom”.
Chapter Six: Waiting for Their Next Audition
Today’s children hope to become rich and famous by the time they are twenty years old. Not long ago, the standards for success was focused on learning, graduating from high school, going to college, and becoming a professional in an acceptable field of working. The author noted that in the fifties, the major influences on a student’s life were home, church, school, and peers. Presently in 2009, the television has the major influence on the youth. Be that as it may, the T.V. shows that once aired with family values and good character or citizen traits are far and in between. The “Reality” shows and channels tailored to young people are portraying negative aspects of the “real world”. Educators must continue to stress the importance of learning and keeping it real for today’s children. They must also continue to help students set realistic goals and show them ways to achieve them. According to Mr. Peters, “Teachers and education at one point was highly respected. Students were ready or at least willing to learn.” Today’s educators face students who don’t care about what’s being taught in the classroom, they just want to get rich quick like it is so easy advertised on T.V. One way to help redirect students’ attention is for school leaders and administrators to “Put the best in front of the Best” to inspire, motivate, and teach today’s children.
Chapter Seven: My Teacher Doesn’t Like Me
Developing relationships with students seem to be the underlying theme of this book. The teaching profession has become more than just teaching. Teachers face monumental tasks of dealing with difficult students, paperwork, and “extra everything”, so when does one find time to teach? How do teachers make difficult students welcome in class and teach them? This chapter offers suggestions on ways to improve verbal and non-verbal communication with students in the classroom. “One of the most effective ways to gain trust is to spend time with students outside of the classroom.” Be honest with the students and yourself. Remember that actions speak louder than words.
I found the list of Deposits and Withdrawls very interesting. I had never seen them stated this way before. They are really a list of do's and don'ts. I was also interested in the statistics stated later in the chapter on Characteristics of Low Income Families.
ReplyDeleteChapter 5
ReplyDeleteWhen students see their teachers in a setting other than school, they always get excited about it. It is hard for the student to visualize their teachers as "human". When we reveal that "human" side of ourselves to them, we open up doors between us. You will find that students can find something to talk to you about that isn't about school. I think it is a bonding that does seem to help with the student-teacher relationship.
Chapter 6
Many children do see their future as having fame either through sports or through a record deal. Education is not a priority.
I also hear back from form students who update me about their classmates. Several young ladies have already found themselves in the role of mother, with no prospect of continuing their education at that point in time.
Chapter 7
This chapter deals with our interactions with students,both positive and negative. I agree with the author that proximity to students is key. I spend most of my day on my feet. I rarely sit at my desk during the school hours. So once in awhile, when students are doing seat work or projects,and they need help, I might sit down next to a student if there is an open seat.There is definitely a different dynamic at work. The students are usually surprised at first, but then accept the fact that I am sitting with them.
Chapter 5
ReplyDeleteIn this chapter students find it easy to identify or relate to teacher that they see outside there school settings. For a first time teacher this can help break the ice with your students and make it easy for the both of you.
Chapter 6
In chapter six the author points out that the children of today want fame and fortune and they want it quick.The same way there favorite singer,dancer,rapper,athlete,or like that guy with all the nice cars from the neighborhood has it. As teachers we have to show them that hard work and education will pay off and convince them that 15 minutes of fame isn't better than a safe secure life.
Chapter 7
When dealing with students today, you have to understand that they are very independent. This is because parents are always working and dont make time to do their parent duties. So when teachers become firm the student doesn't know how to react and this causes tention between student and teacher. Teachers have talk with the kids and not always expect the student to understand or know something simple. Be patient and consistent.
Jonathon started off his career like so many other teachers. He cared about his students, but he wasn't sure how to show them. His simple gesture of being a chaperone was a great starting point. This showed his students that he cared for them and he was a person too. These three chapters really show how a positive attitude is helpful in teaching. Facial expressions are soooo important. Like adults, children can tell when you don't want them around you.
ReplyDeleteCh. 5
ReplyDeleteI found this chapter really interesting because as teachers we look for different strategies to facilitate the students learning and most of the times just getting involved in an activity after school hours can actually make a difference. That was the case with Jonathan a new teacher, who just graduated from college and had been around teachers his whole life. One of his students Keisha had a terrible attitude and he did not feel he was prepared on how to overcome that. He asked the teachers with more experience if they had any insights on the situation, but non of the answers were positive. He decided to volunteer as a chaperone at a school dance, that actually made the difference in Keisha's attitude. This shows that we can establish a better environment inside the classroom by starting outside the classroom, just takes a little bit of time and effort on our part as teachers. Even though Jonathan was a middle school teacher, as an elementary teacher I really think that this can be put into practice and the outcome will be great. You can never start too early.
Ch. 6
This chapter shows a sad reality. Due to the fact of what the kids see on t.v. they think that they can become rich and famous quickly; but the number of people who actually make it is low. Even though that is an unrealistic dream it is understandable. There is a lot of poverty. Many families struggle to make ends meet and some can't even make them meet. So our students, the ones that are in our class day by day, carry their parents financial issues. Some even become their main providers. This chapter also showed how the respect in a way for education has dropped. School was the third influence in kids during the '50s. Iwould have to say that it is a lot different now. Television had no influence in the kids, unfortunately today some kids are being raised by the television. That brings a huge challenge to the teacher in the classroom. So, according to this chapter the question is: "Will we as teachers teach our students the same way we want our own chlidren to be taught? That is where the real challenge is; but I think that if we really love our job and our students, we find ways to teach them the proper way.
Ch. 7
In this chapter we see the reality of what a teacher experiments on a daily basis. It's true sometimes we feel frustrated and with reason in some cases, but the truth is that we need to show our students that we truely care about them and their education. They can sense if we do or don't.
We should make an effort, a big effort, to not feel frustrated, because that frustration is half of the reason why we are not the teacher we can actually be. Our non-verbal language is as important as what we say. Sometimes we don't express what we feel with words, but we do with our body language and they can sense if it is positive or negative. This chapter gave us some good pointers on how to improve our non-verbal language. Taking these pointers in consideration and giving our students positive and inviting comments, instead of giving them negative comments that would keep them away from us, may improve the classroom environment and reduce the frustration.
Chapter 5: Deposits and Withdrawals
ReplyDeleteI certainly can identify with Jonathan. When I start working at a new school, I am always encountered by one student that has "that" attitude. I have learned to win them over with kindness and respect. Sometimes that can't even be done. But you have to try. If you win the child over, we both get what we want. I get the assignments done and the student actually is able to learn from it. The attitude, I believe, is just a tool to help children cope with what is going on in their lives and also to gain attention. You must find their interests and try to identify with that child, even if it is not in the classroom. The deposits and withdrawals are a given. Behave kindly, responsibly, loyally, etc. and do not do the opposite. You cannot expect a child to respond to you positively if you behave badly in any respect.
Chapter 6: Waiting for Their Next Audition?
It is true that TV, video games, computers, and texting is close to the number 1 influence on children in this day and time. If it wasn't age inappropriate, I would show them the show "Famous and Broke". It is a new show about former stars that are now almost homeless. It puts the fame and money into perspective. The T.V. show's host teaches the irresponsible "star" how to make it without relying on his fame (or lack thereof). It is true that much of our nation is living in poverty. For these children, a caring, nurturing teacher could mean the world to them. The book says that most of these children's parents are not well educated and education might not be a priority for the child's parents. Therefore, they might not think of education as being a high priority for their children. This is where parental involvement and education needs to come in to play. When the parents' realize that education is still a very important part of a child's life, not just academically, but developmentally, they might just put a little more effort into helping their children excel at school.
Chapter 7 "My Teacher Doesn't Like Me"
I loved this chapter. It has a lot of good information on how our students perceive us. It also gives advice on how our nonverbal interactions with the children affect them. I never sit at my desk when I have a class. I am always sitting with the students, but I have smaller classes than regular classroom teachers, so I am afforded this luxury. From my experience, it makes the students feel special when you give them personal positive attention. As they always say, a smile goes a long way. In a teacher’s world, students respond more positively when the teachers are pleasant.
Chapter 5
ReplyDeleteJonathan seemed a little doubtful at the beginning of his teaching career. However, things changed when he became involved with this students during their personal time, which was a school dance. The students (especially Keisha) was friendly toward him. After that night Jonathan's classroom environment changed for the better. His relationship with his students became better because he showed that he cared. Teaching became a little easier.
Chapter 6
This chapter gave a few statistics on poverty rates family characteristics of low income children. Blacks had the highest percentage of poverty and low income families. This is a result of single-parent homes. It was mentioned that during the 50s the major influences of the child were home, church, school, peers, and television. That has changed where t.v is No.1. I believe it could be the same today if we had more parent involvement, and two parent homes rather than single mothers.
Chapter 7
Focused on teachers caring about their students. Most of the time a student can sense if you care or don't about them. They can see through you. There were some pointers given of positive nonverbal communication and behavior. Inviting and disinviting comments. These are positive tips that I will try to keep in mind.
D. Carroll
Chapter 5, Deposits and Withdrawals
ReplyDeleteA good point was made about reaching students outside the classroom. Years ago when I was a permanent sub in second grade. I had a students who was a challenge. He kept asking me to come see him play basketball. It was funny because when I went, he didn't seem at all excited that I was there. But back at school on Monday, he was extremely happy that I had come. Our relationship was smoother after that.
Students need to know we care about them not just in school but about their life.
Chapter 6 Waiting for their next audition
Students do have a completely different mindset than I did as a child. They "grow up" so fast because of everything they see on television and the internet. They don't have the internalized respect for adults and authority that we had growing up.
They believe the hype about making it rich fast and easy. They don't understand it takes hard work to make it in this world. And this is really not their fault. They have grown up seeing junk on tv made to look like the real thing.
It is our jobs as teachers to help them see the reality that a good education is the best "get rich" strategy they can have. To do that we have to show we care.
Chapter 7, My teacher doesn't like me.
The author says that students feel with their spirit and you can't fool a child if you don't like them. They know. It is important to find a point of connection with every child you teach, especially those that are difficult to like.
I like the section on nonverbal communication. I see things that I already do and have gotten ideas about thing I can do. It is also important to be able to read our children as well. The list of non verbal cues they give off are a valuable asset.
Ch. 5 Deposits and Withdrawals
ReplyDeleteThis chapter talks about a beginning teacher named Jonathan. Jonathan encounters a student named Keisha and he realizes that eveything that he was taught in school could not give him everything he needed to reach his students. Only after Jonathan attends a school dance as a helper did he understand tht the best way to reach some students was to be involved in their lives in school as well as out of school. Stepping outside of the classroom help Jonathan get a postive review not only from other teachers, but also from his students as well. He learned that the most important part to teaching your students is a positive relationship.
Ch. 6 Waiting for Thier Next Audition
This chapter talks about the different between studnets of the 50's and 60's, with students of today. We have to remember that tv is a great part of students life today and seeing people get a little fame, gives students of today the hope that they can do the same. We have to find ways to use that same information to get students to see education as an important part of achiving the great things they see evryday on tv and in other sources. This chapter also talks about the poor facts that affect students education and how we as teaches need to look at all the factors.
Ch. 7 My Teahcer Doesn't Like Me
This chapter talks about how we as teaches must look at each studnet as one of our owe children. That we have to tret them like we would like our schildren teachers to treat them every day. It also talks about the nonverbal and verbal ways in which we talk to our studnets. It gives examples of ways that are good and some that can cause students to react in a negitive way.
Zunilda Rodriguez
ReplyDeleteChapter 5
Jonathan was so excited to start his profession as a teacher and he had imagined how great of a teacher he would be. During his first teaching experience at an inner-city high school, he met a student name Keisha. Jonathan felt like he hit a brick wall because everything he learned in school, he felt went right out the window with the issues he was facing with this student. Jonathon started second guessing himself and wondering if he entered the right profession. Jonathon always had a negative encounter with Keisha. But one night the school held a dance and Jonathon happened to chaperone. He did not have to volunteer but he did which is an example of a deposit. Now if he didn’t go to that dance, it can be considered as a withdrawal. When he went to the dance Keisha had called out at Jonathan surprised he was at the dance. This is the first time he had a positive encounter with Keisha and he was so surprised. He had finally built a relationship with Keisha. It is very important to have a relationship with students because positive things happen. Also, in the story it seemed as if the teachers do not communicate well with each other because when Jonathon went to ask them all they can say was “If you find something that works, let us know.” They are just letting the problems happen with know care. This made me think about my friend who is in her first year teaching going through the same problems and asked for help and got the same response as in the story. They also told her to just pass the students to the next grade even if they are failing so they don’t have to deal with them. May be I should recommend this book to her.
Zunilda Rodriguez
ReplyDeleteChapter 6
When you turn on the T.V., the first thing you see when you flipping the channels, someone is looking for there fifteen minutes of fame. The reality shows is taking over and it is influencing young kids to follow the same path. They see these kids like on The Real World (mtv) partying, messing around with each other, drinking and they think it is cute. The programs that use to be on back in the day are not the same. People are becoming famous just looking for love on a reality show and think that that it is what they have to do to become famous and rich. Kids watch an average 6-8 hours of t.v. a day. That is a lot of wasted time that can be used to do something educational. These kids need role models to help them distinguish real from fantasy. It seems so opposite because teachers spend the day teaching them positive things, but when they go home they get in front of the television and forget what they learned in school. That is why after school programs is important to have because instead of wasting time watching t.v., they can be with a positive mentor to guide them the right way.
Zunilda Rodriguez
ReplyDeleteChapter 7
If you want to be a teacher and your reason why is because you like kids, that will not help you much with this profession. As a teacher, you want to make sure you have that passion to want your students to succeed no matter what obstacles you have to overcome. Teaching is not just teaching, it is also building a life long relationship. You want to be the teacher the child remembers and not because you were always yelling in class or taking out frustration on the kids and being mean to them, but the teacher that cares instead. Students today are very challenging and as teachers we must have patience. Being a teacher is like a 24-hour job and you have to make yourself accessible. Treat them as though you would want your child to be taught. If you as a teacher don’t care, the students won’t. Because it will show on your face and body language and they can pick that up from you.
This was the part of the book where I got some insight. It talked about deposits and withdrawals. I believe building relationship with your students is the most important thing. If they sit still and listen and complete assignments that great but it goes much deeper than that. It is imperative that we learn who they are. We each need to learn from each other. This is my first year teaching and my students have already taught me so much. I just hope that they are getting as many deposits from me as I am getting from them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Ms. Rodriguez as teachers we wear many hats. To some of these students we are the only hope that they have!
ReplyDeleteThis is Mary Montgomery
ReplyDeleteChapter Five: Deposits and Withdrawals
this chapter mainly deals with the benefits you and your student will receive when you take the time to truly care. In other words to give more than simple “lip service”. I feel students receive much more attention from their teacher in elementary school than they do in Middle or High School. However, it is easier to see students outside the classroom once they are in high school as they will be doing things teachers are more apt to be interested in. Either way, if an educator puts time in, they can withdraw rewards. This not only goes along with after school activities, but also classroom lessons and time talking to the child.
Chapter Six: Waiting for Their Next Audition
Deals with students who have unrealistic dreams about fame and fortune. But, what is our country built on if not dreams? I do not agree that we should make a student “face reality.” If they dream, let them dream. Just be there to support and offer the scaffolding they need to reach those dreams.
Chapter Seven: My Teacher Doesn’t Like Me
Well, sometimes that is true. We are not being honest if we say we like everyone. I look at it the same way I have taught my children to look at life. Love the soul that God sees. If we do this, we will be less likely to get upset or take it personal if a student is disrespectful. Not liking a student or more honestly, their ‘ways’ is a fact of life. This is where the ‘professional’ starts in our certification. We are the adults. We need to remember that.
This is Mary Montgomery (again) I forgot my password. =)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kruger. I found it interesting what she said about being close to the students. I think all good teachers walk the room and mix in with the students.
Chapter Five (Deposits and Withdrawals)
ReplyDeleteIn this Chapter the teacher Jonathon came into the classroom with an idyllic point of view of teaching and a textbook perspective of his future classroom. Upon arrival, reality set in….Looking at teaching from a first year point of view, it must seem unrealistic because no matter the location, children are pretty much the same regardless of location. Students tend to test teachers to see what they are able to get away with…..now Jonathan’s is perplexed by Keisha and her friends negative attitude and she was obviously able to push his buttons well enough to have him question whether or not if he had entered into the right profession. Like most new teachers he sought guidance from his tenured colleagues to receive negative comments, but the moment he decided to involve himself in activities outside of the classroom, he (Jonathon) became more than a teacher to Keisha and her friends. He became someone that she could relate, to , count on, and see in a different role other than teacher. In other words it is important for teachers to make deposits into our student’s life other the classroom contribution. The gains will out weight any negative excuse for not investing into our student’s lives. Let’s make more deposits and less withdrawals in our student’s educational account., and even tack on some good “interest”.
Chapter Six (Waiting……..)
In this chapter we learn about the various influences on young learners and their economic status. How both components play a role in a child receiving a quality education. It is very important that teachers today identify their students background , interests, and major influences. What dominates their life outside of the classroom directly correlates with how a child learns and how successful of a learner he/she will become. Looking at the statistics about poverty level and educational status of a student’s parent will help determine the direction a child could possibly go. Yes, television has given today’s learners a miscued point of view of what success is and how to obtain it. Unfortunately we as educators are in constant competition with this misrepresentation of the truth; that is why it is my belief that the more I expose my students to literary works and genres the more interested they will become in activities and ideas outside of their normal conversation. Give them new vocabulary to explore, and define new meaning to an event. My goal is to broaden their horizon and think outside of the “X-Box”.
Chapter Seven (My Teacher….)
In this chapter the author explores the teacher’s role in a student’s life that could very well be life altering. Each year a child enters into a classroom wondering, “ Is she/he nice or mean”?…..Will he/she like me? Based on the answers to these questions, a learner’s educational path may be a positive experience or negative experience. I’ve often wondered why any child would say “ I hate school”….until I met the teacher they had the year before and no other explanation was needed. It is hard to believe but there are teachers who will admit that they “hate” their students or class and that boggles my mind. I agree with the author of the non verbal cues that we must use to interact with our students, such as eye contact ( this can speak volumes without you say a word), proximity, humor, gestures, and facial expressions to convey a message to your students and the class. All of these cues set the tone for either a successful classroom or a less effective classroom. I must admit, I do on occasion become frustrated with my students , but I am learning to sow good seed into them by giving more positive feedback and encouraging words when needed. I am using more “inviting comments” rather than “disinviting comments” in my everyday language with my students and class.
I agree with Mrs. Hurt. She made many good points. Getting your students' attention is the most important thing to do in a classroom. If they are not listening to you, they will not learn what you are teaching. You must grad their attention somehow, someway.
ReplyDeleteTeachers mean more to students then they can truly understand. Students are always watching and observing the actions and words of their teachers. Students do this so often, that years down the line that will actually do and say things just like their teachers, and the funny part about is; many of them will not even realize it. This being the case, teachers should make a pronounced effort to go to different functions out of school that are not required of them. This will have a great impact on many students and the teacher will see a side of interest in that student that they did not realize existed. A teacher that touches the personal aspect of a student’s life is quickly granted a deeper access into that student’s soul, sometimes more that the biological parent. And if people know that you truly care, then in return they will truly care about your input for their life.
ReplyDeleteChapter 5 Deposits and Withdrawals
ReplyDeleteBeginning as a first year teacher, I can relate to Jonathan. Students forget that teachers are humans. Teachers are a necessary part of students’ daily lives- good or bad. I have found respect to be a common ground in my classroom. Jonathan questions himself in the beginning, but finally felt that he had made the right choice by becoming a teacher. Having a positive relationship with students in the classroom and outside makes a positive difference in teaching.
Chapter 6 Waiting for Their Next Audition?
Time spent watching television and playing video games takes away from important activities such as reading, school work, playing, exercise, family interaction, and social development. Children also learn information from television that may be inappropriate or incorrect. They often can not tell the difference between the fantasies presented on television and reality. Violence, sexuality, race and gender stereotypes, drug and alcohol abuse are common themes of many television programs. Young children are very impressionable and may assume that what they see on television is typical, safe, and acceptable. As a result, television also exposes children to behaviors and attitudes that may be overwhelming and difficult to understand. Educators and parents must find ways to motivate students toward a good education instead of fifteen minutes of fame.
Chapter 7 “My Teacher Doesn’t Like Me”
A good teacher-student relationship is very important for children. Children spend approximately 5 to 7 hours a day with a teacher for 9 months. A positive relationship may be difficult to establish, but can be very rewarding for both the student and the teacher in the long run. The qualities of a positive relationship can make a difference in the learning experience by creating an approachable and inviting environment for students. A teacher and student who share the qualities of good communication, respect, and interest in learning result in a positive relationship that enhances the teaching and learning experience and classroom atmosphere. I feel that children need to be in supportive, friendly environments to enhance learning.
Sonya Thomas