Monday, June 8, 2009
Chapters 11 & 12: Random or Plandom? Base Decisions on the Best People
Think of a teacher who taught you in whose classroom events always seemed carefully planned. Was this teacher effective? Describe a teacher you had or know who always considers his/her very best students when making decisions regarding teaching and learning. How do you feel your teaching approach would compare to this teacher's?
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I can barely remember that far back! HA! The one that stands out the most was my 3rd grade teacher who taught a 2nd/3rd combination. She was always very organized. I remember enjoying going to school that year. I think she got me to feel safe and secure and to open up more. I was a very shy and sensitive child. Children seem to thrive in a classroom where the routine is planned carefully to promote a productive learning environment. Their basic need of safety is being met.
ReplyDeleteThere is a teacher in our school who i feel always has the best people in mind. The reason i know this is because when you enter the classroom, sometimes there appears to be chaos (what is really positive energy), yet you see that EVERY student is engaged and learning from the activity.
I feel that I have learned from her and this chapter. I know that I have been guilty of teaching to the middle at times. I had several students who did not benchmark this year. Some of these were my "good" students who I thought would be ok because they were fine. They did well on every assessment and had good behavior. But is being fine in 2nd grade going to be the same the next year? I could have gone the extra mile. I didn't because I naively thought they were fine. I didn't aim as high as i should have. I know next year I will reflect more and remember to base decisions as I ask those 3 questions: What is the purpose? Will this actually accomplish the purpose? and What will the best people think?
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ReplyDeleteThe teachers I remember most are the ones that were compassionate about their jobs and truly cared for children. They were well planned and organized, but not so organized that they couldn’t be flexible and change plans when necessary. They knew when to veer away or regroup. Their classrooms were designed to promote a safe and positive environment. Students felt comfortable contributing and participating in activities even if it was something that took them out of their comfort zone. Children were challenged to do things they didn’t know they were capable of doing. The bar was set high for ALL not just a few. I appreciate the teachers that cared enough to challenge me, and the ones that care enough to challenge my children today.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I feel like I get so caught up in getting everything done that I let the more personal side of teaching slide some. This year I really want to get to know my children more and enjoy having the opportunity to work with them. I want to create an environment where learning thrives and where children are not upset when mistakes are made. If I can accomplish that the goals set for the year will be achieved.
When reading this chapter, I immediately thought of a teacher in our school. Everything is ALWAYS planned out and she seems to always have a back up plan. Her lesson plans are planned with student interest in mind. She has authentic lesson plans that engage students and she enjoys teaching the lessons! Her outpouring love for teaching has inspired me!
ReplyDeleteI think we all get caught up in other things during the school year! We have a lot that is expected from us and the hardest part of teaching is "It's a never ending job!" I want to strive to exceed excellence within myself. I want to be a positive model this year for my students and other teachers. I felt like I depended on Harcourt so much this year because it was a learning year. My goal is to reach outside for a variety of resources to go along with the reading series. I want to meet every learning need because we all learn differently!! :)
I feel like the more practice we get with the new reading series, the better prepared we will be. This is no time to teach off the cuff with all the needs we need to meet. I guess I remember my teachers who were not prepared more than the ones that were! I think it starts with knowing your students. Then knowing your resources. If you put those two together, you have agreat combination.
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ReplyDeleteI am not sure what you mean by "cuff" but I think next year will be better for all of us as we learn the reading series better. Let me clarify what I meant by "other resources." I spent this past year being a robot and I know that was all part of it and ok...However, this year I want to expand out to use other resources Harcourt provides now that I am comfortable with teaching Harcourt. I also want to explore the Harcourt web because I didn't find time for it this year. I think it's important to know every child and your classroom and pull other resources if needed. (like the book bags we discussed with Laurie) Laurie, you did an excellent job helping our grade level and we appreciate all the help you provided.
ReplyDeleteI did have teachers that had it together and could teach with their eyes closed but, I feel the same way as Laurie...I remember the teachers who were unorganized more because I never felt safe or comfortable. You did not have an expectation for what came next, what was due, what needed to be completed. I like structure (like you did not know that) and when you "teach off the cuff" you cannot always be prepared for meeting all your students needs.
ReplyDeleteI think we all suffer with being so prepared that it becomes impersonal. I, like Senna, want to step back and work smarter, not harder this coming year!
It is usually easy to determine when a teacher is not prepared--students can pick up on this and take advantage of these times. I remember several of those and what went on--not what I learned from those teachers.
ReplyDeleteI agree that being prepared makes everyone feel comfortable. The teachers that I remember that were prepared made it fun and memorable.