Group Work

Students in my classroom seem passive, they rarely ask questions to clarify information they are told. Since it is the beginning of the year, my teacher is working to change that mentality. She has been putting them in groups so they can generate explanations/ideas so they understand the content. In groups though some students withdrawl and are disrespectful about others opinions. To combat that my teacher makes the students give her explanations so she can assess them briefly. This is effective because students gain different perspectives by discussing events/topics aloud, and the students can construct their own knowledge which makes it meaningful to the student.

Discussions are valuable for students because they get to understand other perspectives, and they learn to work in groups and respect one another. As a student teacher in the classroom I try to ask questions to guide students onto the right track, but their discussions are engaging and interesting so my interest in students’ ideas are natural. I always listen if they talk to me directly, but I try to listen as often as possible if they are not addressing me. I try to model problem solving processes by asking students questions that may contradict what they say, so they have to think about problem solving the contradiction. It also helps them understand how conflicts in history arise if you ask students guided questions, which involves a higher level of thought from the student. Also in the “good” groups, each child participates and it gives them opportunities to learn visually, auditory, and kinesthetically. They have the chance to reflect and focus their thoughts individually after the group portion of the class is finished. The teacher does the best she can do have the kids involved hands-on, although this is not always possible. Yet, it can sometimes be difficult to clearly understand so after the discussion in groups, I take the time to clarify the concept for students. But want can a teacher do when students refuse to work in groups? What can teachers do when kids are disrespectful? What can I do as a student-teacher in this class?

My experience so far as been rewarding and I am developing relationships with students, which is helpful to me because I can begin to understand where the student is coming from. I am with a great group of students and am lead by a great classroom teacher, so I am looking forward to a positive experience this semester! I’m pretty excited about finally having the chance to teach. This is the only issue I’ve had come up though that’s concerned me.

Useful At Last

I finally figured out how to make an impact in my classroom. You see, I have found it difficult to fit in to my co-op teacher's "style," but today it just clicked. I realized what my kids needed was a whole lot of encouragement and recognition. That's what has been missing in my past week's observations.

I've walked around and helped with worksheets until I couldn't take it anymore. Finally I realized I can not change the worksheets. I can change the unnurturing and impersonable atmosphere.

"You guys are doing a great job!"
"See? You didn't even need my help. Great work!"

My saying those words today is the first time I have heard them in my placement this semester.
My students began to open up and even smiled today! It feels good!

Hooray!!!

ADHD

I was wondering if anyone has expertise in dealing with symptoms of ADHD. I really do not know much about the treatment for it, and I would like help accommodating a student. There is no IEP at the present time. He was given medicine, not sure which one, and he had negative reactions to the meds. At least I guess the teachers and his grandparents are aware of the problem. I know that ADHD is one of the most overdiagnosed disorders out there.

My student has a difficult time remaining in his seat, and not just the normal things. He also speaks very loudly and randomly. It is frustrating. Yet he is one of the sweetest kids I have ever had. He lives with his grandparents. Not sure the details about the parents.

I was wondering if anyone had any wisdom to share? Thanks!!

Jill

Baby steps

Let me preface by saying that I have never blogged before, so if this works, I will be happy!

I am responding to the student who will not do homework at all and had a rough home life, if you can call it a home life.
It will be difficult for a student to see how doing homework will impact his/her life now if the living conditions are not up to par. This is a tough issue, and I might not know the correct answer. I do know that it will be something that will not happen overnight. A student will not see the importance of schoolwork because his/her basic needs are not being met. Until the basic needs are met, how can a student possibly focus on schoolwork?

An idea that might help, and it depends on the situation. The teacher could talk to the students alone and mention people like Einstein or other people who had to overcome obstacles in order to be successful. It is just a thought.
I think the student can take baby steps in order to see the importance of school work. Maybe the students will not fully comprehend the importance of school until a few years from now. Who knows. But there is one thing we do know...Provide a safe place for the student now. The student will remember and appreciate what you do for him/her.

Jill

My Second Blog

Priorities impact life and education greatly. My changing priorities, a few years ago, sent me back to school to become a teacher.

But what about when your main priority is having enough food to eat? Here in America, there is extreme poverty. Here in Cincinnati, there is extreme poverty. Granted, in the 'burbs, we don't usually see it. My practicum site this semester is more inner-city, and I've been made aware of some very, very serious poverty and its impact on education.

One of the students at my school was refusing to do any homework, whatsoever. So a couple of the teachers planned a home visit to try to impress upon the student and parents just how important it was to complete assignments. What they inadvertently discovered, however, was that the child's home had no electric, no running water, no food in the now dead 'frig.

How do you explain the importance of education to people who are as near to homeless as it gets? Yet, isn't poverty perpetual to some degree? If they fail to educate themselves, won't this teen end up similarly as an adult?

This really impacted me this week, and I wanted to get my fellow students' perspective on it.

Welcome Blog

I have no idea what I'm doing because I've never had to do this before. We were told in class write a comment on the "Welcome" sign so here it is...I hope I did this right. Hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend and the WEBN Fireworks, if you went

Thanks,
Steve Doran