My classroom that I visit every week consists solely of English as a second language students. This is something that is very obvious the second you walk into the classroom. Each student can converse in a language that I do not understand. Sometimes this is interesting, because I always wonder what they are saying. The teacher and I handle this situation very well. We explain instructions thoroughly and also demonstrate what we want done so that the students can see and hear what we mean. Each child knows the routine of the classroom and much of this has to do with the structure and lesson plans that the teacher has made up. She has set a perfect example for me, so that I can handle a class full of students who do not all speak English very well.
The best way to communicate with a student who speaks a different language is to show them by example. They can interpret and understand what we want done by hearing us and also by watching us do the task. When a student does something wrong, the best way to fix the situation is to respond in a calm manner so that they do not get upset. It is always best to have a student learn from their mistakes. This is something that seems to be very present in my classroom. The teacher does not allow students to make mistakes, without a lesson being learned from them. We as teachers do not know what rules a child has at home, so we have to pretend like we are starting from scratch and teach them what we want them to do. The way a child conducts his or her self in the classroom has a lot to do with structure. A structured classroom is a great one. Human beings, especially kids are creatures of habit and a routine is the best way to keep a well balanced classroom.
I decided to relate this post to Goldenberg, since we are talking about linguistic differences. As teachers, Goldenberg says that we need to put ourselves in the shoes of a non English speaking student. The social culture and norms that seem okay and fine to us may be totally different to a non English speaking student. We need to take this into consideration so that these students have an equal opportunity compared to the rest of the class. This situation cannot be ignored, because it is our responsibility as teachers to recognize these issues and make the situation perfectly okay. As a teacher I hope that I can truly make a difference in every child’s life and prepare them for the future. Just because a student speaks a different language does not mean that they are not capable of learning. I am willing to go the extra mile to make sure that every student that goes through my classroom has a fair and well rounded education, because that is exactly what I want for my children someday!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Prompt #5:Shor
One challenge that I would face if I were the teacher in this classroom, would be the language barrier. A lot of the students speak Spanish and other various languages. I only speak English and very little Spanish. I would have a very difficult time communicating with parents, but I would take necessary routes to make sure that I did have a lot of interaction with the parents. I would stop at nothing to make sure that my students were getting the best possible education that they could get. I feel as if it is very important for parents to be involved in their child’s education and I would do everything in my power to make this happen. Not all parents feel that they have a place in educating their child and I respect that, but I will try to get them as involved as possible.
The first little bit of education that I child receives is from their parents, whether it is intentional or not. A human being is a product of their surroundings, so before a child steps foot in a classroom they have learned some form of information from their parents or family members. I would want to have an interactive and open relationship with the parents of the students, because learning is a two way road and there is always room for input. A teacher always needs to enter each day with an open mind, open ears, and open eyes. The first step to being a good teacher is allowing room for change and input from those around you.
The theorist that I feel relates closest to this prompt is Shor. Shor’s main idea is participatory classrooms, and we can expand this to parental involvement. A classroom that involves everyone and contains students who truly want to learn is a perfect classroom. Getting the children excited about lessons and certain topics is the job of the teacher. It is the teacher’s goal to get the students to participate in the lesson, and this can be done by creating interactive projects and activities. The ideal classroom is one in which the students and parents have a high level of participation and know what is going on. When a parent participates in a child’s education it can help a great deal. I understand that not every parent will have the ability to do this, but the ones that do, really aid their child in getting a better well rounded education. Human beings never stop learning, and they obtain new information each day, even when they are not aware of it.
I would have full respect for the parents that I communicate with and I would take everything that they say into consideration. I am a very good listener and I would be open to any concerns, thoughts, or desires that a parent had for their child. My job would be to accommodate every parent and child. I would be willing to take all routes necessary to make sure that every single concern was addressed and everyone’s opinions were taken into consideration. I want to give my students the best education possible, because they are the future generation of our world!
The first little bit of education that I child receives is from their parents, whether it is intentional or not. A human being is a product of their surroundings, so before a child steps foot in a classroom they have learned some form of information from their parents or family members. I would want to have an interactive and open relationship with the parents of the students, because learning is a two way road and there is always room for input. A teacher always needs to enter each day with an open mind, open ears, and open eyes. The first step to being a good teacher is allowing room for change and input from those around you.
The theorist that I feel relates closest to this prompt is Shor. Shor’s main idea is participatory classrooms, and we can expand this to parental involvement. A classroom that involves everyone and contains students who truly want to learn is a perfect classroom. Getting the children excited about lessons and certain topics is the job of the teacher. It is the teacher’s goal to get the students to participate in the lesson, and this can be done by creating interactive projects and activities. The ideal classroom is one in which the students and parents have a high level of participation and know what is going on. When a parent participates in a child’s education it can help a great deal. I understand that not every parent will have the ability to do this, but the ones that do, really aid their child in getting a better well rounded education. Human beings never stop learning, and they obtain new information each day, even when they are not aware of it.
I would have full respect for the parents that I communicate with and I would take everything that they say into consideration. I am a very good listener and I would be open to any concerns, thoughts, or desires that a parent had for their child. My job would be to accommodate every parent and child. I would be willing to take all routes necessary to make sure that every single concern was addressed and everyone’s opinions were taken into consideration. I want to give my students the best education possible, because they are the future generation of our world!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Prompt #4: Carlson
The students that I tutor every Wednesday are from a very different socioeconomic and cultural background than that of which I am from. Most of the students are from extremely low income families, and they are part of the minority in our state. They come from many different cultural backgrounds and carry with them different ways of doing things and traditions. I went to catholic school my whole life and was never really exposed to anyone who was different culturally, or socioeconomically. Almost everyone was always white and came from a middle class family. I did not understand until High School, in my sociology class that there were so many people who lived in poverty and came from so many different cultural backgrounds. This opened my eyes to a whole new world and made me think about life differently.
Although I come from a different background than the children that I tutor, I find it very easy to relate to them. We have many things in common even though we come from such different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. A lot of the boys in the classroom love the WWE and so do I, and sometimes we get a little off topic talking about it. This is okay though because it allows us to find a common ground in which we can connect and be on the same page. This makes the learning process much easier. It is very easy for me to relate to the girls in the classroom, because I have a five year old sister. I know the kinds of things that interest them and I feel as if I give both the boys and the girls an equal share of my time. Carlson’s main idea is that in order for minority rights to be protected, we need to respect the rights of all cultures and it is especially important in the classroom to recognize these differences and treat everyone equally. It is very important to teach the class in a way that includes every student’s culture and makes their peers develop a high level of respect for their way of life. If a lesson plan is developed around something that each student can relate to, then it will keep them interested and ready to learn “out of the box.”
Even though I am just a freshman and at the beginning of my studies, I feel that I have more experience than some of the other students who are involved in the service learning. My senior year of High School I volunteered at an elementary school in Central Falls, where the poverty was worse than anything that I had ever seen before. Almost the whole class was Spanish and very few of the children knew any English at all. It was very hard at first to communicate with the children and actually teach them, but as I went on I gained experience and it became much easier. I feel as if this prepared me for the future very well, and especially for my tutoring experience that I am doing now through my service learning.
Prior to my service learning, I thought of children from different cultural backgrounds as being much different than myself and their peers. This was a definite misconception though, and I feel as if it is a common one amongst many people. Every child has the same wants and desires, and some just have more obstacles to overcome than others. Socioeconomics plays a huge role in a child’s background, and unfortunately low income families are often those that are part of the minority culture or race.
Although I come from a different background than the children that I tutor, I find it very easy to relate to them. We have many things in common even though we come from such different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. A lot of the boys in the classroom love the WWE and so do I, and sometimes we get a little off topic talking about it. This is okay though because it allows us to find a common ground in which we can connect and be on the same page. This makes the learning process much easier. It is very easy for me to relate to the girls in the classroom, because I have a five year old sister. I know the kinds of things that interest them and I feel as if I give both the boys and the girls an equal share of my time. Carlson’s main idea is that in order for minority rights to be protected, we need to respect the rights of all cultures and it is especially important in the classroom to recognize these differences and treat everyone equally. It is very important to teach the class in a way that includes every student’s culture and makes their peers develop a high level of respect for their way of life. If a lesson plan is developed around something that each student can relate to, then it will keep them interested and ready to learn “out of the box.”
Even though I am just a freshman and at the beginning of my studies, I feel that I have more experience than some of the other students who are involved in the service learning. My senior year of High School I volunteered at an elementary school in Central Falls, where the poverty was worse than anything that I had ever seen before. Almost the whole class was Spanish and very few of the children knew any English at all. It was very hard at first to communicate with the children and actually teach them, but as I went on I gained experience and it became much easier. I feel as if this prepared me for the future very well, and especially for my tutoring experience that I am doing now through my service learning.
Prior to my service learning, I thought of children from different cultural backgrounds as being much different than myself and their peers. This was a definite misconception though, and I feel as if it is a common one amongst many people. Every child has the same wants and desires, and some just have more obstacles to overcome than others. Socioeconomics plays a huge role in a child’s background, and unfortunately low income families are often those that are part of the minority culture or race.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Prompt #3: Delpit
Every single person in the world is different, and they all obtain information in different ways. Children are no exception to this. Some children learn better by actually doing things, others by seeing things done, and others are just sponges which can absorb and learn everything that they hear very easily. This could relate a lot to their culture and home life. Some cultures seem to be much more hands on than others and this could be an argument as to why some students learn better by jumping in and doing hands on activities. When a teacher tests his or her student’s they need to take all of these aspects into consideration so that every student has a fair opportunity to express their knowledge on the material that they have learned. Tests are not always the best route to take in order to do this.
Teachers need to understand that they have many different students in their class room who come from various ethnic and social backgrounds. Both of these things play a huge factor in learning and the way that an individual learns. Every person is unique and has their own way to learn things and a teacher needs to take all of this into consideration when he or she tests their students. What one person hears and understands, may be very confusing or difficult to another person.
Cultural rules and standards play a large role in education and this relates directly to Lisa Delpit. Parents in certain cultures may feel like they do not play any role in their child’s education, and the teacher may feel as if the parents should play a huge role. This difference can cause many communication and educational problems for the student, teacher, and parents. In order for a student to get the best education all three parties must be on the same page and have the same general ideas and views on the student’s education. Delpit is so closely related to this prompt because students from many different cultural backgrounds are being put in a school system where roles of parents and teachers are different than what they are used to. This can cause many problems in the student’s education if the differences are not settled or resolved.
Linguistic differences in the classroom are a huge mountain that each teacher needs to overcome. Language is the biggest barrier for children in the classroom. Many children are in English as a second language classrooms. This means that English is not the language they speak at home, but they are learning in primarily English at school. In order to be an effective and powerful teacher you need to recognize that the students need extra time and better explanation, because they are learning the material in a language that is newer to them, and is not their primary language. Teaching is a form of art in many ways. You need to shape and mold your lesson plan so that everyone is involved and has a fair opportunity to learn and understand the material.
The classroom I tutor in is an ESL classroom and every single student is learning with English as their second language. Some of the students are more proficient in English than others, but all of them put their best foot forward and care about their education. It is very interesting to wander around the classroom and hear the kids speak all different languages to each other. Sometimes it is strange because I cannot understand what they are saying, but besides that it is very interesting and amazing!
Teachers need to understand that they have many different students in their class room who come from various ethnic and social backgrounds. Both of these things play a huge factor in learning and the way that an individual learns. Every person is unique and has their own way to learn things and a teacher needs to take all of this into consideration when he or she tests their students. What one person hears and understands, may be very confusing or difficult to another person.
Cultural rules and standards play a large role in education and this relates directly to Lisa Delpit. Parents in certain cultures may feel like they do not play any role in their child’s education, and the teacher may feel as if the parents should play a huge role. This difference can cause many communication and educational problems for the student, teacher, and parents. In order for a student to get the best education all three parties must be on the same page and have the same general ideas and views on the student’s education. Delpit is so closely related to this prompt because students from many different cultural backgrounds are being put in a school system where roles of parents and teachers are different than what they are used to. This can cause many problems in the student’s education if the differences are not settled or resolved.
Linguistic differences in the classroom are a huge mountain that each teacher needs to overcome. Language is the biggest barrier for children in the classroom. Many children are in English as a second language classrooms. This means that English is not the language they speak at home, but they are learning in primarily English at school. In order to be an effective and powerful teacher you need to recognize that the students need extra time and better explanation, because they are learning the material in a language that is newer to them, and is not their primary language. Teaching is a form of art in many ways. You need to shape and mold your lesson plan so that everyone is involved and has a fair opportunity to learn and understand the material.
The classroom I tutor in is an ESL classroom and every single student is learning with English as their second language. Some of the students are more proficient in English than others, but all of them put their best foot forward and care about their education. It is very interesting to wander around the classroom and hear the kids speak all different languages to each other. Sometimes it is strange because I cannot understand what they are saying, but besides that it is very interesting and amazing!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Prompt #2: Johnson
Hey everyone,
This prompt is about the linguistic, ethnic, and socio cultural characteristics of the students that are part of the classroom that I visit every week. The students come from various backgrounds, and speak many different languages. One thing that really stuck out to me was how the kids who spoke the same languages all sat together. They feel comfortable sitting with their peers when they can speak their own native language with them. Just by being in the classroom a few times it is very clear to see how the children get into cliques based on their ethnicity and language.
With the data I have gathered from info-works and my observations, I have learned a lot about the children in my classroom and what kind of backgrounds they come from. As I researched I found that 93 percent of the students in the elementary school received free or reduced lunch. This coincides with the poverty rate seeing that they are almost exactly the same. The school is made up of students from many different cultures and ethnicities. 66 percent of the students are Hispanic, 23 percent African American, 8 percent Asian, and 4 percent white. 43 percent of the students are in the English as a second language program. This is very shocking! Almost half of the school is learning English as a second language when they are not even perfect at speaking their own language. This is something that needs to be recognized and addressed. Children cannot possibly learn if the material is presented to them in a language in which they do not know or understand completely.
The students in my class sometimes forget that they are in school and act as if they are at home with their families. The teacher tries her best to relate to everyone and their backgrounds, but it is difficult with such a wide variety of ethnicities. Each lesson is designed by the teacher so that it is fair to the whole class and universally connects everyone. The class I am in is mostly Asian and Hispanic children. The teacher speaks Spanish fluently and sometimes she even speaks Spanish to the children when they do not listen. The class that I visit every week is like a melting pot. Children come from all different cultures and backgrounds, but they are all put into one classroom where they interact and learn with each other. This sets up a future for our world where everyone understands and respects one another, regardless of race or ethnicity.
The theorist that relates most closely to this topic is Johnson. The article titled: “Our House is On Fire”, is about white privilege and power. The main points that are made throughout the writing are that the problem of race and racism is not going to be solved until we as a whole country realize that it is indeed an issue. People who do not see the school that I visit do not understand the struggle and fight that these kids deal with on a daily basis. They have the world against them, and they are expected to succeed. The reason why the white people have power is because they just ignore the problems that those in poverty suffer from, and are ignorant and blind to reality. The children in the classroom I visit are caught in a vicious cycle of poverty which is nearly impossible to escape. They do not have the resources, money, or power to dig themselves out of the hole that the privileged people of our society have put them in.
This prompt is about the linguistic, ethnic, and socio cultural characteristics of the students that are part of the classroom that I visit every week. The students come from various backgrounds, and speak many different languages. One thing that really stuck out to me was how the kids who spoke the same languages all sat together. They feel comfortable sitting with their peers when they can speak their own native language with them. Just by being in the classroom a few times it is very clear to see how the children get into cliques based on their ethnicity and language.
With the data I have gathered from info-works and my observations, I have learned a lot about the children in my classroom and what kind of backgrounds they come from. As I researched I found that 93 percent of the students in the elementary school received free or reduced lunch. This coincides with the poverty rate seeing that they are almost exactly the same. The school is made up of students from many different cultures and ethnicities. 66 percent of the students are Hispanic, 23 percent African American, 8 percent Asian, and 4 percent white. 43 percent of the students are in the English as a second language program. This is very shocking! Almost half of the school is learning English as a second language when they are not even perfect at speaking their own language. This is something that needs to be recognized and addressed. Children cannot possibly learn if the material is presented to them in a language in which they do not know or understand completely.
The students in my class sometimes forget that they are in school and act as if they are at home with their families. The teacher tries her best to relate to everyone and their backgrounds, but it is difficult with such a wide variety of ethnicities. Each lesson is designed by the teacher so that it is fair to the whole class and universally connects everyone. The class I am in is mostly Asian and Hispanic children. The teacher speaks Spanish fluently and sometimes she even speaks Spanish to the children when they do not listen. The class that I visit every week is like a melting pot. Children come from all different cultures and backgrounds, but they are all put into one classroom where they interact and learn with each other. This sets up a future for our world where everyone understands and respects one another, regardless of race or ethnicity.
The theorist that relates most closely to this topic is Johnson. The article titled: “Our House is On Fire”, is about white privilege and power. The main points that are made throughout the writing are that the problem of race and racism is not going to be solved until we as a whole country realize that it is indeed an issue. People who do not see the school that I visit do not understand the struggle and fight that these kids deal with on a daily basis. They have the world against them, and they are expected to succeed. The reason why the white people have power is because they just ignore the problems that those in poverty suffer from, and are ignorant and blind to reality. The children in the classroom I visit are caught in a vicious cycle of poverty which is nearly impossible to escape. They do not have the resources, money, or power to dig themselves out of the hole that the privileged people of our society have put them in.
Monday, March 15, 2010
First Prompt
The elementary school that I am a reading buddy at is located in a not so great area of Providence. On my way to the school I pass a minimum of four police officers within two miles of the school. The school itself is fairly new and everything is very modern. The classrooms are all in great condition and it is kept extremely clean and tidy. The building itself is very large and the surrounding school grounds are equipped with a playground and other outdoor amenities. The classroom is very colorful and the learning environment is very appropriate for an elementary school setting.
In the past it has always seemed that all of the schools in this area were very old and not taken care of very well. It was very much to my surprise to see a new school that looked amazing as I pulled up to it. I was very nervous on my first visit, but as I went the next two times it was a piece of cake. The children really look forward to me coming every week and they ask me to come more than once a week. I try to do this, but sometimes it is hard with my strenuous schedule.
The school itself is very spacious and there is much room within each classroom. This makes a learning environment in which everyone including the teacher can feel comfortable with the atmosphere. The school makes me feel warm and excited. Every time I walk through the doors, I feel good because I know that the kids are looking forward to me coming to tutor them and spend a few hours of their school day with them. The time that I spend in the classroom is not very long, but in that small time I know that I am making a huge difference in their lives.
The classroom in which I visit every week consists of children from almost every race and ethnic background. The majority of the students are either African American or Asian. The teacher runs the classroom in a way that seems very strict, but really she is just trying to get the children to behave and learn how to follow instructions. Each child listens almost perfectly and there have been very few instances where I have seen a child misbehaving. This was very shocking to me. Within this classroom the ideas of respect and instruction following are key. The teacher does not accept anything besides best behavior, but at the same time she creates an environment which is fun for all of the students. The kids know that if they behave, then the lesson will be fun and they will be rewarded in the end. Each child is very enthusiastic about learning and their passion to be at school is like nothing that I have seen before. The main theme that seems to be valued within the school is discipline. The school itself seems to be dedicated towards preparing their young students for the world and future learning. The reason for me having these feelings are because everywhere I turn, it seems that every student is behaving perfectly and if they are not then they are being reprimanded for their actions.
In the past it has always seemed that all of the schools in this area were very old and not taken care of very well. It was very much to my surprise to see a new school that looked amazing as I pulled up to it. I was very nervous on my first visit, but as I went the next two times it was a piece of cake. The children really look forward to me coming every week and they ask me to come more than once a week. I try to do this, but sometimes it is hard with my strenuous schedule.
The school itself is very spacious and there is much room within each classroom. This makes a learning environment in which everyone including the teacher can feel comfortable with the atmosphere. The school makes me feel warm and excited. Every time I walk through the doors, I feel good because I know that the kids are looking forward to me coming to tutor them and spend a few hours of their school day with them. The time that I spend in the classroom is not very long, but in that small time I know that I am making a huge difference in their lives.
The classroom in which I visit every week consists of children from almost every race and ethnic background. The majority of the students are either African American or Asian. The teacher runs the classroom in a way that seems very strict, but really she is just trying to get the children to behave and learn how to follow instructions. Each child listens almost perfectly and there have been very few instances where I have seen a child misbehaving. This was very shocking to me. Within this classroom the ideas of respect and instruction following are key. The teacher does not accept anything besides best behavior, but at the same time she creates an environment which is fun for all of the students. The kids know that if they behave, then the lesson will be fun and they will be rewarded in the end. Each child is very enthusiastic about learning and their passion to be at school is like nothing that I have seen before. The main theme that seems to be valued within the school is discipline. The school itself seems to be dedicated towards preparing their young students for the world and future learning. The reason for me having these feelings are because everywhere I turn, it seems that every student is behaving perfectly and if they are not then they are being reprimanded for their actions.
Introduction
Hey everyone! My name is Mark Parisella, but everyone calls me MJ since I am a Junior. I am in the second semester of my Freshman year at Rhode Island College. I am majoring in Elementary Education. I am a very enthusiastic and outgoing individual. I am competetive in everything that I do, and my passion for sports is like none other. I am very excited about this class and the rest of the semester! I hope everyone is having a great Spring Break. The weather can only get better!
-MJ
-MJ
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