This week's reading reminded me of several different aspects of education. First of all, I thought about the way our system of education teaches all students in similar manners. Our education system has become more and more "standardized." We give assessments by reading scripted lines to a group of children without deviating from the script in a test that obviously has cultural bias. As educators, so often we teach to the way most children learn. Although the idea of leaving no child behind seems wonderful, so often, it is just a lofty idea. Some children are left behind by our current system, which may always be true.
Then, I thought about the ways we reach students on an individual level. I think it is extremely important that we attempt to reach students in subjects beyond those we teach by incorporating their interests into our own agendas. There are students who simply catch on and are entranced by learning. This is the type of student I was. The realization that I had made all As was enough reward and encouragement for me to continue learning and achieving in school. However, teaching will quickly make you aware that this is not the norm. Some students always need extra encouragement.
The one example that immediately comes to my mind is of a 4th grade ELL student who struggled both at home and in school. The student has two parents who are involved in gangs and drugs. He lives in a neighborhood that has encouraged him to grow up much faster than others his age. He has lived in the United States for two years and is 12 years old in 4th grade. He speaks very little English, basically enough to communicate, but definitely not enough to grasp academic concepts. I learned quickly that he had a love for fast cars, like many boys in similar situations. So, I ran with this. I tied every science concept possible to cars. In electricity, we talked about batteries, motors, and circuits. Then, in motion and forces, we talked about speed, inertia, air resistance (drag racing), and car brakes. I always found a way to capture his attention by tying our standards to his personal life. He loved this and really loved science. He saw a need for it in his own life. This was the type of connection this child needed to appreciate his education.
Brittany Guy
Comments (5)
I am glad you were able to reach your student. I was the same of type of student you were. I didn't need to be motivated... the teacher said to do it, so I did it. It also took me some time to learn that most children do not learn this way. I try to reach every student in my classroom, some I know I am reaching and making a difference, others I wonder about. But I haven't given up trying. It seems as if I am always trying something new in order to reach someone.
Indivialized Education is what we need but hard to deliver.
Posted by SuSu Watson | April 19, 2009 4:21 PM
Posted on April 19, 2009 16:21
I always feel ridiculous reading the script that is provided in the EOG test booklet. I mean, is that really necessary? I also agree that the test itself is completely biased. I honestly do not believe that we can fully differentiate instruction until our government stops placing so much emphasis on uniformity.
Posted by Heather Coe | April 19, 2009 9:34 PM
Posted on April 19, 2009 21:34
Brittany, I think it is great that you helped that ELL student. It is awful that this poor student had to grow up in a life that didn't appreciate him or afford him time to grow academically. I'm sure, that he too learns things at home. Unfortunately, the type of things he learns are immoral and illegal. I wish everyone would focus on a student's individuality. Then, we could help promote their learning through their interests and help them buy back into school.
Posted by Whitney Gilbert | April 20, 2009 9:58 PM
Posted on April 20, 2009 21:58
Brittany,
In special education we learn that it is as important to help students link the new knowledge/content they are learning to background knowledge but to also link information to prior experiences. It seems that your actions really helped the student link the information from the content to his prior experiences, thanks for the examples!
Posted by Elizabeth Griffin | April 21, 2009 1:19 PM
Posted on April 21, 2009 13:19
Thanks for the example, Brittany! Kudos to you for making the extra effort -- I bet you learned more about cars than you ever wanted to know! :)
You touched on something that I think has great import -- the idea of grades being rewards. It worked for you, it worked for me, but we are driven by that. Many, many students are not externally driven that way, and the rewards systems that are set up in schools do not tap into a difference in motivation.
Posted by Alecia Jackson | April 23, 2009 9:05 PM
Posted on April 23, 2009 21:05