The main thing that stuck out for me in this article was that the teachers had no idea the students’ interests. It seemed that all the teachers focused on with both Daniel and Zonnie was the negative aspects of their class work, instead of trying to learn their interests and turning those into ways to motivate them. From my own personal experience if I have a student that seems to be disconnected from school I try to find what they are interested in and use that outlet to get them involved. I know these are middle school students and it is probably more difficult for teachers to do that, but they could at least try.
I also agree that the teachers need to be aware of the surrounding community in which they work. As a teacher it is essential that you know the cultural backgrounds of your students. There is always going to be a student that needs that connection with the teacher. The more you know about where they come from and what their lives are like outside of the classroom the more you can tap into their creative energy.
Odessa Scales
Comments (4)
Connection is so important. One thing I do every fall when I get my new crop of kids is ask them to complete an interest inventory. This gives me an opportunity to learn about my students. After reading some of these articles, I think I will change nature of my questions and include more opportunities for the children to share with me. I think I will ask more about family, traditions and cultural beliefs. It is not really hard to connect with the middle school students. You just have to let them know that you are interested, that you care and that they are important. If they are comfortable with you, that is half of the battle. I am also guilty of focusing on the negative on occasion. Thanks for that reminder! Do you have any good ways that you get to know he community better? Do you think it is easier for elementary school teachers to become more familiar with their communities.
Posted by Carol Sherrill | June 11, 2010 10:57 AM
Posted on June 11, 2010 10:57
I agree with you that the teachers were the reason for the disconnect in learning for both Daniel and Zonnie. For students who have those rich traditions in their family, there needs to be an open outlet for them to share. This could even be a journal writing. (Both students seemed to enjoy writing - when it was something they were interested in). Knowing also the connect to music, the teachers could have sought after support through the music teacher. Finding some sort of motivation is important, but all students have to be held accountable for "required" works.
For me, learning about cultures and histories is more relvant to me is when I get to experience it. This could be done or shared through getting the parents involved, since they thought/supported their child's education.
Angela Steele
Posted by Angela Steele | June 11, 2010 1:26 PM
Posted on June 11, 2010 13:26
Carol,
I am blessed to actually have grown up and gone to the elementary school that I teach in. So, I already know the community and where these students are coming from. As far as an individual basis I talk to my children regularly to kind of find out their interests and hobbies. I loved your idea of the interest inventory. I also do journal writing, since my students are 2nd graders, which helps me find out a lot about them. Unlike the teacher in the article I read my students' journal entries every day. It is an excellent way to get to know them.
Posted by Odessa Scales | June 11, 2010 4:03 PM
Posted on June 11, 2010 16:03
I totally agree that teachers need to take the time to get to know their students and what interests them. I enjoy getting to know my students and learning about their home lives. Yes, it takes time and energy but it is worth it in the long run. Teachers are sometimes the only consistent person that is in a child’s life. I have also found that if you can make a connection with a child you can get so much more out of them. I agree that teachers should use that creative energy and use it to motivate the child.
Posted by Ashley Caldwell | June 11, 2010 8:45 PM
Posted on June 11, 2010 20:45