This experience in a way has opened my eyes to the many misfortunes that high school students face in their lives especially when it comes to their home lives. As a upcoming teacher I realize how important it is to know that not all students come from the same backgrounds, and have the same priveleges. Many of them have disadvantages that were handed to them at birth regarding their parents, opportunities and quality of living. These are things that I knew existed and should be taken into account, but it had been so long since I witnessed these situations. I have seen many teachers in my life not take these things into consideration and treat all students as if they are all the same. Teachers must be open-minded, and empathetic to all situations, and I truly believe that this is how I will be. An example of this would be a student that I recently worked with was assigned to create a map of the functions in his life and how they describe him in definition. He used words such as mistake, bastard and pervert. He expressed in class that his mother told him he was a mistake. It is very obvious that this student carries around so much pain, that I don't even know how he manages to raise himself above it. My classroom teacher is very dedicated to making sure that he stays positive, and reaches for his goals. Making sure that he knows that he can achieve what he sets his mind to regardless of the disadvantages that he has been handed. This student recently received a full ride to his college of choice, which I am sure will make a huge poositive difference in his life. I would like to thing that I would also be this type of teacher that would assist a student to this level of achievement.
All of the lessons plans in my classroom have been built around personal identity and culture, which I see as an excellent way to involve and respect where each student comes from. It shows that the teacher is open minded and culturally competent regarding diversity. An example of this would be an assignment where the students were to create power posters that represented an issue that they felt strongly about. This issue could pertain to their gender, race, ethnicity, culture, or any other portion of their identity without limitations.
I have found that I could teach in any environment, to any group of students and maintain the same great intentions to help the students succeed, and express their identity and beliefs. I could not work in a school setting that did not encourage these ideals, nor could I tolerate to see a teacher deter a student from invilving these things in their education. I would definitely give the same opportunites to all students so that they can feel accomplished regardless of any assumed disadvantge or disabiility. I have learned a great deal from watching my classroom teacher in action, and hope to mirror many of her tachniques and qualities in my own classroom someday.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Prompt 5
In the school and classroom that I am working in the majority of the students come from very diverse backgrounds in regards to race and ethnicity. The school has a policy that the teachers must communicate with the parents of each of their students on a monthly basis via telephone/email. I believe that this is is an excellent policy to be in place in order to keep parents aware of their child's academic standing, as well as to create a partnership with them to determine the students needs regarding academic and social growth.
If I were the teacher of this classroom there would be two challenges that I could see creating roadblocks in order to achieve the goals above. 1st would be the language barriers that may exist between myself and the parents/guardians of the students. It may be difficult to communicate through speaking or writing if the parents/guardians are not semi fluent in the English language. The 2nd challenge that I could see taking place is the fact that some of the parents of the students that I am working with do not care about their child's well being. These children are forced to make their own decisions regarding their schooling and lives at a very young age due to the recklessness of their caretakers.
In facing these challenges I would 1st try to find a better way to communicate in order to bypass the language barriers that may exist. This may mean strictly communicating through writing that has been translated into the language that the caretaker is able to understand and to respond to. This could also mean having frequent on site visits from caretakers with an interpreter present in order to put more of a personal interaction to the relationship being built. In regards to the issue pertaining to the absence of the caretakers in the students life, I would probably tend to lean more towards the students themselves in order to help them succeed academically. I would with open arms accept any recommendations that parents/guardians make regarding their children's education as long as it was in the students best interest. I would show empathy towards the concerns that are brought forward and work with the parents/guardians to find solutions that would be beneficial to their children.
If I were the teacher of this classroom there would be two challenges that I could see creating roadblocks in order to achieve the goals above. 1st would be the language barriers that may exist between myself and the parents/guardians of the students. It may be difficult to communicate through speaking or writing if the parents/guardians are not semi fluent in the English language. The 2nd challenge that I could see taking place is the fact that some of the parents of the students that I am working with do not care about their child's well being. These children are forced to make their own decisions regarding their schooling and lives at a very young age due to the recklessness of their caretakers.
In facing these challenges I would 1st try to find a better way to communicate in order to bypass the language barriers that may exist. This may mean strictly communicating through writing that has been translated into the language that the caretaker is able to understand and to respond to. This could also mean having frequent on site visits from caretakers with an interpreter present in order to put more of a personal interaction to the relationship being built. In regards to the issue pertaining to the absence of the caretakers in the students life, I would probably tend to lean more towards the students themselves in order to help them succeed academically. I would with open arms accept any recommendations that parents/guardians make regarding their children's education as long as it was in the students best interest. I would show empathy towards the concerns that are brought forward and work with the parents/guardians to find solutions that would be beneficial to their children.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Prompt 6
Communication in my classroom takes on many forms. The teacher as well as the student teacher use methods that reach every student. Whether it is the use of slides, or powerpoint presentations for the visual learners. Or the use of lectures for the the audio learners, using language that can be interpreted easily by all students in the grade level being taught. Both teachers also use a combination of the two in order to combine both learning styles together. Communication is also encouraged through research; each assignment involves a session research in order for the students to familiarize themselves with the topics they choose. By researching the students are in a way communicating with the past and with themselves, learning the information they find useful in a way that is efficient for them. During the seesions I have observed the classroom, I have noticed the students take very well to these methods. They are not afraid to ask questions, and the teachers also provide one on one sessions for the students if needed to discuss the assigment and methods for completion.
An example of the above: One of the most recent assignments was called Diety Masks. The students were shown a power point, and were also given a lecture about the assignment. Within the same session the students were asked to research Diety Masks from ancient tribes to gain ideas for completing their own. The mask that will be completed will be based on the culture, opinions, and values of the student. The student is practicing freedom of expression and communicating through their art.
An example of the above: One of the most recent assignments was called Diety Masks. The students were shown a power point, and were also given a lecture about the assignment. Within the same session the students were asked to research Diety Masks from ancient tribes to gain ideas for completing their own. The mask that will be completed will be based on the culture, opinions, and values of the student. The student is practicing freedom of expression and communicating through their art.
Promt 3
When the classroom teacher is assessing a students work in my classroom, she is using a grading rubric that is developed based on the assignment that was given. The assignments is these classes are based on the the specific class that is being taught. My teacher teaches art levels 2 and 4, and digital media. Each class is designed for the students to seek within themselves and within their culture to determine the motivation and ideas for their work. For example in the level 4 class the theme is: Time, Spirituality, Structure, and Power. The class focuses on Art and it's function in society based on ethnicity, culture, and diversity. Each student is encouraged to put their personal stamp on their projects in order to express their individuality. The teacher pays special attention to the topics that are being raised in the students work, and the meaning that is behind it. Students are also required to write reflections about their work to explain the meaning behind it, and how the materials that were used help to bring the art work and personal meaning to life. The teacher grades based on effort and work quality, urging the students to provide the best quality possible in their works as they are working from the heart. She encourages diversity in the classroom, and embraces all that is brought to the drawing board.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Prompt 1
The school that I am volunteering in, is in a very active area in Providence. This area is thriving with the day to day business of students and business people alike. The school is very large, the structure itself is old but strong. The class rooms bookcases and cupboards built into the walls which is a nice touch that no longer exists in newer schools. The teachers have the ability to paint and re-finish their class rooms in any way that they see fit to create the learning environment that they are seeking for their students. The school to me feels over crowded; as I was walking through the halls in between classes there also seems to be a feeling of dis-respect among the students. I over heard many curse words and negative sayings from the students as teachers were standing close by, and nothing was said to discourage the behavior. In a way this setting reminded me of the movie Lean on Me, without the violence.
The classroom that I am in is very eye catching, the colors and the art work that are on the walls creating a very inviting and mesmerizing environment for students to learn and freely express themselves through their work. The students are very focused on the task at hand, and seem to have a sense of pride in the work they are doing. The teacher seems to be very good at recognizing abilities in the students, and working with those abilities to produce great work. She is very down to earth, and creates an environment in which her students feel at ease, and know they can ask for help if needed. Technology is used very frequently in the classrooms at this school, the class that I am working in is a Digital Media class. The students are using Mac Books to produce their art, which I find very interesting. Not only are the students learning graphic design and video making, they are also learning much needed computer skills that will stay extremely useful to them as time passes.
Diversity, freedom of expression, and technology are the three things that I see to be valued at this school thus far. Students are given many opportunities within the schools walls to advance in these areas in ways that I don't believe that many of them have outside of school. In the class room the students are very polite and eager to learn and help each other, which was not what I expected from such a diverse group of students.
The student body is almost spilt evenly between males and females, 46.3% vs. 53.7%. Of these percentages 51.7% are Hispanic, while only 1.1% are Native American. Falling within these percentages are Asian at 6.3%, Black at 29.8%, and White at 11.1%. 87.2% of the student body receives either free or reduced lunch. Behavior within the school is fairly good, with the majoruty of incidents being related to attendance. The overall graducation rate for the school is 61%, showing a fair retention rate. This information was provided by the Providence Public Schools web site.
The classroom that I am in is very eye catching, the colors and the art work that are on the walls creating a very inviting and mesmerizing environment for students to learn and freely express themselves through their work. The students are very focused on the task at hand, and seem to have a sense of pride in the work they are doing. The teacher seems to be very good at recognizing abilities in the students, and working with those abilities to produce great work. She is very down to earth, and creates an environment in which her students feel at ease, and know they can ask for help if needed. Technology is used very frequently in the classrooms at this school, the class that I am working in is a Digital Media class. The students are using Mac Books to produce their art, which I find very interesting. Not only are the students learning graphic design and video making, they are also learning much needed computer skills that will stay extremely useful to them as time passes.
Diversity, freedom of expression, and technology are the three things that I see to be valued at this school thus far. Students are given many opportunities within the schools walls to advance in these areas in ways that I don't believe that many of them have outside of school. In the class room the students are very polite and eager to learn and help each other, which was not what I expected from such a diverse group of students.
The student body is almost spilt evenly between males and females, 46.3% vs. 53.7%. Of these percentages 51.7% are Hispanic, while only 1.1% are Native American. Falling within these percentages are Asian at 6.3%, Black at 29.8%, and White at 11.1%. 87.2% of the student body receives either free or reduced lunch. Behavior within the school is fairly good, with the majoruty of incidents being related to attendance. The overall graducation rate for the school is 61%, showing a fair retention rate. This information was provided by the Providence Public Schools web site.
Friday, February 5, 2010
About Me
My name is Barry, I am 27 years old and a returning student to RIC. I have always wanted to be a teacher, but was kind of blind sided by other interests for a while! I consistently volunteer with a teen leadership program that consists of grades 7 - 12. My degree program is Art Education, it is amazing what people can create with teamwork between their minds and their hands! Art is a wonderful form of expression!
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