Philosophy explored...

I think that who I am definitely influences my teaching philosophy.  I never realized how important critical thinking is to finding out more about oneself.  I have learned so much more when I have the time to really think about things, wonder, or ask myself questions.  Critical thinking provides a path to making connections.  These connections often create emotion which really allows one to soak up information.  By creating personal connections or interest, students will understand, which I believe, is the core to learning.

This part of my philosophy is somewhat connected to creating empathy in my students.  If students develop good perspective-taking abilities, they will also be able to better understand through those abilities.  For example, if learning specific history, it really helps to be able to see through someone else’s eyes and imagine what it would be like.  Creating will not only make strong emotional connections, but can also help students socially with their communication skills.

Another ability I think all students should encompass is the ability to work independently, and furthermore, feel confident that they can succeed on their own.  Unfortunately, when your mistakes are either pointed out often, or other students make negative comments towards you, it can make one think, “Well, what’s the point?”  There are a few students in my class who are always saying, “It’s too hard…I don’t understand…I can’t do this!”  These are the worst, most irritating comments I can possibly hear, well…when I can infer that these comments are not genuine.  I have worked with these students multiple times.  They always know how to do the work.  And I am not the kind of person that just gives people the answers.  I may ask someone questions that guides them to finding the answer, but I want everyone to be able to find answers on their own.  I even do this with my other half…which irritates him incredibly.  I can’t help it though, that is just how I have always been. 

To add to my previous thoughts, these kiddos are also troubled by other students.  I notice that they are always being complained about, picked last,etc.  I wonder if this is contributing to their chronic troubles with motivation and confidence.  Because of this, I always praise them and make their successes a big deal.  Usually it ends with me saying something like, “See, I told you that you could do it!  You just need to have faith in yourself.”  I hope that after much repetition of this, it will help.  I want every student to know that I not only have high expectations, but faith that they can achieve them.  I wonder if my childhood has a little to do about this.  I felt indifferent in grades school because my family was extremely poor.  I was often teased about because of this, which surely tested my self-confidence.  In return, I grew up extremely shy.  For anyone who I wasn’t acquainted with until after high school, they would possibly argue with me about that statement.  These days, I would say I am loud and that people wish that I came with a remote.  Anyhow, I really feel for these kids and want them to feel like I honestly care about their success.

All in all, there are many things from my experiences in life that have contributed to my philosophy of teaching.  I have been challenged many times growing up, possibly much more than others.  I wouldn’t want others to feel sorry for me if they know about any of those challenges I faced.  I am happy for these things happening.  Being challenged really allows you to think about what is really important.  No one will succeed independently if they are always handed everything.  We need to be challenged and responsible for learning on our own.

New Year at Adams

I’m not going to lie; I was a little concerned about going from Jefferson to Adams.  The way that I imagined the school to be was not so.  Yes, the school is definitely considered a school for the privileged (considering the area of Boise it is located).  The kids, parents, and fellow staff are very welcoming and great!  I absolutely LOVE my fourth grade class!  After only two weeks, I was totally comfortable subbing full time while my mentor teacher was in Denver.  It was a great experience and challenge that I feel like went very well.  The kids were a little testy, but followed my instruction and expectations well.

There is one boy in the class who constantly tests me.  A week ago after I told took away a huge distraction for him, I heard him say to his neighbor, “She’s not a teacher, she is a student teacher!”  The girl first said to him, “You need to listen to the teacher.”  This same boy is doing so much better following me.  He still tests me a little, but I think he is finally realizing that I am not there to just tell him what to do, but that I am there to help them learn.  A week ago, I pulled him away and talked to him about how he was acting toward me, and how I felt that it was disrespectful.  That could have possibly helped to.

I feel like I am definitely finding that line in between friend and teacher.  Though sometimes more strict that I anticipated myself to be, the students are enjoying my presence in the classroom.  Yesterday one of the kids said, “I wish you were our real teacher.”  A few of the other kids said that they thought I was a really nice teacher.  I ask myself why, and maybe it is because I am finding that line…or balance between friend and teacher.  The kids know that I have high expectations for them.  It is really a blessing to be there every day of the week because I feel like I know each and every one of them so well.  Even after only being there for three weeks.  I am getting a good grip on personalities, motivation, struggles, successes, likes, and dislikes.

Every other week or so, our class gets TFK (Time for Kids).  They really like getting the magazine because they love reading.  A couple of weeks ago, we just copied something directly from the teacher’s guide that comes with the magazine.  The students broke up into groups, read an article, and did a worksheet.  There was a little bit of discussion but not much.  This week, I was really excited about TFK.  In the magazine this week, there was an article about the 2012 elections.  Because I believe it is extremely important to know what is going on around you, I wanted to do something with this article.  I read through the teacher’s guide, but created my own activity for the passage.  First, we read the passage as a group.  Then, we secretly voted for one of the five candidates in the passage.  Third we tallied the votes, and students broke up into groups depending on who they voted for.  Everyone in each group voted for the same person.  In each group, they delegated (vocabulary we talked about) a spokesperson and scribe.  Each group had to discuss why it is important to be involved in the election.  They also had to provide at least two or more good reasons from the article that they voted for who they did and why.  Because we have a couple kids with auditory needs, we use a microphone for instruction.  I walked around to each group and let the spokesperson read what was recorded by the scribe to the rest of the class.  They really liked that, and I liked being able to challenge their thinking.  Most of their comments just made me question them further to try and understand their thinking.  Afterwards, we went to our seats.  I really wanted time to write to the prompt, "If I were principal at Adams, this is what I would change… " Because we didn’t have time, I randomly selected three students by numbers to come up and be our candidates.  They had to have at least two things that they would change at Adams to make the school a better place.  I was expecting things like, we would have recess every day, there would be no teachers or rules, etc.  I was ABSOLUTELY amazed by their responses.  We did it in an interview type way.  I was the one delivering the questions, and asking them how those things would benefit the school.  They were able to speak to the class like an audience at a presidential debate.  It was so great!  Some of the responses were as follows:  1. Changing the food at the school such as eating more vegetables, fruits, and having smaller portions.  2. Students would be required to get more physical activities.  3. Students would be able to have books at their desks to read in their spare time. 4.  Students would help create educational software for the school.  Everything suggestion they made was something that would genuinely help.  It was SO great.  Afterwards, we voted for who would be the next principal at our school.  It was so fun being able to get out of the normal worksheets, and getting students to collaborate and think critically.

Everything that we did revolved around “election” vocabulary.  We talked about campaigning, delegates, candidates, nominees, caucuses, front runners, etc.  We compared/contrasted, and talked about how they affected each other.

I am realizing more every day I am in class that my philosophy is based on promoting critical thinking, perspective-taking/thoughtful dispositions, and independent success and confidence.  So far, student teaching in this fourth grade class is really allowing me to find out who I am as a teacher.