Reflection #5

"Give me a fish and I eat for a day.  Teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime. "
-Chinese Proverb

This semester has been a short but enlightening semester. We've gone through many theories that will help us enhance our own personal philosophy for our classroom.
One of the most well known theorist is B.F. Skinner. Behavior modification is one theory that I will definitely use in my classroom. Positive reinforcement is important to everyone. People feed off of these positives and of course increase the desired behavior that is established. Children in my classroom will be rewarded for completing their assignments, participation, and of course good behavior. Out of the styles that were mentioned in chapter 3, I would most likely be the assertive style just because this style clearly and specifically limits and rewards or consequences on students. Establishing their expectations for the students, parents, and of course the administrators. I would not give a student an unfair consequence but an appropriate one.
The Canters who were well known for the discipline hierarchy is also part of my recipe for my teaching philosophy. If the student breaks the rule the first time it will be a warning. Same student breaks the rule again a second or possible third time, I will issue a small consequence, for example, 5 minute timeout. A fourth time the student has decided to break the rules again, I will have to issue a phone call home or note home. Fifth time the student breaks again, I will have to send the student to the principal's office. Also the Canters mentioned the "severe clause" which is of course when the teacher notices the student is becoming a threat to other classmates and begins to physically abuse other students. It will result in a direct principal visit.
We've also learned that when establishing classroom rules, it is more meaningful when students in actively involved in creating them. The Canters emphasized this and encouraged teachers to include students when making rules. Also making the rules age and grade-level appropriate and specific rather than general or vague.
My literature book review also plays a role in my philosophy. The book I had was "Talking So People Will Listen." Although the book was not geared towards teachers it's a general advice that can be related to teachers. How so? Well just because communication is a key role in any profession. Teachers need to communicate with students, parents, and administrators. When talking it is important to keep the audience hooked and always get to the point. Do not beat around the bush. Also knowing your audience is important so that as teachers, they can relate and understand them. After reading this book, I've come to realize that people just want to be understood.

I hope to continue enhancing my philosophy throughout my journey becoming a teacher. It is a work in progress.

Reflection #4

Quote of the Day
"A teacher's purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image."
~Author Unknown

I've come to realize becoming a teacher isn't easy. There are plenty of responsibilities that I am accountable for. It can be easy to give up on teaching, but in the end its all about them...so I'm not going to give up.

When referring to Kounin's theory withitness, I think its important for the teacher to be away of all the events, activities, and student behaviors in the classroom. Students will know that the withit teacher can detect inappropriate behavior. This can apply to my style of teacher. Because I'm the type of person that doesn't overreact over the small things. Children will be children and as teachers is our job to manage their behavior. With that being said the "withitness" is very important and crucial. Without it students will begin to walk over you all day long and make the classroom a living nightmare.
Group focus is important without it the students will be off task. Its the teachers job to maintain group focus. This means involving all students in everything. For example, group discussions are good for this type of theory. The teacher can call on a variety of students to keep them "on their toes." One way I can keep them accountable for their instruction is observe them and to let them be responsible for their actions in the classroom. Something helpful that can let the teacher keep track is by using a checklist or cards to see which student is doing this.
To approach a student who is of different culture, gender, or social diversity is to once again be consistent with the management. In the book, it says students appreciate consistency because it allows them to remember the expectations the teacher holds in the classroom. So once again withitness and effective instructional management plays a big role.

UNTIL NEXT TIME BLOG!

-Chris

Reflection #3

For safety is not a gadget but a state of mind.
~Eleanor Everet

"Safety First!"

That phrase was always spoken during my elementary school days. Growing up it meant staying away from danger, violence, drugs, and checking both ways before crossing the road. As I'm pursuing to become a teacher the word safety has more meaning. Of course they include all of those factors I've mentioned but they include a child's security within the classroom. Whether its physically or mentally. For example, bullying can either be direct or indirect. Teachers have the most important role in a child's life. They spend nearly most of the day with them for about a good percentage of their lives. Teachers need to model safe behaviors in order for children to learn. They can do this by treating every student in the school building with respect. Diversity in the school is very common and respecting each student's diversity will promote to the students learning.
Children need to feel safe physically and mentally. I remember I used to be bullied around when I was younger. Did that affect my learning process? You bet it did! After every class, I was afraid of coming across my childhood bully. I couldn't focus on the teachers lessons because I was trying to think of ways to avoid this bully. Recess is suppose to be the most fun part of the day that every child looks forward to. At that time, I was not looking forward to recess.
So from experience I can honestly say children need to be and feel safe in a classroom. Because it will affect their learning, just how it affected mine. Teachers need to realize what is going on in their classroom. As a future teacher, I want to make sure my students respect each other and feel safe coming to school at all times.

Until next time Blog

signing off.........

Reflection # 2

...TO BE a Mean Teacher? or Friendly Teacher? or Both......?

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Blog Back in session......

Being able to have your students in check can be easy to say but when it all comes down to it, things might be totally the opposite. There has been many debates of a strategy between whether to give a first impression of a Mean Teacher on the first day of school. Teachers would give the impression of a mean teacher. That way students will fear and know that this teacher doesn't mess around. The turning point of this would be when spring semester comes around the teacher would slowly become a friendly teacher and would try to become their friends. Some say it works some say it won't. I personally would like to experiment with this. Just to see if it'll work with me. But to be honest I don't like being a mean guy in general. I like to treat others how I would want to be treated. I guess as a future teacher you kind of have to alter you personality just a little bit just so you can be able to control you students.
However, there are other ways you can do to not be a mean teacher and just use the rewards and punishment system. but the thing is children will test their limits and how far they can get away with things. As a teacher one good thing to know and always do is...............

"BE CONSISTENT with punishments and rewards.
SAY what you MEAN and MEAN what you're gonna DO!
You can be nice but remember to Follow THROUGH!"

That's pretty catchy. I Just made that up just now ;]

Anyways, this will be interesting and I look forward to experiencing this with my class. >]


Checkpoint! Until next time. We will meet again blog!

Reflection #1

Rewind Rewind Rewind...

It was 3rd grade. Mrs. Wendall's class was one classroom I didn't want to go back to. She was like a dictator towards us children. Everything was HER WAY or the HIGHWAY to Principal Vandemore's office. There were plenty of students who tested their limits and simply didn't care at all. I myself on the other hand, was a terrified Asian boy who longed for the 2:45 dismissal bell to ring...I thank God I made it out alive out of that classroom. I think if Mrs. Wendall disciplined and observed us individually... she could have done a better job of handling and preventing certain events...

On the bright side... I guess I can use that experience to help me handle my students differently...

until next time! we will meet again BLOG.


-Chris Hem `over and out...