The text says, “She brought readings and the language from her graduate studies into her sixth-grade classroom,” (p. 120) and this reminds me that I will also have a lot to bring back to my classroom next fall. Upon entering college for the first time in 20 years, I was filled with mixed emotions. I was excited, nervous, and very overwhelmed. The idea of getting another master’s degree and additional certification became a reality this past August. Over the past few months, the sharing of ideas and stimulating conversation within the classroom has enabled me to think and reflect in ways that I have not done in many years. I am excited about the impact I’ll have in the classroom next September as I reenter the teaching profession. I have come to realize that knowledge isn’t always something that’s able to come out nicely packaged; it’s something that has to be acquired and communicated.
"Devereaux does a number of thing to encourage reading." (pg. 124) In addition to Julia’s ideas to encourage reading, I also let my students pick their own books for assignments and have them lead discussions about the books they have read. They love to be the center of attention! I also bring aspects of their books to life within the classroom by listening to music mentioned in books or looking at pictures of people and places connected to their stories. Putting students on a point system for reading books is also very effective. Reward a certain amount of points for every book they read and a certain amount of points for difficulty level. Then give them a prize or party for reaching a certain level.
The Dreamkeepers "Education, like electricity, needs a conduit, a teacher, through which to transmit its power- i.e., the discovery and continuity of information, knowledge, wisdom, experience, and culture. Through the stories and experiences of eight successful teacher-transmitters, The DreamKeepers keeps hope alive for educating young African Americans."
Some of my favorite teachers in school were the ones who were willing to share things they were learning or things from their lives. You still need to keep a level of professionalism with your students, but I think it's important to let them know that you are a person too.
ReplyDeleteI love when kids get exciting about what their reading. When you can find books that really get a kid excited about reading it's like magic, watching them animatedly tell you every detail.
I'm so glad that you are enjoying your college experience...I love having you in my classes. I know that you shared that you were nervous but I know that we have learned so much from each other. I hope that when you head back into the teaching/classroom world that you feel like a better more accomplished teacher from what you have learned and will continue to learn over the next year...
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