I have been thinking about the concept of expecting people (students) will behave accordingly for the most part prior to a threat of disciplinary action, as opposed to setting strict rules with harsh consequences before they even have a chance to act. I really believe that you need to have expect things from people, especially your students.
A friend of mine has been a teacher in two different school settings. In the past she has said to me something along the lines of "with these students (at a more urban school) you need to set certain specific rules and have a strict code of discipline, but with these other students (at a suburban school) you don't have to because they don't need it. Prior to this class, I didn't necessarily agree with her statements, but I couldn't seem to figure out my reason as to why. I had never taught in an urban or suburban school so I thought that perhaps I just didn't understand.
However, after doing the readings thus far, I have come to understand my reasoning. As I was reading the "Annenberg Article," it jumped out at me. You have to be able to convey to your students that you believe they will do the right thing. You trust them to behave accordingly. Giving them the benefit of the doubt will instill confidence and accountability. Personally, I know that the feeling I have when disciplined for a violation or non-compliance versus the feeling I have when I dissapoint someone who expected something from me is not comprable. I feel much worse when I do not live up to the potential that someone expected from me. You don't want to dissapoint someone who believes in you.
As a future teacher, I want to expect things from my students. It is so important to believe in EACH one of your student's ability and foster confidence in that ability.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
the demographics and the promise
Harold Hodgkinson's article, "Educational Demographics: What Teachers Should Know," http://bonfire.learnnc.org/ncmtec1/DPI_NCsite/Lessons%20files/Educational%20Demographics.pdf.
helps us to understand the coming changes in urban schools by focusing on the shifting demographics in our society.
He starts by talking about the effect of transiency. This has an enormous effect on education as demonstrated by high school graduation and college admission rates; states with the highest transiency rates have the lowest graduation and college admission rates.
Due to the blurring of racial lines, (40% of all Americans have had some racial mixing in the last three generations) race is becoming less important. He states that the nature of race is changing and, by 2050, whites will become a minority in our population. Race data on the census is giving misleading information; most poor children are white but a greater percentage of black and Hispanic children are poor. Poverty, not your race, is the universal handicap.
Another important shifting demographic is the increasing life span for Americans. Hodgkinson raises the question: Will older people maintain their interest in the public schools after their kids have left the system? We will need to convince Seniors that their Medicare and Social Security will be replenished by the educated children once they begin working.
The tips Hodgkinson provide for the difference in world view's for people of differing national origin provide teachers with concrete examples of how to deal with certain situations. The underlying message is these tips is understanding. Once you educate yourself on someones background and current situation, you are able to communicate with each other on a much better level. The example he used when talking about transiency was very interesting, "knowing your neighbor will prevent you from stealing his lawnmower." When you know someone, and have an understanding for their culture, you can then begin to understand their actions.
This message of understanding in the tips he discusses gives us hope for our schools. If teachers make a conscious effort to really get to know the students they have and try to understand where they are coming from, they will be able to communicate with them in a way the child understands. Forming this path of communication through understanding will lead to a better educational experience for both the student and the teacher.
helps us to understand the coming changes in urban schools by focusing on the shifting demographics in our society.
He starts by talking about the effect of transiency. This has an enormous effect on education as demonstrated by high school graduation and college admission rates; states with the highest transiency rates have the lowest graduation and college admission rates.
Due to the blurring of racial lines, (40% of all Americans have had some racial mixing in the last three generations) race is becoming less important. He states that the nature of race is changing and, by 2050, whites will become a minority in our population. Race data on the census is giving misleading information; most poor children are white but a greater percentage of black and Hispanic children are poor. Poverty, not your race, is the universal handicap.
Another important shifting demographic is the increasing life span for Americans. Hodgkinson raises the question: Will older people maintain their interest in the public schools after their kids have left the system? We will need to convince Seniors that their Medicare and Social Security will be replenished by the educated children once they begin working.
The tips Hodgkinson provide for the difference in world view's for people of differing national origin provide teachers with concrete examples of how to deal with certain situations. The underlying message is these tips is understanding. Once you educate yourself on someones background and current situation, you are able to communicate with each other on a much better level. The example he used when talking about transiency was very interesting, "knowing your neighbor will prevent you from stealing his lawnmower." When you know someone, and have an understanding for their culture, you can then begin to understand their actions.
This message of understanding in the tips he discusses gives us hope for our schools. If teachers make a conscious effort to really get to know the students they have and try to understand where they are coming from, they will be able to communicate with them in a way the child understands. Forming this path of communication through understanding will lead to a better educational experience for both the student and the teacher.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)