As I am finishing up college with my last semester, I realize that there is still so much that I need to learn before I am ready to enter the working field as a qualified teacher.
I have realized with my field placement that I belong best with younger children. My first goal for this course is to 1) learn how to select proper books for the appropriate age level. Also, 2) I would like to learn how to incorporate diversity into literature without it being known to the children.
I would also 3) like to learn how to react to situations that other children may find uncomfortable. For example, today in my CT's classroom, a boy was late to school. When my CT asked why he was late, he hesitantly told her it was because he had to pick his dad up from jail with his mother. Kids started asking questions and I would like to know how best to be prepared for the unexpected.
I also hope to learn 4) how to keep students attentive when it becomes obvious that I am losing students' interest. My last goal is that 5) I hope to learn how I can use reading as a skill to propel and motivate students in other areas of work.
I hope with this course I generally can become more comfortable and more confidant teaching literature to young students. I hope to get a lot of practice teaching literature and to always keep an open mind about all types of literature.
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3 comments:
Hi Alexis! When I read your goal about learning how to incorporate diversity into literature, I made a text to world connection to share with you. I remember you saying that you're taking a class with Clare right now, and she was my teacher for TE 348. She has a lot of good insight about books related to diversity, and I think she's actually studied the topic in-depth, so she should have some valuable ideas to help you with that. Good luck!
YOu have a lot of great goals, and I hope that some of them will be addressed in class and by your CT this semester. I'm curious as to why you don't want your students to notice that you are incorporating diversity.
Hey Alexis!
While reading your post, a lot of your ideas struck home. In regard to selecting appropriate literature for students, I think I could also use a bit of work on that. I always wonder what themes are over students' heads, or if I am thinking too much into the literature and not giving them enough credit for their ability to understand deeper ideas. However, with the diversity thought, I am not sure that having your students know that you are incorporating diversity is a bad thing, especially because the more it is done, the more accepting they can become of diversity in other aspects of their lives (or so I think). Plus, kids notice things are different even if we don't tell them, so I worry if you didn't address it, they would know, but you would miss out on the enrichment opportunity you had.
I loved your goal of learning how to react to uncomfortable situations, because wow, kids come up with the most honest things to say and often shock adults. I wonder, were the kids in your class taken aback or disapproving? Or were you more worried that you might stigmatize the jailed father if you responded to questions?
Finally, I think holding students attention is a lifelong struggle for teachers, or at least in my CT's class this year it is! If you learn any neat tricks please share them, and I'll let you know if I pick up any as well. I applaud your goals, I think you're really reaching and I hope you find this class/year an opportunity to work towards achieving them! In your post, I really have the sense that you are striving to become a better teacher already! Keep it up!
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