Blog Post #4

[Teachers] should recognize that the linguistic form a student brings to school is intimately connected with loved one’s community, and personal identity. To suggest that this form is “wrong” or, even worse, ignorant, is to suggest that somehing is wrong with the student and his or her family. (p.33)

As a teacher, you come across many students and those students bring with them many things, language included. Although teachers are supposed to correct their students, doing so in a way that may offend the student will not help them, it will differ them from wanting to learn.  As a teacher, it is important to not see how a person talks as being "uneducated" or "not correct" we could be offending this student and his/her family and that could be heartbreaking. Although, it is important to learn proper English for professional settings such as a job interview, when and how is the best way to correct a student who is not speaking with proper English?

I personally think the best time to approach this matter is at a young age.  The method I liked the most from the readings is to have the children mimic someone such as a newscaster. A newscaster is someone who kids may idolize and to listen to how they talk could be a big influence. 

Blog Post 3

The topic I enjoyed discussing the most this past week was what I wanted my classroom to look like. When I was younger I remember my classrooms being bright and beautiful with pictures of different kids and neat animals. As I grew older, I remember the classrooms having more of an educational feel. There were posters on how to write a proper essay or different math formulas, the classrooms were not as fun, they meant business.  A classroom that stuck out to me the most was the one I had in junior high english. The classroom was bare, with ugly green tile and one framed picture that was in the front of the class. The picture was of an older lady (similar to my teacher) reading to kids that looked to be in elementary school, most likely first or second grade.  This frame bothered a lot of us because we felt that we were looked upon as little children. We talked to the teacher about it and she kindly took it down not realizing how we felt. As a teacher, I think you need to make your classroom appropriate based on who you are teaching, what age, and your subject matter. You need to make the classroom fun, yet academic.

Observations: Cafeteria

Description:

1) One guy was sitting alone on his phone browsing

2) Cafeteria workers were being rude to students

3) A group of girls were dressed very nice. Dresses and heels.

4) A girl was walking really quick with her head down and a plate of food

5) A guy was sitting at a table with his legs resting across the chair seat next to him


Interpretation:

1) He didn't have many friends

2) She was annoyed with having to be at JCU. She had other things she wanted to be doing

3) They were high class.

4) She was a freshman. Intimidated by the cafeteria.

5) He was being lazy and disrespectful.


Parking lot:

1) Lunchtime is his only alone time and he finds it relaxing to not have to be with people and engaged in conversation all the time.

2) She had a rough morning and was tired from the previous days work. Maybe she had another job

3) They were dressed up to attend church or a sorority meeting

4) She is simply shy

5) He is injured from a practice and can't put any pressure on his leg






I realized from this activity that being judgmental and making assumptions about people is a very easy thing to do.   As a teacher this is dangerous because you can not assume a child is feeling or thinking a certain way based on how they are acting.  I really enjoyed the description of the boy and the marker. I think the initial thing to do in this situation was to judge him saying he was making a mess. When it got brought to my attention that he could be discovering what it felt like to have a marker on his skin it was eye opening because he is actually learning and he wasn't doing it just to make a mess.

WebPost1: Class Survey

Personal Information:

1. Olivia

2. Mansfield, Ohio

3. Freshman. I am interested in teaching English, reading, and theology.

4. I grew up in a small town in Ohio that is located half way between Cleveland and Columbus. I attended a small Catholic school, St Peter's, and that is where I discovered I wanted to be an early childhood educator. Some interesting facts about me are: I love the Cleveland Indians. I enjoy doing service. I have been playing the violin since I was 3 1/2.

Learning Style and more:

1. For me to feel comfortable in a classroom setting I must develop a relationship with both my classmates and professor.  In order to take intellectual and creative risks I must feel as if I'm prepared for whatever it is I will be taking on. If I do not feel prepared in my subject I will feel weak when wanting to try new things.

2. All of my education thus far I have been with students I have known my whole life and feel very comfortable with. I was outgoing in class and loved discussions. Until I feel a closeness with my classmates and professor I will most likely be shy. This is typically how I am when surrounded by new people and situations.

My responsibility in the classroom has never been an issue for me. I am diligent in getting all my assignments done and will put 110% into them.

My weakness when it comes to a classroom setting is not asking for help. This is something I wanted to work on in college and the class sizes at JCU I know will make this possible. I tend to procrastinate in my studies for test and quizzes which is another issue I would like to work on.

I enjoy one on one learning or a small classroom setting. I enjoy seeing things visually and everything being set up step by step so I am able to look back on it for a reference. I do not do well with oral presentations or videos.

The very first thing I do when I do not understand is ask a peer.



Education Past and Present:

1. My second grade teacher, Mrs. Husty, was who inspired my initially to become a teacher. The love she had for each and everyone of her students was unconditonal and she still has a bond with many of them that can't be broken. Mrs. Husty not only taught us our studies but she taught us how to be responsible, loving, and caring individuals. Seeing the impact she made in my life is what inspired me to want to make the same difference in other children.


2. I think an issue facing the educational field is the use of technology. Technology is growing rapidly and some teachers are not interested in learning more about technology. I saw this in my own school.

About Dr. Shutkin:

When did you know in your heart you wanted to be an educator?