Throughout these two chapters, the book stresses the belief that teachers should take responsibility for what happens in their classrooms. It is suggested that if teachers all look in the mirror each time they ask, "Who is the variable?" they will have made great strides toward school improvement. Take a few moments to write about your thoughts on this concept. Next, reflect in writing about the role of student, parent, and teacher responsibility in ensuring academic success for each student you teach.
Responsibility lies on different spheres within a classroom. Teachers are responsible for engaging lessons, safe learning environment, and consistency. If something is not working, then the teacher has the ability to change it, and discuss it with the scholars. Scholars responsibility is to do their best in each lesson, and to turn in assignments. Parents responsibility is to take care of their scholar, rather it be food, clothing, shelter or something else. When all three cooperate together, it creates a synergistic relationship in which all parties know what to expect of each other.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, and also feel that sometimes the biggest issue with these 3 things is parents. They set the tone and expectations of their child, which comes to play in the classroom in either positive or negative ways.
DeleteExactly, herein lie the "variables" that a teacher has control over. However, there are more variables beyond those that we can directly control and which are required for scholar success.
DeleteAs teachers, it is our job to present information to the scholars for them to research and learn from. The scholar needs to actively participate in their learning, and actively participate in class either in participating in discussions, or simply completing and submitting assignments. The role of the parent is to be engaged and interested in their child's learning by being encouraging and bringing positivity to the thought of learning, even with the most difficult subjects.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly enough just today in the staff room we were discussing how much student behavior varies depending on class size - when many students are absent and classes are smaller, students automatically behave more appropriately and keep their volume down without any changes in our behavior as teachers. However, when all students are present their behavior is much more rambunctious and challenging to work with as they put more of their attention on each other. As teachers it is our duty to set down expectations for the classroom and to work to have students follow those expectations. However, if a student actively chooses to be disruptive or to not complete work regardless of how many reminders and times you have tried to work with them, that is their responsibility. Additionally, parents that work with the teachers and set down expectations for class behavior and work ethic from home, that reinforces what we do at school and helps guide student behavior and choices from an early age, as well as setting an example for when they must be held accountable. It really is a 3-pronged approach that is required for ideal performance and understanding from each student, as they learn and live in two spheres (home and school) while having their behavior largely formed by home and personal decisions.
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ReplyDeleteChapter 8
This chapter is very interesting, because many teachers think that all students are the same and will act the same, but not each student has their own personality, which makes the difference in the expectations of each class and teacher, something if I agree agreement to have high expectations we must start with us teachers and work on topics that are of interest to students in general.
Chapter 9
It is very important to prepare ourselves and understand how important it is to have a positive and responsible attitude, to make a difference in any area.
In any business too, the priority is customer service, so for us teachers, the priority must be the students and their preparation for their future.