Post 1
I always find the first day of a placement to be an adventure. I love seeing how a teacher sets up her classroom, the resources she uses, and the manner in which she uses her classroom. One of the sections I am always drawn to is the classroom library. After having two semesters of literacy in the ECE program, I have an even greater appreciation and understanding for classroom libraries. I was extremely disappointed in my 2nd grade placement teacher's classroom library. I found students thriving for a new good book to read but unable to find one. The library was so small and did not include very many genres. Thankfully, in my fourth grade placement there is a myriad of books. The library contains picture books all the way to complex chapter books. My students are anxious to finish their work so they can continue reading the books they have available. Unfortunately, I did not really enjoy reading in elementary school (or throughout public education really). Seeing how reading CAN be fun and enjoyable in a classroom setting is that much more exciting for me! Every chance I get I add to my future classroom library. I want my future students to have all the resources they need/want.
Post 2
Although I have never experienced a morning meeting in my placements, I feel it is very important. So often, students aren't given time to express their needs, concerns, or just things that are going on in their lives. By allowing students to drive morning meetings and giving them time to clear their heads of personal information, students can then focus on learning instead of other various things happening in their lives. Too often, teachers do not take the time to get to know their students more than just academically. Morning meetings show students that everyone can work as a 'family' and help each other out. It also shows students that the teacher cares about them beyond what goes on in the classroom. While morning meeting allows students to share their personal info, it can also be used as a time to discuss classroom/school issues (as stated in Critical Classrooms). Students enjoy challenges and discovery. How cool is it to discover and research events/info in your own classroom/school?!? Students are naturally inquisitive so why not incorporate that into a real-world example in the classroom. I am really excited about incorporating morning meetings into my future classroom and allowing my students to speak their mind regarding their personal life and school life.
I always find the first day of a placement to be an adventure. I love seeing how a teacher sets up her classroom, the resources she uses, and the manner in which she uses her classroom. One of the sections I am always drawn to is the classroom library. After having two semesters of literacy in the ECE program, I have an even greater appreciation and understanding for classroom libraries. I was extremely disappointed in my 2nd grade placement teacher's classroom library. I found students thriving for a new good book to read but unable to find one. The library was so small and did not include very many genres. Thankfully, in my fourth grade placement there is a myriad of books. The library contains picture books all the way to complex chapter books. My students are anxious to finish their work so they can continue reading the books they have available. Unfortunately, I did not really enjoy reading in elementary school (or throughout public education really). Seeing how reading CAN be fun and enjoyable in a classroom setting is that much more exciting for me! Every chance I get I add to my future classroom library. I want my future students to have all the resources they need/want.
Post 2
Although I have never experienced a morning meeting in my placements, I feel it is very important. So often, students aren't given time to express their needs, concerns, or just things that are going on in their lives. By allowing students to drive morning meetings and giving them time to clear their heads of personal information, students can then focus on learning instead of other various things happening in their lives. Too often, teachers do not take the time to get to know their students more than just academically. Morning meetings show students that everyone can work as a 'family' and help each other out. It also shows students that the teacher cares about them beyond what goes on in the classroom. While morning meeting allows students to share their personal info, it can also be used as a time to discuss classroom/school issues (as stated in Critical Classrooms). Students enjoy challenges and discovery. How cool is it to discover and research events/info in your own classroom/school?!? Students are naturally inquisitive so why not incorporate that into a real-world example in the classroom. I am really excited about incorporating morning meetings into my future classroom and allowing my students to speak their mind regarding their personal life and school life.