Chapter 4

1a. How is “living what [you] believe” (Fulfilling the Promise, page 26, middle of right-hand column) both difficult and easy for teachers?

      This would be difficult for teacher because what you believe may not always be what the parents of the students may believe, or your school. Teachers may believe that it is wrong to give students a test at the end of the year, but it doesn’t matter because teachers Have to give a test they have no choice.

     I strongly believe that in order to have a strong classroom I need to strongly encourage trust.  My students need to trust me, and I need to trust them.  Trust is a strong thing I believe in.  So that part of living what I believe would be easy. 
 

1b. How can (might, should) differentiation affect “living what you believe”?

          To me differentiation should be one of teachers main priorities.  Understanding the way that your students learn, so that you can teach them the best way for them.  Is so important. differentiation should affect what you believe. It should open teacher’s eyes to new ideas and ways of teaching. There are some teachers out there that are not willing to change for the students, they have one way of teaching and that is the only way.  To me this is wrong teachers need to have an open mind to new ideas so they can teach differentiation.

    

1c. From chapter 4, explain what Tomlinson mean when she suggests that a teacher, early and often, should say to students, “Let’s figure this out together. Let’s make this our class.”

       I think that Tomlinson is saying that it is so important to let the kids feel like they have a part in the classroom. That it is not just my teacher’s classroom, but our classroom.  I think that this makes the students feel more "homey" or safe.  It is so important to be sure to have safe and loving place that students can come to learn.  Teachers never know what their students are going through at home, so why not make school a place where they can do things together and make decisions together as a group?

creating community

Reflect on what you learned about creating community in your classroom from our visitor, Sylvia Al

I found that I learned that creating a strong community in your classroom is very important.  Morning meetings are a great way to build this.  It helps your students become friends and respect each other for who they are, and not the way that they act or look.  In my class it will be very important to me that all my students in my class get along.  I think that it is very important for the kids to get along and accept each other for who they are, this will help build a strong community in the classroom!

I loved listening to Sylvia Al she had some amazing ideas and stories!

The role of students needs post 3

2d. On page 22, Tomlinson says, “The truth is, we will never really do all each child needs us to do.” Later on this page she says, “The point is not to entertain guilt. The point is to relentlessly seize the remarkable opportunity of a teacher to shape lives – to do the best we can to ensure that we are better at reaching children today than yesterday, better at it this year than last.”

I think as at the beginning of being a teacher it is really important to remember this, because I know that I will want to do everything I can for my students, they are my kids. I have to realize that it will be hard and I can’t do everything for them. they have a life at home and I have no control over what happens to them then, I just have to do everything I can for them when they are at school to let them know that I care and love them. Then when it comes to learning I need to know that it will be ok for them to go out on their own and mess up on the things they are learning and I can’t hold their hand the whole way. They have to learn to do it on their own, but it will be hard for me. I know that I will love my students and will want the best for them, but I need to remember that as long as I give my best they will be fine!

Flowers post 2

Think about this field of wildflowers as a metaphor for a classroom of children. How does your perspective of the picture change as you look for the uniqueness?



I really like this analogy of the field of flowers and a classroom. It is so true your students are like a field flowers the first time that you see them they all look the same. Students that that have come to school to learn, and then you realize that some are happy to be there and some are not. After being with them for a while you notice what their strengths are, and what they like to learn. While you are learning this you slowly find that each child has a different personality and you grow to love and care for each student. As a teacher you want them to learn and grow to be the best you can. I know I will do everything I can to help my students grow to be beautiful "flowers!"

1a

1a. On page 10 of this reading assignment, Tomlinson states that “teachers who are willing to establish ties with students discover new depths of truth each day...” What does this mean to you?

    
I really agree with Tomlinson it is so important to me that I have a strong relationship with my students. I believe that even though i am there to teach the children I can learn from then even more every day. Children open your mind to new ideas and thoughts; I love how they are always excited to learn. Another reason I think it is so important for teachers to have a good relationship with their students is so that they can trust you, if they trust you they will be more willing to learn, and share their great ideas with you.