The culturally competent teacher communicates in ways that demonstrate sensitivity to sociocultural and linguistic differences using a variety of verbal and non verbal communication techniques that encourage positive social interaction and support learning in their classroom
As I have said before, the Teacher did an excellent job of keeping students engaged in learning by assigning group activities. Students learn to work together and achieve learning goals. It helps them build confidence and how to listen to other people in the group and give everyone else a chance to be heard. This is an important lesson for the students to learn especially in a democratic society. The theorist Shor stressed the importance of keeping students attention by engaging them in learning and encouraging their success. This philosophy was clearly demonstrated in the classroom that I participated in. one group project that the students worked on was a video recorded public service announcement which they gained state recognition for. They informed the community on the awareness of issues such as drug abuse, domestic and relationship abuse, and gang violence. One girl even gained recognition on YouTube for having such a powerful PSA. The students really enjoyed this activity and they learned a lot about working together, being creative as well as the moral lessons of the issues.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
prompt 5
The culturally competent teacher involves and works with families and community resources , understanding the differences in families, and the important influence of family participation in the students' learning.
One accommodation the teacher made for different language speaking families I had mentioned in a previous blog was ordering a different translation of a novel. This allowed the student to bring home the book and share with his or her family what they are learning in school. It is a great way to incorporate the family in the learning process. Another thing the teacher recommend I do should I find myself in a diverse school is learn some of the areas dominant language. In this case it was Spanish since Spanish is very similar to other common languages. It can be very helpful to learn some basic phrases for parent teacher conferences. The basic phrases are your son/ daughter is a good student, works well, completes assignments, doesn’t complete assignments, scores poorly, scores well, doesn’t study enough. It is very easy to keep a list of cognates (words that look and sound similar in different languages). These accommodations are not difficult and it can prove to be a helpful tool in establishing a strong trustful bond between teacher, student, and family
One accommodation the teacher made for different language speaking families I had mentioned in a previous blog was ordering a different translation of a novel. This allowed the student to bring home the book and share with his or her family what they are learning in school. It is a great way to incorporate the family in the learning process. Another thing the teacher recommend I do should I find myself in a diverse school is learn some of the areas dominant language. In this case it was Spanish since Spanish is very similar to other common languages. It can be very helpful to learn some basic phrases for parent teacher conferences. The basic phrases are your son/ daughter is a good student, works well, completes assignments, doesn’t complete assignments, scores poorly, scores well, doesn’t study enough. It is very easy to keep a list of cognates (words that look and sound similar in different languages). These accommodations are not difficult and it can prove to be a helpful tool in establishing a strong trustful bond between teacher, student, and family
prompt 4
The culturally competent teacher must be aware of the diverse cultural groups in the classroom, investigate the sociocultural factors that influence learning and integrate this knowledge into his/her teaching methods.
There is no doubt about it, the students in the classroom came from different backgrounds and different lifestyles. One thing that brought them all together was their age. At this stage of their life they all were going through puberty and worried about socializing and popularity and having fun. This common thread that tied them all together relates to what the theorist Dewey had said. Dewey talks about members or a group are tied together by common interests and it is very apparent that these students were all tied together by their current stage of life. The teacher had a firm understanding of this concept and respected the needs of the students. By designing activities where they could interact socially and work together they were able to have that social need satisfied. When approaching the students also, despite being from different backgrounds and cultures the most important thing to realize is they are intelligent young students. If you talk to them with respect like they are adults then you can gain their respect. They were not disadvantaged by their sociocultural backgrounds or prevented from learning because of diversity or cultural barriers. They were young students that want to be respected and talked to like adults and have fun. The teacher understood this very well and that is why I believe the student-teacher relationship was so strong. One of the most obvious things I noticed was that the students enjoyed this teacher and I believe it was due to the fact that this teacher respected the students as smart, capable young adults.
There is no doubt about it, the students in the classroom came from different backgrounds and different lifestyles. One thing that brought them all together was their age. At this stage of their life they all were going through puberty and worried about socializing and popularity and having fun. This common thread that tied them all together relates to what the theorist Dewey had said. Dewey talks about members or a group are tied together by common interests and it is very apparent that these students were all tied together by their current stage of life. The teacher had a firm understanding of this concept and respected the needs of the students. By designing activities where they could interact socially and work together they were able to have that social need satisfied. When approaching the students also, despite being from different backgrounds and cultures the most important thing to realize is they are intelligent young students. If you talk to them with respect like they are adults then you can gain their respect. They were not disadvantaged by their sociocultural backgrounds or prevented from learning because of diversity or cultural barriers. They were young students that want to be respected and talked to like adults and have fun. The teacher understood this very well and that is why I believe the student-teacher relationship was so strong. One of the most obvious things I noticed was that the students enjoyed this teacher and I believe it was due to the fact that this teacher respected the students as smart, capable young adults.
prompt 3
The culturally diverse teacher should be able to account for, demonstrate awareness of, and respond to the sociocultural differences of her students, families, and community.
The classroom that I had the privilege of volunteering in had students from many different backgrounds as many city schools often do. The 8th grade English class I worked with they all spoke English. The theorist Lisa Delpit talked a lot about the silenced dialogue and how cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings of the rules and thus undesirable behavior. The teacher of the classroom I was in made it very clear of what was expected. At the age of the students a huge part of their lives is socializing. It is very important for them to socialize with each other and it is something that they take seriously. The teacher respects their needs and allows them to do to so. By assigning many group projects they are able to work together and interact in a way that they socialize and still get work done. The students understand this privilege and they respect it. They know that they are expected to get work done and complete the tasks they are given. These children are very smart and there are no social barriers here that allow them to fail. They are able to work together, the teacher is engaged in the lessons, and are fully aware of what they must do. The real challenge is maintaining the attention of these students but that is not because of cultural differences, it is something that exists in all classrooms. The teacher does a great job of addressing this issue with group products that help them learn.
The classroom that I had the privilege of volunteering in had students from many different backgrounds as many city schools often do. The 8th grade English class I worked with they all spoke English. The theorist Lisa Delpit talked a lot about the silenced dialogue and how cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings of the rules and thus undesirable behavior. The teacher of the classroom I was in made it very clear of what was expected. At the age of the students a huge part of their lives is socializing. It is very important for them to socialize with each other and it is something that they take seriously. The teacher respects their needs and allows them to do to so. By assigning many group projects they are able to work together and interact in a way that they socialize and still get work done. The students understand this privilege and they respect it. They know that they are expected to get work done and complete the tasks they are given. These children are very smart and there are no social barriers here that allow them to fail. They are able to work together, the teacher is engaged in the lessons, and are fully aware of what they must do. The real challenge is maintaining the attention of these students but that is not because of cultural differences, it is something that exists in all classrooms. The teacher does a great job of addressing this issue with group products that help them learn.
prompt 2
The culturally diverse teacher should be able to account for, demonstrate awareness of, and respond to the sociocultural differences of her students, families, and community.
The classroom that I had the privilege of volunteering in had students from many different backgrounds as many city schools often do. The 8th grade English class I worked with they all spoke English. The theorist Lisa Delpit talked a lot about the silenced dialogue and how cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings of the rules and thus undesirable behavior. The teacher of the classroom I was in made it very clear of what was expected. At the age of the students a huge part of their lives is socializing. It is very important for them to socialize with each other and it is something that they take seriously. The teacher respects their needs and allows them to do to so. By assigning many group projects they are able to work together and interact in a way that they socialize and still get work done. The students understand this privilege and they respect it. They know that they are expected to get work done and complete the tasks they are given. These children are very smart and there are no social barriers here that allow them to fail. They are able to work together, the teacher is engaged in the lessons, and are fully aware of what they must do. The real challenge is maintaining the attention of these students but that is not because of cultural differences, it is something that exists in all classrooms. The teacher does a great job of addressing this issue with group products that help them learn.
The classroom that I had the privilege of volunteering in had students from many different backgrounds as many city schools often do. The 8th grade English class I worked with they all spoke English. The theorist Lisa Delpit talked a lot about the silenced dialogue and how cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings of the rules and thus undesirable behavior. The teacher of the classroom I was in made it very clear of what was expected. At the age of the students a huge part of their lives is socializing. It is very important for them to socialize with each other and it is something that they take seriously. The teacher respects their needs and allows them to do to so. By assigning many group projects they are able to work together and interact in a way that they socialize and still get work done. The students understand this privilege and they respect it. They know that they are expected to get work done and complete the tasks they are given. These children are very smart and there are no social barriers here that allow them to fail. They are able to work together, the teacher is engaged in the lessons, and are fully aware of what they must do. The real challenge is maintaining the attention of these students but that is not because of cultural differences, it is something that exists in all classrooms. The teacher does a great job of addressing this issue with group products that help them learn.
Monday, April 12, 2010
prompt 1
On the way to the middle school that I am volunteering at I notice the neighborhood is on the outskirts of the city so it is less busy. There are many low income housing complexes in the area and the buildings are not in the best shape. Traffic is not too bad through the area.
When I finally arrive at the school it is a pretty big building and I can tell it is old. It is right off of the main road and is easy to find. It is on a nice piece of land and there is a big field behind the school where I'm guessing gym class is held when the weather is nice. After 5 minutes of contemplating and some help from other people visiting the school I head to the back of the school where the door for visitors is located. The hallway that I enter reminds me of pretty much every prison movie I have ever seen, long tiled hallway with a high ceiling leads me to the main hallway and I follow the signs to the main office.
Once in the office I go unnoticed for a few moments then finally one of the secretaries notices me. I explain my purpose for being there and I sign in. I tell them which teacher I am supposed to be volunteering with and, lucky for me, one of the hallway monitors happened to be in the office at that time so they were able to show me where the classroom was. Good thing too because the classroom was on the 3rd floor across from the secret hidden staircase labeled teachers only that I would have never guessed to use.
The doors to the classroom are big in the way old buildings are. I knock on the door and enter just as the teacher acknowledges me as she is giving the class directions. The classroom is very spacious. The building, despite that first hallway, is really a nice, well constructed school. It is obvious this building has a long history. It is a shame because I learn at the end of my visit that this is one of the schools that will be closing next year. The attitude in the classroom is easy going but every bit effective. The students are able speak freely and work in groups most of the time. My first day I am briefly introduced to the class but spend the rest of the time observing the class. It is funny to me to witness the awkward blend of puberty, socializing and education. At this point in their lives, their teacher tells me, socializing is very important to them. I remember this fact from my days in junior high school. Although there are many distractions I am amazed at the discipline of the students. The teacher is extremely nice and easy going and it is nice to see that students do not take advantage of this. I am not saying I am in Pleasantville and there is total cooperation here, but for the most part the students work together and I can easily see the effectiveness of this class. I leave the school and feel relieved after how smoothly the first encounter went. The setting may have been a little intimidating at first but the Teacher and the students themselves were very friendly and welcoming.
When I finally arrive at the school it is a pretty big building and I can tell it is old. It is right off of the main road and is easy to find. It is on a nice piece of land and there is a big field behind the school where I'm guessing gym class is held when the weather is nice. After 5 minutes of contemplating and some help from other people visiting the school I head to the back of the school where the door for visitors is located. The hallway that I enter reminds me of pretty much every prison movie I have ever seen, long tiled hallway with a high ceiling leads me to the main hallway and I follow the signs to the main office.
Once in the office I go unnoticed for a few moments then finally one of the secretaries notices me. I explain my purpose for being there and I sign in. I tell them which teacher I am supposed to be volunteering with and, lucky for me, one of the hallway monitors happened to be in the office at that time so they were able to show me where the classroom was. Good thing too because the classroom was on the 3rd floor across from the secret hidden staircase labeled teachers only that I would have never guessed to use.
The doors to the classroom are big in the way old buildings are. I knock on the door and enter just as the teacher acknowledges me as she is giving the class directions. The classroom is very spacious. The building, despite that first hallway, is really a nice, well constructed school. It is obvious this building has a long history. It is a shame because I learn at the end of my visit that this is one of the schools that will be closing next year. The attitude in the classroom is easy going but every bit effective. The students are able speak freely and work in groups most of the time. My first day I am briefly introduced to the class but spend the rest of the time observing the class. It is funny to me to witness the awkward blend of puberty, socializing and education. At this point in their lives, their teacher tells me, socializing is very important to them. I remember this fact from my days in junior high school. Although there are many distractions I am amazed at the discipline of the students. The teacher is extremely nice and easy going and it is nice to see that students do not take advantage of this. I am not saying I am in Pleasantville and there is total cooperation here, but for the most part the students work together and I can easily see the effectiveness of this class. I leave the school and feel relieved after how smoothly the first encounter went. The setting may have been a little intimidating at first but the Teacher and the students themselves were very friendly and welcoming.
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