Both seminars seemed to go well this week. No questions...... either I'm really good, or you didn't really care. :) I haven't had a chance to read the reactions to the video yet, but there may be some things to address after I do. If so, I'll do a new post on just that.
Friday you were right on. You seem to comprehend the aspects of the middle school culture. Be aware that a true middle school has them all - not just one or two.
The only question I received this week was pretty heavy. "How are you supposed to react with kids who are in those conditions where they don't have anyone?" This could take a lot of different twists..... so before I respond..... I want to know what you all have to say. So..... let's hear from you.
Also - I was very pleased to see that Kyle asked for info from all of you in his post from last week..... don't let him hanging.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Diann
12 comments:
I'm not quite understanding what you mean by, "How are you supposed to react with kids who are in those conditions where they don't have anyone?"
If you mean kids who don't have friends or family members who care, then I would say maybe you could set up an after school program. You could set this up so the student can meet other students outside of school, so they can actually talk to them without not doing their homework. It also gives them a place that's semi-outside of school that makes them feel comfortable.
You could also maybe bring parents/guardians in for meetings, to try and make them care. I don't know if that's really possible to make someone care, but it's always worth a shot. During the after school program, maybe it could be run until after parents get off work where they can interact with the student and learning.
To answer Kyle's questions:
I also noticed that when I transitioned from middle school to junior high. I went to a 4-6 middle school, and the junior high was in the same building as the high school; so it was 7-12. For the most part my junior high teachers didn't really tell us when assignments were due as much as middle school. If there was a project or something due, they'd remind us about that, but that's about it. I don't know how much it is actually normal, but that's how it was in my junior high.
Michelle Smith
(10:30 class)
Hey all,
"How are you supposed to react with kids who are in those conditions where they don't have anyone?"
I feel that the best thing you could do is let them know that school will always be a place you are welcome, create an atmosphere where school feels like home. If a child doesn't have the family support I would try to get them involved in a sport/club, or some organization where they can have some support from peers and teachers. It is important to let them know school is a great place because if they don't have support from home or school they will find it somewhere else: drugs, violence.
Alex Marquis (9:30)
Hey! I agree with you guys. If a child had nobody to turn to, the school is the next best thing. Middle schools are there to support the adolescents physically, emotionally and mentally. If that means creating after school programs to get them involved, it should be done. As a pre-service teacher, I would try and support every student possible as best as I could.
As far as parents go, I think it would be hard to make them get involved. If a parent wants to get involved, they will, if not, they won't. I think this will be one of the biggest challenges in my teaching career. However, with good training and experience, I believe I will do a good job in trying my best to make every student happy and feel like school is a fun place to come and learn!
Maranda
10:30 class
I guess to answer the "How are you supposed to react with kids who are in those conditions where they don't have anyone?" question I would completely agree with all of the other suggestions. We are teachers and we need to and should be there for the kids. I think before and after school programs are very important. Also, maybe help your kids discover something that they are very good at such as a sport or maybe writing for the school newspaper. I think that activities like that show the student that they do matter and that people care what they have to say. By helping them find something they like and are good at you as a teacher, your colleagues as well as your other students can be a support group for one another. Show that you as well as others care by showing your support for the activities they are involved in as well as their school work.
I also think they keeping the parents informed constantly about what is going on in the classroom as well as around the school is very important. Maybe some parents don't know how to show support and by having conferences and sending out e-mails or monthly newsletters to them will help them stay active and involved in their students' life.
Emily Kairis
(10:30 Fridays)
To answer the question..."How are you supposed to react with kids who are in those conditions where they don't have anyone?"
I think the most important thing is for you (the teacher) to step in an be the one person who truly believes in that student. It only takes one person to start believing in the child then the child can start believing in themselves. Maybe the child's parents gave up on them and they just need a little push in the right direction. If you can inspire the child to believe in themselves then they can get excited and get others to believe in them.
LeAnna Pickerel
9:30
Letting the children know that the school, or at least you, care about them and are willing to be there for them is very important. Letting the students know during what periods you are available, where you can be found, how long you stay after school, even giving them a phone number to call can help.
Many times, if you watch the children at the end of the day, the ones who purposely miss the bus or take extra time before they walk home are silently telling you something. I had observed a thrid grade class where there were a few children who would miss the bus 3 times every week, just to stay longer. Later, I found out that their home life was nothing close to even call home. The highlight of their day, was coming to school.
As a teacher, we have to ensure that we are letting all of our students know what they are doing well, and try to improve on that. I feel that teachers who are also coaches, have a greater chance in having the students open up to them.
Regina B. (Friday 1030)
One of the most important concepts I learned so far in educating children is that sometimes school is a safe haven for some kids. We can never be exactly sure what a child's living situation is. I think it is imperative that teachers step up and take the role of a caring, approachable professional.
It disappoints me that junior high teachers aren't normally as "child-centered" as those at the middle school level. I want to teach junior high and be as approachable as any middle school teacher would be. I know as a student this is one thing I missed when going into junior high...especially because I considered these teachers a lot scarier than my middle school teachers.
Erika Buchholz
9:30 class
I'm the one who asked the question about "How are you suppose to react with kids who are in those conditions on the video.?" I remember from EDTL 201 we talked about it...but these situations seemed different then the ones we talked about in class. I remember from the video one of the teachers said some of the kids just want to hug you sometimes because they usually don't have someone that will at home.
I was wanted to know how would you react to kids like that. I know your not suppose to give them alot of attention but some kids need it because they are in bad conditions at home. I just don't know what to do in this situation.
This is a tough question for me:
"How are you supposed to react with kids who are in those conditions where they don't have anyone?"
I always had people there for me and pushing me to do my best and being my support system as did most of the students in my school. I went to a small private school where of course parents cared, if they did not they would not be paying so much for their children's education. Students really do need a support system. If you know that a student or many students have no one there for them. You need to step in and show them that you care. Be there "cheerleader". If a student thinks that no one cares about them, then they will start to not care about themselves as well. We need to show students that they are all special and all need a good support system to be the best they can be.
Kathryn Osborne
I know that when I was in middle school, and was having a rough time, all I really wanted was someone to talk to and listen to me spill. Now, I came from a great home life, but I imagine that children who are really struggling want the same sort of things. When things are really bad for a child, I'd say the best thing a teacher can do is really give them the attention they need and deserve, but not all during class. Let them know they are always welcome in your classroom- before and after school, at lunchtime, etc, and just be there for them. I think for some kids, just knowing someone is there that cares about them makes a world of difference.
Sorry, that preveious comment is mine.... I'm Erin Morley.
Erin
9:30
"How are you supposed to react with kids who are in those conditions where they don't have anyone?"
This can be a tricky issue. Identifying the need is the first issue. One answer might be to just be supportive of all your students. If specific students seek you out, then you need to react to their specific needs. That doesn't mean you need to fill their needs; you just need to identify them and get the appropriate people (guidance, administration, nurse) involved.
Maybe you could help these students find positives in their lives and act on them. Help them get engaged in activities that will allow them to develop positive relationships.
Be welcoming and take the time to give them an extra bit of attention - even if it's just a smile and a nod.
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