Journal Entry #10

Kidwatching is simply closely watching or paying attention to children's learning processes in the different settings. We are taught in so many of our classes that knowing our student's is very important to teaching, if we know our students than many other things will come much easier. An example of this that happen in my clinical today was that my teacher said that she will monitor the student progress because she knows when they will be finished because she knows the student better than I do. By kidwatching this will help you plan your curriculum and how your day will be ran. Kidwatching is informed by the cultural difference theory because it allows the teacher to see how students learn in the various ways. Background knowledge and also learning abilities play a role in how a student learns, but the students' culture can also play a large influence in how the child may learn.

Culturally Responsive Teaching Reflection

When doing the Where I Am From photo story and poem it allowed me to look at my life, what I want people to know about me, and what I find important. I think this activity also made me appreciate the life that I have and just how truly blessed I am. (When I got to comment on other people’s stories even those who I thought I knew fairly well I learned even more.) I think if I had a group of older students this activity would also be very good to do not just for myself but also for the other students to get to know each other on another level.

This activity hit upon many of the different culturally responsive teaching characteristics such as designing instruction appropriate to students’ stages of development, learning styles, strengths, and needs. “The more people write, the easier it gets and the more they are motivated to do it. Writers who write a lot learn more about the process because they have had more experience inside it.” (NCTE Beliefs about the Teaching of Writing) Writing a poem which children will find enjoyable is a good way to help with their writing skills and make them not hate to do it. Making a photo story did not put anyone on a developmental level because it allowed everyone to be creative and do whatever they felt was good for them. By asking the parents to assist their child with an assignment like this it allows them to bond over the child’s interests and maybe the child will learn more about their family and surroundings. “Parents are the child’s first teacher and are critically important partners in the education process, teachers should engage in dialogue with parents as early as possible about parents’ hopes and aspirations for their child, their sense of what the child needs, and suggestions about ways teachers can help. Teachers explain their own limitations and invite parents to participate in their child’s education in specific ways.” (Principles for Culturally Responsive Teaching) This learning style I think is very good for some since it gets away from the paper, pencil, and lecture classroom and allows for creativity, honestly who doesn’t like talking about themselves? I know that I do, I like to somewhat show off and tell about myself that most people do not see when you’re stuck inside a classroom all day long. Many times children feel a cultural deficit in school because it is negative about their home life being different than others but doing this activity allows them to have a cultural capital about their life. A majority of the time a cultural deficit is developed from peoples judgements on others, these are before getting to know someone. Telling about yourself in a poem and/or photo story it gives you a sense of power and something to be proud of. “In attempting to explain the widespread underachieve-ment among students of color and students from lower socioeconomic strata in schools, many teachers, administrators, school agents and others locate the problem within the students, their families and communities.” (Cultural Deficit Model) I know that I live my life everyday but not always do I take a step back and appreciate what I have. When talking about your family it shows the different funds of knowledge that you bring with you each day to school, everyone has different home lives, one is no better than the other just different. All of these things are examples that go along with culturally responsive teaching strategies.

Journal Entry #9

It is important to encourage children to use the language they are comfortable with when learning a new language. Children can code switch in order to incorporate thier cultural language into learning English. When students use their primary language to learn, they incorporate that understanding into learning English. They are able to make connections and make learning meaningful. Also, allowing the use of a child's original language also fosters a sense of appreciation and self-esteem in the child and his or her diversity. All of these reasons support language growth and development. Even though children with Appalachian dialects are speaking English, it is a unique and different form of English. Many students may struggle with learning and using "proper" forms of English. Letting Appalachian students switch between the dialect they know and the English dialect allows for students to make connections and learn more effectively. They are able to feel comfortable and learn in a setting that fosters both forms of English.

The student centered approach for reading aloud is basically where the student’s needs, abilities, interest, and learning styles are facilitated by the teacher. The students tend to be more passive and will gather the information the way the teacher wants them to. The student centered approach is based upon the student. In this approach, the student is very active. They will come up with their own form for gathering information based upon their abilities, interests, and learning styles. This allows them to see different perspectives.

Resource for appalachian literature

Journal Entry #8

It is not in good for teacher to group students who are all English Language Learners together. ELL students need to interact and be with those who speak English to be able to use the language appropriately. In this article, Mrs. Garity assumed Rosa and Bianca had common interests, and grouped them together in hopes of using Bianca’s cultural knowledge and experiences to make Rosa feel comfortable. In turn, might have made them feel excluded or embarrassed. Another thing that needed to be taken into consideration was that Rosa and Bianca come from different backgrounds, academic levels, and experiences. Just because they are from the same area, doesn’t mean they are able to relate to one another. This is the same way that all people from West Virginia do not have the same interests, everyone is different.


A virtual backpack is the student’s knowledge and experiences they bring with them into the classroom. Funds of knowledge relates to the students gain from their family, background, and experiences.

http://www.eslkidstuff.com/Classroomgamesframe.htm

I found a good website of games and activities for teaching English as a Second Language.

Where I Am From

Journal Entry #6

Since I have been at Fairmont we have done many different things that are culturally responsive but the one that stands out the most would be last semester during Science After School. Everything that my partner and I did used cooperative learning groups. The students were unfamiliar with each other, this helped everyone to be more comfortable with each other and also learn the concept.

Related Source:

http://www.slideshare.net/JuicyUniverse.com/culturally-responsive-teaching

I found this slide show that was put together by educators at Broward College. Since I was in middle school I have been in a culturally diverse school so I believe that I am use to people being different and as a teacher I will only handle culturally responsive teaching better. One thing I dislike about being in fairmont and being at the same school for all clinical work is that were around the same culture and not being exposed to different cultures and groups of people. I think this slideshow would help other people who are not as open to culturally responsive teaching.

Brown University. (2006). Principles for culturally responsive teaching. Retrieved fromhttp://www.alliance.brown.edu/tdl/tl-strategies/crt-principles.shtml

Journal Entry #5

Three Things Learned:
1. Early writing experiences will include students explaining orally what is in a text, whether it is printed or drawn.
2. As they grow, writers still need opportunities to talk about what they are writing about, to rehearse the language of their upcoming texts and run ideas by trusted colleagues before taking the rick of committing words to paper.
3. Writing happens in the midst of a web of relationships.

Two Things I Found Interesting:
1. In workplace and academic settings, writers write because someone in authority tells them to. Therefore, power relationships are built into the writing situation.
2. As basic tools for communicating expand to include modes beyond print alone, "writing" comes to mean more than scratching words with pen and paper.

One Question:
1. How many types of relationships are around writing?

PhotoStory

Journal Entry #4

Quote: Moll explained, "We believe that a meaning-centered model ... allows bilingual students to take full advantage of their first language abilities, and to surpass the limits set by their more limited knowledge of their second language."

Reaction: I liked this quote because I hope to be a hearing impaired and deaf education teacher one day and I think of how hard it would be for a deaf student to be taught only by the spoken language. They would not be able to learn which is why we have to use sign language to help them understand. There are many students in this country who do not speak english as a first language, I don't agree with not using the knowledge that students come to school with. It is important to use anything and everything possible to make our students learn in the best way.

Related Source: "The challenges inherent in preparing students to interact successfully in the twenty-first century make it imperative that foreign language be placed at the center of the curriculum in every school in the nation."

I like this quote because of all the different languages out there I think it is a good thing to know a foreign language. It would only make a teacher that more valuable to work with the students whom english is not their first language.

Foreign language education for all students. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.ncssfl.org/papers/index.php?allstudents

Where I Am From

I am from two minutes outside of Charleston, from home made dill pickles and green beans.

I am from the flat roofed house on a hill with a weight room building in the backyard.

I am from the large trees, the flowers hanging from hooks on the porch.

I am from softball games and Miami Dolphins fan from my mom, dad and brother.

I am from the loving, accepting, and supportive family.

From working hard and being helpful.

I am from a Christian family.

I'm from the city where it is always busy, birthday dinners with steak , cheesy potatoes, and cheese cake for desert.

From the overprotective grandpa who worries too much, the grandma who would do anything to help, and the mom who is my best friend.

I am from softball fields and a mom, brother, grandparents who are everything to me. Relaxing long walks with my pitbull puppy nina.