Communication in the Classroom

We all know how frustrated we get when there is a lack of communication in any situation.

Lucky for us Tomlinson has said, "There is a broad array of specific strategies for ensuring that teachers and students communicate effectively and efficiently, that communication improves learning, and that everyone in the class shares an evolving understanding of why the classroom operates as it does."

Among the roles of communications patterns in the classroom can play are:

• building a group identity
• ensuring that the teacher has ways of getting to know students better
• enabling the teacher to share his or her thinking about teaching
• providing a shorthand for quick communication among members of the classroom community

Other ways to improve communication in the classroom include:

• hole goal-setting conferences
• use dialogue journals
• incorporate teacher talk groups in lesson plans

Without effective and positive communication in the classroom you are setting yourself up for failure. When a student is able to understand what is expected from them, what concepts the teacher is wanting them to learn, and how to let the teacher know when the student's needs aren't being met you are using positive communication and allowing yourself to become successful.

 I know I will implement these strategies in my future classroom. It really is so frustrating to have miscommunications with individuals. I want to avoid this and make sure that my students and I are on the same page so that optimal learning can happen. 

Hola,
Laurel (like Carl)

Positive Environment

Happy, happy, happy! 

Wouldn't it be nice to be happy all of the time? As much as I like being happy it sounds a bit exhausting personally. Even if we aren't always bouncing off of the walls with excitement, like a littler ball of energy, it is important that we keep our classroom environment very positive.

Carol Ann Tomlinson related several factors that help in maintaining and creating this positive environment. They inlcude:

• study students' cultures
• convey status
• make room for all kinds of learners
• help students know about one another
• celebrate success

 How important this is in having an effective classroom. Besides creating a positive environment we learn about our students which enables us in helping them become successful through various avenues. We can offer them the support that some of them so desperately need.

Support systems are key in a successful classroom. Tomlinson states, "The job of the teacher is two-fold. First, the teacher must continually ensure that work undertaken by an individual student is a bit beyond that student's reach. Second, the teacher must ensure the presence of support systems that guide the student to success. Once the student can succeed at a new level of proficiency, the process begins again.

I recently blogged about the importance of support systems. Visit that post here.

When we get down to the basics we all need support. As strong willed as we all like to think we are, without support, we will eventually fail. Lets not let this happen.

See ya later,
Laurel (like Carl)

Who is Your Superhero?

Morning Meeting today was awesome! We got to play superheros and have a little extra fun. As much fun as it is to be goofballs the best part came at the end of the meeting.

We had a discussion about what is means to be a real hero, and characteristics that are involved with that. It was bone chilling to hear some of the classmates experiences. 

I heard this quote once that says, "The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but who win battles we know nothing about." 

I love this, and I think it shows us just a little bit of what it means to be a hero. In my opinion a hero is someone who:

• sticks with any given task despite obstacles and tragedys
• is kind
• is always trying to become continually better 
• has the best interest of those they associate with
• refrain from becoming boastful
• will do hard things even if they are judged or frowned upon for doing so

 In all reality there are a lot of things that make someone a hero. As future teachers we have so much potential to become a hero in so many children's lives. We need to remember this so we can live up to being someone worth having as a hero. 

I have a lot of heroes in my life. One that has helped inspire me in so many aspects of my life is my high school English teacher, Ben Cox. This man truly is incredible. He has such a genuine concern for his students, he puts so much thought into all of his lessons, and when it comes down to it he will bend over backwards to make sure you are successful. Did I mention he does all of this while helping a beautiful wife raise 2 sets of twins, battles Cystic Fibrosis, plays in a band, and is an active member of his community? Talk about making the most of life. He does this without ever complaining when he has every right to do just that. I could go on for days about what makes him a hero, but all you need to know is that he is; he is and so much more.

I can't wait to inspire my students in the same way. One day I will be a hero too and I cannot wait!

To infinity and beyond,
Laurel (like Carl)
 

 

Maslow Supports Needs

I was recently visiting my friend, Colleen's blog over here, and she was talking about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and how important it is to understand our students needs and how to teach the total individual (I couldn't agree more).

First I love Maslow's Hierarchy and second I felt Colleen's post related so well to my posts about student needs and the need for support. 

We've all seen Maslow's pyramid, right? If not let me refresh your mind.





Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a theory in psychology often portrayed in the shape of a pyramid with the largest, most fundamental levels of needs at the bottom and the need for self-acutalization at the top. Basically we can't reach self-actualization without  meeting the other more "basic" needs first. 

This just reinforces how important it is to truly connect with out students, understand what it is they need from us, so that we can then help them succeed and reach that self-actualization that everybody yearns for. 

I've said it before and I'll say it a million times again....KNOW YOUR STUDENTS, AND YOU'LL KNOW SUCCESS. 

For more on Maslow, click here.

Back to the grind I go,
Laurel (like Carl)

Support, Support, Support

So this next post is going to be a little different than the rest. While what I'm about to say has everything to do with becoming a successful teacher, it doesn't exactly come from specific chapters in the book or readings. It does come straight from my heart though....and head.

Support is such a huge aspect in the education system. We need to support our students, we need support as teachers, we need support from the home, and from the community. That is how success is found...through support.

When we support our students as teachers, parents, and community members we are able to reach them in ways not typically known. We connect with them and find out how they learn best. We are all so different and we all deserve that support. 

Throughout my life I have had surmountable support from all of the above. One more so than the rest. This would be my family. As cliche as it may sound they mean the world to me. Not only in my education, but in my life they have always been by my side, pushing me through to the bitter end. Without them I would never be at this blessed time of my life. I know not all of our students will have this same support and it breaks my heart. I want to create this support for them the best I can, but help will always be needed. 

This post is dedicated to them, my family, my future students with little support, those who have done all they can to help in bringing up the future of our nation. Cheers to you America.

Later days,
Laurel (like Carl)