Module 2
This weeks reading was great because it covered a lot of topics! After reading these four chapters I now know that it is so important to get to know our students. Especially the different types of IQ tests that are out within our world. These tests all differ in one way or another, but they have one major thing in common. On page 130 it says that tests are mainly given under the assumption that the person knows the English language. This is what is troubling because not every student speak English that well. This struck as surprising because being a person who speaks English in America this has never affected me. But it could very well cause an ELL student to be placed in courses that are not suitable for them. Also in chapter four I liked how it covered all of the special needs in IDEA and how to help teach to them.
In chapter five they discussed mainly vocabulary and how it grows with a person. I was not aware that we knew so many words by the time we were just six years old! The section that really grabbed my attention was on page 187 and how to teach ELL students best. I liked this because in my previous class we had to write a paper on how to best teach ELL students in our content. The research I found was very vague or said that there has not been much done to help ELL students with their learning. That honestly upset me because our students who are ELL learners aren't getting the best education they can receive. So when the section talked about teaching students in both their native language and English, I thought that was interesting. Especially because I want to teach in CPS and the schools are filled with students from all walks of life. So I know now at least one way to help the students learn better with my content and the English language.
Chapter six was about culture and diversity within a classroom. It covered how this can affect learning and how one teaches to students. It also covered different stereotypes and prejudices that could happen within the classroom. The table on pg, 231 was very interesting to look at the contrasting scores that each ethnic group received. I wonder, what causes the scored to be so different from each group? Even thought the scores have risen for the minority groups, there is still a huge gap between the groups recorded. I believe this happens because it is about the funding that schools get. This is because some students who grow up on the west side of the city do not have a nice fully tech equipped school as those in Evanston would. School districts need a better way to help fund the schools so the students can succeed ans not have poor funding be the cause of a poor education. That is why I want to teach in CPS in a lower income area, to help the schools become better. To ultimately help their students and community in the long run.
Chapter eight was cool because it helped me understand what it was like to help students retain information. There is one thing to just lecture, but to have them actually remember most of it seemed difficult. After reading this chapter I have a better understand of how to tap into a student's declarative knowledge. Thus helping them recall on in-class exams and on state exams.
In chapter five they discussed mainly vocabulary and how it grows with a person. I was not aware that we knew so many words by the time we were just six years old! The section that really grabbed my attention was on page 187 and how to teach ELL students best. I liked this because in my previous class we had to write a paper on how to best teach ELL students in our content. The research I found was very vague or said that there has not been much done to help ELL students with their learning. That honestly upset me because our students who are ELL learners aren't getting the best education they can receive. So when the section talked about teaching students in both their native language and English, I thought that was interesting. Especially because I want to teach in CPS and the schools are filled with students from all walks of life. So I know now at least one way to help the students learn better with my content and the English language.
Chapter six was about culture and diversity within a classroom. It covered how this can affect learning and how one teaches to students. It also covered different stereotypes and prejudices that could happen within the classroom. The table on pg, 231 was very interesting to look at the contrasting scores that each ethnic group received. I wonder, what causes the scored to be so different from each group? Even thought the scores have risen for the minority groups, there is still a huge gap between the groups recorded. I believe this happens because it is about the funding that schools get. This is because some students who grow up on the west side of the city do not have a nice fully tech equipped school as those in Evanston would. School districts need a better way to help fund the schools so the students can succeed ans not have poor funding be the cause of a poor education. That is why I want to teach in CPS in a lower income area, to help the schools become better. To ultimately help their students and community in the long run.
Chapter eight was cool because it helped me understand what it was like to help students retain information. There is one thing to just lecture, but to have them actually remember most of it seemed difficult. After reading this chapter I have a better understand of how to tap into a student's declarative knowledge. Thus helping them recall on in-class exams and on state exams.
I agree with you that there was a lot of interesting information that was read and taken in. The ELL learner reading was also interesting to read. I find it also a shame that there are so many schools that do not help ELL students when I have been in schools that do so much for these students. At the same time I wonder if the research took into consideration the home life of the ELL students. I mean does the family members in the house encourage the learning of English. I think that can be an influence on students. Yes I also agree that funding contributes to learning in schools. I however feels it is the home life that is a larger contributing factor unfortunately. For example CPS spends about 9500 dollars on each student a year. Yes there are schools that spend more however in downstate Carterville the district only spends 5700 on each student. The students in Carterville perform better academically then the students in CPS. The difference is the diversity is different between the districts plus Carterville's low income student percentage is only 35 compared to CPS's 82. So as much as people want to blame the schools and funding there are more troubling factors. Granted CPS has had a past of mismanagement of finances I do not feel they are all to blame.
ReplyDeleteI love that you want to teach in an area that needs a little extra love! I like your positive outlook and that you want to be there to make their communities a better place! I think too often people don't realize the difference that funding and opportunities that make a difference in schools. For example, my district is 1:1 and we are fortunate with a ton of new construction, add-ons, opportunities for assemblies, authors, guest speakers and well equipped classrooms because our city boundary includes a large industrial area. However, the district across the town has none of these because they rely mostly on residential property taxes. I observed at this latter school this year and it truly made a difference in student engagement and the resources that students had. This is compared to a nicer neighborhood and a poverished one that often is populated mostly by minority groups.
ReplyDeleteI also like that you bring up how ELLs aren't receiving the best education and supports that they could. We are super fortunate in our district that a lot of resources are put into our ELLs and we even have two-way immersion classes! I know most people think that this caters to immigrants or those who "are in America and should speak English", but I think those negative people fail to realize that they children are the future of our nation. And so many other countries speak many different languages. It makes me sad that we don't support them enough.