A-1) Based on Principal Allan's presentation on Wednesday, what are your current thoughts about morning meetings and their potential to build a caring, trusting community in a classroom? What are you thinking in terms of trying morning meeting, yourself, when you are a teacher?
Ok, first of all, WOW. I can see why you think she is so amazing, because she is! I felt SO rejuvinated after I left that class period listening to her speak. If I could hear her speak at least once a week for the rest of my life, I would be thrilled. Just listening to her made me even more excited to teach. It made me want to do every thing she does! I can tell that children just love her and admire her. I want to be her! I love the fact that we still have teachers like her in the world. I kept thinking how LUCKY those kids were to get HER as a teacher! I know they will never forget her and I'm sure owe part of their love for education because she planted the seed in their souls. I wish she could mentor me each day my first year of teaching... and the rest of my career. Then maybe I can be half as good as she is. :) But seriously, that's my goal in the end: to leave footprints on the hearts of each of my kids. I hope they know how special each of them really are. I believe with all my heart that morning meetings work MAGIC. I will definitely do morning meetings EVERY SINGLE DAY in my classroom because I can see how it builds TRUST and love between the teacher and peers. I loved how she said her classrooms formed UNITY and they loved each other. WOW. WOW. WOW. I seriously can't say enough about how I felt and what I was thinking as she was speaking to us the other day. I laughed and I cried and it gave me so much hope. Morning meetings are such a wonderful thing and I wish every single teacher would do them because if they're not, they're really missing out. Come see me in 3 years... my classroom will be rockin!
B-1) In chapter 3, Tomlinson discusses five specific ways in which a teacher can respond to students' needs for affirmation, contribution, power, purpose, and challenge. What are those five ways (list them briefly, from pages 27-35)? Explain what really speaks to you about Tomlinson's discussion of these specific responses.
The Response of Invitation: The teacher needs to reassure the student often that he/she is accepted and loved in the classroom by saying : I believe in you, I have time for you, We need you here, etc. The child will feel valued and important.
Ok, first of all, WOW. I can see why you think she is so amazing, because she is! I felt SO rejuvinated after I left that class period listening to her speak. If I could hear her speak at least once a week for the rest of my life, I would be thrilled. Just listening to her made me even more excited to teach. It made me want to do every thing she does! I can tell that children just love her and admire her. I want to be her! I love the fact that we still have teachers like her in the world. I kept thinking how LUCKY those kids were to get HER as a teacher! I know they will never forget her and I'm sure owe part of their love for education because she planted the seed in their souls. I wish she could mentor me each day my first year of teaching... and the rest of my career. Then maybe I can be half as good as she is. :) But seriously, that's my goal in the end: to leave footprints on the hearts of each of my kids. I hope they know how special each of them really are. I believe with all my heart that morning meetings work MAGIC. I will definitely do morning meetings EVERY SINGLE DAY in my classroom because I can see how it builds TRUST and love between the teacher and peers. I loved how she said her classrooms formed UNITY and they loved each other. WOW. WOW. WOW. I seriously can't say enough about how I felt and what I was thinking as she was speaking to us the other day. I laughed and I cried and it gave me so much hope. Morning meetings are such a wonderful thing and I wish every single teacher would do them because if they're not, they're really missing out. Come see me in 3 years... my classroom will be rockin!
B-1) In chapter 3, Tomlinson discusses five specific ways in which a teacher can respond to students' needs for affirmation, contribution, power, purpose, and challenge. What are those five ways (list them briefly, from pages 27-35)? Explain what really speaks to you about Tomlinson's discussion of these specific responses.
The Response of Invitation: The teacher needs to reassure the student often that he/she is accepted and loved in the classroom by saying : I believe in you, I have time for you, We need you here, etc. The child will feel valued and important.
Response of Opportunity: This requires hard work, but it's hard work with a purpose. I love this quote: we don't just keep them busy. We're giving them an opportunity. Giving students an opportunity gives them a voice in what and how they learn.
Response of Investment: Invested teachers share their thoughts about the classroom with students. Invested teachers make links with students lives outside the classroom as well. and Invested teachers are personally engaged in what they ask the students to do.
Response of Persistence: The teacher who genuinely believes in the possibilities of each individual is not easily discouraged. The teacher doesn't question the educability of any student. In the eyes of a persistent teacher is that when a student fails, the teacher fails.
Response of Reflection: This teacher says " I watch and listen to you carefully, I make sure to use what I learn to help you learn better, I try to see things through your eyes, How can I make this better?"
I absolutely loved reading about all these things... because all these things is something that makes up a really great teacher like Sylvia. A lot of people think that you have to be on your "high horse" as a teacher and you must be stern and not be friends with your students.... I say WHY NOT?! Don't the BEST students come from warm, friendly, caring, loving, nice, inviting teachers? Why ruin a child's love for school and their relationship with the teacher by being a grumpy old log? I don't get that. Teacher's should love their job and love each of their students. Each of these 5 things can help me get closer to becoming the "world's greatest teacher" and more importantly , my students will feel important and valued because I will be each of these 5 things and more!
I loved it when you said that listening to Sylvia "gave [you] so much hope." THAT gives ME so much hope... that you guys can really make a different in the world... a difference in Education! I'm counting on you to do that! 4 points
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