Comments for Jen's Reflections http://jen5729.edublogs.org Just another Edublogs.org weblog Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:42:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Teaching To Change The World by thinton http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/04/06/teaching-to-change-the-world/#comment-25 thinton Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:21:36 +0000 http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/04/06/teaching-to-change-the-world/#comment-25 Ah, Serenbe! The beginning of our journey and, just as you say, what a journey it has been. It is so easy to get caught up in the microcosm of one's own environment. This program and its courses have provided the opportunity for us to step out into the teaching world to explore ideas that we might not otherwise have considered. The joys and the woes of education make for an interesting ride. When that ride comes to an end, I hope we can all say that we made a difference in changing the world. Ah, Serenbe! The beginning of our journey and, just as you say, what a journey it has been. It is so easy to get caught up in the microcosm of one’s own environment. This program and its courses have provided the opportunity for us to step out into the teaching world to explore ideas that we might not otherwise have considered. The joys and the woes of education make for an interesting ride. When that ride comes to an end, I hope we can all say that we made a difference in changing the world.

]]> Comment on Assessment by park http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/04/06/assessment/#comment-24 park Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:47:27 +0000 http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/04/06/assessment/#comment-24 Well said, Jen. I had the same thoughts. How can we based our students' futures in the hands of how well they test, often on one assessment? Wouldn't it be wonderful if NCLB's idea of assessment was the authentic assessments of projects, portfolios, role play, etc.? My county recently switched math program to be more hands-on. This is a complaint to our parents, and many teachers, because it assesses on how well you can apply a concept. The parents are so used to seeing the number and letter grades that they don't know how to make of it. They don't care if their child has to come up with 3 ways to show an answer. They just want the answer. Look at our EDS program. We had to take the GRE and score a certain number to get in. It seems everything is based on numbers in our society. ARGH! Well said, Jen. I had the same thoughts. How can we based our students’ futures in the hands of how well they test, often on one assessment? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if NCLB’s idea of assessment was the authentic assessments of projects, portfolios, role play, etc.? My county recently switched math program to be more hands-on. This is a complaint to our parents, and many teachers, because it assesses on how well you can apply a concept. The parents are so used to seeing the number and letter grades that they don’t know how to make of it. They don’t care if their child has to come up with 3 ways to show an answer. They just want the answer. Look at our EDS program. We had to take the GRE and score a certain number to get in. It seems everything is based on numbers in our society. ARGH!

]]> Comment on The Community by koubs1 http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/03/30/the-community/#comment-23 koubs1 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:11:01 +0000 http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/03/30/the-community/#comment-23 I love your thoughts about looking at involvement differently. It seems to me that parents who are a constant presence at the school have a better repoire with teachers and administrators and are more likely to get things done their way when they make "requests." Many parents work and are not able to be at the school to lend a hand for every event and they should have access to the same education as the kids whose parents are not always hovering. I also think of that in terms of IEPs- parents who know how to fight and have resources get what they want and usually all kids could benefit from the same. Is school really free and appropriate for all if we play favorites? I love your thoughts about looking at involvement differently. It seems to me that parents who are a constant presence at the school have a better repoire with teachers and administrators and are more likely to get things done their way when they make “requests.” Many parents work and are not able to be at the school to lend a hand for every event and they should have access to the same education as the kids whose parents are not always hovering. I also think of that in terms of IEPs- parents who know how to fight and have resources get what they want and usually all kids could benefit from the same. Is school really free and appropriate for all if we play favorites?

]]> Comment on The School Culture by christycasey http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/03/30/the-school-culture/#comment-22 christycasey Tue, 01 Apr 2008 02:06:26 +0000 http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/03/30/the-school-culture/#comment-22 I currently teach in a school that totals over 1800 students. It is huge to say the least...last year before our relief school was built, our school had over 2400 students enrolled. We were at that time the largest elementary school in the state of Georgia. Prior to working at the school in which I currently teach, I worked in one of the smallest schools in Gwinnett County. I think we maybe had 800 total students enrolled. I loved working in a small school, but I also love working in the school in which I currently teach. Our school does encompass many of the factors you spoke of above...we do have more than 15 students in our classes. Looping is common in our school as well. I guess it all depends on the school culture and the administration that leads the school culture. I currently teach in a school that totals over 1800 students. It is huge to say the least…last year before our relief school was built, our school had over 2400 students enrolled. We were at that time the largest elementary school in the state of Georgia. Prior to working at the school in which I currently teach, I worked in one of the smallest schools in Gwinnett County. I think we maybe had 800 total students enrolled. I loved working in a small school, but I also love working in the school in which I currently teach. Our school does encompass many of the factors you spoke of above…we do have more than 15 students in our classes. Looping is common in our school as well. I guess it all depends on the school culture and the administration that leads the school culture.

]]> Comment on The Community by christycasey http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/03/30/the-community/#comment-21 christycasey Tue, 01 Apr 2008 01:55:58 +0000 http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/03/30/the-community/#comment-21 I agree...as teachers we need to find wyas in which we can connect with our parents and create trusting relationships with them. This is so important to a child's academic success within your classroom. Once the child sees that the parent is not trusting of you as the teacher, the child begins to respond negatively as well. Trust is key! I agree…as teachers we need to find wyas in which we can connect with our parents and create trusting relationships with them. This is so important to a child’s academic success within your classroom. Once the child sees that the parent is not trusting of you as the teacher, the child begins to respond negatively as well. Trust is key!

]]> Comment on The Community by Lorna Costantini http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/03/30/the-community/#comment-20 Lorna Costantini Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:07:14 +0000 http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/03/30/the-community/#comment-20 Thought you might like to use this video as an example of how simple things can make such a difference. Your comments are right on. http://www.ourschool.ca/i-dont-have-time-i-work-all-day.html Please wander over to ourschool.ca and let others know what you think Thought you might like to use this video as an example of how simple things can make such a difference. Your comments are right on. http://www.ourschool.ca/i-dont-have-time-i-work-all-day.html
Please wander over to ourschool.ca and let others know what you think

]]> Comment on The School Culture by ctyson1 http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/03/30/the-school-culture/#comment-19 ctyson1 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:25:25 +0000 http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/03/30/the-school-culture/#comment-19 Jen, I have taught in a very small school, and I loved it! Our school is at the opposite end of the spectrum, but it is much more diverse. I'm a better teacher at our school because I've been challenged more. I sometimes wonder if I would be content to go back to that community school! Your comments on this blog paint a good picture of our school. The big "positive" is that we are collaborating more. Time will tell if our vertical teaming and new emphasis on literacy will be sustained for more than a year! Jen, I have taught in a very small school, and I loved it! Our school is at the opposite end of the spectrum, but it is much more diverse. I’m a better teacher at our school because I’ve been challenged more. I sometimes wonder if I would be content to go back to that community school!

Your comments on this blog paint a good picture of our school. The big “positive” is that we are collaborating more. Time will tell if our vertical teaming and new emphasis on literacy will be sustained for more than a year!

]]> Comment on More Equitable Educator by crothstein http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/02/28/more-equitable-educator/#comment-18 crothstein Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:35:49 +0000 http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/02/28/more-equitable-educator/#comment-18 HI Jen, I have been so impressed with what you have been sharing in class lately. You have inspired us all with your words. I also agree with you about our names. It is funny - I am Caren - it is so important to me that people spell it with a C. Even hostesses at restaurants-strangers whom I will never see again. I guess, much of our identity is wrapped up in names. I got the pronounciation part, too and felt guilty about Anglocizing some children's names. And yes we are not colorblind are we? We are color//full- Color matters, because Identity matters. HI Jen,
I have been so impressed with what you have been sharing in class lately. You have inspired us all with your words. I also agree with you about our names. It is funny - I am Caren - it is so important to me that people spell it with a C. Even hostesses at restaurants-strangers whom I will never see again. I guess, much of our identity is wrapped up in names. I got the pronounciation part, too and felt guilty about Anglocizing some children’s names. And yes we are not colorblind are we? We are color//full- Color matters, because Identity matters.

]]> Comment on More Equitable Educator by jonschoening http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/02/28/more-equitable-educator/#comment-17 jonschoening Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:34:01 +0000 http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/02/28/more-equitable-educator/#comment-17 It is amazing to witness through a small child's eyes the importance they place on their name. They instinctively get validation for their identity through the name they are given. Many Asian immigrants change their name when they get to the states- ever wonder why so many Asian boys are named Jeff. Our identity begins with our name. And through this blog you are upholding the fifth of the twenty steps to being a more equitable teacher. It is amazing to witness through a small child’s eyes the importance they place on their name. They instinctively get validation for their identity through the name they are given. Many Asian immigrants change their name when they get to the states- ever wonder why so many Asian boys are named Jeff. Our identity begins with our name. And through this blog you are upholding the fifth of the twenty steps to being a more equitable teacher.

]]> Comment on More Equitable Educator by koubs1 http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/02/28/more-equitable-educator/#comment-16 koubs1 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:41:14 +0000 http://jen5729.edublogs.org/2008/02/28/more-equitable-educator/#comment-16 Jen, I agree with you about that being a great sheet and I want to share it as well. I have it on my bulletin board by my desk as a reminder to me. I do not want to neglect doing these things or stop being a better educator when this EdS program is over and I think this is a good reference. I was also reflecting on students names and how important it is to make sure you say them the right way. When I worked in Texas, the majority of my kids were Hispanic and it was hard for me to pronounce their names since I have never taken Spanish. I am sad to say that I am not really sure I ever asked them how to pronounce their names. That is a mistake that I would never make again! I also have a child here that I have worked with who is now in 5th grade. Their last name is French and has an accent. I always included it but the parents did once make a comment about the majority of teachers ommitting that important marker. Kids and parents do notice this as a sign of respect. katy Jen,
I agree with you about that being a great sheet and I want to share it as well. I have it on my bulletin board by my desk as a reminder to me. I do not want to neglect doing these things or stop being a better educator when this EdS program is over and I think this is a good reference. I was also reflecting on students names and how important it is to make sure you say them the right way. When I worked in Texas, the majority of my kids were Hispanic and it was hard for me to pronounce their names since I have never taken Spanish. I am sad to say that I am not really sure I ever asked them how to pronounce their names. That is a mistake that I would never make again! I also have a child here that I have worked with who is now in 5th grade. Their last name is French and has an accent. I always included it but the parents did once make a comment about the majority of teachers ommitting that important marker. Kids and parents do notice this as a sign of respect.

katy

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