Saturday, January 16, 2010

Diversity in the Classroom

Before I began reading the chapter, I was excited by the chapter title because I have a very diverse classroom. When I began reading it I was happy to see that it stated that even before there were different types of classrooms, all "normal" classrooms were diverse. This is completely true because I remember back to the days when I was in elementary school and we didn't have different classroom for different types of learns. We were all in one room, even though we were all learning at different speeds, some of us slower than others...that being me. I was never great at math but I always tried. I remember that because I had such a hard time with math the only thing the school did was make me come in early one day for extra help. Sadly, I can't say that it helped. I think if it was for more than just that one day maybe I would have improved in areas where I needed too.

Going back to the chapter, I really like how they pointed out the important part that being that there are different types of learners. For me, I really like teaching hands on activities...this is also what I did for my intervention for my paper. I think hands on learning is important because you can make the lesson a lot of fun but educational at the same time. In my opinion, those who get the experience to do hands on learning will remember it more. However, even though this is my favorite way to teacher, I as a learner am very much a visual person. I have to always be taking notes and getting a visual of what is really going on. I remember even during a job interview one time I asked the woman, who later became my boss, to visually show me how a third shift worker's time clock worked and I remember her having to draw a clock for me with arrows and the whole deal so I could get the picture.

Also with these types of learners in the book, I like how they gave you procedures you could use for these types of learners.

Overall, I think one of the main things to remember from this chapter is that students have learning disabilities. However, just because they have learning disabilities doesn't mean that they are "unteachable" or "unable to learn". Everyone has their own way of learning and everyone has difficulty with something. With this, teachers need to make different types of lessons and not just teach one type of style. You as a teacher have to appeal to everyone and make sure that even though the student might not be able to tell you that they do better visually or kinesthetically, need to make your lessons applicable to each student. Also, if you think a student has a disability in an area, it's your job to address it.

The point of the chapter was diversity and that each student learns differently and there are different type of learning disabilities. This is something teachers must remember. I know everyday I go to work I tell myself, these kids are here for a reason and it's my job to help them succeed.

2 comments:

  1. I think that every child is able to learn, you are so right! It is vital to remember that everyone learns differently, and once you know this you can adapt. Adapting lessons to fit the students needs will help in the learning procress. Maureen Barber says "If the child does not learn the why you teach than change the way you teach." This is essential to everything we do and why we do it.

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  2. I agree. I was always the A+ student. When in highschool I missed 2weeks for mono boy was I lost in Calculus when I got back. I had to go to my teacher before school to get extra help. I think everyone needs a little help sometime. I also agree that everyone learns differently. Lectures in class help me focus on what the teacher believes is important. However, I have to go home and read to fully comprehend what I was just taught. I too like this book and plan to keep it. It has great online resources and great practical tools to help teach.

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