In this section of EDEL 1010 we have been learning about the history of education, mostly pertaining to the Civil Rights and Brown vs. Board of Education. I truly enjoy reading and learning about the history of our country, the long road we have taken, but am often alarmed at those who came before us. The horrific attitudes that were en graven in the schools and in the students during the time of segregation is appalling to me. I can't imagine treating another human being in such an appalling manner.
As I work with children in my chosen school, I honestly don't see any type of favoritism nor lack of interest in one student or another from the teacher. Although there are some who are more rowdy, more wiggly, or more chatty, there is equal tolerance by the teacher - such a wonderful example.
In the 4th grade, they are learning about the history of the state of Utah. The children have been assigned to make an "alphabet book" which contains information about the state of Utah, each letter of the alphabet representing a famous person, place, or thing. The child I have been helping during this assigned time has a difficult time with reading and writing. Instead of being frustrated with this student, the teacher (knowing help will be in there) asked me to assist him as he comes up with words for each of the blank letters on his paper. As I chat back and forth with him on his knowledge of "Utah", he quite often surprises me, and himself with how much he actually knows, just by discussing it out loud with someone.
By working on this project, I have come to realize more and more that not all children learn the same way, but that they each have their individual talents and unique way of learning and should not be shunned nor thrown aside just because they can't sit down, open a book, and see the answer jump off the page. While there are some children in this class that speed ahead and have completed this particular assignment in a flash, there are those who need more (careful) time spent on this assignment, not only because they might be slower in their reading and writing skills, but possibly because they just learn differently. I have learned that this is okay. To have patience with these children. As long as they are doing the best they can, that is all that matters.
More importantly. I have learned, from my observations, that a teacher should never give students any reason to judge another student on their lack of skill in one area or another. The classroom setting I get to participate in is very equal. The children are there for one another. They share when are given permission, and help their peers (friends or not) when given the chance. It's an amazing thing to see and be a part of.
As I work with children in my chosen school, I honestly don't see any type of favoritism nor lack of interest in one student or another from the teacher. Although there are some who are more rowdy, more wiggly, or more chatty, there is equal tolerance by the teacher - such a wonderful example.
In the 4th grade, they are learning about the history of the state of Utah. The children have been assigned to make an "alphabet book" which contains information about the state of Utah, each letter of the alphabet representing a famous person, place, or thing. The child I have been helping during this assigned time has a difficult time with reading and writing. Instead of being frustrated with this student, the teacher (knowing help will be in there) asked me to assist him as he comes up with words for each of the blank letters on his paper. As I chat back and forth with him on his knowledge of "Utah", he quite often surprises me, and himself with how much he actually knows, just by discussing it out loud with someone.
By working on this project, I have come to realize more and more that not all children learn the same way, but that they each have their individual talents and unique way of learning and should not be shunned nor thrown aside just because they can't sit down, open a book, and see the answer jump off the page. While there are some children in this class that speed ahead and have completed this particular assignment in a flash, there are those who need more (careful) time spent on this assignment, not only because they might be slower in their reading and writing skills, but possibly because they just learn differently. I have learned that this is okay. To have patience with these children. As long as they are doing the best they can, that is all that matters.
More importantly. I have learned, from my observations, that a teacher should never give students any reason to judge another student on their lack of skill in one area or another. The classroom setting I get to participate in is very equal. The children are there for one another. They share when are given permission, and help their peers (friends or not) when given the chance. It's an amazing thing to see and be a part of.
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