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Respond to Quote for Roar
Theodore Sizer-
“The measure of the worth of a society is how it treats its
weakest and most vulnerable citizens.”
As
a teacher this means we have to find ways to involve students; especially those
who struggle. If I am a teacher,
who is going to model good values for society, I need to show students that I
value them all, even the students who the classroom doesn’t. It means connecting with students early
on. Letting them feel comfortable
in the classroom, while raising them to a higher standard. Giving them work that they can handle,
and work that causes them to ask questions- but they have to feel safe to
answer questions. New students, if
weak and vulnerable, DO NOT NEED THIS LABEL. They should be made to feel strong and recognized for the
strengths that are already inherent within them. I think talking with the class and getting to know them,
taking notes about them and observing who they are, joking around and having a
little fun, but also gaining respect by asking them to do work. I think students need to feel loved. They also expect discipline. So learn discipline.
You have identified a key idea -- to let kids know that they all have their own strengths. The idea of coming to class with some cultural and social capital is increasingly necessary in our multicultural classrooms. "What can I do well" is an idea that students have to ponder. If we look at theorists like Howard Gardner, we realize that everyone has areas of knowledge, even genius, but we have to recognize these multiple intelligences.
ReplyDeleteAnd letting students know that there are boundaries in life is inherently interesting. I look forward to the classroom environment that you create in future. Love and discipline. What more could a student ask for?