After reading chapter four, many thoughts entered my mind. I have really enjoyed reading this book because it has presented topics and examples that are very relevant to my future classroom. I feel that Christenbury is a great writer that can truly catch the attention of the reader through her use of personal examples. The stories she tells are interesting and realistic.
What I found most interesting in chapter four was her personal experiences with so many different students. I thought that the way students responded to her, both positively and negatively, was important to recognize. In my high school, students were too afraid of teachers to retaliate to their lessons or orders, but it seems that that is not the case in every high school. The arguments, fights, and confrontations that she experienced make me truly scared to become a teacher!! Although she handled each of these situations in a very specific way, how do we know that we can treat similar situations in the same way when we experience them?? What if we act with our initial reaction instead of thinking things out and dealing with it the correct way? This is something that is not exactly taught in classes, but should be known and understood by future teachers.
Another thing I liked about this chapter is the list of alienated students on page 101. I think this is a very comprehensive list of the students that we will be dealing with in our classrooms. But without this list, could we have thought of all these various situations? She mentions physical, mental, and social problems, as well as issues with family, friends, drugs, and alcohol. All of these issues can be found in high school classrooms, but sometimes, if not told about them, will they be on the teacher’s mind on the first day of classes? I don’t know about the rest of you, but I have a problem remembering that students may have a problem with these various issues, but can hide them very well. I know it is up to me to keep a close eye on students, but sometimes that is difficult to do.
Finally, I really enjoyed the section on “Big Bucks.” I thought that this was a great idea of getting students involved and would love to try it in my classroom. The only problem I would have with it is remembering all of the rules throughout every classroom and keeping a close eye on all the students who have been polite and pleasant without missing anyone. This would really involve a close eye on the students at all times…which may take away from the curriculum. But the broad idea is wonderful!!!
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4 comments:
I like the "Big Bucks" idea too - but I think I'd try to save it as a last resort while trying to inspire intrinsic motivation. That doesn't work for all students, though, so it's nice to have tools to try.
You know Stacy, I never thought about the fact of trying to keep the rules straight. I think that there will be sometimes when the rules will have to be different for different classes. Then again, this system I think should only be used when necessary, like how Nancy used it. I think making sure to be fair and catch everything will definitely be the hardest part.
Yeah. I can relate to you, regarding how to handle the situations. My instincts to come down on someone will have to be pushed aside sometimes, and Ill have to be more passive it feels like.
For me, I think that it will be hard for me to deal with some students because of a disability. I will want to treat them like the rest of the students, and I think that they deserve that chance; but how realistic is it think that they will be able to perform, achieve and understand at the same level of others?
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