March already?

Wow! February has flown by! with February being a short month and extra snow days, I can't believe we are already in March. As we approach Spring, I think about the progress that I have made with my students so far and where I hope to take them in our last few months together.

I have to celebrate the growing interests I see my students  in math as we talk about geometry and measurement. Also their interests in Social Studies as they begin to make personal connections with historical figures. It's rewarding to see my students' interest increase. One thing in particular that I have changed is creating a smoother transition from my whole group to small group/independent instruction. From reading my coach's feedback, I realized I was releasing students too soon to work independently that they would often become lost or confused during the assignment. Since I've increased the "gradual release" model , I have prepared my students for greater success in the classroom. In Social Studies, I have taken lessons a little deeper by allowing students to make personal connections with historical figures and allowing them time for discussion. It was wonderful to hear my students talk about what they had learned about the civil rights efforts of previous leaders and connecting them to their personal civil rights.

 Our work with our action research project has increased opportunity for my students to create social change. When my students realized that we were going to do a fundraiser to raise supplies for our classroom they were very excited! My students instantly wanted to take on leadership roles to lead the effort of fundraising and they eagerly begin discussing the ways having supplies in our classroom could improve their classroom atmosphere. After being worried about the direction my action research project was going, my students and myself have become very interested in the possibilities of changing our class.

Lastly, I have to celebrate a young girl in my class named Asia. I haven't talked about her much in my blogs but she is someone that I come home thinking about almost everyday lately. Asia is a fun- loving, sweet and smart girl who is very thoughtful. One day she bought me an Oats and Honey breakfast bar from a fundraiser because she noticed that I eat one almost every morning. She is also the child that stops by my classroom every morning to see if she can help to sharpen pencils for me or prep work for the day. Overall, Asia is a great student with a caring spirit. Like many of us, Asia also struggles with her own personal issues. She was heavily bullied at one of her previous schools and has issues of anger and trust. Asia has had outburst against students, stormed out of the classroom and has even threatened another student. She expressed to me at her previous school that she was bullied by a sibling pair and in one of her previous classrooms, she lost control of herself and knocked over chairs and desks in her class. Needless to say if we were still doing the DRC, Asia would be the student I'd highlight. Last week, she and I had a private conversation before class started and I told her to let me know when she feels those rages of anger and to tell me if someone bothers her before she takes matters into her own hands. A few days after our conversation my class was out on the playground. One of my boys mistakenly threw a ball that hit Asia. Asia stormed towards me infuriated assuming that he had singled her out and attacked her on purpose. After she told me what happened,  I did something that I think threw her a little off guard....I thanked her. I told Asia that although she was angry she made the choice to come to me and talk to me about rather than impulsively react. I told her she made the right choice. Afterwards I told her to take a few deep breaths and explain to me what happened. Long story short...the boy was able to explain to Asia that he was aiming the ball at another boy to catch it and he mistakenly hit her, he apologized and Asia accepted. This was a HUGE step for Asia. She has been carrying around the emotions from being bullied with her all year. She has often found it difficult to trust her other classmates and control her anger. For her to make the conscious decision not to give in to her emotions when she was feeling angry was something to celebrate.

 Looking back I wished I had began to understand what Asia was struggling with earlier in the year. I realized it was because a lack of developing close relationships with my students and understanding who they are is people before rushing to teach them. One quote that has resonated with me in our course reading is from William Ayers "The first and fundamental challenge for teachers is to embrace students as three-dimensional creatures, as distinct human beings with hearts and minds and skills and reams and capacities of their own, as people much like ourselves" (Kridel, 2009). For the rest of the year I want to focus on understanding my students more not just as students, but what lives they have outside of the classroom, their past and their dreams for the future.  As I think ahead, I know next year when I return for a third year of teaching, I want to make sure I take more time to understand who my students are as young people, what they heart, what scares them and what they hope for. I believe if I establish those type of relationships earlier it will be amazing year.

Pathways...

I remember last year when I realized that I would be transitioning from Pre-K to an elementary classroom one of my biggest worries was being faced with the Common Core Standards. Prior to changing grade levels, I often heard colleagues at my school express their un-satisfaction with the standards. Many of them felt that the standards were too unrealistic and rigorous for students to achieve.  Others felt they were too tedious to achieve all by the end of the year. Needless to say when I realized I would be leaving the world of the pre-k standards that allowed kids the freedom to learn through play learning and learn social and emotional skills, I was not thrilled. My vision was that I would begin teaching students in a way that emphasized the mastery of standards rather than learning for the sake of learning.

Now that I have had almost a year of experience with the common core, my main challenge that I have faced this year has been teaching the standards as I learn them.  I’ve felt that I have not had the opportunity to spend time reading all of the social studies and math  standards, understand what they mean, figure out how teach them and what it would look like in my classroom for students to master these standards.  It wasn’t until reading the first five chapters of Pathways to the Common Core, that I felt that I had begun to understand the common core standards.

  I enjoyed the authors’ initial discussion in the book about viewpoint.  Before discussing the standards, the authors recognize that it important to address our attitude about the standards first.  “If we are going to play a role in shaping the future, then we need to take the Queen Mother’s advice to heart. We need to see hope and opportunity” (p. 8). Paralleling our attitude towards the common core with the story of Queen Mother and Cory Booker helped shaped my attitude about the standards before continuing to read the book. Before finishing chapter one , I had more of an optimistic attitude that I could find the positive in the common core standards and use it as an opportunity to push my students to be successful.

Throughout the first five chapters, the authors unpack the reading standards of the common core which really helped me to understand exactly what my students are expected to know, demonstrate,  and the reasons why these standards exist. The book also provides examples of how to teach these standards.  A few excerpts from the book confirmed what we have already discussed in our courses and have learned from each other. For example, the authors place emphasis on book clubs, text sets, and incorporating books based on student interest. “You might watch videos of students engaged in high-level partnership or book club conversations…” (p. 29). “Certainly, when teachers select texts to read aloud to the whole class, it is usual to think of those selections as creating a text set that readers can later thing across…” (p. 64). “Readers should have the opportunities to choose from a wide range of high interest texts” (p. 70). Some areas that I realize that I need to implement more of in my classroom is the increase of cross-curricular, analytical nonfiction reading. The authors suggest that in order to analyze nonfiction text we must move away from reading for information and move towards comparing authors perspectives and point of views. I love the example that is given about how fifth graders would understand the American Revolution. “Fifth graders in a CCSS-aligned classroom will read speeches made by Patriots, look at propaganda on the part of Loyalists and Patriots, weigh the reasons people took sides in the war, and imagine themselves in the shoes of people who hold different views on this topic” (p. 20). As a social studies teacher this really helps me to learn how I can tie in reading standards to social studies by teaching them analyze and compare text. I also appreciated the tips that were provided on how to put more high interest and right nonfiction books into kids hands (pgs. 91-92). One area of the book that I’m still questioning is the commentary on leveling books. “If someone has told you that the Common Core requires that you level books by this or that system, the truth is that the standards recognize the limitations of all existing leveling systems…” (p. 35). I’m wondering what are the limitations of leveling? Most of what I’ve heard about leveling is that it is a positive way to help students continue to practice reading on their level and progress them to the next level. I’m interesting in learning more about the research about the limitations of leveling books.

Overall, I’m really excited about Pathways. This is a book that I can foresee will be a helpful reference for me to use throughout my teaching career. It not only helps to explain the standards but teaches me how to teach them in a meaningful and personal way for my students. I’m looking forward to reading more!

Pedagogy of the Oppressed Intro to Chapter 2

After reading Pedagogy of the Oppressed for the second time I have a better understanding of Paulo Freire's work and what it means for me and my students.

When I consider Freire beyond my TFA commitment, I think about how my practice will change moving forward. I know I want to stay in the classroom for a few more years and I want to apply some things that I have learned throughout our courses, especially our work with Freire. Looking forward I want to do a better job of incorporating my students’ culture and experiences. I want to move away from the banking style of education and give my students the opportunity to contribute their knowledge on a daily basis. I want my students shared experiences to be a norm in the classroom. Freire states that with the banking notion of consciousness “the educator’s role is to regulate the way the world ‘enters into’ students” (76). I’m less interested in implementing the way I see the world to my students but more interested in knowing how my students view the world, what they value, and their opinions.   

Taking our Critical Pedagogy course has brought light to how the educational system is structured. Our educational system is often compared to the social structures of our society in which our students are often oppressed and have very little opportunity for choice or freedom of expression. I realize that within my classroom I am able to break down these barriers.  As I think about the action research project my students are crafting, the ultimate goal is to give my students the opportunity to be empowered to create change. I also want them to have a sense of security in their classroom where they have the freedom to express themselves. In the classroom my students are thinking of ways they can create projects in their class to improve their class environment. I realize the empowering my students to create change in their class can help empower them to create change outside of the classroom as well. Freire states that “in order for the oppressed to be able to wage the struggle for their liberation, they must perceive the reality of oppression not as a closed world from which there is no exit, but as limiting situation which they can transform” (49). I want my students to realize that they can transform their world and become change agents not only for their classroom but beyond their class as well. 

Time is definitely going by faster this second semester and spring is fast approaching! After some restful breaks (both expected and unexpected) I had some time to regroup, relax and spend some much needed down time. I have to say the first day back, the kids were definitely on a snow day high from their time off and were very off the wall their first day returning. However, today was much better. 

So far in my classroom I feel on a daily basis I have a MILLION things to get done! Not only do we have so many things to cover between now and the end of the semester but I'm still trying to squeeze in much of my action research project. Although the project is moving at a snails pace, my students have made some progress to working towards a better classroom environment. They have created their promises for their class constitution board (positive promises they've made to themselves and each other on how they will act and speak to each other in class), and we have also created a citizenship board in the class that praises those moments of positive behavior. I realize that I have to move things along though and we must get in our small groups this week and begin the first stage of our planning. After reading the U.N. Rights of Child, I realize how powerful literature can be to drive the action research process. After reading the Poverty, Power, and Action Study I became really motivated to incorporate literature to motivating my students. 

As far as behavior goes, we definitely still have our up and down days. However, I've been really proud of myself for staying consistent with consequences and rewards and remaining steadfast. I realize that even with push back, my students need consistency in their lives at school. I'm also continuing to learn my students more and more each day. I'm starting to love spending time with them and enjoying our conversations together which has developed our relationships and trust. 

I'm continuing to push forward and can't wait until SPRING arrives :) 

Book Blog Critical Framework-Ashley

    While reading Critical Framework,  one of the studies that stood out for me was the Poverty, Power and Action Study highlighted in Chapter 2.  The study focuses on the right to health and well-being of children. While reading this study I enjoyed how both teachers focused on providing students access to information that was important for them to know. The book states that “Article 17 of the United Nation Rights of the Child states that ‘children have the right to get information that is important to their health and well being’ “ (Allen & Alexander, 2013, p.22). In addition to bringing students’ attention to what was important to them, the teachers also incorporated literacy to show how poverty is perceived through books. In return the students became very excited about their participation in the project and the teacher allowed them the freedom to choose which entity they wanted to take on.  Later on their idea of creating the Plants for Peace Project was born from their interaction of literacy text.

    When I think about the connection between my students’ project and the study from the critical inquiry framework, I think about the possible strong impact literacy can play a role in their projects. In the case study of Neher and Smith, literacy played a role in getting students excited about their projects and coming up with the garden themed project. I believe the same can happen with my students. I think gathering books about classroom culture, friendship, respect, etc… can expose students to various ways these characteristics are expressed throughout text and to get them excited about implementing the same within their classroom. I believe incorporating the same approach will guide students in the direction that they want to go for their projects and create the framework for the small groups to impalement the project.

    Lastly, I reflect on the U.N. rights of a child and I think the right that aligns most with our class project is Article 12 which states: “Respect for views. Children have the right to say what they think should happen and have their opinions taken into account” (p.19). Respect is something that we have discussed a lot about in our class and it is something that will probably be one of the key focuses of our project. Introducing students not only to the terminology of respect, but also exposing them to their right to have it, is a very powerful tool that I believe will help drive our class project. 

After a tough month in October, I can say that I think things are slowly starting to change for the better in my class. So far this month I have been able to implement more writer's workshop techniques in my class. Before we let out for the Thanksgiving holiday, I had some students write some some really good pieces about what they were thankful for this holiday season. A few even tied in some Social Studies content about being thankful for freedom, civil rights, etc.. (yay!). It was really a proud moment. I realize that I need to celebrate these moments more in my classroom. I believe it will help students to feel encourage and motivated about their learning.

Starting in December I will be moving from teaching ELA and Social Studies to teaching Social Studies and Math. I feel encouraged to teach math considering we just finished our math course with Dr. Smith. This will be a great opportunity to start teaching math through CGI.

The toughest part about this school year has definitely been the social dynamics within my classroom . I've been able to increase the time I spend with students and build teacher to peer connections. Moving forward I do want to focus more on building peer to peer connections. I've decided to take the last 10 mins out of the day to start a new ritual of team building with my students. I think incorporating a small activity at the end of each day in which students are able to work together will start to build the positive connections within my classroom that has been missing. In addition just taking opportunities for us to spend time together talking during lunch, bus duty, etc... will help students to form those bonds with me and each other.

I'm really trying to stay positive for this second semester. The first semester was very rough but I'm determined to have a positive second half of the school year. Cheers to December!!

In the midst of fall!

These past couple of months have been a real challenge for me. I'm definetly dealing with a lot of behavior issues within my class and still trying to adjust working in a new and challeging environment. However, I have experienced some highs this month. The first is slowly being able to build connections with my kids. I have been having small group and one on one quick convos with some of students to get to know them a little better. I find that when I really have the opportunity to get to know my students their behavior improves and when they do act out in class I can deal with their negative behavior a little easier. Secondly, I had a really good conversation with one of my students' parents. It was a good opportunity to hear her talk about the things she wants for her son and allowing her to express her frustrations. After the meeting I really felt more committed to supporting him in everyway possible.

I want to continue with the trend of building connections in my class but I also want my classroom learning environment to improve. I feel as though behavior problems have gotten in the way of students learning in class. On the upside, I'm really anxious to implement our TICC/Action Research Plan b/c I believe it's really going to be helpful and address the needs of our classroom culture. I feel as though if our class can get to a point where students learn to respect each other and control their behavior, we can have some dynamic experiences in the classroom.

On a personal note, I'm also trying to focus on making sure I take care of myself so I can be the best for my students. Not only do I deserve to be happy, restful, and confident, but my students deserve a teacher who is giving her best. I know I'm not at my best when I'm highly stressed and overwhelemd (which is what I've been feeling a lot of lately). So one of my focusses moving forward through the year is to take care of myself and make sure I have a work/ personal life balance to be the best I can be for me and my students :)