The best part of this chapter was where the authors said teachers should do plenty of activities that are not usually thought of as typical activities for whatever subject they are teaching.
Unusual activities always make the subject more interesting. Even if it is something as simple as having class outside, breaking away from the normal routine wakes students up and makes them pay more attention. Even something goofy can be powerful. When I was in tenth grade, my Geography teacher had a few of us get up in front of the class and do a "wind dance" to show how the winds move in different parts of the world. It was silly, but I will never forget the lesson.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Chapter 9: Advice for Teachers from High School Students
The part of this chapter that jumps out is the very last section, where Veronica talks about the Math teacher she had who was in a wheelchair. The class took advantage of him for a long time, but he eventually won them over. Because he never gave up on him, the came to like and respect him.
This section strikes me because it shows how a teacher can gain the respect of his students even when it appears that all hope is lost. The teacher in this passage was open about his disability, and he never gave up on his students. He never decided they would never behave, he just kept trying. This hits home for me because of my visual impairment. There is a lot I can learn from the way this teacher handled his class. He was honest about what happened to him. He welcomed questions, made his students realize he was human. He also made the work fun and interesting for them. He wasn't the type of teacher to just stand there and lecture, he actually got his students involved.
This section strikes me because it shows how a teacher can gain the respect of his students even when it appears that all hope is lost. The teacher in this passage was open about his disability, and he never gave up on his students. He never decided they would never behave, he just kept trying. This hits home for me because of my visual impairment. There is a lot I can learn from the way this teacher handled his class. He was honest about what happened to him. He welcomed questions, made his students realize he was human. He also made the work fun and interesting for them. He wasn't the type of teacher to just stand there and lecture, he actually got his students involved.
Chapter 8: Advice for Teachers from High School Students
The part of this chapter that stood out the most was where the students were telling their teachers not to judge them based on how well they speak English, but to judge them based on what they know.
It is so easy to think a person who does not speak English well is uneducated or stupid, even if that person is just beginning to learn English. Remembering that students whose first language is not English know a lot in other areas is so important. The worst thing teachers can do for those students is make them feel like they do not belong or that their opinion does not matter.
It is so easy to think a person who does not speak English well is uneducated or stupid, even if that person is just beginning to learn English. Remembering that students whose first language is not English know a lot in other areas is so important. The worst thing teachers can do for those students is make them feel like they do not belong or that their opinion does not matter.
Chapter 7: Advice for Teachers from High School Students
The part of this chapter that jumps out is where the students say to avoid using the textbooks, or to relate the information to something in the real world.
Although textbooks contain more information in one place than any other source, they are excrusiatingly boring, even in college. The exact same information can be presented in articles, videos, or novels and be so much more interesting. Students will learn so much more if the information is presented in an engaging way.
Although textbooks contain more information in one place than any other source, they are excrusiatingly boring, even in college. The exact same information can be presented in articles, videos, or novels and be so much more interesting. Students will learn so much more if the information is presented in an engaging way.
Chapter 6: Advice for Teachers from High School Students
The part of this chapter that stands out the most is where Vance says that finishing school is like a rite of passage into adulthood (103).
The interesting part of this statement is that getting through school is a sign of maturity. Finishing school is a sign that the student is an adult, and what teen doesn't want to be considered an adult? This passage shows that kids have all different reasons for wanting to get through school, and they are not always the typical reasons.
The interesting part of this statement is that getting through school is a sign of maturity. Finishing school is a sign that the student is an adult, and what teen doesn't want to be considered an adult? This passage shows that kids have all different reasons for wanting to get through school, and they are not always the typical reasons.
Chapter 5: Advice for Teachers from High School Students
The most significant part of this chapter is where the students talk about how teachers react to their questions. Many of them mention that teachers often bursh their questions and comments aside as if they are an inconvience rather than a valuable part of the class.
The sad part about this is how the students don't feel they can contribute anything wothwhile. Questions are always worth answering, even if time is limited. Answering their questions will make students feel like an important part of the class.
The sad part about this is how the students don't feel they can contribute anything wothwhile. Questions are always worth answering, even if time is limited. Answering their questions will make students feel like an important part of the class.
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