Final blog #8

    The Most Important thing that I have learned during fieldwork is to give each child a chance to succeed. There may be things going on at home or with their peers. They could have bullies or don't have any idea if they are going to eat that day. Each child needs the proper care and attention as the next. Don't pick favorites and never treat a child unfair. There are some kids that have disadvantages such as ADD or may be autistic.
     You just never know what's going on in their minds. I've learned to make sure each child understands what you are teaching especially with reading and math. Some children have a hard time with those subjects and if they don't understand then they wont be able to advance to the next grade. I have learned to be a better teacher by watching some of the others I would change a few things and be more understanding.

What are the school rules/classroom rules and how are they enforced?

      At Central Elementary there are several rules and regulations for the children to follow. Such as if you are disrupting the class you will be sent to the principles office and if you continue you will then be forced to call your parents and explain to them what had happened. I have seen it happened to where the child kept making noise and talking to the kids next to him while the teacher was trying to teach math. The child was first told to write his name on the board and given several warnings before being sent to the principles office, but he kept going on and getting into trouble.
      The teacher then sent him to the principles office. What I noticed though is that the teacher didn't at all make sure he went to the principles office, he just continued teaching. After several minutes of wondering the halls he came back and peeked his head in the class and asked "where am I supposed to go again"? The teacher then made sure the child made it there by calling the principles office. It is important for the teachers to have the rules because the classroom would be constantly interrupted. The majority of the students in his classroom where well engaged and were having fun learning but there is always that one kid that doesn't want to follow the rules. It disrupts the classroom which denies the other children of learning the most they can.

Strategies teachers use to actively engage the students

     While in a 3rd grade class and the sixth grade class I have noticed a few ways the teacher has actively engaged the students. In the sixth grade class to help them learn their math, he has them rap out one of their songs. He will play background music with a beat and the kids stand up and cross their arms like they are rappers. It so cute. the girls have a different part then the boys and they all love it so much. He also has them go up in front of the class once a week and teach one of their math problems to the other students. So that he knows they understand it.
    During P.E. time he had the kids get into groups and they played different games. Each team pics a leader and the leader directs the rest of the team.  In the third grade class she had them do different art projects on the subject that they were learning and paint a picture about. She also had them playing games in groups to help their math skills, such as monopoly or Life. I have come up with a few ideas while observing these teachers and its such a simple thing to have the children actively engaged. It makes learning more fun. I want to involve music in my classroom and have the children have set groups that they are involved in. So they make friends and they understand the meaning of a team. And I want to have activities and art in the children's lives incorporated with their math and English I feel it will be an overall better experience for the children and the teacher.