Ch. 8 Journal Entry: Reorganization of Elementary Schools

I think elementary schools need to make a change in the end of level testing to better serve/help their students. I don't think that students should have to take a long standardized test only. I think that they still should take some type of standardized test at the end of the year but also do a project that shows their skills and knowledge. I know as a student I freak out with standardized tests, but you give me a project or something authentic to test me on the things I have learned, I can do that great!
Elementary schools need to also focus on teaching kids to have a love for learning. If children can be excited about learning then they will do better on tests and they will comprehend what they are learning and be engaged in learning. Teachers need to be passionate about the subjects they are teaching. This will help students have the love for learning that they need.
I also think that teachers need to be more aware of the diverse cultures and needs each student has in their class. Teachers can't just assume that every one of their students are the same religion, grew up the same way, or have the same experiences. We need to recognize these differences, except them, and help each of our students be successful and feel safe and comfortable in our classroom environment.

Journal Entry Ch. 7 Disabilities

I work in an autistic unit so all my students have a learning disability. One particular student is autistic, ADD, and he can not speak. This is a great challenge to communicate with him as a teacher. It gets frustrating for him because he can not express himself. How would it feel to never be able to tell someone your feelings? Being with him daily throughout this school year has been a great learning experience for me. We have to find new ways to teach, and accommodate him. Recently, he received a machine from a grant. This machine has a keyboard and different things he can push to help him interact and communicate with us. This machine will even speak the things he pushes so we can understand what he is trying to tell us.

1/10/09 Ch. 6 Priveleges

Growing up I never thought twice about the privileges I had over different ethnic groups. This year I am currently taking a multicultural class that has opened my eyes on this subject. I have learned some of the privileges that I have had throughout my life is because I am a white living in America. Some of the privileges I have thought of that I take for granted are: Knowing that my race is the majority in school, not the minority. Going to a grocery store and the majority of the store is "American food". Knowing that I got, or did not get a job because of my capabilities not my race. Knowing the person that is over me in my job is most likely my same race. Having English be the official language of my country.

These privileges I have had throughout my life have been given to me. I did not have to work for them or earn them in any way. The only reason I have these privileges is because I live in America and I am white. Learning this about myself has been difficult. Even if I do not want these privileges because of my race I cannot just take them away. I can do something about it, I can stand up for this injustice and start teaching that race should not have privilege over another. We all should be treated as equals.

2/3/09 Journal Entry for Ch. 5 Family Structure

When my parents were kids it was very rare to see a family not have a mother and father. There were hardly any gay/lesbian parents. Most kids lived with both the dad and mom. In that time you rarely heard about divorce or separation. If people lived together they were married. Grandparents weren't raising the grand kids. Mom stayed at home and dad went to work everyday.
Things have dramatically changed. Today, more than half of the students you will have in your classes have divorced or separated parents. Some students will have parents that live together that aren't married. Students will have gay or lesbian parents they live with. Some of the students will be living with grandparents or other family members like aunts and uncles. Some will live with foster parents, and others will be homeless.
As a teacher I need to take this into consideration. I need to be very sensitive to the children's feelings. Some of these situations will be very foreign to me because I have never experienced them. Therefore, I cannot make judgements on these parents/students. I need to be open and willing to understand every type of situation I come across. These are some things I am going to really try to work on.