Monday Night Lecture

During Mondays lecture, we were split up into three uneven, seemingly random groups. After we were in these groups, there was a lot of good discussion with everyone in the class. I was in the blue group, which had the most people. The blue group was in the back of the room, didnt get as much attention, we talked when we weren't suppose to talk, and didnt have enough supplies to go around (oreos). To me, we seemed to be the "C" kids, where average was ok, because everyone else in the group was average too. Since there were so many more of us, than the other kids, we seemed to think it was ok to talk when the teacher was talking, or not try very hard during the activity becasue it was good enough just to show up, since maybe that was all that was expected of us.

It seems as though, lots of times this would happen in an acual school setting aslo. The average kids are only expected to show up, and do middle of the line work. And since this is all that the teachers expect of them, the kids don't see the purpose of trying any harder or exceling in an activity, becasue no one expects that of them.

So... as teachers , we can hold the bar high for all students, and not be OK with prior "C" students just grazing by. We should chanllange all students, even if what would be challangeing for 1 student may not be challanging for another. Because, it is part of the teachers responsibility to increase and improve the students knowledge, and to help the student "reach their full potential".

Letters to a Young Teacher

Here is the link to the movie that our ed psych group made to demonstrate what we learned from Jonathan Kozol's book "Letters to a Young Teacher". I really enjoyed reading the book. Sense the book was put together with the use of letters, it was easy to follow and understand. Many good points were made through out the book and could be tied into our text book. Kozol also seemed very personable, which made the book easier to relate too. Its comforting knowing that, although there will be struggles, many teachers go through those same struggles and overcome them.