Jones- Week 11

Relating to Students can be a powerful thing

            Since I’ve started my student teaching, I have noticed that being in tune with how students feel and why they feel that way is very important. Some of my students do not know how to express themselves in a way that will not get them in trouble. Instead of taking deep breaths or asking to step outside to collect themselves, some students make loud outbursts and/ or try to start an altercation with another student. I have mentioned this in other noticing blogs but it is a very important thing to notice because being aware of things like this is vital information in terms of how to do classroom management. I have also come to realize that being able to channel your anger/ negative energy in a positive way is a learned behavior. Students have to be taught how to do this. However, I have also noticed that if students learn certain ways to behave in the classroom and these behaviors are not practiced at home, they will be prove to be ineffective. As I watch how my students approach math, some of my 4^th graders get upset not because of Math but because of the fear that they will fail. This is a case of student success and students lack of confidence. This was mentioned in articles that were read in class. The articles talked about classroom equity and creating tasks that can be accomplished by students to build their confidence and build on their learning. As I watch students work and wiggle in their seats, I approach them and tell them that I struggled with some concepts in Math as well as when I was n elementary school. When I tell students this, they don’t believe me. I tell them just because you don’t understand one thing, does not mean you are not capable of learning other things. I can understand what is happening here. When you show students that adults struggle too, the trouble that the student is having doesn’t seem so large anymore. Sharing a relate-able  experience with students is a great way to connect with students.