Top 5 Ingredients

There are so many to choose from. I know that this stance will change. You all have great ideas - I loved reading all your posts. Enjoy!

1. Teacher Engagement:

We read about and reflected on the characteristics of a good teacher, and we always came back to teacher enthusiasm and engagement. When you are engaged in your students, you learn about them as individuals. They learn that they are valuable. When you are engaged in your lessons, your kids become engaged. Many of our cohort members echoed this belief: If you’re not excited about it, then how can you expect them to be excited? If you don’t value your kids, then how can you expect them to value themselves and others?

2. (Some) Organization:

Structure has its place in the classroom, as does “constructive chaos.” In terms of structure, I hope to have a regular classroom schedule for kids to rely on. I liked the idea from Rian and this week’s reading about kids coming up with their own classroom rules. In a past classroom I was in, the kids all signed a poster with these rules. They came up with strategies for conflict resolution and feeling better on a bad day. I also want to keep my classroom as beautiful and organized as possible: If it’s not helping the kids right now, get it out! Store it! As little clutter as possible! In terms of constructive chaos, I’m all for “messing about” with many subjects, like Beth said, not just science, but also math, writing, reading, definitely art, etc.

3. Humor and Fun:
Lighten up! Childhood is all about fun. I plan on enjoying teaching as much as the kids! Smiling and having fun can make a big difference for kids. At the end of the day I want to give all my kids a high-five, (appropriate) hug, or handshake (or all three!).

4. All Diversity Welcome

Like we talked about in class, I hope to lay a basis of acceptance from the beginning of the year. I really liked how Zalika said that on the surface we are all very similar, but once you get a little deeper we all have very unique and incredible experiences. I hope to focus on similarities and differences, especially in terms of feelings, because we all experience similar feelings, regardless of our unique circumstances. I hope to encourage my kids to share their diverse cultures and families. I hope to invite parents into class to share traditions, and hopefully link that to curriculum goals. I want all my kids to feel valued and special, and strive towards equal access for all kids.

5. Community

Many of the previous blogs have included Community. I hope my kids feel safe and accepted in their classroom. I hope to have common classroom experiences, communal grade level activities, and school activities such as buddies.

I believe children need to feel safe and cared for.

I believe teachers should always go back to the human, personal connection with his or her students.
I believe schools should be a community working for kids and their families.