Blogpost 4

[Teachers] should recognize that the linguistic form a student brings to school is intimately connected with loved one’s community, and personal identity. To suggest that this form is “wrong” or, even worse, ignorant, is to suggest that something is wrong with the student and his or her family. (p.33)

It is very important for teachers to understand this quote. Teachers need to understand their students and their backgrounds, not immediately come to the conclusion that they are incorrect. Saying that a student is ignorant is never okay, no matter what. Just because some children make speak differently or act differently than you, doesn't mean that they are wrong, it means they were brought up and raised differently than you were. Everyone is not the same and that needs to be accepted; we are individuals for a reason. Teachers can't automatically judge a student just by the way he or she speaks; the teacher needs to know that there is nothing wrong with the student if they have a different linguistic form then them. They need to learn that everyone is different and are raised differently, and that it will affect the way that the children will act, but it doesn't mean that in any way are they wrong or ignorant. 

Blogpost 3

How to make the children feel comfortable in the classroom?
     The readings have offered many different options in order to make the children comfortable in the classroom. I remember some of the classrooms I grew up in, the good and the bad. Some just felt like a prison cell. There weren't many posters or pictures on the plain, white walls, there were white name tags on the desk with our names written in black sharpie and similar name tags on our lockers. There weren't many colors and it just wasn't a warm and comforting room. One of the good classrooms I remember was very colorful, we had a class pet - a hamster - and each week one of the students took home the class teddy bear; you would then write about what you did with "Q Bear" and then share it with the class the following week. I envision my classroom to be very welcoming and fun. There will be lots of colors and pictures hanging all over the walls. I want to have a reading section with some bean bags and some of my favorite children's book. I definitely want to have a class pet, maybe a hamster or possibly a fish. I will make sure that it is very warm and inviting for the children and do my best to make them as comfortable as I can.

Blogpost 2

Interpretations	Descriptions
·       Girl and boy -look like a couple who are on a date -girl took a sip of coffee and it looks like it burned her mouth because she made a funny face and the guy just stared at her. -talking for a while, picked up their phones only a couple times -took a picture together ·       Family -looks like a happy family -kids look in every store they pass, take the most time looking the Rocky Mountain ·       Big group of people -looks like they are going to a homecoming -girls look freezing because their dresses are strapless or thin straps -guys look content in the cold ·       Mom and soccer girls -girl in the middle is covered in more dirt than the other two, maybe played more -all look happy, the girls walking in a line in front of the mom and the mom is on the phone	·       Girl and boy talking – girl is wearing a blue shirt with writing on it and black leggings and a pink Northface; boy is wearing dark blue jeans with a green shirt and a black jacket. (not many people because it is cold outside) -both have Starbucks and are sitting close together ·       Family is walking together – mom, dad, and 2 kids. -mom and dad are talking and kids are walking in front of them -boy is wearing a blue hat, black jacket and green shorts and has black rectangular glasses; girl is wearing jeans, a pink shirt and navy jacket and has her hair pulled back in a ponytail; both mom and dad have black jackets and are wearing jeans. ·       A big group of people walked into Brio -everyone is dressed up in nice dresses and guys in suits -four girls without dates ·       A mom and three little girls who just came from a soccer game -matching green uniforms, each girl’s hair is pulled back into a ponytail. First girl has a blue headband, second has a pink and third has a white one. -mud on each one’s shorts
Parking Lot ·       Girl and boy -took a selfie together, probably going to post it on social media later ·       Family -the kids look like they want to go into Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and get some sweets, but they look too scared to ask their parents ·       Homecoming girls -some of them look sick of taking pictures – especially the guys ·       Mom and soccer girls -mom is taking her daughter and friends out to eat or get dessert after they won their game -girl in the middle looks like she played more or worked harder

Reflection

As I was sitting on the bench, sipping my Starbucks chai tea, I paid much more attention to the people and things surrounding me. I looked more closely at their appearance, their facial expressions and the way they spoke to each other. I realized that I am terrible at reading lips but that I am pretty observant to begin with. I’ve been observant ever since I was little, and completing this exercise helped me notice even more than I normally do. I always look at appearance first and try to figure out where they came from/what they’re doing/where they’re going. It is fun to make a game out of it and make it into its own little story. 

Blogpost 1

Class Survey

Personal Information:

1. What name do you prefer to be called?
2. Hometown and photograph of you (inserted in your blog so I can connect you with your name).
3. Grade level and subject(s) that you want to teach.
4. What are you into; what makes you special? Share a few “unique” aspects about yourself that would help our classroom community get to know you a bit better.

1. Kayla

2. University Heights, Ohio

3. First or Second grade, no specific subjects

4. I've lived in University Heights my whole life, and  have never gone to school more than 5 minutes away. I played volleyball and softball in high school and am playing varsity volleyball at JCU. I love working with children; I worked at the child care center at my high school for the past three years, and volunteered there for the five years prior to that. Ever since I was little, I've always known that I wanted to be a teacher; some of my teachers have made such an impact on my life and I would love to be able to do the same.


Learning Style and More:

1. Being as specific as you can, what must be in place for you to feel comfortable taking intellectual and creative risks in a classroom?
2. I am interested in your perception of yourself as a student. Please describe it. Consider such criteria as a) active oral class participation; b) responsible, timely class preparation (of readings, projects, etc.); c) honest, candid self-assessment; d) awareness of your own preferred learning styles/approaches; e) first thing that you do when you cannot or do not understand something; f)other dimensions you believe to be relevant and informative.

1. Knowing that my opinion will be valued, I think I would be comfortable expressing myself. 

2. I am usually not too talkative during class, it sometimes depends on the subject we are talking about. I feel that I am responsible, I prepare for class by getting my work done and being on time to class. I am honest, it is always better to tell the truth than to lie, no matter what the situation. I enjoy doing hands on experiences, it helps me learn more quickly about the task. If I do not understand what we are doing in class, I will make sure to ask another student or go to the teacher for help.

Education Past and Present
7. Share a formative memory from your experiences as a student.
8. Please discuss what are, for you, some significant issues or concerns facing the field of education right now.

7. I was really struggling with this one chapter in my history class and I went to my teacher for help and she offered to meet with me one-on-one and specifically go over the chapter. She made sure that I felt comfortable with it after the meeting and that I was well prepared for the upcoming test.

8. Being a teacher has so many perks, but also many disadvantages. I am worried about the limited job openings and being able to find a job where I want to live. Also, more and more schools are requiring incoming teachers to have a masters degree. Some parents can also be a challenge and hard to please.

About Dr. Shutkin:
9. Write down a question or two that you would like to ask me about myself or the class.
Using your preferred email account, please send me an email message with a link to your blog.

9. How long have you been teaching this class and why did you become a teacher?