eblackston
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My Commitment Journal
 eblackston
September 28, 2021, 1:09 AM
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Relational Mindset: In looking back at teachers that made an impact on my life, I have two that come to mind; my Kindergarten teacher Miss Kim and my 7th grade science teacher Mr. Kunishige. Both of these teachers made learning fun and took the time to spend time getting to know their students. As a result of these teachers and so many more I became a teacher myself. It’s not to say I had all great teachers, because there are teachers that I remember for other reasons like a math teacher that threw chalk and an American Government teacher who just read out of the book, but the good definitely outweighed the bad. As I look out into my classroom I feel a strong connection to my students. I’ve always considered my students, my children because while they’re in my class I want the best for their education and well being. I take the time to talk to them and get to know them and who they are as a student and their likes and dislikes. I make time to go to their activities outside of school and I take the time to listen, sometimes I feel as though an ear is what they really need. My role as a teacher is to be an emotional support person when needed, a teacher of new information, a listening ear and so much more. My role as a teacher is to be a support system for the students to feel comfortable and safe to share their thoughts and feelings. I know which students come from poverty from spending time getting to know the children, checking their files for information and cross checking the free and reduced lunch applicants. But there is so much more to it, they are the kids that come in hungry, dirty and tired most days. They are the kids that need so much more emotionally and academically because they don’t usually get support at home. My heart goes out to the children in poverty and I can empathize that coming to school may be the only consistency they experience all day. It may be the only hot meal they have and these basic needs need to be met before they are able to even think about learning new concepts and information. Insights/Questions 1. Personalizing learning is differentiation on a deeper level, when we personalize learning it helps the students be successful and therefore increases their interest in learning and sharing their knowledge. 2. I read once that people like hearing their name, this is definitely the case with kids. Remembering their names quickly is always my first priority and I was glad to see it’s importance validated in the relational mindset section. 3. I found it refreshing to hear that we should share experiences with the class. It makes us relatable and gives the students a deeper bond with you as their teacher. Strategy: At the beginning of the year I read Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox and we talked about sharing memories with others through objects. The students then took home a “Me Bag” and brought in 4 items to share about themselves with the class. This is a great way for students to get to know each other and for me to learn more about each student in the class. |
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eblackston
September 26, 2021, 9:37 PM
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Positivity Mindset: As I consider poverty’s effect on positivity in the classroom, I realize that poverty is a hurdle that can impede academic success by clouding the students head with stress and worry. The best thing I have found to help students from impoverished backgrounds is to model positivity and show how it can be used in learning. It is also important to get to know your students and how they see themselves so you can help them see themselves in a more positive light. This makes me think of the self fulfilling prophecy, students have to imagine themselves in a positive light or they will have a hard time succeeding. To encourage students to be positive towards each other and model self respect is important when creating a positive mindset in teaching and learning. I always intentionally choose books that have ways to show positivity in the classroom. Have You Filled a Bucket Today is one book that resonates with students because they are extremely imaginative in their younger years. I also create a bucket to gather smiley faces when the class shows teamwork and positivity. They fill my bucket then I fill their bucket by allowing them to vote on a class reward. I have also used a peace table that can be used for individual use or to work out a disagreement with a friend in class. The student/students talk or draw the problem and work together or draw to get their feelings and emotions balanced out. There have been times I’ve had to monitor or help, but most of the time it works out for the positive and everyone is better off for it. When students have a negative outlook I try to find what motivates them and find a way to create activities that incorporate that motivation. It is so important to find a child's motivation because then you can teach them so much more. Insights/Questions: Empathy plays an important role in establishing a positive relationship with your students. I loved “The Magic Three” . I respect, I agree and I appreciate openers to help in daily classroom conflict. The acts of kindness list is a great way to show students how they can share their positivity with others. Strategy: I have started a journal to track goals, but also things that worked and that I’d like to repeat because they seem to have a positive impact on student learning. |
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eblackston
September 25, 2021, 2:34 AM
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Classroom Climate Mindset: Classroom climate is the shared learning environment of the students and teachers and how they establish relationships in the classroom. The classroom culture is the shared experiences, learning and beliefs that are fostered in the classroom. Some aspects of the climate and culture in my classroom are the importance of working as a team, treating others how we want to be treated and keep kind in mind. I cultivate this climate and culture with my students as a team by taking the time to listen and show I care by creating opportunities for learning in a fun and engaging way. The strategies I use to make the content relevant are keeping their interests in mind as well as create activities that are varied to engage and excite learning. Students have a voice in my class through sharing in our daily morning meeting which I slowly allow the students to sway the conversation to their interests. As well as class jobs that provide a sense of pride and responsibility in the classroom's running smoothly. I think it is also vital to have high expectations for learners that support their independency as they grow and learn, I want my class to be a safe and inviting place for my students to learn. I showcase their work in the classroom and in the hallway, I encourage doing your best, and helping others do and be their best. I also take the time to listen and observe as my students talk, share and interact with others to be able to support them if they are not quite themselves. Part of feeling safe is to have a consistent schedule and to prepare students with any changes so they feel safe and know what to expect as they navigate their school day. The first week of school I read books about rules in school and the students help make a long list of rules they think are important, then we see if all these rules fit into our classroom manners chart, they all do of course and I have them sign the chart that they will use these manners in school. These rules work because the students had buy-in in creating a list and condensing it to create a basic list of positive ways to behave in school and it has worked wonderfully. In addition to the chart, I have a plastic bucket that I place smiley faces in as the class gathers compliments throughout the building. Then when they reach 17 they get to vote on a class incentive of their choice. This has encouraged the students to work as a team and have good hallway and lunchtime behavior. Academic optimism is fostered in positive reinforcement, congratulating students on small milestones and being a personal cheerleader when needed. I teach self talk and remind students to encourage and support each in various ways. 1. The cool rules section validated the choice to condense the class rules into concise classroom manners. 2. I liked the section on changing the game, it made me think of new ways to showcase my students talents to boost their self esteem. 3. The section on class ownership was very insightful in regards to inviting students to remember that the classroom is a shared space for all. Strategy: I have used a small set of rules like the "Cool Rules" section explained and it has been very liberating and because the students had buy-in they use the rules as a positive guide to create a positive space for learning. |
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eblackston
September 25, 2021, 1:38 AM
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Engagement Mindset: As I reflect on an “Engagement Mindset” both the teacher and the students should be responsible engagement in learning. Teachers definitely have the responsibility to support and excite learning, but ultimately the student has to take what they have learned and apply it to their education. I use various engagement strategies to keep my students engaged and focused. I use the Actors Tool Box method that systematically builds their focus through concentration and one minute challenges, as well as call and response, hand gestures to check for understanding and partner sharing. The most effective strategy in keeping students engaged is to make sure they are active participants in their own learning. When a student gets off track I usually like to get them to help me model what we are learning for the “We Do It” part of the lesson. When they are helping their teacher, they tend to get back on track because they are excited to show their peers what they know. Poverty can definitely be a stressor on anyone and I can definitely empathize with money worries, because as a child I was always worried about money. I would hear my parents talking about finances and I knew money was tight. Even though I didn’t grow up in extreme poverty, anytime a child has the stress of not getting their basic needs being met it can affect their school life too. All the stress or worry of the child clouds their ability to focus on the task at hand, because in their world school seems so inconsequential. There have been several instances where students in my class have been homeless, or extremely poor. Identifying stressors is a little more difficult, but if you establish a strong rapport with your students and show them you care they will tell you almost anything. I work with Early Childhood students and at a younger age they are more willing to tell you what they need and what’s going on at home. The best thing to do to help students with stress is to help minimize the stress at school. Also, our school has an onsite Mental Health and School Counselor to support teachers and students. Our counselor services Kindergarten and 1st grade in coping strategies and has provided all classroom teachers with a calm down box to help students when they are struggling with their emotions. In addition to that I teach my students calm down strategies like deep breaths, counting to 10 and taking a visit to the peace table. Learning for compliance is learning because you’re told that’s what you do. Learning by choice is when a student chooses to learn because they have buy-in to their own learning. It’s when a student is motivated to gather all the knowledge they can. Most of my teaching experiences have been in Kindergarten and First grade, so I haven’t encountered too many compliance students. I think if I did I would try to find out more about the student through their likes and dislikes and explore what motivates them as a learner. My approach to engagement is to cultivate a positive classroom community and use a team approach. I like for students to be advocates of their own learning by being peer helpers, leaders in the classroom, partner sharing, engaging in group activities as well as morning meetings and afternoon meetings for students to share their thoughts with each other. Insights/Questions: I think it’s important to find activities that make learning fun. Shake off stress using brain breaks with music and movement. Use Bucket Filling activities to encourage positivity in engagement and focus. I tried Touch and Go as a brain break after MAP testing. The brain break was a release of energy and allowed the students to have fun and listen to popular kids music. Strategy: I tried Touch and Go as a brain break after MAP testing. The brain break was a release of energy and allowed the students to have fun and listen to popular kids music. |
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Sep 25, 2021
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