tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054429436979406819.post982059952914485465..comments2023-08-12T06:23:44.593-04:00Comments on Reflecting on Education: Starting Where Kids AreDeenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281653533479522705noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054429436979406819.post-61811377825198635782010-02-15T11:58:10.467-05:002010-02-15T11:58:10.467-05:00I wish there were a way to directly reply to comme...I wish there were a way to directly reply to comments. Thanks everyone for your comments!<br /><br />Ms. K.M. Woods - I do think there are times when not ALL content will be relevant to ALL students in our class. I also think that relevancy can change...what might be important to them now may not be later in life and they may stumble across something they ended up learning in your class but didn't care about at the time (i.e. MLA format when they decide to go to college...even as an adult). Loved your reflection and questions! <br /><br />Shelly - What you've said about having students at lower levels negatively affecting standardized test scores is soooo true! It really bothers me when I'm told to focus on grade level standards with students who are not ready because you're right...they need my focus and attention the most and I may not always be able to teach them when they *really* need. There is one student who I am going against the grain with though (the one I mentioned in the blog) and he's seen so much success in reading. Just to see him more confident, participate more in class, and have a favorite author now is HUGE!<br /><br />Patricia - thanks so much for passing on my post! <br /><br />Joan - you know I always appreciate hearing from you! Our dialogues thru blogs, emails, and Twitter have been most enjoyable :-)Deenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281653533479522705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054429436979406819.post-11117927853374484602010-02-13T20:18:42.745-05:002010-02-13T20:18:42.745-05:00Yes! We must meet kids where they are in all of th...Yes! We must meet kids where they are in all of the ways we can. Understanding their context, daily lives and interests helps us build relationships and momentum in exciting them about learning. Thanks for a very thoughtful post :-)Joan Young (aka Mancini)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06862764260067132727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054429436979406819.post-837361195948453332010-02-13T07:33:52.426-05:002010-02-13T07:33:52.426-05:00I too loved this article and sent it to many of ou...I too loved this article and sent it to many of our teachers. Students come to school every day with different needs. We need to step back and consider where students are every day of the school year. Great blog post.Patricia Puglisihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00426669355666483864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054429436979406819.post-24807482222148378462010-02-13T07:29:15.500-05:002010-02-13T07:29:15.500-05:00One of the problems I have with an educational sys...One of the problems I have with an educational system that focuses on standardized tests is that it takes away from teachers who would like to really help those students who are behind. Many educators are afraid to have students at lower levels, because they do not want to have it reflect poorly against them. However, these are the students that need the instruction the most. If we do not realize where are students are then I think it is difficult to get them where they need to go. We have to know which basics they are missing and build off of this.Shelly Terrellhttp://teacherbootcamp.edublogs.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3054429436979406819.post-48271101578315476402010-02-12T18:29:21.557-05:002010-02-12T18:29:21.557-05:00I really enjoyed reading your blog post. I think i...I really enjoyed reading your blog post. I think it is imperative that we as teachers, are vulnerable and transparent when expressing our struggles with our educational practices. You do an excellent job at expressing your challenge, and I am transparent in saying, that this is something that I struggle with also. <br /><br />I am 12th grade English and Advanced Placement educator for Prince George's County Public Schools. One of my major goals and pivotal aspects of my teaching philosophy and pedagogy is relevance. It is very difficult to engage students, if they struggle with making a personal connection to the instruction provided or if the material is not relevant to their personal/educational goals. <br /><br />As an English educator, their is space within the subject/curriculum for the the students to make personal connections to their lives, and feed off of their personal experiences. However, it is difficult for me to engage the students in terms of the literary elements of prose narrative, MLA format, analysis papers, etc. <br /><br />I guess the over arching questions that I struggle with, is will everything that is taught in the classroom, be relevant and engaging for the students? Is it alright for their to be some mini-lessons, where the students are not engaged, but they master the skills? Should relevance be utilized to build the bridge for students to cross in preparation for rigor? <br /><br />Really enjoyed reading your post, look forward to reading more.Ms. K.M.Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14145650567443441222noreply@blogger.com