Global Awareness: Why Is It Important For the Classroom?

It was brought to my attention the other day that Global Awareness is a sometimes difficult subject to articulate and integrate into the classroom.  Not only for Student Teacher, but also current veterans in the school already.  In today's political and social climate, there is certainly a huge need for this to occur and depending on where your district is, it can be a touchy subject.  The thing we have to be mindful of is that all of our students and school mates come from different backgrounds, ways of life and world views.  We have to also be mindful of parental/home influence, media influence and community influence when dealing with these issues.


As a teacher, it is not a good idea to go into these conversations or topics with our own agenda.  We have to be neutral and we have to be positive.  We quite possibly could have a variety of students who are Muslim, Christian, Atheist, Homosexual, African American, Buddhist, Republican and Democrat etc... Their families may be of any of these categories as well.  So how we talk about these topics or how we bring them into the discussion can be tricky, but doable and can not be neglected.  Students are GOING to ask about these things.  So we need to at least educate them (as thoroughly as we are allowed of course) without being prejudiced to our own beliefs.  This doesn't mean we have to totally forgo our own beliefs and values.  It just means that our opinion/beliefs can not a deciding factor of how our students make their decisions.  In this case we may just say I can't really talk about how I believe (philosophically)  or ask them what they think is right.  We can give them both sides of the topic and allow them to decide.  But allowing any type of bigotry or hate for any culture, sexuality or nationality can not be tolerated in the classroom.  These are some of the bigger issues we are faced with but it extends to bullying, exclusion of others because the way they dress or look and so on. 




In my classroom, I plan on learning different ways to help bring in this aspect of Global Awareness.  Obviously Social Studies is a great place to start, but we can also incorporate ELA reading and writing assignments into this as well!  Topics are going to come up and we need to know how to handle them.  My idea is to bring a broad topic into class each month or even look into another culture.  Something to broaden the world view of all students.  Now of course, you may possibly have certain parents who are not excited about this idea, that is why we should try to steer clear of any "hot topics".  You can be the judge of that, just be mindful of your school policy and views.  Thinking from a local perspective or even in the home, we can teach students what they can do to be great friends, siblings, sons/daughters and neighbors in their home.  Get students to think about doing the right thing or even using the principle of the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would want them to do to you) etc.  I would love to increase awareness of hunger and poverty, not only in other countries but even in our own communities.  The list goes on from Women's rights to the environment and societies' environmental impact (garden club anyone?) to poverty and on and on.  There are many possibilities.  Here are a few websites to help you in the classroom and in your own life:




https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/


https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2012/nov/09/global-citizenship-10-teaching-tips




These offer a little insight into how or why these issues need to be addressed.


I would connect this to standard:

IIa •

Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults.

• Teachers encourage an environment that is inviting, respectful, supportive, inclusive, and flexible.

Global Citizenship is something we are all responsible for.  As an educator, we have a responsibility to promote this mindset in our students to help them develop a better understanding of the world around us.  We may be the only glimpse into the world around them period.  It is easy for students as well as adults to have a small and limited view of our world.  I know personally, I am reminded of this when I turn on the news or read an article of someone in another country who is oppressed or starving.  We are all aware in some way of the negativity or issues our country and Global societies face, so it is up to us as teachers to introduce and educate the next generation to make a difference.  This is why I wanted to become a teacher, and this is one area of our profession I hope to make an impact and build a legacy.  How about you?  What will you do to promote Global Citizenship?





Resources:


https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/


https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2012/nov/09/global-citizenship-10-teaching-tips

EdTP Yay!!

Who is just having a blast writing our edTPA commentaries and reports?  I know, I know...it is certainly in depth and kind of nerve racking.  But just think of how much we are learning about how our lessons and ideas help to develop student growth!  We are fortunate to be able to get a practice run in before student teaching which is just around the corner.  

So how are you preparing?  It is going to be mentally, physically and emotionally challenging, but I know that we are very prepared for it and by the time January roles around, we are going to be confident in all of the training and knowledge we have acquired.  Considering how edTPA is going to be the bulk and focus of most of our student teaching experience, I am working on preparing a plan to thoroughly organize my schedule, course work and class data so that I can work at being proficient on all levels of teaching.  Even though our licensure doesn't hinge on if we are 100% on EdTPA, it is going to be better for us if we work toward total proficiency anyway.  EdTPA is really a great tool for us to see how we as teachers perform and how we can get our students to perform.  Being able to actually see how our instruction works in harmony with the students understanding and how we can improve learning for them and teaching from us is such a great experience.  It can only help us as teachers to know what works and what doesn't.  That is why differentiation is so important.  Students learn differently and we have the task of figuring out the best methods to encourage and facilitate.  Plus, not only do we need to nail our edTPA data, we will be running the classroom for 10 weeks straight as part of our requirements for student teaching.  This will be so different than our (pop in once or twice a week and help with a lesson or two) classroom time this year.  We will get the FULL experience of steering the ship.  Am I nervous?  Let's just say I am confident and positive, but I am still in need of more time in to really find my groove I believe.  Pressure has always been a positive aspect of life for me.  I work well in that situation.  Kind of like jumping into a cold pool, it is better to just get in there all the way.  Dipping your toe in will not give you the full experience or the confidence that it is not so bad.  Some of the ways I plan on getting organized and ready for action is knocking out some of our requirements over the time we have between this semester and next.  I will be spending some quality time outdoors and with my family, BUT, I will not let time go by that could be used toward the completion of some of our projects for next year, or at least getting them started.  The more we can accomplish now, the less we have on our plate next semester.  I had a meeting with Dr. Parker this week and he encouraged me in this.  We all know by now that if he recommends something, it is a good idea to follow through with it to help us down the road!  Other ways I will be preparing is studying great lesson plans, digging into more pedagogy (developing my philosophy), continue to research best strategies and practices for classroom management, and WRITING IMPORTANT DATES down in my calendar.  Mostly dates with my wife :)  But also my school's dates, due dates and important projects that I want to have done.  This not only will help with next semester but also setting goals for my future classroom.

This correlates with standard 5A:

Teachers analyze student learning.

Teachers think systematically and critically about student learning in their classrooms and schools: why learning happens and what can be done to improve achievement. Teachers collect and analyze student performance data to improve school and classroom effectiveness. They adapt their practice based on research and data to best meet the needs of students.



My hope is the EdTPA will help me develop a better understanding of how students can perform and how I could redirect my instruction to help them better.  This is all a learning process and we will all benefit from it in the long run.  But for now, we can complain a little right? :)  From Teachhub.com, I found this checklist to be helpful for when we get closer to having our own classroom.  The number one on the list was:

1. Create a Back to School Pre-Planning Checklist

This will help you identify all of your classroom responsibilities and think about all the major details involved ahead of time. It helps to divide the checklist into areas of importance—such as essential and instructional jobs. As you go through the checklist, be sure to mark off each task as you complete it.

Checklists are a great tool to make sure you are knocking out your todos!  I like to use Google Calendars and WUNDERLIST.  With this app, you can create personal, shared and group lists as well as email and text them to others.  I hope to use what I am learning from edTPA to further develop an idea for my future classroom.  Each year, we will get a new set of kids with different backgrounds, learning styles, interests and motivations.  The more we can learn now, the better.  


Resources:

http://www.teachhub.com/back-school-10-ways-teachers-can-prepare

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/august-new-teacher-survival-guide

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/your-checklist-get-ready-first-day-school

Classroom Management (How Do You Balance Being the Cool Teacher and the Serious Instructor?)

 

I have probably mentioned before that I have had to work on transitions and classroom management before.  If so, I won't go into detail, but as I have spent more time in the classroom this semester than any other, I have realized, I am starting to change.  It is easy to feel bad sometimes when students are reprimanded in front of us at first  and also when we have to get on to them.  We all want their love and attention, but we first need their respect.  I believe when we gain that respect both students and teacher will develop the other part of the relationship.  That doesn't mean we are hard on them and ask them to ZIP-IT! at every little word out of place or disruption. 

Here's what I mean.  Let's say you have a student (I do) who knows the answer to everything you throw at them.  They are also disruptive throughout the day when they should be working or helping their small group.  When you ask a question to the class and they speak out of turn....every time...do you get onto them?  Or do you allow them to speak?  Well, it is easier just to let them speak, but then when you are trying to teach the entire class or have others answer, it can become an issue.  From what we have learned, I would say this is great and that they are very intelligent and they are.  But if we allow this to continue, the next thing you know there are 4 or 6 students talking out of turn.  Then one student is upset because they have been raising their hand and you didn't call them.  See where I am going here?  So it is a good and a bad thing.  The other issue I have had is students walking around the back of the room during the tiny bit of direct instruction (sorry edTPA) that I have been giving.  Sharpening pencils, throwing away trash, grabbing some scissors etc...  When I look back at my recordings, I really noticed this a lot.  So what do you do about it?

Well, I received some great advice from my wife, Clarker and my CE.  The most common answer was, as Andy Griffith says: "Nip it in the bud!"  Now this doesn't mean yell, scream or scorn obviously, but if we want our students to listen to us or pay attention to a lesson, we have to instruct them to do so.  There will be other times for discussion and or "free learning" as I like to say, but considering we have on average 24-28 students (some possibly more....hopefully with an assistant) of all different abilities, attention spans and interest, there are times when we HAVE to make sure they are all hearing us.  Even today, I noticed my CE lead them in a lesson and gave thorough instructions TWICE and they still were coming up one by one asking what to do next.  So it is important to really be assured they are paying attention.  Other methods could be calling out the students (anonymously of course i.e; "I see someone with a yellow shirt walking around who should be paying attention) or awarding DoJo points (behavior motivator system we use) to those who are doing the right thing.  But to "nip it in the bud" at the beginning seems to be the place to start in my opinion.  As we have learned and can see the fruit of the structure established at the beginning of the year, we can see the importance of this major function of our classroom throughout the year.

In an article from Bright Hub, the author lists 5 methods to deal with classroom disruption as well as some of the possible causes.  I won't go over each one, but one that stuck out to me was #5: " Keep the lesson moving. If you have a forty-five minute period, plan three different activities. Try to get them up out of their seats at least once during the class period. Those students with pent up energy will thank you for it."  Now this doesn't keep them from getting up during direct instruction, but limiting our lecture time can really improve our "control" of the class and giving more hands on projects and portions of the lesson to students will limit the amount of possible interruptions.  We all have different tolerances for talkers, walkers and class clowns.  I happen to be the father of 2 boys, so I have had my patience tried many times.  So you be your own judge.  The issue in my opinion would be if you have a speaker, a Principal or another student teacher trying to talk, teach or present to your class.  So even though you may be capable of handling disruptions, your students need to respect you, their classmates and other adults in and out of the classroom.  This will reflect on you.

This falls in line with NCPTS:

 

Ia • Teachers lead in their classrooms.

IVg: Teachers communicate effectively.

So my friends, the journey continues.  Fine what works best for you, but find something that works the best!  It is our job to not only teach content but to help develop well rounded, respectful and loving citizens into society.  This is not a 9-5er, this is a honorable and very important position we are about to take on.  Don't worry so much about being a "cool" teacher but consider being a respectful, responsible and great leader!  At the end of the day, you may lose cool points and that's fine.  But being a loving, caring and thorough teacher will be worth more than all the cool points in the world.  Plus....you will be able to teach more effectively and not be discouraged.

Resources:

http://www.brighthubeducation.com/classroom-management/3318-top-5-strategies-from-veteran-teacher/