Module 4:

My definition for literacy at the beginning of the class included the ability to read, write, speak, and listen. Even though I did include speaking and listening in my definition I would be more specific now. I believe that it is important to include the aspect of discussion in literacy. To be literate a person should be able to appropriately articulate their perspective on a topic in a discussion with others. Even though I believe every human being today needs to be able to read and write to be literate, in a classroom and working environment people also need to be able to inform others about their opinions and facts to contribute to conversations and discussions. As a middle grades educator I want to teach my young scientists how to discuss with one another in an educated manor to be able to inform others of what they think and know about different topics that arise.

I also defined culture as every aspect of a person's life. When I thought about culture at the beginning of the course I thought of all of the aspects of a person's life in a positive light. That of course is normal, but after this class I think it is important that we all understand the some people's culture and lives involve discrimination, exclusion, and the terrible ways they are treated. For example this is a quote from the YA book I read this week called How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon: "As a black man, you have to keep your head down. You have to keep yourself steady. You have to follow every rule that's ever been written, plus a few that have always remained unspoken" (Magoon, 2014). If we all thought about these negative aspects of people's lives I think it would change the way we think of one another and how we act. How we treat people changes their lives. Bullying and discrimination can lead to negative impacts over how people live their entire lives.

Building relationships in the classroom with your students is so important for both engagement and understanding of what your individual students truly need. When you take interest in your students' lives they will be more likely to participate and be interested in your class. By building on these relationships outside of your classroom and even outside of the school you are showing students the importance of knowing and understanding one another. "An essential component of this kind of instruction--which teachers to what students, their families, and communities actually bring into the learning environment as well as addresses students challenges--is to listen to the voices of students" (Milner, 2016, p.69).

As educators sometimes I think we get so used to the teaching process and curriculum of getting through the content in a short amount of time that we don't step back and learn about our students. By taking the time to listen to their voices and respond to their thoughts and concerns our students will see that we respect them and find what they have to say extremely important to their own learning. As I've stated throughout many of my courses and my teaching I have found that students learn best when teaching. If I am preaching the content at them they are not taking in as much information as they should and can. "One point that needs to be stressed here is that students from elementary through high school could benefit from this type of interactive learning, with students sharing and educators listening" (Milner, 2016, p.70).

When teachers take the time to be patient, open, and understanding with our students. They're children so they're no where near perfect in any way. None of us are. I was talking with a sixth grader today and just making casual conversation about her thoughts on school. As a science teacher I always secretly hope that students are thrilled with those classes, but as shown by this example and many others that is not always the case. She mentioned one story of where she was thoroughly embarrassed in front of her classmates by the teacher reprimanding her. Because of this one event this child has a negative view of the content and that teacher for the rest of the year. As educators I truly believe that we need to sometimes take a step back and think about our students in the long run before jumping to conclusions and reprimanding or talking to them in an uncomfortable manner. Children are so wonderful because of how easily they can be molded and taught, but we need to remember that as easily as they impression they also just as easily scar.

Resources:

Magoon, Kekla. (2014) How It Went Down. New York City, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

Milner, H. R. (2016) Rac(e)ing to Class: Confronting Poverty and Race in Schools and Classrooms. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press.