Look Beyond What You See

Just finished the intro and first chapter. Wow, what awesome success stories from struggling students. As an educator, it is sad to think that teachers don't look at children as equals, that we may even label and condemn them before we even begin to teach. I hope this is not the norm in our schools. I agree with the author that we should assume all students are smart and treat them that way. I also agree that we as teachers should expect a lot from them. Is it possible to expect too much? She says no, but I'm not sure I agree with that. I do agree that our students should be challenged, encouraged, given positive feedback, and be taught how to learn.
Already in comparing her strategies to the way I was taught,it is almost like comparing night and day. And when I taught, our curriculum for language arts was also very different. I am encouraged by the success stories, and am eager to read on and see how the balanced literacy program works.

Personal introduction

My name is Kathryn Satterfield.  I will be teaching second grade next year at Chapin Elementary School after spending the past 20 years in kindergarten.  I look forward to preparing for this new challenge and am excited about the upcoming school year.

Become an "Expert at Smartness"

"Expert at Smartness" - I think this is cute and isn't it what most children think of their teachers. They expect us to have all the answers. Therefore, we have to be continous learners. If we want our students to have a thirst for learning that is what we should do. I love going to conferences and workshops. It refreshes my energy for the things I have been doing for a long time. Fellow teachers are also a great inspiration for me. To see what works for them and what doesn't work for them.

I thought it was interesting in this chapter to talk to your Principle about the programs we use and the changes that we as teachers may see as needing to be changed. We may notice teaching practices that are not effective and may be able to do things in a way that will help the children better than the program advises

Create an "I Can Do It" Learning Environment

TRUIMPH changes everything! - I love that. That is so true. Think about times in your life when you thought you could not do something but some how and some way you were able to. Didn't it make your confidence soar?
We have to help students discover the possibilities- they can be anything they want to be.
We need to help all voices be heard through encouraging participation (this includes the child in the back of the class who seems to fade into the background).
We have to demonstrate the power of writing and teach the children they can accomplish something with writing.
CELEBRATE - cheer the students on even for small accomplishments, "I can really tell you worked hard on that!" "Wow, what a wonderful idea!" Our students need to know that we believe in them.

Look Beyond What You See

I found it encouraging to have a reminder to assume that each child is capable of learning to read and write. Sometimes we do set our expectations too low because of certain limitations we see the child as having. I have meet parents who will tell me that "Oh, my child can't do that! He is a terrible writer!" The expectations for the child have already been set so as not to expect much. We have to set high expectations for our students and then find the tools to get them there. I know with my own children, I have seen them beliveve that they can not meet a new challenge and then when they realize they have support and tools to conquer the challenge their confidence rises. The conquest of a task that they did not believe they could achieve leads to a rise in confidence in other areas of their lives. Let us always set our expectations high and help children believe they can do it!