Discovering the underlying world of Urban Education
Flexibility
I thought I was flexible before, and I was willing to change my plans pretty easily, but after this first full week I learned that you really can't plan for anything in a classroom. I learned to change assignments on the fly, and I learned to work with the students to make sure that the assignments are manageable of their abilities while still expanding it. I also learned to be flexible when it came to school scheduling while it is still early in the program administrators, and other events were going on in the building that took priority, which was something I had never dealt with before. I learned to push off lessons, or adjust for length. I started to see that pre-tests offer us a look at where students are in the beginning, and it allows us the opportunities to see where we can achieve more in understanding. My mentor teacher, and I have started moving forward with looking at literary terms such as setting, plot, and conflict, while also including writing lessons as we see fit based on the essays they write. I feel that this is a valuable skill that I thought I had down before entering the classroom, but everyday my students challenge me to be more understanding and flexible, which is a very good characteristic to have moving forward in my career.
Personal NarrativesThis week the students wrote personal narratives for their essay this week. Reading through their stories made me realize how little struggles I've faced in my life, and the many challenges that they have faced in theirs. Many of them are responsible for younger siblings, jobs, and some even their parents as well. It was nice that they felt comfortable enough to discuss their personal moments with me, and it was wonderful to see many of them show their strengths in writing. While they all cringed at the idea of a 3 page paper, many of them turned in pieces that were four or five pages long. I was proud of them for pushing themselves, and being honest with themselves. The beauty of writing is that it helps individuals, like my students find themselves, but it also helps us to understand one another better. This personal narrative this week did just that.
|
Hearing the word "Miss"When I first entered the classroom, I was unsure how I felt about constantly hearing them yell "Miss" and knowing it was directed at me. Part of me hoped they would say my full "Miss. Fasseel", another part of me worried about if I was really ready to be in charge, and a third part of me was thrilled at the idea of finally "making" it in a classroom. Over this past week, I've learned to love hearing "miss" it reminds me that these students need me, and I'm excited to help answer their questions, and learn what they are struggling with. In a world, where people think Detroit is filled with "thugs" and thieves, I've never been in a room where I've felt as respected as I do when these young men and women call me "miss" and ask for help. I'm thankful to know these students and learn about them past the stereotypes that are reporting on the news.
|
Social MediaThis week I've faced the challenges of cell phones, and social media. I finally understand what it felt like to fight for someone's attention in a battle of technology vs humans. However, I thought it might be best instead of fighting it, to join it in a sense. I gave the students a project of picking a social media platform, and then from their creating a profile for one of the characters of The Outsiders. While this could be done online, we chose to do it on old fashion paper allowing the students to use their phones to help guide them in design. I was unsure when presenting it how it would go, but they amazed me. Exceeding expectations with their creativity and thoughtfulness about what would happen next in the lives of our characters. It was fun and interactive, and it was another step forward in understanding the hidden talents of my students.
|