Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Blog 3: Student Diversity
In order to effectively teach and reach the students in the classroom, it is important to get to know and understand them at a deeper level. To learn about the diversity of students in the classroom from multiple perspectives, I would initiate many beginning of the year activities that extended throughout the year, or could be drawn upon as the year progresses. One idea that comes to mind is having the students create their own "story". The students would each be able to make a collage of what defines them and who they are using words, pictures, and whatever other resources they can think of to create a visual representation. Each student would present their work, it would be displayed in the classroom throughout the year, and students would be encouraged to add to their work as they learn important things about themselves or have any major changes in their lives. It would be a creative way to get to know the students and see how well they express themselves through art. This type of project would also stimulate discussion among students as they compare life experiences and mutual interests. This type of discussion would stimulate the type of student interaction that Almasi defines as "a forum for collaboratively constructing meaning and for sharing responses" (A New View of Discussion, 1996).
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I really like the ideas that you talked about in this post. Mainly the idea of a running "story" that your students would start at the beginning of the year and continue adding to. The only problem I could see with this activity is finding the fine line between what is private and what is not. I think that making collages of who the students are as people is wonderful, but you might also want to find out some more information about their lives at home; something not all kids are willing to share with their classmates. This story could be just one of many ways to get to know your students. You could also do some more private activities such as have the kids keep a journal that only you read. This way they can practice their writing skills as well as disclose information that might be bothering them while knowing that it will stay private between the two of you. How are you going to get to know your students at your placement? Could you ask the teacher if you could have them do a project such as the "story" collage?
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