Sociocultural context for learning
As teachers, we would be remiss if we ignored how a student's life outside the classroom impacts learning. For my eighth grade students, this means I must recognize that many come from homes where parents are working long hours or not working due to various circumstances. Many come from homes with multiple siblings where they are responsible at least some of the time for caring for younger siblings or in the care of an older sibling. I have students who are ELL and are the only English speakers in the home. Other students are part of the Exceptional Children's department and face various learning difficulties. Some students have not been successful in school since early elementary and find school difficult and irrelevant. All of my students have goals though. They all want to achieve something when they graduate high school from becoming a taxidermist to a fashion designer. My goal as a teacher is to help them overcome the difficulties in order to reach their goals.
To help my students achieve their goals, I spend quite a bit of time the first weeks of school trying to build the community spirit by taking time for students to learn about each other and myself. Some of my favorite activities include having students write down any questions they may have about me or the class after my introduction the first day and throw their sheet of paper to the front of the room. I also have created a nine truths and a fib for students to guess which is the fib about me. Then, I have students create their own version with two truths and a fib. I collect their truths and fib and use two or three an a beginning class activity until all have been shared. Other activities that I have collected are below.
To help my students achieve their goals, I spend quite a bit of time the first weeks of school trying to build the community spirit by taking time for students to learn about each other and myself. Some of my favorite activities include having students write down any questions they may have about me or the class after my introduction the first day and throw their sheet of paper to the front of the room. I also have created a nine truths and a fib for students to guess which is the fib about me. Then, I have students create their own version with two truths and a fib. I collect their truths and fib and use two or three an a beginning class activity until all have been shared. Other activities that I have collected are below.
bodymapdirectionsgraphic.doc | |
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bodymapboy.doc | |
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bodymapgirl.doc | |
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freebiopoemsmadeeasy.pdf | |
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icebreakeritsquestiontime.pdf | |
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- In order to help keep my students focused on learning, I provide snacks if they are hungry and did not eat breakfast. My students know that all they have to do is ask, and I will give them a healthy snack.
- My students also have access to a large classroom library of books provided by the school and my personal copies of favorites. I have also successfully used Donors Choose.org to add books to our classroom library.