I love how chapter nine of Ladybugs, Tornadoes, and Swirling Galaxies begins by describing how the teachers "surround [them]selves with content" (Buhrow & Garcia, 2006, p. 124). The thought of having a huge, hanging orca in the cafeteria or a life-sized giraffe on the classroom wall makes me happy. I also believe the point that Buhrow & Garica (2006) make when they state, "by submersing ourselves in the content the level of comprehension goes up. The more we see, the more we understand" (p. 124). Not only is this true of students, but it is also true of myself. I understand more by doing and seeing it for myself. I ,too, believe "the idea of linking everything together is a powerful tool, because it keeps us thinking about our curriculum, our kids' needs, and our delivery of material" (Buhrow & Garcia, 2006, p. 126).
When the authors discussed the fact that ELLs need images along with new words, I could visualize how important this is for the ELLs and for the teacher to incorporate into each day. Having ongoing word walls are an excellent way to boost students' comprehension and language development while they take ownership of their new knowledge at the same time. It is important to remember as Buhrow & Garcia (2006) point out, "Because all vocabulary has a symbolic representation, comprehension is made easier" (p. 134).
The focus of my Middle School Curriculum class this semester is differentiation. We spent weeks developing our own definitions of differentiation, and we are continuing to learn throughout the semester how to make sure that differentiation is naturally incorporated into every lesson that we teach. I enjoyed the statement made by Buhrow & Garica (2006): "no matter where a child is when he or she arrives in the classroom, it is our job to take him or her as far as possible and tap into that child's wealth of knowledge" (p. 140). This statement applies to every teacher in every classroom and in every situation. If the classroom is an ELL one, a special education one, an inclusion one, or a gifted one, each teacher should make sure that each and every student exceeds and is successful.
Buhrow, Garcia, A. U. (2006). Ladybugs, tornadoes, and swirling galaxies:
English language learners discover their world through inquiry. Portland,
ME: Stenhouse Publishers.
English language learners discover their world through inquiry. Portland,
ME: Stenhouse Publishers.
Although this book is marketed for ELLs, there are many principles that apply to all learners, as you smartly point out. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the writing workshop structure and how it fits (or does not fit) with your growing ideas about differentiation...
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that throughout the semester you will explore the way to incorporate the ideas differentiation into the class! I really don't have so much ideas on differentiation. But I strongly believe that teachers should highlight the individual need of each student. Students need someone who care their ideas and thoughts. Only in this way can students make progress step by step.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that you are focusing on definitions of differentiation, and I am interested about that. I know that everyone is different, and it might not be very useful to set up only one rule to teach all students. But it might be a big work for design unique and adaptive different teaching methods for everybody. So I am curious about how it works. If it possible, could you please share it with me?
ReplyDeleteI also am excited by the idea of having life-sized animals on the walls and cannot wait for my own classroom! I think having an ongoing word wall can extend students' understanding.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to have a word wall with a stack of post-it notes and a marker to allow students to add words to our wall they find in their independent study. There would have to be some regulation of this as it could get chaotic and overwhelming... still processing it, but it's something to think about.
I totally agree with you about Buhrow & Garica saying that "No matter where a child is when he or she arrives in the classroom, it is our job to take him or her as far as possible and tap into that child's wealth of knowledge." It is a very important lesson for every teacher to learn. I think teachers are supposed to make every student get involved in the classroom as much as possible. So wherever a student comes from, teachers should try to motivate him or her to learn. It's not easy to do, so teachers should keep patient and have confidence in the students.
ReplyDelete