Chapter 6 Notes

This section explores those factors that make a teacher effective. Recent research reveals that most variation in overall school effectiveness is due to classroom level factors rather than school level factors. For these reasons it is important to try to identify what makes an effective teacher. Many aspects of an effective  teacher could be having a positive attitude, the development of a pleasant social / psychological climate in the classroom, having high expectations of what pupils can achieve, lesson clarity, effective time management, strong lesson structuring, the use of a variety of teaching methods, using and incorporating pupil ideas, using appropriate and varied questioning. The teacher should have an intimate knowledge with his/her subject that is being taught to the students. A teacher should have strong teaching curriculum as well as having great classroom management skills. The teacher needs to able to discipline her class without hesitation. The teacher needs to be able to make decisions and act on her decision because if the students even think that her specific knowledge towards her subject of teaching is not known as it should be they will react. The teacher needs to have a good attitude towards her peers and her students. Teachers should communicate with other teachers and collaborate on any ideas/suggestions that they might have. Teachers also need to pause and reflect at the end of their day. They need to be able to make drastic changes if for some reason, their teaching technique is not working out for them in the classroom. They need to regroup and look over their curriculum and establish a way that will have the students interactive and interested in what he/she is teaching. 

Chapter 5 notes

Have you ever wondered what teachers are actually teaching our students today? Curricula are sources that create much tension amongst teachers, parents, administration, Board members and school policy’s. The Board wants to make sure that each school is adhering to state regulations pertaining to curriculum. Policies are on place for what is to be taught and what textbooks are to be used in the classrooms. Keep in mind that regardless of how much the teachers need to implement these proper procedures, they also need to accommodate many cultures, ethnic groups and students with disabilities. Every year teachers need to go to in-services and training because the demands from the state are increasing and teachers are now reliable for students that are not meeting expectations. Don’t get me wrong, students are just as much as responsible as the teacher, but as a teacher, a teacher is to educate the student with the present curriculum and knowledge that he/she is presented with. Teachers train and learn every year because as I said before they need to meet school standards, district and state. Teachers are usually sent to their core subject. If they are a math teachers, they attend meetings pertaining to math and how could they improve teaching it. Now a days you can teach math in many ways that will make the students interested and more involved in what you are teaching. 

Chapter 4 Notes

What Social Problems Affect Today’s Students? Chapter Four Risk Factors Not living with two parents Head of household is a high school dropout family income below poverty line Parent has no steady full-time employment Family receiving welfare benefits Child Poverty and Birth Circumstances. Guidelines for working with Diverse Families Understand each child’s family situation. Try to communicate with all adults who take care of a child. Avoid curriculum materials or references that assume a traditional, two-parent family. If possible, schedule conference and volunteer opportunities to fit schedules of working and single parents. There is a high Percentage of Children under 18 living in Poverty. Teachers, Schools & Poverty provide emotional support and advice to poor, homeless, or runaway students. Report abused students. Be aware of culture mismatches between middle-class schools and poor students. “Hidden rules” of generational poverty. Signs of Potential Child Abuse Repeated injuries, such as bruises, welts, and burns Neglected appearance, stealing food, difficulty staying awake, or poor hygiene Sudden fall-off in academic performance Disruptive behavior or passive, withdrawn behavior Secret or furtive behavior when using the Internet. Social and Emotional Development: The Influence of Peer Groups. Suicide Warning Signs Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide Seeking access to firearms or pills Expressing rage or violent or rebellious behavior Expressing no purpose in life or reason for living Drug or alcohol abuse Anxiety, agitation, or inability to sleep. Suicide Warning Signs  Dramatic mood changes Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork Acting reckless or engaging in risky behavior Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities Withdrawing from friends or family. Ways for Teachers to Reduce the Threat of School Violence Establish common goals for the school and elicit commitment to these goals from teachers, students, and parents. Establish a firm, fair, and consistent system for running the school. Establish high expectations for the behavior and performance of students and staff. Create a curriculum that supports the values of honesty, integrity, kindness, and respect for others. Ways for Teachers to Reduce the Threat of School Violence  Use a variety of security measures to keep intruders and weapons off school grounds. Establish the school as neutral territory for students, control rumors, and squelch loitering and tardiness. Create alternative schools for serious offenders. Provide students and teachers with training in effective communication. Social and Emotional Development: Understanding Adolescents. Ways to Discourage Cheating Don’t give the same test over and over again. Make it clear to students that cheating is unacceptable and define in clear terms what constitutes cheating. Establish an honor system using student input, so that students will be invested in the system. Require students to sign a pledge that they have not received or given unauthorized aid on tests, papers, and assignments. Forbid students from carrying electronic devices, such as PDAs and cell phones, when taking tests. High School Graduation and Dropout Rates Estimates of high school graduation rates range from 68 percent to 82 percent. Dropout rates particularly high in urban areas and in schools with a larger proportion of students from low-income families. Contributions to high dropout rates: poor grades, dislike for school, alienation from peers, marriage or pregnancy, employment, unrealistic expectations about the world of work. Warning signs include increased absences, lethargy in completing work, and preoccupation with matters outside of school. Discourage students from dropping out by showing interest and care and by talking to and encouraging them.

Reflection #4

         I think that school violence and vandalism is a huge concern in the schools these days. Violence can be from gangs, all types of bullying, and students destroying school property. Schools can improve the gang violence by having students wear uniforms, create an alternative school for children with continuous violence issues. Having polices that are enforced and making sure that parents are aware of the situations that are occurring in the campus. Enforce the zero tolerance policy for bullying. Beach sullying occurs every day and sometimes as teachers they may not see it but once they turn their backs, it is happening. Cyber bullying has on a daily basis and many children get depressed and feel that their life is not worth living and eventually feel miserable and take their own lives. It's been an issue in the past and that's why as teachers, we need to be on top of any type of bullying, harassment and teasing. In the classroom the teachers need to set rules, guidelines, a respect model for each student as well as for other teachers. As a teacher you need to have control in the classroom and your classroom management skills must be implemented to control a hostile environment.