Reflection:
Sheila Owen's Beaumont, California kindergarten classroom is something that all teachers should try to emulate. She focuses on reading and writing skills equally and bases her lessons on the students being able to excel in all areas.
At the start of the video, she states her belief in all her students and says, "We view them from day number one as readers and writers." When a teacher believes in her students' ability to do something, it gives them the courage and strength to achieve it. When students have their teacher backing them and cheering them on, they can succeed beyond imagination. This is something every teacher has and should have the power to do!
Every morning Sheila starts the day with "circle-time" by the carpet where they sing "good morning" and ask how everyone is today. They do this in English as well as in Spanish. This encourages a warm and welcome atmosphere right at the start of each day. When students feel comfortable in their surroundings it helps them learn better. There is a feeling of friendship and positivity that keeps them going through the learning process.
She then goes on to state that she has students that come from different backgrounds and are at different skills and levels in knowledge and vocabulary. She says, "...We build the classroom based upon those needs". That is a point that every teacher must take into consideration when designing her classroom structure and lesson plans and goals. In every classroom there are many students with so many different abilities and skills. A teacher must take every child's needs into consideration and provide for them according to each of their abilities.
Another point that Sheila said was that the daily routine in her classroom doesn't vary and there is the same schedule of activities on a daily basis. There's four reading activities every day that consist of 1. Read-aloud, 2. Shared-reading, 3. Guided- reading and 4. Independent-reading. And in addition to that, two writing activities, 1. Interactive writing, and 2. Independent-writing. The students come into class every day knowing what to expect and what is expected of them. When children have a set schedule and sequence of what happens, they are comfortable with their surroundings and are more opened to learning new things. It's so important for students to have repetition in their education and know what is part of their daily programs to help them retain the information being taught to them. Also when children are aware of their surroundings, it help build their confidence and self-worth.
All in all, Sheila is an amazing teacher and someone that all educators should inspire to be. Her classroom is designed to help students learn by first guiding their learning and then allowing them to work independently. She creates a loving and comfortable environment for all students alike and ultimately instills a love for learning. I hope to one day be a teacher like her!
At the start of the video, she states her belief in all her students and says, "We view them from day number one as readers and writers." When a teacher believes in her students' ability to do something, it gives them the courage and strength to achieve it. When students have their teacher backing them and cheering them on, they can succeed beyond imagination. This is something every teacher has and should have the power to do!
Every morning Sheila starts the day with "circle-time" by the carpet where they sing "good morning" and ask how everyone is today. They do this in English as well as in Spanish. This encourages a warm and welcome atmosphere right at the start of each day. When students feel comfortable in their surroundings it helps them learn better. There is a feeling of friendship and positivity that keeps them going through the learning process.
She then goes on to state that she has students that come from different backgrounds and are at different skills and levels in knowledge and vocabulary. She says, "...We build the classroom based upon those needs". That is a point that every teacher must take into consideration when designing her classroom structure and lesson plans and goals. In every classroom there are many students with so many different abilities and skills. A teacher must take every child's needs into consideration and provide for them according to each of their abilities.
Another point that Sheila said was that the daily routine in her classroom doesn't vary and there is the same schedule of activities on a daily basis. There's four reading activities every day that consist of 1. Read-aloud, 2. Shared-reading, 3. Guided- reading and 4. Independent-reading. And in addition to that, two writing activities, 1. Interactive writing, and 2. Independent-writing. The students come into class every day knowing what to expect and what is expected of them. When children have a set schedule and sequence of what happens, they are comfortable with their surroundings and are more opened to learning new things. It's so important for students to have repetition in their education and know what is part of their daily programs to help them retain the information being taught to them. Also when children are aware of their surroundings, it help build their confidence and self-worth.
All in all, Sheila is an amazing teacher and someone that all educators should inspire to be. Her classroom is designed to help students learn by first guiding their learning and then allowing them to work independently. She creates a loving and comfortable environment for all students alike and ultimately instills a love for learning. I hope to one day be a teacher like her!
Yes there are elements of the gradual release model in the lesson. what did you think if checks for understanding and levels of productive struggle during student interaction?
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