Reflection #1 Essays - Education, Educational Psychology, Pedagogy

Reflection #1: Every teacher should be able to use modeling to keep their students engage d , focus ed , and involved in classroom activities . W hen it comes to ELL students , teacher s have a bigger challenge. EL L students are very visual and they have a more complicated challenge. It is true that modeling help s to promote learnin g and motivation, but I believe that that is not all about the teacher doing and the students listening and watching. ELL students' should be able to engage in modeling by using cognitive skil ls, visual skills, and communication skills to comprehend the lesson. As a native Spanish speaker , it is so important for teachers to understand that bilingual students have double the work. They have to think in their native language first, then mentally translate to be able to participate and understand the lesson. Teachers that have ELL students should keep in mind that speech is very important. Being able to be patient and talk slow ly and clear ly will help the s e students to be successful. For me it comes easier because I understand how it feel s to be an ELL student. I have had the experience of being in the classroom and having to ask the teacher to slow down so I can make a quick mental translation to be able to comprehend the lesson. ELL students are visual learners. When you present a visual gu ide to ELL students, it is easier for them to interpret the lesson plan and follow directions. They feel more secure and comfortable to be able to follow a task and learn from it. Most ELL students are embarrassed to tell the tea cher that they didn't understand the lesson because they don't want native English speakers to make fun of them. I t i s very important for teachers to let every students know that they all going through a learning experience, that way ELL students would feel comfortable to ask questions. As a future teacher I will encourage ELL students to feel comfortable reading books of their own native language and then check to see if there is an English version of the same book. Reading books in the native language will help them compare and contrast with the English language. ELL students would be able to expand their language, knowledge, and understand better new words and phrases. Also I believe this is a good cultural learning experience for everyone. Reflection #2 Breaking down barriers between culture s is important because it helps students see each other as equal s . A teacher's pedagogy should m ake students' feel value d , respected, and accommodated . I t i s important for the teacher to be a positive influence at all times. We don't know what these kids are going through at home . Sometimes the school is the only they place where they f eel safe and respected. A good teacher know s that if you have a good and safe environment for the students they will be successful. I know the salary of a teacher is not as high as other professions, but when you have teachers that take extra time and spend their own money to do things like decorating the classroom the students appreciate that and they feel more comfortable. Some kids don't have a clean space to study at home and coming to a nice looking classroom make s them feel safe and relax ed . Even the c olors and the lighting of a classroom help the students to concentrate better and they do better on homework and tests. Students also feel appreciated when teachers value their effort. For example I keep all my students drawings and pictures because I want them to know that I appreciate their art, creativity , and effort. Another way to value our students is through music. Music is a big part of their lives. It i s so beautiful when teacher share s their music. It awakens the ir curiosity, creativity, and background knowledge. When we play music in Spanish class some kids will sing along with the words , some will