November 17th, 2008

I think that the students in this classroom need two main things: to get back to the basics and then to be challenged.

With their lack of vocabulary strength, it is obvious that the students need some basic information and skills. I believe that these issues arose due to the teacher's teaching style. If he or she is simply telling the students the information rather than really teaching it, then it comes at no surprise that the students are having issues. They are not really learning. They are simply holding on to information long enough to write it onto a worksheet and then forgetting it as soon as they leave school. The students need to search for their information and really work with it if it is expected to stay with them. The teacher should be guiding them rather than automatically supplying them with the information. This is what I would do if I began my student teaching in this classroom. I would have the students search for their information. I would supply questions and only supply the needed help or answers. I would also find more creative ways to have the students work with and find information, which leads me to the next need for these students:

They need to be challenged! Students cannot simply have information thrown onto them and then be expected to learn with a worksheet about that information. They need projects, PowerPoints, computer work, games, activities, etc. Their imaginations need to be used. Students will learn much, much better this way, and everyone will find the class more interesting. It would also be a great way for me to be able to interact with the students. ~Expanding the lessons in all ways is what this classroom really needs~

image obtained from: www.suelebeau.com/genteachresources.htm on December 1st, 2008