Chapter 6 and such

Chapter 6:

            I can definitely, from first hand experience, understand the importance of these strategies used to help students in their reading. It makes all the difference in the world if you are familiar with what you are reading or have been prepared for it. If you asked someone to dive into the middle of “The Lord of the Rings” without any knowledge of the characters, story, or world you would be lost. It would be a slow read to try and understand the world of Tolkien in this fashion. In fact, while I read through LOTR I read other companions to them to better visualize and understand what is going on in the books. This would be the same way I would use SparkNotes when reading literature for class. Also the same way I would use a dummy’s guide to enrich my knowledge of a topic. This is especially true when dealing with science. The science textbooks are written at such high levels that the students need something else to help guide their knowledge base when trying to comprehend a classroom science book.

            I had either heard of or had experience with some of these strategies. I learned about K-W-L last semester. I really like the setup of this strategy. I imagine it could be used in all areas, although it probably works better in some. I can think of several ways to use it for science teaching. Any time a new topic is introduces, this could be beneficial for students in preparation of the material. From experience, anything would be better than going in blindsided. There were some others I had never used before. I liked the anticipation guide. It was extra helpful for me because I observed in a 7^th grade math class last semester and had to help teach integers. They had a great example of how this concept was applied to integers. If only I would have read this before last semester. It could have been helpful to my teaching and planning.

            Prior knowledge is something that I have learned to think a lot about since this class. It is something we take for granted or forget sometimes. As I mentioned earlier, this is something that applies to areas outside of teaching as well. It is such a novel idea when you think about it though. New knowledge is best built from a present knowledge base.  I also liked reading for reading. It sounds funny to think about, but it is very true. This is more of an example of using dummy’s guides or something along those lines. Reading some material on a subject that will make other readings on this subject easier to comprehend. This chapter did have some good ideas. I am sure I will try them all out one day and figure out which is my favorite. Maybe I can learn the pros and cons of each and when to utilize them.

The Nation’s Report Card:

            This was a bit hard to get through. It was a LOT of information and statistics. What was crazy about the information was how true it was compared to everything I have ever thought or heard. All it did was convince me that everything I had heard was more fact than rumor or false information. It also all adds up to my personal experience. Everything just seemed to line up. Males slightly outperforming females, whites outperforming everyone, higher income levels outperforming, inner city underperforming, etc. This was all information I have heard at some point in my life. I now have seen the statistics to back it up. I am no exception to this rule. As we mentioned earlier too, it is partly because the curriculum and tests were designed by people like me for people like me. I am a middle class white male and this country is catered to me. That is clearly not a good thing. It is definitely not a fair thing. Now, all I know to do is ask myself what we are going to do about it. Thankfully the gap has been closing a bit compared to the past. Sadly, the gap still has a ways to go.

            I have worked in the homeless sector for the past several years. I also worked in inner city schools for a year after college. They have both taught me so much. I learned working in the homeless sector exactly how deep rooted and complicated this issue has come to be in our country. It will not be solved overnight. In fact, it may never be solved. Since Biblical times there have been homeless people. There will continue to be homeless people. We are humans and far from perfect, so we will never be able to develop a perfect system that will eliminate homelessness. I sadly feel more and more this way towards education. Even though both of these issues may never be resolved, I do plan on doing my part in helping the issue. I have done that for a while in the homeless sector and plan on devoting my life to this cause in education. I just wish, like so many others, that I had answers. All I know to do is pull my weight in being a good teacher. I look forward to this chance in the near future.