“Teachers don’t intend to treat them that way”. I think it
is easy to get wrapped up in a student’s reputation and lower the expectations
based on what they did in other grades. As a school I feel like our intention
is to get to know the student and build that relationship right away. But many
times some of us get caught in the idea that since they have a rough home life,
that they can’t live up to some of the classroom expectations. We have to change our intentions and focus on
students highly succeeding academically as well as socially. I’m not worried
about my intentions with my “challenging students”, usually those students are
the first I made a connection and plan for. I am more worried about those
students that float by. The students that are very quiet but always follow
directions. Those are the students I need to give more attention to. I know it
is hard to do but I intend on making more of a connection to all of my students
personally. I know it isn’t easy to say but I know I have stronger connections
with my students who stand out more. I need to focus on everyone in my class.
You're right, Courtney! Giving that attention to ALL students is huge, and if you can intentionally catch those students that float by, that's huge for them.
ReplyDeleteAs I was writing this I was thinking about those students in my classroom that don't get as much of my attention. Because of this video/assignment I know I will be thinking about them even more. This video is a great reminder to do that!
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ReplyDeleteI too find myself making connections with the students who are at risk and seek out my attention whether negative or positive. I agree with you that I need to focus more on the quiet students who easily get lost in the shuffle. Don't you wish that each day we got just 5 minutes of one on one time with each of our students, although this would take 2 hours each day? Connections and taking the time to spend quality time with each student if so important.
DeleteI found myself shaking my head and totally agreeing with all you said, Courtney! It is so true that we, as a profession, can sometimes forget about connecting with those students who fly below the radar and don't require as much of our attention. Immediately, after watching Cipher in the Snow, my mind went straight to more of my "challenging" students for some reason when in fact, it is those who are not as challenging who need the connection from us. We all have our "Charles'" who can cause some trouble who obviously need our guidance, but we can't forget about the "Cliffs" who also needs us...maybe more than we even realize.
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it Court! After reading this you've changed my mind about who my "Cliff" or "Cliffette" should be! We've had many talks about how one or two students can demand so much of your attention that, of course, those two were my initial "Cliffs." I'll be reexamining who I need to spend more time on and give more attention to. Thanks for the reminder :)
ReplyDeleteIt's been amazing how difficult it seems to give my cliffette the attention she wants. I find myself reacting to other behavior or some other student need something else.
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