Learning Log #2

Today we focused on cultural and ethnic differences in the classroom. A few of the topics that we focused on were cultural mismatch, dialect, personal space, IRE cycle, wait time, worldviews, stereotypes, visual-spatial ability, socioeconomic statues, at risk students, and gender schema/differences.

I feel that all of these topics are extremely important because, they are topics that I will be likely to encounter at some point in my future teaching career. All of these topics greatly affect children and the way that they are able to learn, the way that they should be taught, and the way that other students interact with them. Teachers need to understand and respect cultural and ethnic differences. They also need to teach their students to understand and respect cultural and ethnic differences.

As I teacher I want to make sure that I understand my students differences. I want to understand where they are coming from and why they are the way that they are. I will be willing and able to collaborate with the parents of my students so that they are provided with a learning environment that will maximize their potential. I want my students to not only embrace what they share in common but also what makes them unique. Students need to know that to be different is ok. Life experiences can shape us but ultimately we decide who and what we will become. My students will learn that they can overcome obstacles, human nature is resilient and my students will know and respect this inert ability.