It is hard to pick just one thing that I have learned from reading Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire. If I had to pick one specific thing I would have to say that as a teacher you need to be adaptive. We discussed this in class when we were talking about Rafe and exemplary teachers. You never know what is going to happen in your classroom, and therefore need to be able to adapt and change any situation into a learning experience.
Rafe uses many methods in his classroom that I would like to incorporate in my classroom. One method I will use is removing the fear in my classroom. It is important to have a relationship and classroom based on trust not fear. Another method that Rafe uses in his classroom that I will also use is incorporating a lot of literature in class. I love reading and I want all of my students to love it as well. If my students are even half as passionate as his are about literature I will be thrilled. The last method I will definitely incorporate in my classroom that Rafe uses is teaching students how to make their own answers for standardized tests. Rafe gives his students a problem and asks them for the correct answer and the three wrong answers that will probably be on the test. This is so helpful because it causes students to slow down and look at the problem to make sure they aren't making any silly mistakes. It also eases the students nerves because they feel like they know all of the test-makers tricks and they can't be fooled. This will make standardized testing go smoothly.
I have learned so many important lessons about teaching from reading this book!
Friday, May 30, 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
May 29, 2014
I do not think I could ever take my class to Washington DC with the success that Rafe has. He had every single little detail of the trip planned out and the students know what is expected of them. I was really impressed with how independent Rafe allows his students to be. They are so mature for their age and it really makes the whole experience more enjoyable. I learned that you can register your classroom as a nonprofit organization and receive money for things like field trips and science kits. I thought it was neat that one of Rafe's former students who had graduated from Yale was his lawyer and allowed Rafe's classroom to become a non-profit. One thing that stood out to me from Rafe's trips is when he said that most teachers tape their students rooms so that they know if they left at night. I went on a trip to NYC in my senior year of high school, so most of us were 18 at the times. The chaperones still taped our doors, but did not tell us. They were impressed the next morning when they learned that no one tried to get out of their room. It's sad to think that our teachers couldn't trust a group of 18 year olds and Rafe can trust his group of 5th graders.
I love how Rafe gives each one of his students a chance to learn music. I have no idea how to read sheet music and it is a skill I wish I had and was able to learn while I was in elementary school. One of my favorite quotes from this chapter was " Rock 'n' roll might not solve your problems, but it does let you dance all over them" (200).
After reading about the shows that the Hobart Shakespeareans put on I would love to see one. They sound like a lot of fun. I hated learning about Shakespeare in class, I thought it was boring and I could never understand it. Rafe said that Shakespeare should never be read, and that is all we ever did. I would love to see their version of Shakespeare plays. I know it would be very fun and enjoyable to see.
I love how Rafe gives each one of his students a chance to learn music. I have no idea how to read sheet music and it is a skill I wish I had and was able to learn while I was in elementary school. One of my favorite quotes from this chapter was " Rock 'n' roll might not solve your problems, but it does let you dance all over them" (200).
After reading about the shows that the Hobart Shakespeareans put on I would love to see one. They sound like a lot of fun. I hated learning about Shakespeare in class, I thought it was boring and I could never understand it. Rafe said that Shakespeare should never be read, and that is all we ever did. I would love to see their version of Shakespeare plays. I know it would be very fun and enjoyable to see.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
May 28, 2014
I definitely think Rafe and I have similarities and differences in our teaching philosophies. All teachers have mostly the same goals, but different ways of reaching those goals. Rafe and I both think that our students' learning is the number one priority when it comes to our job. I also agree with Rafe's opinion on standardized testing. I do not think it is the most important thing in the world and I would like to use some of his techniques when preparing my own students for their end of year tests. Although I think it is really great that Rafe gets to school every morning at 6 and stays until 5:30 I do not think that will be very practical for me. I would love to be in charge of a club and stay late a couple days a week, but I do not think I could do that every day. I would like to have time to spend with my family and grade papers at home.
Since reading this book my thoughts on teaching have changed. I am even more inspired to be the best teacher I can be, so that my passion reaches my students. I do not want to come in everyday and just go through the motions. I want to challenge my students to learn in new ways and problem solve on their own. I will use many of the techniques and games that Rafe describes in his books.
4 Most Important Opportunities in Room 56:
1. Becoming an independent learner. It is important for students to be able to work together and help one another, but it is also important for students to be independent. Rafe makes sure his students can teach themselves, and work independently when necessary.
2. The opportunity to be creative. With more and more budget costs art and music have been taken away from some schools. Rafe makes sure his students get the opportunity to create many art projects throughout the year, and he teaches his students how to play instruments if they want to learn.
3. Being yourself. You can tell that the students in Room 56 are so comfortable and can really be themselves in there. This is so important for their self-esteem and confidence.
4. Learning. Obviously you learn in every classroom, but not like the students in room 56 learn. They learn things that they will never forget and use for the rest of their life. These students develop a true hunger for knowledge.
Questions for Rafe:
1. What is your favorite book to read with the class?
2. How many years of teaching did it take you to establish a well-working classroom?
3. How many of your students do you think reach level six?
4. If you were not a teacher what would you do?
Since reading this book my thoughts on teaching have changed. I am even more inspired to be the best teacher I can be, so that my passion reaches my students. I do not want to come in everyday and just go through the motions. I want to challenge my students to learn in new ways and problem solve on their own. I will use many of the techniques and games that Rafe describes in his books.
4 Most Important Opportunities in Room 56:
1. Becoming an independent learner. It is important for students to be able to work together and help one another, but it is also important for students to be independent. Rafe makes sure his students can teach themselves, and work independently when necessary.
2. The opportunity to be creative. With more and more budget costs art and music have been taken away from some schools. Rafe makes sure his students get the opportunity to create many art projects throughout the year, and he teaches his students how to play instruments if they want to learn.
3. Being yourself. You can tell that the students in Room 56 are so comfortable and can really be themselves in there. This is so important for their self-esteem and confidence.
4. Learning. Obviously you learn in every classroom, but not like the students in room 56 learn. They learn things that they will never forget and use for the rest of their life. These students develop a true hunger for knowledge.
Questions for Rafe:
1. What is your favorite book to read with the class?
2. How many years of teaching did it take you to establish a well-working classroom?
3. How many of your students do you think reach level six?
4. If you were not a teacher what would you do?
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
May 27, 2014
Rafe talks a lot about standardized testing and how it is not the best way to measure students' success. He says it is important to let students know that not performing well on a test is not the end of the world. He also says it is very important for parents and other teachers to never compare one student's test scores to another. Every student is different and it is not fair to compare them this way. Some students are very smart, but become nervous when it comes to taking tests and therefore their scores do not reflect their actual abilities. I was shocked when he said that the students spend two weeks at the end of the year taking standardized tests. That it way too long to be sitting in a classroom testing especially at the end of the year, I do not think this is fair to students at all. Even though Rafe hates standardized testing he gives his students the tools and methods necessary to perform well. One thing that stuck in my mind is when Rafe was talking to one of his students and he asked if he was going to listen to music when he studied. The student answered no because there would not be music playing while he was taking the test. I always listen to music while I am studying and I was never told not to. It makes sense why you shouldn't! I also loved how Rafe's students knew both the correct answer to the math answers and the wrong answers that would probably be put on the test. That is such a valuable lesson to students, and I also like how they have to explain why they chose a certain answer and why they didn't choose others. This causes students to slow down when they are taking tests and make sure they aren't making any silly mistakes that could have been avoided.
The game table points also really stood out to me. I don't remember ever learning geography, besides the basic continents and oceans, even in high school and still to this day struggle with it. I think it is very important for students to learn this information and Rafe makes it fun by making it into a friendly game. He also gives a great idea for parents. There is a book you can purchase that kids can take to national parks and each time they visit they get a stamp and there is information about each park provided in the book. This would be one way for a family to take a fun but educational vacation.
It shocked me to learn that science sometimes doesn't get taught at all in elementary school. Science was my favorite subject growing up and it upsets me to know that some students are not being taught it. Although it can be time consuming and expensive it is still very important. Rafe has a great idea that instead of his students getting him Christmas presents they can make donations to the class so he can buy science supplies. This way he can slowly build up his supplies and do more and more experiments with his classes. The parents are more than happy to help because they know it is benefiting their children.
It is important for Rafe to communicate with the families of his students so that they can continue to grow and make the classroom better. If Rafe has the support of the parents it will make it so much easier to get the supplies he needs to make his classroom even better.
The game table points also really stood out to me. I don't remember ever learning geography, besides the basic continents and oceans, even in high school and still to this day struggle with it. I think it is very important for students to learn this information and Rafe makes it fun by making it into a friendly game. He also gives a great idea for parents. There is a book you can purchase that kids can take to national parks and each time they visit they get a stamp and there is information about each park provided in the book. This would be one way for a family to take a fun but educational vacation.
It shocked me to learn that science sometimes doesn't get taught at all in elementary school. Science was my favorite subject growing up and it upsets me to know that some students are not being taught it. Although it can be time consuming and expensive it is still very important. Rafe has a great idea that instead of his students getting him Christmas presents they can make donations to the class so he can buy science supplies. This way he can slowly build up his supplies and do more and more experiments with his classes. The parents are more than happy to help because they know it is benefiting their children.
It is important for Rafe to communicate with the families of his students so that they can continue to grow and make the classroom better. If Rafe has the support of the parents it will make it so much easier to get the supplies he needs to make his classroom even better.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
May 21, 2014
The children in Rafe's classroom are from all different cultures and are all very different. For most of them English is their second language which could be a problem in the future if they do not have good caring teachers. Luckily they have Rafe. Rafe's method of teaching where he makes his students re-do their homework until they get a 90% or higher is a great one in my opinion. This way the students are learning from their mistakes, and they have an opportunity to learn and get help from other classmates.
Since English is a second language for most of Rafe's students writing can be a very tough subject to teach. To learn grammar Rafe has his students write weekly book reports. He then uses anonymous examples from those book reports to point out and fix grammar mistakes. Within just a couple of weeks the improvements are already showing and by the end of the year all of Rafe's students are excellent writers.
Unlike reading or writing, math and numbers are an universal language that anyone can understand. Rafe said there is no neutral feeling when it comes to math, you either love it or hate it. He wants all of his students to love math, and comes up with many fun activities to make sure they do. My favorite activity that Rafe talked about was the buzz game. This game seemed like a lot of fun, but it also required a lot of knowledge and thinking about numbers.
Rafe incorporates a number of very fun ways to teach his students who are at all different levels and are from all different cultures.
Since English is a second language for most of Rafe's students writing can be a very tough subject to teach. To learn grammar Rafe has his students write weekly book reports. He then uses anonymous examples from those book reports to point out and fix grammar mistakes. Within just a couple of weeks the improvements are already showing and by the end of the year all of Rafe's students are excellent writers.
Unlike reading or writing, math and numbers are an universal language that anyone can understand. Rafe said there is no neutral feeling when it comes to math, you either love it or hate it. He wants all of his students to love math, and comes up with many fun activities to make sure they do. My favorite activity that Rafe talked about was the buzz game. This game seemed like a lot of fun, but it also required a lot of knowledge and thinking about numbers.
Rafe incorporates a number of very fun ways to teach his students who are at all different levels and are from all different cultures.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
May 20, 2014
After reading the first three chapters of Teach Like Your Hair's On Fire I feel like I have already gotten to know Rafe as a teacher very well. The first thing that Rafe mentioned is that in a world full of athletes and superstars, the important people like scientists and policemen are seen as less important. I definitely agree with this statement. Without the doctors, policemen, and scientists of the world we would not be able to survive and yet the athletes and movie stars are getting the most attention. I think teachers are equally as important and are never given enough credit for what they do.
I think Rafe's teaching philosophy paper would have a main focus on trust. He talks a lot about how making your student's trust is very important to having a productive classroom. The worst thing you could do is run your classroom by fear. Both the students and the teacher are afraid. That does not make for an effective classroom, and it all come back to trust. If you run your classroom in a way that will make your students trust you, you will have control of your classroom without having to instill fear in your students.
Rafe would also add that you are a very important role model to your students. They are constantly watching you and will model their lives off of you whether you think they are or not. You need to be the teacher and person you want your students to grow up to be.
The six levels that Rafe talks about are very important and would be in his teaching philosophy paper. The levels start at student's acting a certain way to avoid getting in trouble and work up to them creating their own personal codes of behavior and following them. The last level is hard to reach and sometimes even adults have trouble with this. It is important to teach your students how to act not only to avoid getting in trouble, but because it is the right thing to do.
The last thing that Rafe would put in his teaching philosophy paper is the importance of reading and reading for fun. In the school that he works at a lot of students cannot read and to fix this they implemented a program where all classes read the same books and do the same activities. This takes away all of the fun from reading, and will cause students to not enjoy reading in the future. I remember when I was in elementary a different student would bring in their favorite book and everyday we would listen to that student read it out loud. It did not matter what book it was, there is always a lesson to be learned. Students need some freedom to learn however they choose. If everything in the classroom is micromanaged nothing will be learned.
I think Rafe's teaching philosophy paper would have a main focus on trust. He talks a lot about how making your student's trust is very important to having a productive classroom. The worst thing you could do is run your classroom by fear. Both the students and the teacher are afraid. That does not make for an effective classroom, and it all come back to trust. If you run your classroom in a way that will make your students trust you, you will have control of your classroom without having to instill fear in your students.
Rafe would also add that you are a very important role model to your students. They are constantly watching you and will model their lives off of you whether you think they are or not. You need to be the teacher and person you want your students to grow up to be.
The six levels that Rafe talks about are very important and would be in his teaching philosophy paper. The levels start at student's acting a certain way to avoid getting in trouble and work up to them creating their own personal codes of behavior and following them. The last level is hard to reach and sometimes even adults have trouble with this. It is important to teach your students how to act not only to avoid getting in trouble, but because it is the right thing to do.
The last thing that Rafe would put in his teaching philosophy paper is the importance of reading and reading for fun. In the school that he works at a lot of students cannot read and to fix this they implemented a program where all classes read the same books and do the same activities. This takes away all of the fun from reading, and will cause students to not enjoy reading in the future. I remember when I was in elementary a different student would bring in their favorite book and everyday we would listen to that student read it out loud. It did not matter what book it was, there is always a lesson to be learned. Students need some freedom to learn however they choose. If everything in the classroom is micromanaged nothing will be learned.
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