This week the discussion centred around curriculum and instruction. In the classroom I’m in, ever since the first day, I can tell the students (whatever age and grade) always know what is expected of them. The teacher talked about the zones of regulation. There are four zones, and this instruction was learned from a behavioural psychologist as ways to moderate the classroom. The Red Zone is out of control, cannot regulate oneself. The Yellow Zone is hyper, or excited, say at times when working in groups at lab stations etc. Green Zone is a learning zone, calm and engaged and Blue is tired / bored, disengaged.
She taught the students a great trick for skip counting by doubles ex. 9, 18, 27 to know these quickly you simply add one to the right side and remove one from the left so (1) gets added to the 2 in 27 making it 3 and (1) gets taken away from the 7 making it a 6 so 27 turns into 36.
Again, when reading the text book she asked them if they knew how to read for information and there are three ways in which to read, 1.Skimming, 2. Scanning and 3. Understanding. I like how even though we were talking about science, she provided tools and knowledge for them in order to gain better understanding of how to read, not all teachers do that. Every kid comes to the classroom with their own knowledge and backgrounds it isn’t possible for children to leave life at home, so it comes to the schools with them and teachers handle it as best as we can. It is important to teach receptively and with perspective of where they’re at. Capitalize on the good days. Students do in a way need to assimilate into the school environment, it is how the most effective learning takes place. They are expected to fit in, no matter their culture, it is their right to fit in, and everyone must know the boundaries and guidelines of how to be respectful participants of the classroom culture.
Ms. Chapman 