- What does the author say about how kids want to "fit in" with their peers, that "being different hurts"? Have you seen examples of this at Simle? If so, tell us about it. If not, think back to your own adolescent years and provide an example. Don't forget to include what the author says about this in your response.
- What does the author say about treating all students with the "same respect"? Relate this to an observation at Simle or from your own personal experience.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Chapter 3 Blog
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The author mentions that children at this age have become more involved with how they “fit” into their worlds socially. They are have not yet found their personal identities and are more apt to blend into the background rather than being different or standing out. Also, that if a student is identified as being different from the others; they can be singled out and socially taunted or excluded.
ReplyDeleteI found it quite interesting that the author would also mention the ramifications of mixed gender group work. One male student recalled a female student simply asking for missed homework assignments and the other students began to tease them by taunting, “Oh, you like him!” and other phrases. It seems in some instances that they are attempting to balance not being teased and teasing others.
The author also mentions that kids like it when you, the teacher, are fair to them equally. I like this thought, respect. At a time when they feel so confused and are struggling to make the best of their adolescent lives and the changes that come with it, being treated fairly and respectfully by adults can mean much more to them than we think. Being fair and respectful shows them that we see them for who they are and that we are not being judgmental of them. I mean, these young people have enough stressors, right?
I can recall my own instance of giving myself a dreadful haircut before picture day in seventh grade. I had it all worked out in my mind. The cut would be precise, everyone would love it, and the pictures would be memorable. I had seen my hairdresser neighbor give cuts all of the time. How hard could it be? Well, needless to say, the pictures were more than memorable. I was not as talented a hairstylist as I had presumed. A few of the other children did make it a point to let me know how funny the cut was. Mostly boys though. When it came down to taking the pictures, my teacher Mr. R. treated me no differently than the other students. It was as if he didn’t even notice. I knew that he did, but he carried on quite normally regardless. What a cool teacher!
1.) The Author says, “we tend to think of middle schoolers as risk takers, they often are not taking any risks in classrooms. Instead, kids are worrying about where they stand in relation to others. “ The author in those two sentences alone is telling us that children want to fit in. If the students are standing out to much in a crowd as a outcast they would rather not take that risk. The author talks about even though a student may fit in, they still sympathize for others who don’t fit in.
ReplyDeleteI personally haven’t seen this yet at Simile School, but I am sure I will be aware of it the more I start to recognize the students. I know when I was in fifth and sixth grade the boys were really mean if they wanted to be. They didn’t just pick on one person they picked on whoever they felt like it that day. I would laugh along with my classmates if they were making fun of someone just because it wasn’t me. There was time when they were really picking on this one boy and I had enough of it so I told me teacher what they were doing when she wasn’t looking.
2.) The author says, “treating everyone fairly and respectfully” with “treating everyone the same.” Kids are smart and defiantly can sense and see when a teacher isn’t treating everyone fair. I like how an example of a teacher made it clear to her class that all students mattered equally to her, even though her reactions to them might vary from time to time. I think that is a good example to explain to students of how YOU as a teacher will treat your students equally.
When I was in fifth grade I had a teacher who was very nice, but however she did have her teacher’s pets. It was pretty obvious to myself and the rest of the class who it was. It was three girls in our class that she would always have them do stuff for her and no one else. We even teased the girls to their faces, but it really didn’t seem to bother them because they thought they were better than everyone else anyways. So it kind of gave them that extra thing to through in everyones face.
The Author describes how we tend to think as students as risk takers when really they are not taking any risks in the classroom, instead students are more worried about where they stand in relation to others. It seems the social aspect of school is more important than the learning portion. I have noticed this at Simle during lunch time tutoring, in mostly the 8th grade group. The students seem to want to visit more and tend to goof around during this time. When one student talks back or makes a joke, it seems to set others off. There are a few others that keep to themselves and work. It makes me wonder what it is that makes their day this way.
ReplyDeleteThe Author states, "At this age, students often equate treating everyone fairly and respectfully with treating everyone the same". I think that since everyone is different that you almost can't be fair and you need to take it on a case by case basis and be fair to the students' needs. I can see how it could look towards the students but just as the book mentions, you may want to tell students explicitly when you make choices. At Simle you can kind of tell which students need a little more attention then others. The students don't really make a big deal out of it but as soon as it comes to using the bathroom and one person gets to go and another doesn't, then the 'fairness' factor comes up.
1. The author says that although “we tend to think of middle schoolers as risk takers, they often are not taking any risks in the classroom. Instead they are worrying about where they stand in relations to others.” They want to blend in with their peers but not totally lose their identity. “Students want to find a common ground without sacrificing their own individuality and emerging style.” The author goes on to say that “in the middle school year’s student’s appearances and capabilities vary even more widely than at other ages.” Students often hurt their peers and are unaware of the amount of damage they are putting on each other. Not all students have bad intentions though.
ReplyDeleteAt first I did not notice much of this happening in the Simile Middle School but after reading the chapter and some of the things the students wrote I really started to think about it. The part about “being different hurts” was the statement that stood out in my mind the most. I noticed there are students in the classes that have certain “set backs” that my not allow them to fit in or even blend into the crowd. Outside factors could be affecting their adolescence, things that may be uncontrollable like financial support, a disability, or even a cultural background. It is important to find ways to help those students feel comfortable. The book says “Having broke the ice, kids will keep up the process,” Another good point the author made was “looking into the organization of academic work can encourage connections to develop.”
2. When I finished reading the kids care that you’re fair section I had an “ah ha” moment. It’s wasn’t an actual “ah ha” it was more like an “oh yeah” moment. It felt like it was something we had already had learned, we just needed to be refreshed on it. The author says “middle schoolers often hold a different perspective on what’s fair that their teacher does, within any group students will differ in how they think about fairness.” It is very important to establish certain expectations; furthermore having the students help you create a list of what is expected will improved the success. At simile, I noticed that all children are treated with respect by their teachers. They are not all treated exactly the same but they all are respected. It’s essential that good teachers can differentiate between the two.