Wrap-Up from the Course

At the beginning of this course, I didn't know what to expect from this course.  I now feel that I have the tools to effectively incorporate and focus on literacy in my classroom, in both social studies and mathematics.  I feel that fostering discussion in my classroom will help facilitate critical literacy in my classroom as we reflect on the sources we encounter in our study of history and government.   Students will have opportunities to reflect on essential questions that do not have clear-cut answers that require higher level thinking.  I will also expose my students to many sources from varying perspectives and spend time on giving voices to people who are not typically considered in the average textbook.

I feel that there are just as many ways to incorporate critical literacy into my mathematics classroom as well.  There are many ways in which students can evaluate math from different perspectives.  One way to do this is to avoid using problems from just one background or culture.  Examining the broad history of mathematics will integrate more cultures and diversity, as mathematical advancements have been made all over the world.  Avoiding stereotypes in language can also help students of all cultures, interests, and gender to feel that they can make contributions in mathematics and pursue careers in fields requiring mathematics.  There are also ways to help students look critically at actual mathematics.  This requires teachers to stop treating textbooks as a "mathematics bible." Meaningful discussion of math needs to take place, and that will happen as more emphasis is given to constructing concepts and discovering relationships, as opposed to solely focusing on developing a skill for using algorithms.  As a teacher, I can take mistakes or misunderstanding of students and use them to create meaningful learning experiences and help students be cognizant of their own thought processes.  Through interactive, engaging learning activities I hope that students will question information that they are receiving and not merely take my word on it as an authority figure.

In both content areas, I will be very selective and thoughtful in the vocabulary words that I emphasize, limiting the number of words chosen and having them be related to each other.  This will require that I continue to learn about my content area and deepen my own understanding.  I feel that as I focus on essential questions and overarching themes, I will find words that will be meaningful to them beyond the classroom and merely getting through a unit or test.  I will analyze the structure of words to give them more meaning and expose students to it a number of times through various ways.

To tie comprehension instruction into my content I will pay attention to preparing my students for what we are reading, supporting them while reading, and helping them evaluate and question what they have read.  I loved learning about the many lessons that can be utilized to help this, our textbook will be a wonderful resource for this.  I feel that having students verbalize their perceptions of the reading, and even their background knowledge will help students to solidify knowledge.  I want my students to know that they have a voice in my classroom, and what they are saying is valued.  This will be done through student-centered discussions and authentic questioning.  I hope that my relationship with my students is mostly that of a colleague, where I am in the pursuit of knowledge and learning with them.

I feel that one way that I can support my students in writing is to give clear and direct rubrics.  In addition, I will give them a number of different options of how they can present their information.  I will help them feel more meaning in the assignment by having them write to authentic audiences.

I feel that the first thing I need to focus on is creating an environment where all students feel comfortable and accepted.  I will be sensitive to the diverse needs of my students, and present my information in multiple ways.  I feel that being successful at this largely hinges on embracing critical literacy.  I will give students opportunities to be successful by learning their interests and giving them opportunities to embrace and share their own culture-what contributes to who they are.  I will utilize peer tutors and other teachers to help students be successful.

I am so excited to keep finding texts to offer to my students!  There are so many resources, and I feel that my text set is a reflection of what I will have in my classroom.  In terms of history, what won't I have in my classroom!?! I have been collecting books and artifacts since I was in elementary school.  I know that may sound weird, but I've wanted to teach for a long time and I have been expanding my library of historical fiction, non-fiction, movies, and primary source documents for a long time.

I have really enjoyed this course and learned a lot.  I am excited to apply all of these things to my discipline, and to continue to learn as an educator, historian, mathematician etc., and hope that my students will have a desire to do so through presenting content in an intriguing and compelling way. :)