Be sure to check out their posts and link up your own posts!
So chapter 2 is all about your beliefs about teaching and the practices you use in the classroom.
So, I want to start off sharing SOME of my beliefs:
I am a guide by the side. The students in my class must be doing the talking and the work. My students own the classroom.
I believe that my students are learners and that I am a learner. We are learning together daily.
Choice and freedom are key to a successful classroom and key to learning.
I KNOW that every child can learn. It’s my job to facilitate the learning and provide each student all of the tools they need to learn.
I must create a safe, happy, positive space for learning to occur.
I believe learning should be hands on and messy.
After hashing out beliefs about the classroom and learning, Debbie Miller says it’s vital to make sure you classroom practices align with those beliefs. If something I’m doing in my classroom isn’t aligned to my beliefs, it must be changed or dropped.
Immediately, something in my classroom jumped out at me. I need to do a better job of listening to the discussions and talk from my students instead of trying to guide them to an answer or a way of thinking. If I listen to them more, our learning will be more authentic and more effective.
Finally, I want to share some thoughts from Debbie about our influence.
As a profession, I hope that we will continue to stand up and fight for what’s best for our students. This year, I am throwing open my door so everyone can see, hear and feel the learning in our classroom. We’re no longer hiding when we’re doing what’s right. I used to say “close the door and teach on” but from now on my philosophy is “OPEN THE DOOR AND TEACH ON!”
And remember to head over to my Facebook Page to join in the discussions of Chapter 2!