Anthony wants to hear student voices

 

It appears to me that class participation is an activity that is not relied upon as much as it should be at the middle and high school levels. Do you agree or disagree?  Do you think that class discussion is an important part of learning?   Why or why not?   Do you believe in giving students a grade for class participation/class discussion?   How much class discussion are you seeing during your observations this semester?  And finally, when you begin your student teaching how do you plan to encourage your students to add their thoughts and opinions to class discussion, in essence, participate more while they are in your class?    

Dr. Ries questions the importance of the reading and writing link

 "Sometimes reading and writing are taught in classrooms as if they bear little relationship to one another The result has often been to sever the powerful bonds for mean-making that exist between reading and writing."

Do you agree or disagree with this statement?   What has been your experience with regard to writing assignments in your classes?   Have these assignments given you an opportunity for "meaning-making?" Have these assignments given you an opportunity to explore, clarify and think deeply about ideas and concepts that you have encountered?  Why or why not?   Give us an example.   

Sarah has a question about political issues in the classroom

 If the topic of the Ukrainian-Russian War came up in your class how would you handle this issue?  If your students wanted to discuss the topic in order to get some answers, how would you proceed?  Would you refuse to discuss the problem because you are not the social studies teacher?  Would you prepare a quick lesson plan in your head and assign some background information for your students to view? Do you think that topics such as this are worth discussing?   And finally, should teachers discuss serious issues in their classes?   Why or why not? 

Noreen and the wearing of masks.

 With the impending mask policy changes that are about to take place in New Jersey school districts, do you think it will affect teaching strategies within the classroom?  Do you think that it will increase or decrease student participation and engagement in class?   Why do you feel this way?   Do you think that teachers will welcome a new policy that now allows the wearing of masks to be optional?  Do you think that you will be doing some "virtual work" in your class even though there is no requirement to do so?   Explain the reasoning behind your answer.