I feel that schooling does not interfere with children's personal growth because they are in an environment where they can meet people and socialize when appropriate. I think that this is able to build their social skills and interact with people. I also think that this gives them the opportunity to learn from someone if it is better than what they do. For example, if someone saw how organized I was and how quick it is for me to find things in my notebook, they might want to be as organized and ask for help on getting organized. I also feel that they are able to learn more in a public or private school than home-schooling. Not that I am against home-schooling, I just feel that they learn how to do the things above as well as ask for help when they need it. Also after school tutoring is offered after school if they need that extra lift of help. I also feel that as an individual you grow off of what you know. You are also in an environment where you can wear and express who you are as an individual and this is in no way shape or form stopping a child in their own personal growth.
Children learn in many ways. Like the assessment we took, some of us are visual/verbal learners and some of us are auditory/verbal learners, as for other they are kinesthetic and have to have hands on. Not only do children learn through their learning styles, they learn from one another. Working in groups after a fresh lesson is always good because some children are afraid to raise their hand and ask a question because they feel that it may be a stupid question. So in a "safe" environment among a close group of friends they are able to ask the question that they needed the answer to and did not feel stupid doing it.
I learn from everything. I usually learn from reading and taking notes. I am also one who likes to work in groups. Not only do I get to ask questions and work problems out together, I also get to enjoy school for more than learning. I get to socialize a little with my friends. I also learn from others. I like to take in ideas that work for them and try them out myself to see if it works for me to make it either more simple or easier.
For the past 4 years I have been an AVID tutor for the New Hanover County School system. I was working with a group of seventh graders and he asked me what 9*6 was. I asked him if he knew the 9 times tables on his hands. He said that he had no idea what I was talking about. So I told him to hold his hands out in front of him. I told him that 9*1 was 9. You figure this out by putting down your pinkie on your left hand and what is left on the left side was nine fingers. I told him that 9*2 was 18. I told him to put down the 2nd finger (the ring on the left) and it was 1 and then eight left on the right side. I told him that 9*3 was 27. So I told him to put down the 3rd finger and there was 2 fingers on the left and 7 on the right. I hoe you get it. It is easier done in person. Anyways, he was so excited that he could carry around his 9 times tables with him at all times. He was so proud of himself that he showed another student. The next week when I did AVID again with him, he told me that the trick I showed him helped him in the test he took and he passed with an A. I was so proud of him and myself for showing him something so simple in my eyes, but was so valuable in his. I was glad that I helped someone and this is one of the reasons why I want to be a math teacher!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I'm pretty sure I still use that trick with my nine multiplication family! I probably know them, but I always catch myself sticking one finger down and "checking" myself. I think the key to teaching all children is to find something they can relate to or something that works for them and going with it. I know people who couldn't "see" the nine multiplication family on their fingers if their life depended on it, that's just not their learning style. Obviously, it worked for your student.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you schooling does not interfere with children's personal growth. If anything I believe it is essential for personal growth. They need that interaction with other children and adults. They learn the basic social skills for life while they are in school. Furthermore, students are taught that there are consequences for their actions. Students also learn how to be responsible. These skills are a necessity when students enter the work force. Social skills are used in everyday life, that is why children must be equipped with these skills early on.
ReplyDeleteI agree that schooling does not interfere with children's personal growth overall - but I think it can in some ways. For example, if one student is the 'outcast' of the class - the one that gets picked on. Or if one student is slower... I think that this would interfere.
ReplyDeleteI think that schooling is neccesary, by far. I think maybe teachers need to help the students who might be hurt by the school system. I'm not sure of the solution, because school is defiently needed.
I think that schooling does interfere to some degree especially with younger children. Because at such at young age they are forced into school. When I think they should be out exploring and discovering things for themselves. I believe children learn through play, and now with some of the younger age classrooms, it's more about sitting and craming everything they can into them.
ReplyDeleteThat boy is always going to remember you for helping him with that trick. I remember learning that trick in 6th grade, after school in a tutor session too. And I will always remember that, because to me it was an ah-ha moment. Everything seemed to click, and I was so grateful!
What does AVID stand for?