Linda

















The first article that I selected was “//School and Inquiry”// by Steven Wolk. This article was chosen because I am always looking for a more exciting way to teach students. The seven grade sugar project was one that I would consider exciting. The teacher was able to take something as simple as sugar and develop the student’s thinking across the whole curriculum. Within this classroom environment you will see students actively engaged in the learning process. You can hear the voices of the students talking through the process of learning. The second article I selected was “Cultivating” by Richard Sagor. I am partial to this article because it said “students are motivated to put forth their best effort when they have faith in the future and themselves.” Wow! When one can believe that they have the power to learn and make a positive impact on the own educational success then change can happen. In this article the preschool teacher was able to bring joy to her students through the opportunity to explore and learn each day. Her students were excited to come to school each day to experience something new and know that they would have success. The setting of this classroom takes place in lower level of the learning center in classroom number five. As I sit and take an observation of the Education 214 classroom I see so many items that will allow all students the opportunity to be creative. The room is full for student’s expressions and quotes that they live by. One of the quotes hanging on a cloth line says” By learning you teach/ By teaching you learn”. To me this is a true statement, to be an effective educator, learning should never stop. Also in this room you will find material such as; hard orbital sander, lumber, benders, candles, steel wool, paper, paint, glue, hammers, buttons, fish wire, play-doh, nails, sand paper, zippers, computers, bean backs, blankets, yarn, books, paint brushes, staplers, and much more. This environment allows all students to be creative in their own ways. There are no limits of how creative one can be. This is what I would consider a free leaning zone. While wearing my inquiry-based teaching glasses I was able to observe the teachers not treating this class like a conventional classroom. The instructors were not providing the students with direct instructions. The students were able to generate their own content related questions and develop their own research as needed. The students were involved in conversations that would lead them to a new discovery. The instructors would ask thought provoking questions which would allow each student to think outside the box. The instructors were able to direct various students during the investigations process. As an educator it’s important to be able to meet the educational needs of all students. Within this class I was able to see the learning curve of all students needs being accommodated. This class was also driven by the interest of the students. The students were engaged at all times and excited about each project that they were working on. I could tell that the instructors were committed to providing a rich learning experience for every student. When I changed my glasses to cultivating students I was able to see success all across the room. The students were excited to be a part of this class. The excitement of these students was over flowing to other students. Students just walking pass the doorway would stop to see what was happening in the class. Students would bring friends to class with them. One young man said, “I have learned more in this class then I have learned in my own classes.” One student brought her younger sister, brother and a friend to class with her and they were so excited about this class that they came back. As they were leaving for the day they said, “I can’t wait to start college here in five years.” This class has not only enriched the lives of the students that are enrolled in the class but, it has also had a positive effect on the lives of the future students of this institution. The article talked about students in an active environment and a true community of learners. The moment I walked in the door of this classroom I was able to feel the community of learning in action. With inquiry- based learning you are able to build a self directed learning environment that allows students to have ownership of their learning. Leaving this classroom I have a better understanding of what it takes to make a classroom more inviting. When setting up my classroom I will make sure that I have a variety of supplies for my students. I will also work toward the things that my student are interested in. Seeing the development of each student plays an important part in the learning strategies that as a teacher I will use in the classroom. Cultivating students is like planting a garden. The teacher is planting seeds of knowledge on a rich soil which is the mind of the students. Then giving it water every day allows the teacher to continue to feed the students more knowledge. Then there is the sun light that is needed to keep the plants growing which is the success that the students are showing. Then tender loving and care is watching each student growing at his/her own rate.
 * Articulation of the articles**
 * Description of classroom**
 * Description of the observation **
 * Thoughts about your observation **

What a remarkable combination to have in a classroom Inquiry and Cultivating

Student’s quotes The most powerful quote came from one of the instructors she said, “That she views the students as colleague not students.”
 * This class helps with how to incorporate art in to the lesson. We learned how to teach math to younger students. Students are able to bounce ideas off of each other during the classes that help them to enhance their projects.
 * Learned how to keep things exciting in your classroom and not just have student work on worksheets.
 * Discovered own creativity and because of that it has help with securing summer employment.
 * Understanding how to be a better husband with cooking, handy things and working with own children one day.
 * The concept of ish, meaning I realize if it’s not perfect it doesn’t matter.
 * You will never know until you try.