Chapters 5 & 6

There are so many things to be learned from these chapters. I LOVE this book! It has taught me so much about teaching and just about myself!!

The first thing that caught my attention was "we rarely succeed in teaching subjects unless we teach human beings as well." It amazes me that such a simple phrase can penetrate so deeply. How often do we as teachers just teach to content rather than realizing we need to teach the children? We teach so they can learn. It isnt enough to give them the material and hope that they know it. That isnt teaching, thats being lazy. One of my favorite memories when I was in elementary school was in my dad's class. He LOVES teaching and he sees every child as someone who needs his attention just as much as the others. And he gives it to him. I love watching him teach because he isnt the same dad that I know. He has showed me the best example of how a student needs and deserves to be treated. Can you imagine the education that children everywhere would recieve if a teacher taught their students with love and individuality? It would be an amazing thing to see.

Another thing I liked was when it said "We teach our classrooms like hamspters in a wheel." I havent even begun teaching and I feel that way. There is so much to teach and so little time. I already feel overwhelmed by the things that are expected of me. But I think it goes back up to the other quote. If we have the mindset that they are humans, then we will feel less like hampsters. :) But I actually believe that. We have the power to make our lives in the classroom easier, we just have to allow it.

I have resolved to make my classroom and fun, safe, and relaxed environment for my students. I feel like by doing that they will feel like they are important PEOPLE in our class. They will learn so much more in those types of surroundings.