While I was completing my observations with my cooperating teacher, there were some days he had meetings during his free period. During those days he would have me sit in with another Ebglish teacher who works with sophomores. While observing this teacher, I noticed a few differences. At the start of class students would grab their notebooks and folders from a shelf. These items are not allowed to leave the room (so that they don't get lost). When I asked the teacher about this after class, she said it was because she buys them the notebooks and folders. According to her, she only had to pay a nickel for each folder because she told the workers at Staples that she is a teacher. She also said she paid a little more for the notebooks. But it seems as though she spent less than $10 on materials for the students, which means it wasn't too pricey to get those materials for her 75 students. This teacher said she prefers to buy the students these items so that she can make them leave everything in the classroom, something which I can see the pros and cons to. The cons of this being that students can't lookover their notes or class items for guidance on something if they need to. In this case, how do they take assignments home? How do they study for midterms and final exams?
After working with her for a class period, I asked my CT if he supplied notebooks and folders to his classes too. He said he has a backup supply of notebooks, folders, pencils, binders and other classroom materials, however, he said most kids tend not to ever need them. He said that when he used to supply the class with these materials they usually weren't used or the students wanted to use their own items. It would also seem he would rather put money towards food for the students, which seems to be more useful in his classes, as they almost all meet in the morning. My CT said that typically students can always afford their class materials, but the backups are kept just incase they cannot.My CT uses a class roster, however, he let the students pick their own seats and write their own names in on the roster. He said that the seniors are responsible enough to choose their seating. I believe that this allows them to feel like they are not being babied, which encourages a better relationship between the students and teacher. Typically the students always show up with their own notebooks and folders with the materials they need in them. The only time the teacher has instructed them with what to bring is when he asks them to bring their senior project topic ideas or summer reading work in for class. This year the students also have access to the portable laptops in their classroom, which will be helpful when it comes to writing and working on their senior project. In the classroom next-door their is a printer that students have access to use if they need to print things out. Typically my CT has them use it before class or a few minutes before the class ends, this way it doesn't take away from the lesson.
It seems that at this school, students have access to any supplies they might need, as well as laptops, computers and printers. While the school does not give chromebooks to every student, like a lot of other schools have started to do, it would appear that the students manage with what they have perfectly fine. I have yet to see an instance where students don't have the proper materials to use and work with during class time.
Heather, I really liked your point about the teacher keeping notebooks and folders in the classroom for her students. While it is wonderful that she is able to provide those materials for all of her students to succeed, there are definitely cons in that students can't take them home. I really like how you analyze the pros and cons of these practices and ask those important questions. It's also really nice that your CT can provide snacks for the students, which I would assume increases productivity and classroom morale.
ReplyDeleteHeather, this is a really interesting account of your observation at NPHS. It's interesting to consider how one teacher you observed purchased x amount of materials to help her students, while your CT invested his finances into food for his students. Through your observations, you note that students often use their own materials, which to me speaks to their autonomy and status as emergent adults. The teacher who buys notebooks for her students considers them children, it seems; your CT considers them as more than such. I can't wait to hear how the next field placement in our practicum works out for you!
ReplyDeleteI have always wondered about what would be better: supplying my students with materials or asking them to bring their own in. I can see why the other teacher you observed decided this was best for her class, but also why your CT decided that an emergency supply closet worked better in his classroom. Perhaps there could be a compromise in that the students provide most of their own materials like notebooks for class, pens, pencils, etc, and the teacher supplies a set of notebooks for quickwrites and journaling. This would allow for students to be able to take their assignments and notes home for studying and homework but also allows the teacher to keep track of where the students are in terms of the lessons by reading through and occasionally replying to the journals.
ReplyDeleteThe other teacher keeping all of her supplies does make me wonder if she even supplies homework? I guess it could be online but we can't assume that every student has access to the internet at home. Perhaps the teacher gives out handouts for homework? Or maybe this teacher doesn't give out homework at all?