Chapters 3 & 4

1a: I agree that living what you believe is both difficult and easy for teachers. I think it is easy because it is just what comes naturally to you. Since it is something that you believe in, then you want to do it. I think by just becoming a teacher is living what you believe. I know that I wont get paid very much by being a teacher, but that's not what is important to me. I also think that it would be hard because even though some of it may come naturally it always isn't the best thing to do for your students. Also some things you believe might go against what your principal wants.

1b: I think that differentiation definitely affects living what you believe. For me, having a differentiated class is living what I believe. I want to be able to teach my students according to their own needs. That is something that is very important to me.

1c: When I am a teacher I will never say to my students that its my class, I will say its our class. Students need to feel like they have some responsibility and say in your classroom. If they aren't apart of things then they will think that there isn't a point to listen to you and follow your rules. If there is a problem with something in your class talk to your students about it and brainstorm solutions to that problem. Children like to feel like they are important and that is a way that you can make them feel that way.

Sylvia Allan's Visit

I loved when Sylvia Allan came and talked to us about morning meetings. She was very entertaining. Before she came and talked to us I knew about morning meetings but I wasn't necessarily going to do it in my classroom. Now after hearing what she had to say I will definitely do morning meetings. I didn't realize how much it would affect my students. Doing morning meetings brings your class together. It makes your class unified and makes it a comfortable environment. I think it is very important for my students to feel like they can talk to me about anything and to trust me. It was amazing to hear some of the stories she told. The importance of morning meetings became a lot more real to me after hearing these stories. She was able to help her students and make a difference in there lives and that is something I want to do with my students. I learned a lot from listening to Sylvia Allan and I am going to use that information she told us and apply it in my classroom.

Chapter 2

2D: As a teacher we will be able to make a difference in our students lives. Everyone has their own hardships that they will be going through at home. There are some things that we wont be able to change or make better, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. We need to make sure we show our students that we really care for them and love them. We need to be genuinely interested in them. As a first year teacher we might not be able to reach out to all of our students like we should, but we will learn from this and as we go on through the years we will have more experience to be able to help our students.

Chapter 1

1a: I agree with what this statement is saying. As you continue to get to know your students you will start to learn more about who they really are. They will start to feel more comfortable around you and you will begin to build a trust with them. It is very important for you to get to know each student personally so then you will be able to recognize what their strengths and weaknesses are. You will then be able to teach them according to their individual needs.