How would you answer these... 1. What do you do if a student just isn't "getting it" in your classroom as far as what you are teaching? 2. What do you do if a student stated they did not like your lesson? 3. How do you prepare students for state testing? 4. How do you teach literacy?
I'd stumble all over myself & probably not come up with a good answer. #2 I'd me tempted to say "too bad, suck it up buttercup". I really don't have a clue - something about we don't always get what we want, but this is a lesson that we need to become smarter...blah blah blah #3 preparing like everyone else - give them wksh after wksh to review. Actually since they'd hate that answer I guess it would be to play review games #4 literacy - I teach literacy through immersing students in reading. Every subject has reading intertwined in it. As you can tell I wouldn't have good answers
How can you teach literacy through reading if the student can't read, or lacks the decoding skills? Worksheets, especially lots and lots of them, are a wonderful way to bore students to the point where they shut down. I think that is the opposite of what you hope to accomplish. Reacting with a sarcastic remark is never the answer. Most adults hate it, and students don't have the skills to understand the intent, so they take that as a personal attack on their ideas and opinions. You also just showed them where your "soft spot" is - they now know how to get a rise out of you. Just my opinion, of course.
1. If a student is struggling, I pull that student and possibly other students who are also struggling into a small group and work on the concept again using a different method during centers. This could include diagrams, hands-on activities, reading/article, ect. (I teach science) 2. I would explain that in order to do the fun things like projects and experiments we need to be prepared and know the material/concepts first. My students are 4th grade and usually get it when I explain this. Sometimes they are even eager to get through the "boring" lessons to get to the fun stuff. 3. I don't specifically prepare students for state testing but rather teach the required standards and hold high expectations for my students. If I know a state test uses a particular rubric, I will also incorporate this so students get used to the grading process. 4. I incorporate literacy in a variety of ways. I use children's literature to supplement lessons, I incorporate reading strategies in my science centers including close reading, buddy reading, independent reading, nonfiction decodable readers, graphic organizers, vocabulary practice, and a variety of writing activities. Hope this helps!
