In the first two blogs we looked at the relationship building that needs to happen between families and the teacher, and the skill building for new students. Now let us look at growing a whole classroom. My goal for my classroom is for each student to be as close to if not above the knowledge and skill level that they need to succeed in academy, and to have a relationship with Jesus. To meet these 2 goals, I have three points of attack: by the individual student, by subject, and by class.
We spoke in detail about how to help new students in the last blog. There are lots of computer programs out there to help with individual tutoring or building up skills. If you do not know where to look start with the technology discount programs that the union or NAD have available and talk with other teachers. Everyone has a different set of programs they use. You may find something that works in your classroom. I have found reading to my students is another big place to help them learn and grow especially if it is a book they would have never picked up on their own. Like an old book with an old cover, but has an awesome story. One place I have found that helps individual students is our church performances done in both languages and completely memorized. This helps the student to think in both languages and improves their translation skills. Many times, I have the students do the actual translation. This pushes the envelope for all my students, and they love it.
When I narrow down into each subject, I know each subject has its own mini-language and the students need to understand those, as well. Vocabulary and visual aids are essential. Vocabulary and its meanings are half of the learning. While experiments, videos, pictures, etc. are the other half of the equation. Yes, in science I do 90% of the experiments in our Science textbooks, and the student hate if we must skip one.
I use Razkids.com, IXL.com, and Britannica online as tools for my class to see more of the world around them and acquire more knowledge in levels of learning that help them. Any avenue that comes my way that can help my students to hear, see, and experience the world of the English language and the American culture I will try it, including cooking on Friday.
For the class point of attack, I have started the class off with the basic knowledge of how the English language works (phonics).Then I added outside reading reports with just needing to tell me 3 facts. I try not to hinder children from reading because of book reports for the first year but the next year I up the knowledge they need to glean. I do this by requiring less books read but more from each book, so book reports go up to page reports, slideshow reports, or poster reports. The other thing I do with all the students is a high level of vocabulary. They may know how to read it, or speak it, but do they understand what the words mean and how to use it. Once I see that they are getting a better grasp on English the writing side of language gets launched, research papers, stories, poster reports, slideshows, diagrams, or more. Each year I up the skill level needed, not just that the student goes from 5th to 6th grade and need to learn the standards or subjects in the new grade but overall the class will be asked to grow in more skill areas. Such as the first-year teaching just summary and storytelling, the second year those two things and adding in research papers and slideshow presentations, whereas in the third year adding in notetaking and quarter-long projects. Yes, keeping each skill suitable to the grade of the student.
Keep the goals in mind. The second goal of mine is my student’s relationship with Jesus, and that is the topic of my next blog.
By Amy Ward
Amy is the head teacher at Pioneer Adventist
Christian School in Guymon, OK
