Stephanie’s learning journey..

Culture & Climate

“The most important foundational element is the culture of the school.” ~ Allan A. Glatthorn (1992)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXdmaBlijD0

What is the differences between culture and climate?

Culture: “Some important elements of culture… are the norms, values, beliefs, traditions, rituals, ceremonies, and myths translated by a particular group of people. Thus, the values expressed in lesson plans and classroom teachings, the way the principle runs staff meetings, and the decorations displayed in hallways are all integral parts of school culture.” – (Stolp S., Smith S. C., 1995) 12

Climate: “When discussing climate, the focus is on the impressions, feelings, and expectations held by members of the school organization. These perceptions are aroused by the organization’s structure, setting, as well as by the social interactions among those who work and learn there” – (Stolp S., Smith S. C., 1995) 15

Diversity in learning

What are the many types of diversity found in a classroom?

Culture: “Different cultural groups have different ways of making meaning.” (Jerome C. Harste)

Racial origins: “Thirty years from now (by 2035) demographers project that students of color will constitute a majority of the student

population…” (Hodgkinson, 2001, U.S Bureau of the Census, 2000)

Language “[Teachers] must know how to provide clear, organized directions – using multiple modes of commutation so that

students who process information differently will be able to understand them- and well-scaffolded tasks that provide many entry points into the material so that students can learn.” (J. Banks et al., 2005) 254

Learning challenges “To instruct special needs students effectively, teachers need to understand the nature of various disabilities, ranging

from mild to moderate learning disabilities… to other concerns such as developmental delays, mental retardation, hearing impairments, visual impairments, autism, emotional and behavioral disorders, speech and language impairments, physical impairments (mobility), emotional disturbances, and attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).” (J. Banks et al., 2005) 256

Forms of Literacy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ySocUyI7I

Poverty and Learning

Poverty: the degree to which an individual does without resources (Ruby Payne, A Framework for Understanding Poverty)

What forms of poverty are found within the classroom?

Financial, emotional, mental spiritual Physical support systems, relationships/role models, knowledge of hidden rules

Universal Design for Learning

“Each child, everyday, no exception”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I92QkPdvYRI

http://youtu.be/6jinXRuL-Tw?t=13s

Rule of thumb: Never use the gifted kids to help the slower students. – Dyck, B., September 23, 2013

“Because students understand how they learn, they understand what they need”

Scaffolding

Scaffolding is the “support for learning and problem solving; the support could be clues, reminders, encouragement, breaking the problem down into steps, providing an example, or anything else that allows the student to grow in independence as a learner” - (Woolfolk A. E.,

Winne P. H., Perry N. E., 2011)

Zone of Proximal Development

Brought into light by Vygotsky, the zone of proximal development refers to the “phase at which a child can master a task if given appropriate help and support” - (Woolfolk A. E., Winne P. H., Perry N. E., 2011)

Scaffolding can be thought of as the assistance to a child to help them remain in the zone of proximal development

References

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35483578@N03/9969711815 permission to use by Attribution, No Derivatives, Non-Commercial by United Nations Photo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8087681@N08/4571489777 permission to use by idlphoto

http://www.flickr.com/photos/69108241@N00/192000914 permission to use by MSH*

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48639212@N02/5619629891 permission to use by Gates Foundation