Chapter 3 & 4

The beginning of Chapter 3 is wonderful. I think if a teacher really felt that bogged down by all those questions, a wonderful teacher she would be! My favorite concept of this chapter is connecting with our students, which is what these questions address, "How to connect personally with each student" As we issue the "invitation" as the chapter put it so well, some of my favorite motivations are:

1. I want to know you.
2. I have time for you.
3. We need you here.

Just think if we really had these feelings in our hearts as we planned for, taught and assessed our students. Our motivations trickle down into feelings and then actions. So, if we are truly lacking in time, space or we have too many students, just the fact that our motives are in the right place, I think will make a huge difference in how our children respond.

I love the concept that teaching is a partnership. This makes perfect sense, or how else would it work? If you let your students know that you hope to work WITH them they will I'm sure be more open to your teaching efforts on their behalf. I love how they keep coming back to The Little Prince, the idea that it's circular, when we want to to know our children and create strong relationships with them, we must see how they are unique. I think this is very important.

The teacher at the beginning of Chapter 4 is amazing. How important and wonderful this child must have felt to have a teacher connect with him one on one like that. My 2nd grade teacher was like this as well. She was extremely kind and make me feel loved. I even remember the other students in the class asking me if she was my mom!

One of the ways to make a child feel that they are an important part of the class would be to use the suggestion of having your students write on a notecard every 2 weeks. This is when they write down what's going well, not going well and some suggestions. I like that he wasn't afraid to ask for suggestions. I also like that he asked the students to tell him something interesting about themselves. He told them that this makes him a better teacher. I think that this makes each student very special and important.

I also like dialogue journals. it's a nice way for students and teachers to communicate, when a teacher is busy. The teacher can look over 5 or so a day, without feeling too bogged down. Students love getting notes from their teachers and this is a great way to do it.

In the end I feel that all the suggestions offered in these two chapters will definitely help us accomplish the first step in meeting the child's need for personal contribution by their teachers.