Kyra Cummings

Are you making connections between course topics and Service Learning?  YES Have you been able to articulate your own learning and understanding?   I think I have. I don't feel as though i'm falling behind.  Is the process of blogging helping you to think and notice things in your Service Learning?  I actually  do like the blogging. This has been the part that has kept me to find a connection with the service learning. When a blog question is presented, and I have to connect it to service learning, I see the connection. But when I'm  in the school, I don't realize that its going to come up. Like with the Brown vs the state. I never thought about my teacher being fair to all the different "genes" of kids. It didn't even cross my mind that it was a law and was fought for. I just thought, oh this is what life is. Of course she's fair! In what areas do you see growth or learning from the first blog post to the last?  yes, totally! I di...

I feel as though I lucked out with my Service Learning Teacher. Her oldest is Autistic. She she is quick to be fair to all learners, no matter their race, gender, background, or learning style. She has a couple kids of different races in her class and the students talk and treat each other as though they're all the same.  There are times when you get to ask a spotlighted  student 10 questions. And some questions that are asked are innocent to 1st graders, but can be rude to an understanding adult or older student. So my teacher will redirect and say, "how about we rephrase your question? That can be taken mean." The students have always replied  back with a new quick question. I think redirection at an early age works.  I can see that racism isn't talked about. But it is first grade. I know it's brought up later in schooling. For now, bullying and teasing are spoken about. Which is a great start to the young minds.  My teachers hold her kids to a high stand...

My service learning teacher is actually great at differentiating instruction for the diverse learners in her classroom.With my position at my elementary school, I actually get to know the confidential "disabilities" of the students. I usually am the aide that will sit and work extra time with them according to their IEPs. There are times when an a student is having a hard time transitioning to the next activity or subject, and they need more time, or help to transition. My teacher is great at keeping the other students distracted by a clean up process or by starting the next activity while she goes to talk to whatever student is having  a hard time. My little guy is in her class, he is autistic. So I know he has a hard time transitioning. Especially if its from an art project. He loves art so much. So she'll usually let him have an extra couple minutes. Or if she thinks ahead, she'll whisper to him and tell him that he only has another couple minutes. This helps the...

History changing and progressing is always hard to accept, but so many good thing can come of it. For example, Brown vs the Board. It was a huge step in the right direction for education. It paved the way for desegregation, and I applaud those strong, brave men and women for being the fist to accept and go forward with this law. As time moved forward, more laws and acts followed to improve education and fair learning environments for students. The Individuals with disabilities Act impacts me the most. At home and during my service learning project. My son is autistic and has an IEP. I found a respect and also a disrespect for many of his educators as I've worked him him over his elementary years. The teachers who truly care for his well being and education are amazing, and they understand the law. There has been a couple teachers, that I have fought against, that are in the wrong position. They would be better suited in a "regular" student environment. Not working with ...

 One of my favorite engaged activities my teacher does with her first graders is "Writers Workshop". This is where she has provided 12x12 whiteboards, Expo markers and mini whiteboard erasers to each of her students.This is a daily part of their schedule and when I "interview" the students, this is one of their favorite activities to do. She asks them a simple question, "yesterday, today or tomorrow?" And they need to write, and draw one thing or activity they did yesterday, or something they'll do today or tomorrow. It helps with writing, they get to free write on the whiteboards and free draw. It give them a small idea to think about, but then they really get to think about what they want to write and draw. After 10 minutes, they get to share their board with those at their table for the next 5 minutes, and they Popsicle sticks are drawn to choose 5 random students to share with the class. They are only 1st graders, so more end up being shared.  ...

What does the cooperative teacher do to establish a positive relationship with each student? &  Describe a time your cooperative teacher has offered choice to students. &  What has your cooperative teacher done to make students feel loved and safe.      This one is actually about the computer teacher at my school. She saw a Facebook video of a teacher greeting the students in their way into class. And the student got to choose according to their mood that day. So Mrs Bulpitt has signs hanging on the door, and as you walk in, you can slap the greeting you want. They can choose between, a high five, a silly dance, or a hug. This way, she's not pushing a greeting upon them and they get to choose according to their comfort and mood.      The kids love it and they get to know her and get to have a relationship with her even though she's not their full time teacher. Just one that meets with the kids once a week. But I see many of the...