This article was printed in 1997. I see a lot of what is mentioned in this study happening in our schools today...Maybe things have changed significantly in 12 years?
I really enjoyed the enthusiasm of the teacher. As a parent I chuckled at the way the young students spelled words and marveled at the way the students were supported and encouraged to continue writing. I was curious about one part in the article about a specific child's disability. Ann Holt claimed she did not want to know about the specifics claiming that the information was not useful. I guess as a high school educator I see the importance of understanding a students disability in order to make accomodations. Is this primarily an upper grade issue? Wouldn't there be greater benifits to knowing?
Renee, I find the same as Anne Holt in regard to labels. I don't tend to want to read too much about a student at first. I want the chance to see him with my own eyes and assess what I see. Later I can go to the reports and see what has been written. I like to develop my own opinion first and not be swayed. It's just a personal thing. I'm sure there are those who wouldn't think of not reading reports first.
Anne Holt is amazing. She has such a clear picture of each of her students. She sees and values them as individuals. She has a wonderful teacher/student rapport. I love how she put her arm around students as they shared their journal entries. Some of the students just wanted to stand close, some needed to lean on Anne. She was totally open to each student's need.
Some thoughts I jotted in the margins as I read the article
Anne Holt…
Honors children’s work Is respectful Demonstrates excellent communication with families Provides students with a safe environment – physically as well as emotionally Is organized Teaches with full inclusion Is encouraging Is fun Is patient Is observant Is creative Is caring Makes her guests feel welcome Uses teachable moments Gives students’ choices Is clear in her delivery and makes certain students understand tasks Knows her students well Has a child centered environment – a basket containing student written books – what an honor. Employs “Best Practices” Is excellent at differentiating instruction Has great energy Is positive Appreciates each student and the “special-ness” each brings to her class Is proud of her students Is flexible Understands kids are not all the same, and some need to move more than others and it’s OKAY! She is also careful not to let the movement disturb others. She strikes a balance.
I have to say...in what school do you get five...I mean FIVE teachers in the room for reading...lol.........I am all alone with 15-20 teaching reading...thats the one thing that got me about this article...I was also just interested in why the kids stayed on one thing most of the day....I was just wondering....anyways...as a teacher goes I think that she is an amazing teacher who is interested in whats best for all the kids her class....I too let kids do what they need to do to be comfortable most of the time....there are times when I do ask them to sit.....I think that it takes specail people to want to be with children and to undstand them....I agree that she is amazing in that way...
I too like Erin had to laugh at having 5 people in one room for reading! I also am alone most of the day. Students are expected to work on their own and really learn independent skills (which I have noticed disappear as get out of center work and work as a class in reading in the higher grades). I think that Ann is an excellent teacher but that her style would not work for every person or every class. Older students obviously would not need the same type of relationship or treatment. I think the key is to read your students and see what each one needs. As a rule I usually don't let students sit on my knee but there have been 2 students in my career that at times needed that closeness. I try to make adjustments based on students needs. There have also been students that I have stopped using that "sweet teacher voice" with, not because I was frustrated with them, but because they did not respond to it. I can say that I am never the same teacher to each class.
What jumped out in the study for me was Holt’s confidence!!! I was envious of her ability to know what is right for her students and her and go with it. I agree with what everyone else has said... She IS an amazing educator. She recognizes each child and their potential. She gives each child a piece of her undivided attention everyday. It ties in seamlessly with the themes of care. Every child in Holt’s classroom feels valued and cared for. It was clear to the observer that the students worked hard, wanted to please, cared about each other, and valued their learning experience. As a learner that has never been able to sit still it was refreshing to read about teachers that realize that fiddling or moving does not equate to not paying attention. I lived the article!
I enjoyed the last page of this article, where Holt talks about her own personal growth as an educator. I know that I often feel the same way she felt when she first started teaching: if there is too much noise in my classroom, then those who are walking by will think that I have poor class management and my students arent learning. This can be the exact opposite, however.. Sometimes, the students who are learning the most are the ones who are the most fidgety.. Im thinking of one student of mine in particular who doesn't look like they are paying any attention (messing with manipulatives, pencils, etc.) when in fact they score the highest on tests. Even more, sometimes the best learning occurs when students are given the chance to talk and learn from each other.
Anne is a very energetic teacher who has a clear perception of students who need to move in order to learn. I was so excited to find the section on unedited work and what she labels at the end of each student book, etc. I shared this with my colleagues at our team meeting yesterday and they asked for copies! I think that Marcus was so fortunate to go into a classroom such as this one. He will learn a lot from Anne through her wonderful, patient style!
I was impressed on how the teacher allowed the children to have movement. My son was-is the same way. At 16 he still kneels on the chair like he is ready to bolt as he is working on his homework. Her style is very unique. On the surface it appears structured. However, it is flexible and fluid at the same time. This teacher was very fortunate to have this opprtunity for an observation.
This article was printed in 1997. I see a lot of what is mentioned in this study happening in our schools today...Maybe things have changed significantly in 12 years?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the enthusiasm of the teacher. As a parent I chuckled at the way the young students spelled words and marveled at the way the students were supported and encouraged to continue writing.
ReplyDeleteI was curious about one part in the article about a specific child's disability. Ann Holt claimed she did not want to know about the specifics claiming that the information was not useful. I guess as a high school educator I see the importance of understanding a students disability in order to make accomodations. Is this primarily an upper grade issue? Wouldn't there be greater benifits to knowing?
Sorry so late folks. I have been really sick.
ReplyDeleteRenee, I find the same as Anne Holt in regard to labels. I don't tend to want to read too much about a student at first. I want the chance to see him with my own eyes and assess what I see. Later I can go to the reports and see what has been written. I like to develop my own opinion first and not be swayed. It's just a personal thing. I'm sure there are those who wouldn't think of not reading reports first.
ReplyDeleteAnne Holt is amazing. She has such a clear picture of each of her students. She sees and values them as individuals. She has a wonderful teacher/student rapport. I love how she put her arm around students as they shared their journal entries. Some of the students just wanted to stand close, some needed to lean on Anne. She was totally open to each student's need.
ReplyDeleteSome thoughts I jotted in the margins as I read the article
Anne Holt…
Honors children’s work
Is respectful
Demonstrates excellent communication with families
Provides students with a safe environment – physically as well as emotionally
Is organized
Teaches with full inclusion
Is encouraging
Is fun
Is patient
Is observant
Is creative
Is caring
Makes her guests feel welcome
Uses teachable moments
Gives students’ choices
Is clear in her delivery and makes certain students understand tasks
Knows her students well
Has a child centered environment – a basket containing student written books – what an honor.
Employs “Best Practices”
Is excellent at differentiating instruction
Has great energy
Is positive
Appreciates each student and the “special-ness” each brings to her class
Is proud of her students
Is flexible
Understands kids are not all the same, and some need to move more than others and it’s OKAY! She is also careful not to let the movement disturb others. She strikes a balance.
She’s amazing. I give her an A++
I have to say...in what school do you get five...I mean FIVE teachers in the room for reading...lol.........I am all alone with 15-20 teaching reading...thats the one thing that got me about this article...I was also just interested in why the kids stayed on one thing most of the day....I was just wondering....anyways...as a teacher goes I think that she is an amazing teacher who is interested in whats best for all the kids her class....I too let kids do what they need to do to be comfortable most of the time....there are times when I do ask them to sit.....I think that it takes specail people to want to be with children and to undstand them....I agree that she is amazing in that way...
ReplyDeleteI too like Erin had to laugh at having 5 people in one room for reading! I also am alone most of the day. Students are expected to work on their own and really learn independent skills (which I have noticed disappear as get out of center work and work as a class in reading in the higher grades). I think that Ann is an excellent teacher but that her style would not work for every person or every class. Older students obviously would not need the same type of relationship or treatment. I think the key is to read your students and see what each one needs. As a rule I usually don't let students sit on my knee but there have been 2 students in my career that at times needed that closeness. I try to make adjustments based on students needs. There have also been students that I have stopped using that "sweet teacher voice" with, not because I was frustrated with them, but because they did not respond to it. I can say that I am never the same teacher to each class.
ReplyDeleteWhat jumped out in the study for me was Holt’s confidence!!! I was envious of her ability to know what is right for her students and her and go with it. I agree with what everyone else has said... She IS an amazing educator. She recognizes each child and their potential. She gives each child a piece of her undivided attention everyday. It ties in seamlessly with the themes of care. Every child in Holt’s classroom feels valued and cared for. It was clear to the observer that the students worked hard, wanted to please, cared about each other, and valued their learning experience. As a learner that has never been able to sit still it was refreshing to read about teachers that realize that fiddling or moving does not equate to not paying attention. I lived the article!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the last page of this article, where Holt talks about her own personal growth as an educator. I know that I often feel the same way she felt when she first started teaching: if there is too much noise in my classroom, then those who are walking by will think that I have poor class management and my students arent learning. This can be the exact opposite, however.. Sometimes, the students who are learning the most are the ones who are the most fidgety.. Im thinking of one student of mine in particular who doesn't look like they are paying any attention (messing with manipulatives, pencils, etc.) when in fact they score the highest on tests. Even more, sometimes the best learning occurs when students are given the chance to talk and learn from each other.
ReplyDeleteAnne is a very energetic teacher who has a clear perception of students who need to move in order to learn. I was so excited to find the section on unedited work and what she labels at the end of each student book, etc. I shared this with my colleagues at our team meeting yesterday and they asked for copies! I think that Marcus was so fortunate to go into a classroom such as this one. He will learn a lot from Anne through her wonderful, patient style!
ReplyDeleteI was impressed on how the teacher allowed the children to have movement. My son was-is the same way. At 16 he still kneels on the chair like he is ready to bolt as he is working on his homework. Her style is very unique. On the surface it appears structured. However, it is flexible and fluid at the same time. This teacher was very fortunate to have this opprtunity for an observation.
ReplyDelete