Our Hearts Knit as One

This was a very interesting article. I love the way that president Eyring addresses the congregation. He has such power in his words. As I read these words again, I was thinking about how our religion and how our faith really plays into our teaching. Even though we know that we can not preach what we know to be true, we can still live it. We can be an example of it everyday of our lives. We can be that shinning light that president Eyring described. It can be the litericy used in our classrooms. Much of our beliefs are based in moral life principals. If we live in the way we know to be right, we will be blessed as people. We will see how our decisions influence us around us and people will take notice. This is important for teachers to remember. We are working with very influentail kids. They need that role model that will teach them how to be a good person, a good adult. This comes not from the words you use, but from the way that you treat the people around you.
I also really enjoyed the part that talked about judgement. It reminded us not to judge to quickly. As teachers, we will be constiantly judging the situation of our students and the classroom. We need to look at the situations that arise with love, compasion, and justice. My favorite concept is that God loves us with justice and mercy. We also need to find that balance in us as we teach our students. If we live it, they will see that, and hopefully apply it to their lives.

Contextual and Cultural Literacies

I really liked this reading. It is very applicable to our lives and what we will be facing in the near future. The nice thing is that theatre is a catalyst for diaologue. Using drama and activities to express yourself can really be very impactful and helpful. In the reading it discusses how they understand the importance of games, Stories, proverbs. All of these are used when interacting with theatre. By using them and helping the students undertand the importance of theatre, they may be inclined to really start exploring issues that they not have approached before. I want to be able to find that crossroad between the two cultures. It is difficult to do. Growing up in a prodominetly white community can be a benifit but also can be a hinderence to me if I dont search for a good balance. I want my students to succeed and I want to be the adult who is willing to help them achieve that goal. Having the passion for the student can be half the battle. If there is differences in language or understanding, we can take time and work with eachother to understand. Sometimes these students just needs an advocate for them so that they can start to become their own advocates.

Kirsten--Student Centered Learning

I really like how in this chapter they called it Learner-Centered Practice. I thought it was great how they discussed that the teacher is there to be the responsible adult but the students are also there to ask questions, lead discussions, and shape the learning opportunities. Building that relationship with the students as a teacher is so important. It is so important because it "...creates an atmosphere of mutual trust, openness, risk-taking, and problem solving." In my classroom the relationship I have with my students will be so important. I want them to feel comfortable enough to take risks. I want them to feel that I am there for them. But also I want them to know that they need to work hard. THey need to be able to push themselves and find the inspiration they have inside. I am not going to be an easy teacher, I want my studetns to learn and to grow, knowing that I am there to aid them along the way. Going back to the idea that the students are the one that can also ask questions and inspire where the teaching goes. Each class is different and I want to be flexable enough that I can allow myself to listen and go where the students need me to go. Just by listening you will be inspired where to take the lesson to teach them the most valuable information.