Philosphy Part 3

It seems that I have been side-tracked in my discussion of philosophy.  However, I think that happens to teachers also.  It is easy to begin a year, have a list of things that must be accomplished, and get caught up in the accomplishment of those things without even thinking, "Is what I am doing aligning with what I say I believe about teaching?"  Sometimes, time is thief of our philosophy.

         We know that students learn in different ways and are determined to meet each child's needs, but also realize that there does not seem to be enough time to meet each child's needs.  Each class period seems to just fly by and before we know it the bell is ringing.

       We know that this child did not understand and another child really would do better if we had been able to incorporate more hands-on instruction.  Let me say, first, that it is all but impossible to plan a lesson that meets everyone's learning style every day of the year.  However, during the course of a unit of study, it should be possible to meet everyone's learning style.  I truly believe that one of the things we need to do is to teach students how to advocate for themselves.  If they know they have a certain learning style, they can make some adjustments in the way they receive any information to assist themselves.  In order to do this though, the student needs to be educated in his/her learning styles.  Time invested here can make a difference in the big picture.
     Another thief of our philosophy is organization.  Just as some learn differently from others, some organize differently than others.  However, some sort of organization is necessary for a classroom to run smoothly.  I had some fellow teachers who laughed-- maybe even ridiculed--  my organization when I was in the classroom.  I had a cabinet in which I kept supplies.  In order to not only organize materials, but to also make the place looked organized, I used plastic storage boxes.

     It is sometimes difficult to decide what to put in what box.  One box that most perplexed my colleagues was the one labeled, "Holds things together."  In that box, you could find glue, staples, paper clips, and rubber bands. 

 

So, let's just take a little test, which of these items would you put in a box so labeled?  It really does make sense, doesn't it? 

So whether we would organize in exactly the same way is not important, but organizing is definitely important.  It will same us time in the long run. 

       My sister is an attorney.  She used to work with another attorney whose desk was a mess.  However, his system of organization was to visualize his desk as a map of the United States.  Then when you wanted something from his desk, he would say, "That folder is located in New Jersey."  That may not be a good method for you, but you have to find something that works for you or you will spend all your time looking for things instead of teaching.

     So, if a part of your philosophy of education is that all students can learn and you want to be the one that helps all students in the class to learn, you need to know that organization is one of the tools you will need to live up to this philosophy.

     We need to organize our space in the classroom, our time, and our thoughts.  It is all a part of the process.  However, just organizing does not mean that you are an effective teacher.  I once knew a librarian who could make the library look spectacular-- every book in its place, alphabetized by author or title. I overheard her say one day, "Now if the students would not come in and mess it up."  She had forgotten who she was serving.  We need to remember who we are serving. 

     What are some of the thieves of your philosophy?  What are you doing to overcome them?