What to look for in a classroom: Alfie Kohn

    In my opinion, I believe that every student learns differently, and has their own strength and weaknesses in the classroom. 

    Kohn includes in his "Stuff" category he states that there should be a "sense of clutter" in the classroom including supplies, posters, and other educational items. I agree with this to an extent. Personally, If i notice something is messy or cluttered, it is all I focus on until it is organized to my liking. In middle school I had this one teacher who had his entire room covered in newspaper articles, photos with his student, educational posters, decorations from every holiday, flags from colleges, stacks of papers and homework all over his desk and cabinets, and basically anything he found around the school. There was so much going on that for the first few weeks of class I would get easily distracted due to something that caught my eye in the classroom. This would cause me to fall behind as I struggled to grasp a full attention on what the teacher was saying. Some students may get easily distracted by small things, which is why I think it is important to decorate your classroom with a  sense of organization, rather than a "sense of clutter". Kohn talks about seating arrangements along with clutter, and how the desks should be arranged a certain way. I strongly disagree with this as I like to move around. When I do my homework I constantly move from sitting at a desk, to laying on the floor, to laying on the bed, to then sit back on the desk. It is something that I, and many other students find to help us learn best.
    Kohn Then talks about "On the Wall". In this section he shares that the teacher should display at least some sort of work from each student to show the student/teacher collaboration. I agree that this is what would be on the wall. This shows the students, at any age, that you care about the work they are doing. Some students work may be "better" than other students, which is why you should display something unique from each student. Sharing something they are proud of will cause them to WANT to keep learning. 
    In order to create an inclusive learning environment where all students can succeed, it is imperative that teachers attend to each student's individual educational needs in the classroom. Diverse learning styles, aptitudes, and histories should be acknowledged and addressed in order to make sure that every student feels supported and respected, which raises motivation and engagement levels. By customizing their lessons and offering the right tools, educators may close knowledge gaps, advance equity, and enable students to realize their greatest potential. In the end, this focused attention helps kids achieve higher academic goals and gets them ready for challenges in a varied society.








Comments

  1. JoanmarieOctober 18, 2024 at 5:42 PM

    I like how you connected your own experiences to Kohn's guidelines. I also like that you included a hyperlink to his website.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dr. Joyce StevosOctober 30, 2024 at 6:57 AM

    For Jess:Michelina’s - I enjoyed your experience with a cluttered classroom, it helps illustrate how
    distractions can impact focus. This helps emphasize the need for an organized environment that
    supports all students. You’ve highlighted the need for balance between organization and
    personalization in the classroom. I also agree with your perspective on displaying student work.
    Showcasing each student's unique piece of work can encourage pride and motivation. How do
    you envision balancing organization with personalization in your future classroom?

    ReplyDelete
  3. tessNovember 27, 2024 at 8:11 AM

    I liked what you wrote

    ReplyDelete

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