A1: I was not there for the the guest speaker but from what I've learned about morning meetings so far I think that they are a really good idea and would be very beneficial in the classroom. I will definitely try to implement morning meetings into my own classroom. The students will be able to feel a stronger sense of community among their classmates and I think it will help those that are normally shy to feel comfortable speaking up. Once they feel comfortable speaking in morning meetings, hopefully they will feel comfortable sharing their ideas in class as well.
B1: 5 specific ways a teachers can respond to students needs:
1) The Response of Invitation
2) The Response of Opportunity
3) The Response of Investment
4) The Response of Persistence
5) The Response of Reflection
I like how it talks about making the student feel like he/she is important and valuable to the classroom. Showing interest in the child and wanting to get to know them helps them to feel like they are important and that you want them in the classroom and they have something valuable to contribute. I think this is really important because so many kids feel like teachers look right past them for whatever reason. They feel like it doesn't make a difference whether they are there or not. I have had teachers like this and it didn't make me want to come to school or to try to do well in the class. By making a child feel welcome in class they know that they will be missed when they don't show up and their attendance is important to the teacher, not just because of grades, but because they are a person the teacher cares about.
I am so sad that you missed Sylvia's presentation. It was life-changing, even for me, and I listen to it every semester, 2 times every semester! However, your answer to the second question was very thoughtful and insightful... you can make a difference! 4 points
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