Welcome to Becky's Blog

The other day I was reading Julie Landsman's "A White Teacher Talks About Race" and one of her classroom ideas struck me. Each week, she placed a topic on a bulletin board, along with a relevant article. Students had the opportunity to write about the topic for additional credit and/or participate in a discussion about the topic. All of the themes she selected were relevant to student lives in a beyond the classroom sort of way. For example, she might put interviewing for a job or financial aids for life beyond high school. I liked the idea so much that I'm bringing it to this forum. Why? For a plethora of reasons.

I often struggle to know how to create opportunities for students to excel beyond the course work assigned. Is what I'm assigning too much additional work? Will it detract from the assigned tasks? What is a meaningful way to ask for "extra credit"? Typically, I don't like to give extra credit until all regular work is turned in, and yet, this doesn't allow much maneuvering for a student who started slowly and now wants to turn things around. Plus, if I follow Landsman's example, the topics I select will be topics ALL students should engage in and learn about.

It would be terrific if I had a bulletin board in my classroom, but as you all can attest you, our school walls are uniquely are own. The culture I strive to create in my classroom is one of personal safety for all students. Whatsmore, I want all students to feel purposeful and capable in my room. And yet, for some students, school remains a place where it is difficult to focus or really express who you are to your peers and teachers. So, this forum is another forum or opportunity for students to engage with me.

Finally, I'd very much like the opportunity to connect with parents and community members around topics that concern us all. Traditionally, my dialogue with parents is limited to either a glowing report or one that puts strain on both parties. How exciting to learn more about the influential and positive forces students have in their lives-- their parents! So, I will invite all of my students and parents to read and comment on this blog weekly. My intent will be to post a topic weekly, with links to relevant articles and findings. Students and parents are encouraged to use this forum to research, read and write! Welcome!