Balance Literacy Approach

1. The New Balance Literacy Approach is one of the most important topics we discussed in class for various reasons. It’s important to understand how students best learn so that we as educators can be effective in our instruction. Learning about this approach to teaching literacy is vital to our future success as literacy instructors. Knowing how to implement the four key aspects- guided reading, self-selected reading, phonics, and writing- will hopefully aid us in future teaching endeavors. In order to see students thrive, we need to have a thoroughly balanced approach to literacy instruction.
2. Another important thing I learned about from this class was classroom management skills. A teacher can’t be effective in teaching if they can’t …show more content…
Incorporating cultural diversity into the classroom was also an important topic we discussed in class, and one that I never really considered before. Not only is it good to expose your students to other cultures, but it is also important to show respect and acceptance to other cultures that may be represented within the student population. Favoring one cultural tradition over another may create problems, so a teacher should strive to include as much diversity as possible. Cultural diversity can also come into play when dealing with the parents of the child. Ideas and expectations may vary from culture to culture, so teachers need to be understanding of that fact and willing to work with the parents in order to best help the …show more content…
Another great lesson I learned in this class that I find worth mentioning came directly from our weekly movie. Even though it was just a work of fiction, there were still many practical lessons to be gleaned from Akela and the Bee. For instance, it’s important for teachers to encourage their students. Some students may not get support and encouragement at home. As a teacher, you may be the only person to ever believe in your students or show them that they can achieve success. Secondly, I noticed that environment has a lot to do with both confidence and academic pride. Akela was ashamed of her school and had very little interest in representing it in a competition because of that fact. The atmosphere created in a classroom can help students to thrive and can encourage them to succeed. Thirdly, I saw how a student’s peers can really impact their academics. A student may not try their hardest if they feel that being smart is not the cool or popular thing to do. I think as teachers we should be looking out for these students who are not reaching their fullest potential due to the influence of friends and find a way being out the best in them. Finally, I saw how having positive influences can completely change the life of a student. Even if a teacher has to go out of their way in order to be that person, it is beyond worth it to see a student