Goals and the Attributes Required to Accomplish Them

10 September 2010

Middle school students are drastically different from elementary and high school students--they have different interests, needs, opinions, and perceptions of the world around them. Therefore, it makes sense that students in this age group require different learning goals in the classroom.

When looking at the ELA classroom specifically, there are particular learning goals that should be addressed throughout the year. The first goal I would set for my ELA students is ensuring that they can all read successfully and be independent readers. Even though many assume that all middle school students walk through the door knowing how to read, Kylene Beers points out in her book, When Kids Can't Read, that this is a false assumption. She describes an independent reader as someone who knows how, on thier own, to make the text make sense. Beers describes her teaching goal in chapter 2: "I want to...teach them how to struggle with a text, how to develop the patience and stamina to stick with a text, how to figure out on their own what is separating them from success with the text, and what they should do to fix it" (16). After they become independent, successful readers the next step I would set for students is to make connections with the literature. Connecting the literature to themselves, to their communities, and to the world is what makes literature meanigful; it provides a purpose to reading. And being able to communicate these personal and emotional connections with teachers and peers, whether oral or written, is another next important step. Although these goals are broad, I believe they lie at the heart of what ELA instruction is all about at the middle level .

In order for students to accomplish these goals, however, an effective teacher must be in place to guide and facilitate student learning. During the last couple of course sessions, we discussed what attributes make an effective teacher with a strong focus on classroom management. From what I gained through the readings and the class discussions, I have come to the following conclusion. Effective teachers are passionate, strong, involved, humorous, organized, professional, knowledgeable, caring, and the list goes on and on. Effective teachers have and implement effective classroom management and take the time to understand their students. They take time to understand thier abilities, their interests, their insecurities, their culture, and their individuality. When  reflecting upon my own attributes and which ones will help me to become a better educator, I think I feel most strongly about getting to know my students and I have that desire to use that information to help them succeed at school. Where I feel weakest is in the area of discipline. I could strengthen this skill throughout the semester by focusing on discipline and simply not putting up with disruptions and misbehavior. Disciipline requires confidence and strength, which I can build up in myself to help me become a more effective teacher.