Fires: Chapter 5 - Teaching to the Individual, Working with the Group

I really liked this chapter because not only did I look at it in the role of a student but in the role as a teacher as well. When the chapter began by describing different types of students I found on that best fit myself. The chapter explained how in classroom discussions all students may not speak up for different reasons depending on what kind of student they are. All students should be able to contribute to a classroom discussion without feeling nervous. The teacher has to be encouraging, respectful and elaborate on any question a student may ask, in turn students will be supportive as well. In groups students should be grouped based on their skills so they can all contribute in their own way as an individual. Just like every student is an individual the standards for a given assignment need to be as well, also standards need to be very specific so that the students know what to expect.

I found that I fall in the wallflower category for a student. I may have something to say in a class discussion but I am too afraid to blurt it out. I don't want to interrupt someone and sometimes I'm not sure if it's even worth saying. The worst is when I hold back from saying something and then someone else says it instead and then I regret being quiet. As a teacher I need to think of my own experiences as a student and what would have helped me to speak up more. This chapter has helped me to realize that my own experiences as a student will be very helpful to me as a teacher.