Reflection:
What I learned through this project:
Through the time that I have spent working with and researching this topic, I feel as if I have grown into a more educated and informed person of society. Some of the information that I researched was very interesting to me. I learned that total immersion is seemingly one of the most effective ways to help ESL students in todays classroom. I believe that immersion should be implemented for students in elementary grades in order for them to become efficient in social skills. However, I do feel that students will need specialized one-on-one assistance during the early part of their transition into US public schools. I plan to use this information I learned to not only help myself as a future teacher, but also inform other teachings that may be struggling with an ESL student in their classroom.
Standard that connects to the content in this research:
Being an elementary school teacher, I will have to focus on maintaining a positive learning environment in my classroom. In doing this, I will need to make sure that all of the students have an understanding of the differences among their peers. ESL students usually have less social interaction than other students because of the initial language barrier. During their initial transition it will be possible for students to make fun of them or pick on them because of their differences from the majority of the class. Talking about the differences among students is important in the beginning years of school. Some of the standards that I could focus on are as follows: Kindergarten:1.01 Describe how individuals are unique and valued.2.04 Analyze classroom problems and suggest fair solutions.
What I learned through this project that will help me as a future social studies teacher
It can be seen in our history since the time of our existence. Prejudice, Non-Conformity, and Racial Differences have caused disagreements and fights throughout our history. I feel it is crucial, as a future elementary school teacher to not only inform students of the past but also discuss why these events occurred. Throughout the years, wars have begun and fights have been started in response to a belief by an individual not understanding the differences of another. The same thing goes for ESL students. At a young age, many children do not understand why there is someone "different" in their class. Students may not try and communicate with these particular students because of the language barrier. ESL students being exposed to English in real life situations as in interaction amongst peers can be extremely beneficial in aiding their understanding of the English language. I believe discussing these possible differences with students in my class at the beginning of the year can help students be more accepting and understanding of classmates differences.
Through the time that I have spent working with and researching this topic, I feel as if I have grown into a more educated and informed person of society. Some of the information that I researched was very interesting to me. I learned that total immersion is seemingly one of the most effective ways to help ESL students in todays classroom. I believe that immersion should be implemented for students in elementary grades in order for them to become efficient in social skills. However, I do feel that students will need specialized one-on-one assistance during the early part of their transition into US public schools. I plan to use this information I learned to not only help myself as a future teacher, but also inform other teachings that may be struggling with an ESL student in their classroom.
Standard that connects to the content in this research:
Being an elementary school teacher, I will have to focus on maintaining a positive learning environment in my classroom. In doing this, I will need to make sure that all of the students have an understanding of the differences among their peers. ESL students usually have less social interaction than other students because of the initial language barrier. During their initial transition it will be possible for students to make fun of them or pick on them because of their differences from the majority of the class. Talking about the differences among students is important in the beginning years of school. Some of the standards that I could focus on are as follows: Kindergarten:1.01 Describe how individuals are unique and valued.2.04 Analyze classroom problems and suggest fair solutions.
What I learned through this project that will help me as a future social studies teacher
It can be seen in our history since the time of our existence. Prejudice, Non-Conformity, and Racial Differences have caused disagreements and fights throughout our history. I feel it is crucial, as a future elementary school teacher to not only inform students of the past but also discuss why these events occurred. Throughout the years, wars have begun and fights have been started in response to a belief by an individual not understanding the differences of another. The same thing goes for ESL students. At a young age, many children do not understand why there is someone "different" in their class. Students may not try and communicate with these particular students because of the language barrier. ESL students being exposed to English in real life situations as in interaction amongst peers can be extremely beneficial in aiding their understanding of the English language. I believe discussing these possible differences with students in my class at the beginning of the year can help students be more accepting and understanding of classmates differences.