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I found my Inspiring Minds placement very meaningful to my particular program. I was lucky enough to be placed in an art classroom where I am constantly studying the practices of the teacher and trying to gain skills for my own classroom one day. I appreciate how I am able to be there for four different grades as well (4th, 5th, K then 1st.) This is helpful to even just observe to gain experience in a classroom prior to my student teaching semester! I also liked our class discussions with groups, it is easier to explain myself in a small group sometimes rather than a whole class discussion, especially when the talkative people keep talking. In small groups I found that we were all able to express our thoughts and even bounce ideas off of each other. I found that by the end of this class I knew everyone a little better than before and we all feel comfortable with one another. Lastly, it is important to hear different perspectives from the variety of authors we have read about. Ove...

After reviewing the pages from the Rhode Island Gender in Schools packet, I think all teachers should take a look at these definitions and refresh themselves.  I noticed that Rhode Island was the second state to prohibit workplace discrimination in 2001. I was surprised at the year but also confused, I'm not sure if I should have expected it to be earlier or later.  It might be generational but I can't say I learned too many new concepts.  It may be because I have been around students of all ages and backgrounds for most of my life, or because I am younger future teacher who grew up with these themes.  What I did notice, was the Rhode Island Interscholastic League was an organization that I don't think existed when I was in schools, or they were and I had no idea! Below is their policy on their sports teams and members: "All students should have the opportunity to participate in the RIIL activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespecti...

          After reading and watching the short video, I have given myself a refresher about neurodiversity.  I always find this topis so interesting to read about and to watch documentaries because I feel like we have come so far but there is still so much we don't know...we can't see inside someone else's brain!     I almost instantly thought of a documentary I had watched for another class This is Not About Me  which was about a student Jordyn who was non-verbal and autistic.  She had trouble in her public schools and before she knew about the adaptive technology for speech, she would get frustrated and run out of the school for miles.  After her situation was under control and she found joy again, she was able to use running as a hobby and not a reaction to rage.  It was very interesting to watch how well Jordyn speaks when using her technology.  It is so fascinating to me that our brains are truly different yet th...

            Overall, between the four classes I observe each day, I can say that a lot of children as a whole are a tad disruptive.  I can't single out a specific student but since the student teacher was teaching while I was there, a lot of behaviors went unnoticed by her.  I will look more closely next week while I am there.  A lot of students find themselves a little too curious in the art room.  Looking and touching the supplies in bins or other projects that don't belong to them, sitting and sharpening every pencil to avoid work, or creating objects to then be flown across the room.            Last class a group of students found a star template in one of the supply bins and decided it was his to take and keep.  Once the other students noticed, they wanted to make their own.  I wouldn't have agreed to the idea but the student teacher brought cardboard out and let them trace other st...

            This reading reminded me of the book we had to read for another class "Canaries Reflection of the Mine: Dropouts' Stories of Schooling" by Jeanne Cameron.    This book shared stories from many different students who had dropped out of high school and all of their variety of reasons and thoughts thinking back.  I was taught that the "troublemakers" always have some reason why they are acting out, in order to somewhat "control" this behavior, we need to find the root of the problem and help the student best we can.  I do realize there is a threshold a teacher shouldn't cross to be involved with students' lives, but sometimes it is definitely necessary.              After reading both sections, I was curious (as I always are) when this was published.   Having this reading published in 2017, I am going to give the teachers a bit of slack.  I believe that some of her poin...