Response+7+&+8

7. When given the chance, young adolescents are able to show what they have learned in creative ways.


 * Many times creativity is thought of as a characteristic of young/elementary age students. But where does this creativity go as time goes on? Is it the classroom environment of middle schools? Are we as teachers holding back their creative potential?
 * I think in many ways the instructional techniques that teachers are using today are holding students back. I agree with the statement given that students would choose to express themselves in creative ways.

After - I was really surprised to here what the students came up for units and what activities they came up with. I really like the idea of a crime unit, I wish I had thought of it for our unit! I was also surprised to here what the two girls did with the survival unit. When I heard survival, I didn't even think of homelessness, I think this was a very creative way to look at survival.

8. Young people are capable of responsible behavior.
 * I totally agree with this! I believe that students want to act appropriately but because of many underlying causes such as attention seeking they behave poorly. By providing a supportive environment and getting to know them individually as well as letting them play a role in their education students are able to behave responsible.

After - In practicum I remember reading about students creating their own classroom rules, instead of the teachers creating them. I totally agree with this and enjoyed hearing about the positive things that came from this in an actual middle school.