Turning Pionts 2000 Chapter-6

Abstract:

Chapter Six is all about building and organizing relationships that promote an optimal learning environment. Studies have shown that that when teachers focus on building relationships with students their students do better than if the focus were purely curriculum based. Chapter six suggests that schools maintain small teacher to student ratios. This increases the chance of students and teachers building strong relationships not to mention the various other benefits smaller class sizes offers. While small schools are the best option in large urban areas this doesn't always seem possible. Turning Points suggests that these largely overpopulated schools build schools within schools. These sub-schools operate as their own entity which at least gives the illusion and most of the benefits of a small school. Using a team approach, allowing time for planning, and implementing advisory time are also recommendations for building better relationships with students.

Reflection:

My middle school class had about 9 or 10 students in it at any given time. I certainly benefited from the smaller class sizes. I had three teachers and they usually knew what was going on in each others class room with any particular student. My school was in a small town so, whether you wanted them to or not, teachers knew pretty much everything there was to know about you. This was good and bad. While teachers were aware of your home life and various situations that most teachers in larger areas are left out of the loop about, students were left without any autonomy - something middle school students strive for. I think that relationships between teachers and students should be important; however, I think that teachers can not force this relationship to happen and that it should be built on the students terms.