Lessons we can learn from children

We have to be open-minded and realize that every student comes from a different background and various traditions at home. As a future teacher I have learned that I must take note, comprehend, and share the thoughts of other students with the entire class because some may be shy to do so. How can we learn about a child if we don't listen to their personal lives? You would be surprised what some children go through at home. We need to support them and help them find a solution before it's too late. Our job is not to only preach our lessons but to listen to our student's opinions and personal stories. They may relate to a topic being taught and we must listen to their responses. I have learned to stop judging people by the way they look because at a young age we tended to do so (or learned to do so). As we grow older, we must realize that an outside appearance is a facade. Get deeper to acknowledge the truth of a person's action. Ralph Fletcher opened his horizons and balanced the confrontation of city students and their teachers. He opened their minds to realize how important it is to acknowledge every situation. I was shocked to read about the teacher's carelessness and negative remarks of their students effort. Positive reinforcement and focus towards that child's learning shows how much Ralph cared about the children's future. Regardless of their level of understanding he made sure they continued to understand the importance of writing and to reflect on what matters to them. For example, family, freinds, pets, whatever one takes to heart. Remember when Ralph was in the main office and a young boy walked in and said, "I said my mother died over the weekend." (Page 60 middle to end)How does one respond to that? What does your facial reaction look like? What was the secretary suppose to do? Don't you wonder if you were in that situation? What was going on through the boys mind? Did any staff member know anything about the situation? My heart melted when i read those words.

Expanding knowledge about racial/ethinic groups

I was never judged by anyone until they REALLY new where I was from. I always got that I look Hispanic and several people come up to me speaking Spanish. Just yesterday a class mate swore I was Spanish. Several people think since I'm not dressed in traditional Muslim attire that I'm not Muslim or even Arabic. In high school I was always taunted about my background that I was a terrorist. I was born here and follow my tradition. Just because I'm not dressed or stereotyped to look like an Arab people judge me.
It was hard growing up in a small white town but I got through it. We were the only Arabic family at the time until some other families moved to Ridgefield. I still hold a grudge on the teachers that didn't "protect" me or let me explain to my peers what my background is. I wasn't a typical student at my school and they really held that against me.