Final Fires Entry

Fires in the Bathroom is a great resource to use with college classes that are filled with growing teachers. This book gives teachers student perspectives to help understand what they should and should not do as educators. It is interesting to see what students think about certain things and be like well I never thought about it like that before. It really gets you to think and reflect on the aspects of teaching in a way you probably would have never thought about them. This book brings in whole new perspective most teachers do not think about. I believe this has a great impact on teachers and college students who are becoming teachers. A book like this gives them an idea of what is going on in students minds so they can keep students engaged more easily. This is a great resource that is very helpful in teaching educators in a different way.

When I first started this course I was still thinking of teaching from a student perspective. I was thinking about being that amazing teacher everyone likes. I was thinking of it in a different light than even the students in this book.  After taking this course and reading this book I have a different way of thinking. When I read this novel I was amazed at what I learned. They had many different perspectives about the classroom that helped me transform from thinking like a student to thinking like an educator. It opened my mind to aspects I had never thought about like relationships with students, group work, etc.  After reading this book I found myself in the field relating certain characters to students in the classroom. I looked at the classroom from a different perspective. I would be thinking about what one of the characters might say about certain situations. After reading this I was left wondering and thinking about students and the best way to impact them in a positive way. This book was a big help with all of that. I am thinking about ways to engage my students, form good relationships, make them feel comfortable, and help them grow as learners. This book and class have challenged me to make a difference in my students’ lives for the better, and it also gave me the information I need to do this.   

Engaging Students Reflection

            After participating in TJ and Emily’s presentation, I believe I have learned a lot about engaging students. I have learned that it is important to make students feel included in the classroom. A teacher can do this by having students help with rules, work together in groups, and discuss things that go on in class. Students need to feel like they are wanted in the class in order to get them engaged. Also it is great to get students moving because it wakes them up and gets them engaged. They are more at to remain focused if you get them excited about what they will be learning. Students like to know what they are doing, so it is good to write what you are going to be doing in class on the board. All of this and many other things keep students engaged. The secret is to do your research and find exciting ways to get each student engaged and excited to be in class. As teachers this should be our goal. After taking art in their presentation my goal is to make sure my students are always engaged and ready to be in class.