What to Look for in a Classroom by Alfie Kohn & Introduction to Culturally Relevant Pedagogy by Learning for Justice

 Reflection:

In this week's reading "What to Look for in a Classroom." By Alfie Kohn made me analyze all of my past classroom settings under the chart the Kohn presents in his article. With the "Introduction to Culturally Relevant Pedagogy" by Learning for Justice. I cannot help but see similarities that it has with the film we watched in class called "Precious Knowledge" where the idea that teachers can build strong connections with students through teaching them the power of culture.

During my middle school years, I noticed how much of a difference classrooms looked compared to my elementary school's classrooms. The first two columns really made me reflect and recognizes some signs that Kohn mentions on his articles. The first ones I want to mention is Kohn's furniture signs where he mentions how desks facing towards the teacher is a sign to be worried about in education. For most of my elementary years, I cannot remember a time where my desk was behind another student or in rows facing the teachers. I can recall many times where I sat in groups where we face each other, sat next one another and swap desk with neighboring classrooms with assigned partners. I disagree with Kohn's ideas that walls that show student assignment being displayed is a negative trait since I believe students having reminders can help them be on track on any upcoming assignments for their class. However, I do agree that having commercial posters or nothing on classroom walls make it feel less of a fun learning environment and more of a chore to add to the checklists.

Reflection/Questions/Comments To Share: How can future educators like us can identify any traits that we can encourage learning and avoid any pitfalls that can frustrate students due to culture of power?