Field Post 2

On Thursday our class took a visit to Shaker Heights Middle School. I observed what seemed to be a 7th grade math class along with an 8th grade science class. The math class was first on the agenda. I noticed that there was a lot of group work being done. The kids sat in table groups of four students and they were working on a group activity. They had to figure out how much sugar there is in different types of drinks. Although the students were loud and tended to get off topic, they were still able to get their work done and work together easily. The teacher would walk around to each group to answer questions and make sure that they were doing what they were supposed to. I felt that the kids in the class all had a strong connection to one another, despite what seemed to be different types of personalities. I believe that that has something to do with the school's enforcement of community circles, which I was able to experience in the next class. Each week, each of the classes have an assigned community circle session, in which they are able to bond with their other classmates. They have a talking stick so the other students won't interrupt the speaker, since middle schoolers have a tendency to talk when they are not supposed to. This particular 8th grade science class had talkative students, but they all seemed to get along and listened to what others had to say. The teacher told my partner and I that it takes a very special person to teach this grade level, as it requires a lot of patience. 

Bridge building was a central topic in chapter 4 of "To Teach the Journey, in Comics".  It states, "teaching is also bridge-building. Beginning on one shore with the knowledge, experience, know-how, and interests of the student, the teacher moves toward broader horizons and deeper ways of knowing." Ayers lists many different examples of bridge-building. One of which described the setting of Avi Lessing's high school classroom, in which they discussed issues in today's society. He also explains how Zayd, Ayer's oldest son, wanted to have a ceremony that celebrated his entrance into adulthood. Zayd was able to build a bridge from childhood to adulthood. There are bridges connecting childhood to adulthood and also bridges connecting students to the teacher. 

Just as there were bridges in the story, there also were at Shaker Heights Middle School. Shaker has adopted an IB program, in which students learn by thinking and reflecting and making connections to the outside world. This connects the student's way of thinking to the outside world. As stated above, the students did much of their work in groups and participated in community circles. This builds a bridge between student to student while developing stronger relationships.