WNET / UCH Urban Academy
“Exploring Powerful Ideas Inquiry-Based Teaching: Discussing a Teachers Role”
BUILDING A CULTURE OF RESPECT
TERRY WEBER:
Having them figure out what their voice is, it has to be in a place of, a place where they’re going to feel respected and kids aren’t gonna jump down their throat and if they- so one of the things that is very critical to our classes is that people can say whatever they want and they can’t make a personal attack on somebody. And that’s a constant theme and new kids in the school who might be older kids from a transfer school they might not recognize that and they might get in a heated argument about somebody and the teacher will say, “Well, you made a personal attack. Can you restate that and attack his ideas only?” So I think that’s part of what the things that we’re trying to do here.
SHEILA KOSOFF:
Also the teacher not jumping down the students throat because they don’t have the correct answer or the right answer. Create a classroom where you can explore your ideas and you can take a chance on a thought or express an idea that might not be popular but yet you have the right to express that idea. That it’s understood that you’re going to be respected in the class.
TERRY WEBER:
It’s so easy with our kids because I know in all the other classrooms, all the other teachers are running discussion classes, not exactly like I am but very similar, and they’re all stressing this respect for kids. They won’t let anybody make any personal attacks. So when the whole school culture’s like that, it makes individual teachers much more confident in in being able to sort of deal with the classroom structure and, and deal with getting kids to respect each other.
(in classroom)
AVRAM BARLOWE:
You’re saying if they attack black people, after slavery ended and if they seek to sort of forcibly harm then they should be executed but they shouldn’t be executed just for having fought on the Southern side and being racist is what you’re saying. Saloul then Jamilla.
SALOUL:
I think extreme times call for extreme measures. And these times were very extreme times and, um, why not kill them?
AVRAM BARLOWE:
Jamilla.
JAMILLA:
Alright. So I’m confused. Everybody’s saying what they think would have been better?
AVRAM BARLOWE:
Right.
JAMILLA:
Or, what we think could have actually been done?
AVRAM BARLOWE:
I’m asking both questions.
JAMILLA:
Okay, well, about the first one, I guess people are saying what they think but I don’t think anyone is saying anything that could have actually been done because look at what stuff happens up until this day.
(in roundtable)
AVRAM BARLOWE:
Kids have to feel like they trust you to sort of manage that discussion. I think that’s very important. A lot of times teachers shrink away from this. It’s because they think it’s gonna get out of control but if kids understand what the rules really are and they respect you as an arbiter of those rules they’ll take on controversy and be respectful about it and you have to learn how to manage that stuff and kids have to trust that teachers will be fair.
*** TAPE END ***
*** TRANSCRIPT END ***
17 Comments
Brent Schmidt Sep 14, 2022 6:54pm
This video coves self awareness, relationship skills, and self managment.
Kevin Freeman Jul 29, 2020 11:41am
I think this video has great ideas on allowing students to use their critical thinking skills to communicate their ideas. It also helps them to learn problem solving. It is best not to attack a student's ideas because they may just shut down and give up. Rather, a teacher should encourage them to try their idea and see if it works or not. Encourage them to never give up.
Greg Simon Jul 2, 2020 8:29am
Challenging my way of thinking. Positive input!
Kenyetta Smith-... Jun 19, 2020 1:49am
Awesome video! In the school culture, we as educators should not make personal attacks based on their ideas. Creating a positive atmosphere should be created so ideas can be explored and respected.
Quincy Savala Jun 3, 2020 2:28pm
i think this was a wonderful video to watch because it addressed very important aspects that teachers deal with on an evryday basis. Teachers should let stuents use their critical thinking skills and not judge and/or attack another students view of a subject matter. All students see things in diiferent ways and the majority of the time most students feel the same way about a subject. It is the teacher's resposibility to allow all styudent s to give their point of view and be comfortable and confident in doing so.