Reflection 1

1.  Chapter Seven of Subjects Matter focuses on using social support within the classroom to promote students’ academic development. The article, based of research done by the Consortium on Chicago Research, defines social support by the teachers ability to: relate subjects to students personal interests, listen to what students say, know students well, as an individual, and believing they can do well in school. Having a classroom that facilitates social support also depends on the involvement of parents and of the community within the classroom. 

2.  The chapter emphasizes the need for teachers to create a classroom community that allows students to feel comfortable in their learning environment. It is necessary for students to feel respected and safe within the classroom in order to break through previously constructed self boundaries. By providing group work and situations for students to discuss and think through ideas rather that simply filling in the blanks not promotes higher order thinking, comprehension, pro-social development, and allows students to feel more confident while answering questions in front of the class. This type of instruction and analysis allows students to understand HOW and WHAT they read.

3.  This chapter ABSOLUTELY applies to the Spanish content area. In foreign language it is extremely important to create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable participating and speaking in front of classmates. Many foreign language students feel nervous speaking aloud in front of the class out of fear of mispronunciation that will result in embarrassment. Through encouragement and respect for my students I want to encourage them to speak and share ideas in the target language without the fear of failure. ANY participation, whether wrong or right is better than none.