Advocacy
Students have knowledge of injustice in the world, have informed opinions about it, and know that their voice and actions have value. They can advocate for themselves and others.
Introduction
A truly transformational teacher not only focuses on academic gains but also giving students tools to act as advocates. Students need to be able to find their voice and use their voice as a channel for change. Students should be able to have their own opinions, feel comfortable in a discussion when disagreeing with someone, and be an advocate for themselves and others. I promote advocacy in multiple ways through multiple strategies in my classroom. To ensure students can use individual assets to increase pride in cultural identity, students engage in lessons called Los Dichos. Los Dichos is a program that engages parents and students in learning about their own culture and cultures of other students in the classroom. During Los Dichos, parents come into the classroom and we act as co-teachers. We engage in a read aloud with a text selected to reflect the Dicho of the day. The text is read in English and either Spanish or Vietnamese. After reading, students engage in an activity related to the meaning of the lesson and a written reflection or connection. In addition to Los Dichos, students have multiple opportunities to speak/write/think about real-world problems and potential solutions to those problems. To be able to speak to real-world problems, students engage in oracy lessons where students are taught skills to be orators and different roles to carry in a discussion. Students write and draw about issues they have noticed in their world and community and ways they would change that. Students are showing they can identify when there is an issue and think through possible solutions that will benefit themselves, others, and their communities.
A truly transformational teacher not only focuses on academic gains but also giving students tools to act as advocates. Students need to be able to find their voice and use their voice as a channel for change. Students should be able to have their own opinions, feel comfortable in a discussion when disagreeing with someone, and be an advocate for themselves and others. I promote advocacy in multiple ways through multiple strategies in my classroom. To ensure students can use individual assets to increase pride in cultural identity, students engage in lessons called Los Dichos. Los Dichos is a program that engages parents and students in learning about their own culture and cultures of other students in the classroom. During Los Dichos, parents come into the classroom and we act as co-teachers. We engage in a read aloud with a text selected to reflect the Dicho of the day. The text is read in English and either Spanish or Vietnamese. After reading, students engage in an activity related to the meaning of the lesson and a written reflection or connection. In addition to Los Dichos, students have multiple opportunities to speak/write/think about real-world problems and potential solutions to those problems. To be able to speak to real-world problems, students engage in oracy lessons where students are taught skills to be orators and different roles to carry in a discussion. Students write and draw about issues they have noticed in their world and community and ways they would change that. Students are showing they can identify when there is an issue and think through possible solutions that will benefit themselves, others, and their communities.
Please click on the images below to see how students are able to advocate for themselves and others.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I have seen an increase awareness in my students through taking pride in their cultural identity by engaging in Los Dichos and expressing their view about real-world issues and their aspirations in writing. Students are aware of the world around them and their community and can use their voice to to express what they value. I notice students showing empathy to others and speaking up for others, demonstrating that they can advocate for themselves and others. I am excited to see my students grow as they continue their education and become leaders for the school, community, and far into their futures.
In conclusion, I have seen an increase awareness in my students through taking pride in their cultural identity by engaging in Los Dichos and expressing their view about real-world issues and their aspirations in writing. Students are aware of the world around them and their community and can use their voice to to express what they value. I notice students showing empathy to others and speaking up for others, demonstrating that they can advocate for themselves and others. I am excited to see my students grow as they continue their education and become leaders for the school, community, and far into their futures.