100+

3 things caught my attention:
#11 - Share the good news! Parents love it and it opens communication for the future. I have also sent home good reports on post cards that I had printed. Would you like to have some printed and available?
#96 - Rule 555: This is simply true and the very reason that we have to set the foundation for your classroom during the first week of school and stick to your guns. I know you get tired of hearing it but bell to bell is important. Plan your work and worj your plan every day and remember to over plan......
#38 - ATTITUDE!!! I think there is nothing more inportant in this book than #38. A sour attitude gets you the same in return. Everyday will not be great. Every child will not act right. Every parent will not be happy with your decision. I will upset a staff member before the year is over and someone on staff will upset me. There will be personal wins and tragedy in our lives. These are all given but the way we respond - our attitude - will make the difference. We count on each other and support each other at Judson and I am always thankful for each of you. I also hear a lot of negative grumbling at times, and even grumble myself, and I can't help wonder what good comes from it? Remember the little train and we move forward - be positive! I think I can! I think I can!
I pray each of you have a GREAT summer!
BKasper

I like the Wall of African Americans

My new room at Mozelle has a large bullitin board and I like the idea of placing African American portraits in different careers. Since I am a computer junkie, I believe I will locate numerous pictures with bios and change them out on a regular basis. I like the idea of also putting my students pictures on the bullitin board as students of the week along side the other photos. This book had lots of great ideas.

I like the different posters that the book talks about making for the walls. There are several that I want to incorporate into my classroom. One is the different amounts of pay for levels of education. Another is the one about life of a drug dealer.

Where did he get those statistics?

I noticed the author stated many different statistics. An example would be the number of hours students of different races spend watching TV and studying. I would like to know what his sources were. Some of the statistics were, in my mind, questionable. You can find statistics to back up anything you want, the question is are they valid? Before I make my posters I would like to check the numbers. Any ideas on how I can find out his sources?

While reading 100+ Educational Strategies to Teach Children of Color, I found a few things that I already do and a few things that I would like to do. I like the idea of teaching life strategies. I don't think we do enough of that. I like the order of success poster and the which brain do you want poster. Also, I will put more of an effort into teaching test taking skills. I am looking forward to the day when we are all just American and not sub-divided into groups.

I think that it is very important to try to instill in our students that the reasonable order to success is to graduate from high school and then go on to college with intentions of establishing a career and then planning for a family. So my students can keep this in mind, I plan to post the order of success.

I think it is a good idea to have your most challenging student serve as an important teacher assistant. This student's added responsibilities help to keep him or her on task and in return will help everything run more smoothly.

"Gifted and Talented" Area

Chapter 3: Decor-- In classes where students work at a varied pace when doing indepedent class assignments, I like the idea of adding the "Gifted and Talented" area. This will give those students who work at a faster pace the opportunity to go to this area and engage in various activities the teacher has provided.

Chapter 1: Framework

In my opinion, Chapter 1: Framwork, sets the stage for teaching. I believe, as the author stated, that "you have to like children to teach children". Why would anyone put themself in the position to impact the lifes of our future by working with children if they can honestly say they "don't even like kids".

One of my classroom rules is if you want respect from others you must be respectful of them. In other words, "you must show respect to get respect". This is not a race issue, it's a human issue. If teachers respect their students they are much more likely to have their respect in return. I feel this means the student will more likely to want to please the teacher by being cooperative and supportive in and out of the classroom.

Student Goals

In Chapter 2: Bonding, I like strategy #3. I think that by finding out what student goals, dreams, and desires are you can use them as a motivator when they do something that demonstrates a quest to reach their goal. On the other hand, they may also be used as reminders when a student seems to be getting off task or exhibiting behaviors that don't contribute to attaining their goals, dreams, and/or desires.

Home Visits -- Sheri Peery

I have always wanted to be able to visit each of my students' homes. A lofty notion, I know. However, after reading this book, I see the importance of this endeavor. I want to rekindle that hope and try to make it happen.

I can understand the importance of students seeing relationships being built. I know that this task will be difficult, but home connection will not only get the students on my side, but also the parents. Once connections are made, I like the idea presented by Kunjufu about having monthly, or maybe by semester, classroom potluck dinners to keep the parents informed and answer questions they may have.

Desk -- Sheri Peery

One strategy that I intend to employ will be placing my desk in the middle of the classroom. I really haven't thought through the logistics yet, but it stands to reason that if I am amidst the students that misconduct can be deterred. Anyone with ideas?

I feel that Chapter 4 : Motivation is the key to reaching all students. If we can convince students that learning is important, they will welcome the learning activities.

100+ Educational Strategies

After reading just the first chapter I had to laugh because I can identify several teachers for each of the teacher types discussed. I think this will be an excellent book to read because not only will it help us be better teachers of children of color but it will also give us insights into ourselves and our preconceived ideas about the different races that we encounter. I know people like to say "I am not prejudiced" but that is ludicrous because we all have prejudices of some kind. It is the nature of the beast called man.