UbD Chapter 4

I really identified with the beginning of this chapter. I felt that the descriptions on how to be effective teachers were spot on for me personally. My favorite quote about effective teachers was this: “If we see ourselves predominantly as teachers of curriculum... we have forgotten half of our professional role. We are teachers of human beings, the essence of our job is making sure that the curriculum serves as a catalyst for powerful learning for students who, with our guidance and support, become skilled in and committed to the process of learning.” This is worded so well and I agree with this concept wholeheartedly.  I also think it’s very important to note that the balance of curriculum and instruction is extremely important. An effective teacher cannot have one without the other.

Also in this chapter we learned about the nine attitudes and skills that typify teachers who help all learners. There are two attitudes and skills so far that I am worried about personally, and I know that it will impact my classroom if I do not become comfortable with them. These two are accepting responsibility for learner success and expanding a repertoire of instructional strategies. I understand how to and why it’s necessary to help students grow if they are ahead and catch up if they fall behind, but I am worried because I take things very personally already, that what if there is a student who refuses to do anything or even to try, did I fail him, or did he fail himself? For the expanding in instructional strategies, I feel like I read about many in the chapter but I am confused and scared that when the time comes, the strategies won’t be in my available instructional repertoire. I can probably fix that with more experience.