Randi Brooks 6

Blog #6

The chapter this week focused on the socialization process for children within our school systems. I believe that the school is the fundamental starting point for the process of learning how to behave around others and how to become apart of our society in  children. 

I'd like to focus on a particular topic that stuck out for me while reading this chapter, the  idea of streaming. The textbook suggests, "a significant part of a teacher’s job is to evaluate students and, often, to decide if a student is best suited for a particular “ ability track" (167). My first instincts are screaming that a classroom should never be divided by the students abilities. That the stronger students receive work, and then the lower streamed students get something that suits to their needs. It should all be equal, and dividing students into groups based on abilities seems degrading for the lower streamed students. I remember my elementary years and whenever I was put in the lower streamed group i always felt stupid and embarrassed. However.. After being in practicum, I think my views have changed. My CT does exactly this and has students grouped into four different groups based on their spelling and reading abilities. "Teacher education suggests that tailoring into ability groups allows for teachers to best match the learning needs of students" (167). Each group has their own set of spelling words based on their capabilities. Every morning the students get together in their groups and do practice buddy spells with each other. After watching this go on during my weeks at the school, I've noticed that it doesn't divide the students, it actually brings them together. The students are always very excited to get into their groups and they don't even notice that other groups are at a higher level or a lower level. They are aware that each group has different words, but they don't connect it to ability levels. 

Now, I think that this is a great way to assess all the students needs that need to be met. They are not holding anybody back, and they are not forcing anybody to move forward when they are not ready. "... usually discussed in a manner that focuses on the individual student" (167). By having these groups, my CT is able to focus on either a specific group, or more on a specific individual. She is able to see the child struggling, rather than one or two children getting lost in a sea of other children who do know what's going on. 

Discussion question: Do you think there's a specific age or grade where streaming is okay and where it is not?