EDIM 508 - Science is a Universal Language

There are days that I count my lucky stars that I get to teach and excite students about science - today is one of them.  After reading the chapter on The Respectful Mind in Howard Gardner's Five Minds for the Future, I have highly reflected on compliments co-teachers have given me in the past.  Many of the compliments have contained sentiments that whatever the situation or student may be, I act and react in a respectful manner and expect the same of my students.  It is an atmosphere that is hard to define and thus maintain, and I have to ask and remind myself multiple times throughout the school year what is respect?  For me it is the root and essence of success in the classroom.  It is a structure and foundation that is exemplified in hopes that students will determine for themselves that respect is an aptitude that is for the greater good.  Respect sometimes seems difficult to define, but is essence is define by Gardner as, "[someone] that offers the benefit of the doubt to all human beings" (Gardner 2009).

I also find myself fortunate enough to work in a team setting at the 9th grade level.  Over the last few years, we have been developing an academy setting for our students to engage the student body in a successful transition into the high school atmosphere.  It did not hit me until reading this week's references, that in all of the trials and struggles of developing that academy atmosphere and honor code, that the core -which is sometimes lost- is truly based on respect.  These values are those that are instilled by modeled values of my coworkers, and that is where I get to count my lucky stars again.  A large overhaul for the academy this upcoming year is contributing in community service, and that, again, is the heart of respect for others.


Overall, my fortunes land in teaching science, or what is said to be a universal language.  I get to teach a subject that is common and collaborative throughout the world.   Julene Reed describe two major facets of respect in the following passage: "Knowledge of other cultures around the world leads students to understanding and compassion" (Reed, 2007).  She also encourages teachers to promote a global respect within the classroom.  No greater global respect can be emulated to my students than producing and reading research that is aggregated by students, just like them, from all over the world. The Globe Program is an online education center where students contribute scientific evidence and collaborate with other students from around the world to benefit the environment.  Integrating this program in the classroom provides an opportunity for a flat classroom environment while still committing to the science standards.  The program increases excitement, engages a commitment to the environment, and promotes respect throughout the scientific community that is global.

References:
Gardner, H. (2009). Five Minds for the Future [Kindle DX Version]. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Business School Press.

Reed, J. (2007, September 28). Global collaboration and learning. Retrieved from http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2007/09/global-collaboration-and-learning

The globe program. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.globe.gov/