Week 5 Response

1. The bullet point that explains that "Teachers must struggle against coverage and strive for uncoverage of meaning-distinguishing between what is essential to the discipline, what is important, and what would be nice to know if there were time to do so." I learned that it is important that instead of having the mindset to "cover" what students need to learn, that we as teachers need to "uncover" material for them. I feel that we need to teach at our students level and pace so that they fuly understand and contrubute to the lessons. To be a successful teacher, I think that we need to "uncover" what we teach so that we reach ALL of our students.
Another bullet point I liked stated "the imporatnfce of curriculum lies in helping students master and retain essential information, organize knowledge around essential concepts, develop essential understandings, and competently utilize essential skills". This quote made me realize the importance of realizing what will really help your students master what you are teaching them. If we focus on what will help them succeed, and allow them to grasp waht you are teaching, the classroom will be a learning environment full of success and celebration. I also liked how this passage said "Studetns weave a fabric of learning that is ridled with holes and is insubstantial." This is important to realize because if we focus on what is important, it creates a pathway or weave of fabric to shape their future.

2. "There are many ways to give students choices of work while still ensuring that they work to master essential knowledge, understanding, and skill." I really like this quote because it is great advice to teachers. I feel that it is important to give your students choice because it creates community and responsibility within your class. Also, while giving your students choices it is still possible to ensure that they work and learn.
"It is likely that we underestimate what any student can accomplish, often establishing as performance ceilings goals that ought to be planks in the floor." I really had never thought about underestimating your students. Now that I realize that it most likely will happen, I know that it is important to aim high and teach your students to always do their best. Also, as a teacher, it is vital that you set high standards for your students so that they are always striving to do their best. I think for me, I will need to see each student at their best ability and push them at their own level.