14

Portrait of Possibility

As I reflect back on my student P. he has come a long way from the beginning of the year.  He has matured over the first half of the school year.  I watch in the videos and in class as he has gained his voice and contributes to our VTS discussion.  He is still bursting with energy but I have noticed a subtle calming to his presence in class.   During class discussions, I have moved him to a closer proximity of the image and away from friends that might distract.  When reviewing the  videos of this class, I have noticed my redirection of this student.  I  have also noticed him giving lengthy statements and almost difficult to get him to stop.  He does seem to list but has been expanding his ideas.

One of my strategies was to ensure that I called on this student.  I did hear from him is every class...a few times I did call upon when his had was not raised.  I also tried to sit him or move him to a closer view of the image and especially away from friends that might distract him or vice versa.  He is still easily distracted and I often redirect him.  At times, I will find him squirming around and even facing in the opposite direction of the image.  I feel sitting him closer made a more successful lesson for him.  He paid closer attention when seated near me and the picture. 

In the last lesson, the scaffolding did not help this student who insisted a pair of shoes were ice skates even as I paraphrased other student comments.  I think differentiation has been successful.  He is comfortable sharing when he is ready and seems excited to share.  His had is often in the air several times per lesson.  I do believe that each lesson and image built and allowed him the comfort and confidence to share his ideas.