INTASC+Standard+06


 * __INTASC Standard 6__

The teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.

__Specific Category of Standard 6__

INTASC.6.E D: The teacher recognizes the power of language for fostering self-expression, identity development, and learning.

INTASC.6.H D: The teacher appreciates the cultural dimensions of communication, responds appropriately, and seeks to foster culturally sensitive communication by and among all students in the class.

__Understanding Sentence__

The teacher understands that all communication is effective in teacher their students.

__Artifacts__**
 * Overview of __Freedom Writers [[file:MRS0210Vid.doc]]__
 * Principles of Diversity and Social Action [[file:MRS0210A5.doc]]


 * __Reflect__**

Communication is a key component between two or more people whether it is spouses, co-workers, students, peers, parents, etc. For less experienced teachers, c ommunication is often a weak link and one of the most difficult areas to establish a solid foundation, especially communication between themselves and parents. In today’s fast pace and technology driven society, the amount of time consumption and allotment can be overwhelming. The same goes for our students. They are living in a world in which instant gratification is prevalent in almost everything they do, see, and hear. On the other end of that spectrum, some parents' perspective is that teachers and schools in general are not their concern. Many have the attitude that teaching their children is the teacher’s job, and he is supposed to handle all issues without bothering the m. Consequently, the teacher is often placed in the middle. The good news is that there are several methods of communication options to use, and the teacher should use several, not just one or two.


 * __Project__**

Key elements in intercultural nonverbal communication include body language, gestures, facial expressions, eye contact and distance. Our body language can be taken positively or negatively by our students and their parents. One can be seen as overbearing or allusive with the same body language depending on the culture of the students or parents to whom we are talking. Knowing all the cultures of one's students can help tremendously in this area. Also, one should always try to show openness when communicating with students and parents. Gestures and facial expressions can be misleading and misunderstood. Through the use of eyebrows, eyes, nose, and/or lips, one displays many forms of emotion, opinions, and even mood. This is even more complicated when dealing with ESL students who may misinterpret any number of these actions. Eye contact in one country is respectful where non-eye contact or looking down is showing the same respect in another. Distance between the teacher and his students is very similar. Touching and being in the person’s space is very favorable in some countries while the exact opposite is the norm in another. This is evident as shown in the Hispanic culture where light gentle touching is very common but almost no touching is common in Asian cultures. Being culturally diverse is becoming the norm for today’s teacher. One should be open and respectful of these differences; it usually takes a little humility to correct any problem and to acknowledge what you are doing is not being effective and not to be defensive while adapting the classroom to many cultures.