DJE # 13

Chapter 6: Affinity Spaces 1. Give an example of a "community of practice" in which you are currently participating in.

An example would be my 75 hour clinical because I design lessons and my host teacher looks out for things that I need to address or some kind of insight to make the lesson run smoother, etc. By us going back and forth with ideas and feedback my lessons have been working out great! 2.Why is the term "community" better defined in relation to spaces rather than groups of people? It's better because in relation to space because not everyone in a particular group is part of the same community of practice. It doesn't make sense to define it that way.  3. What is a "generator"? What is it's counterpart in school? A generator is something that defines a particular space, in school a generator could  be a textbook, or materials such a manipulatives. 4. What is a "content organizer"? What is it's counterpart in school? A content organizer are generated signs that are designed to organize and communicate content. In school it could be personal or academic values, thoughts, or opinions. 5. What is a "portal"? What is it's counterpart in school?

A portal is a place where people get access to interact with the content of generators. In school, a portal can be small group discussions, classroom discussions, or labs

6. What do people have an "affinity" for in an "affinity space"? How does this inform your understanding of good teaching? Affinity space is where a person oganizes their interests. This revolves well around good teaching because we know that it's important to know your students and to teach surrounding their interests such as what we have read from "Funds of Knowledge" and problem based learning. This is where people make connections. 7. How do "affinity spaces" support inclusive classrooms? Choose two characteristics below to make connections between "affinity spaces" and inclusive classrooms. Community members as partners and teachers as partners are two ways to make connections between affinity spaces and inclusive classrooms because based on a child's interest, it's important to get community members to come into the classroom and show students real life situations and problems with jobs and careers that surround their culture or community. Students can make the connections from what they are familiar with and what they like to what they are learning in the classroom. Teacher as partners is great because I believe that if you have a special needs student in your classroom, then you should have a special Ed teacher in the classroom who is constantly co-teaching with you. A special Ed teacher will always have the best teaching solution for a special needs child because it's what they know best and what they are interested in. Co-teaching in my opinion is the best way to teach.