As we disussed in class, boys are apparently supposed to be more interested in nonfiction, and girls are supposed to be more interested in fiction. However, I for one have always been much more interested in fiction than nonfiction. I am actually a bigtime fan of fantasy novels and have enjoyed reading works by C.S. Lewis, JRR Tolkien, and JK Rowling. In fact, one of my favorite books for summer reading was The Hobbit. Another summer reading favorite of mine was the Scarlet Pimpernel, and my all-time favorite in-class reading (which I believe happened in middle school, was a short story called "The Most Dangerous Game." These stories have several things in common, including action, suspense, and wit. I suppose that the idea of escaping into an entirely different world has always fascinated me. This is not at all because I have anything against my life in this world, it is just “cool” to explore the imagination.
I had always been considered a pretty good reader throughout elementary, middle, and high school. If there were any negatives, then it would have been some difficulties I had in reading comprehension, especially in textbook reading. I went through a rough period of time in sixth grade when I would try to read a line in my textbook, then immediately forget what that line was talking about. I would try so hard to understand at the minutest level what the text was talking about that I would just get more and more frustrated. I had to learn to focus on the overall message of a particular sentence or paragraph before this issue began to improve.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Creating Community in a Classroom
We can create community in our classrooms by recognizing it as a melting pot, just like in American society. The United States is country with many different cultures, each of which has something to offer; but America's people also need to stand together as one nation. It is like having different parts of the same body, each one having a different function, but all parts being essential to the well-being of the whole.
In the same way, touting the different cultures of one's students will help to create a diverse community within the classroom. But the key is a balance between highlighting what distinguishes people and giving the class a sense of togetherness.
Ralph Fletcher pointed out the communities that many schools try to create with having all the students assemble together, pledge allegiance to the American flag, make announcements, give citywide tests, and other activities to try to bring students together. While doing things like saying the Pledge of Allegiance or singing the Star Spangled Banner are good things, it is a challenge to keep these customs fresh so that students are not simply going through the motions.
I love the story Fletcher tells about the one school where the principal would tell his students about events going on in the world even though he knew many of them would rise above their heads. In doing so, he was trying to show how the community within his school was a mere microcosm of the country and the world around them. He wanted them to know that there was more to life than what was outside of their backyard. Hopefully by generating a strong community within a classroom and within the school setting, students will transfer that sense of community into their lives after education.
In the same way, touting the different cultures of one's students will help to create a diverse community within the classroom. But the key is a balance between highlighting what distinguishes people and giving the class a sense of togetherness.
Ralph Fletcher pointed out the communities that many schools try to create with having all the students assemble together, pledge allegiance to the American flag, make announcements, give citywide tests, and other activities to try to bring students together. While doing things like saying the Pledge of Allegiance or singing the Star Spangled Banner are good things, it is a challenge to keep these customs fresh so that students are not simply going through the motions.
I love the story Fletcher tells about the one school where the principal would tell his students about events going on in the world even though he knew many of them would rise above their heads. In doing so, he was trying to show how the community within his school was a mere microcosm of the country and the world around them. He wanted them to know that there was more to life than what was outside of their backyard. Hopefully by generating a strong community within a classroom and within the school setting, students will transfer that sense of community into their lives after education.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Lessons We Can Learn From Children
One of the lessons I have learned from observing children, just over the first part of this semester, has been that children know a lot more than I thought they would know. When I initially considered becoming a teacher, I was more interested in the high school level because I expected that I would be able to relate better to students who were closer to my age. I have been very pleasantly surprised by the amount of intelligent conversations I have seen people hold with elementary school age students.
Ralph Fletcher seems continually impressed by the students he works with and points out several brilliant pieces of writing throughout the first part of his book. While the writing itself may not be refined, both Mr. Fletcher and the reader are excited at the creativity these children are able to use in communicating their thoughts.
Another lesson we can learn from the book “Walking Trees” is that children often have a better sense of humor than adults. Adults are often influenced by their agendas, but children are more innocent and unaffected by them. This is particularly evident in Steve Meyers’s classroom, where seemingly no topic is off limits. There was one instance in which Mr. Meyers poked fun at one of his students’ accents, and the student laughed and reacted warmly to him as he rubbed the back of her neck in a fatherly sort of way. The classroom seemed an environment where people could laugh at themselves and each other, but in a very positive way. The students did not need to be ashamed of being different, nor did they feel the need to be indignant about it.
Ralph Fletcher seems continually impressed by the students he works with and points out several brilliant pieces of writing throughout the first part of his book. While the writing itself may not be refined, both Mr. Fletcher and the reader are excited at the creativity these children are able to use in communicating their thoughts.
Another lesson we can learn from the book “Walking Trees” is that children often have a better sense of humor than adults. Adults are often influenced by their agendas, but children are more innocent and unaffected by them. This is particularly evident in Steve Meyers’s classroom, where seemingly no topic is off limits. There was one instance in which Mr. Meyers poked fun at one of his students’ accents, and the student laughed and reacted warmly to him as he rubbed the back of her neck in a fatherly sort of way. The classroom seemed an environment where people could laugh at themselves and each other, but in a very positive way. The students did not need to be ashamed of being different, nor did they feel the need to be indignant about it.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Expanding Knowledge About Racial/Ethnic Groups
I think the best way to expand your knowledge base about racial and ethnic groups is getting to know people in the culture. For teachers, this is really as easy as taking a little extra time to ask students from other racial groups questions about their lives outside of school. This could also mean meeting with the families of these students in order to learn more about home life and culture.
When I worked in the receiving department at Barnes and Noble, one of the Hispanic workers there loved to play Reggae-Tones on the radio. At first, I absolutely hated this kind of music, and I perceived it as an annoyance that bothered me while I was trying to work. However, as I grew to know Ricky more, I grew more accustomed to his culture and the way he enjoyed life and music. After a while, we began calling our friend Ricky-Tone and got a big kick out of watching him do a little dance to his music. I believe that as we get more accustomed to other cultures, our appreciation for that culture will grow. If we expect others to learn American heritage and culture (and I believe we rightfully do so), then we can at least extend this courtesy to other racial and ethnic groups.
When I worked in the receiving department at Barnes and Noble, one of the Hispanic workers there loved to play Reggae-Tones on the radio. At first, I absolutely hated this kind of music, and I perceived it as an annoyance that bothered me while I was trying to work. However, as I grew to know Ricky more, I grew more accustomed to his culture and the way he enjoyed life and music. After a while, we began calling our friend Ricky-Tone and got a big kick out of watching him do a little dance to his music. I believe that as we get more accustomed to other cultures, our appreciation for that culture will grow. If we expect others to learn American heritage and culture (and I believe we rightfully do so), then we can at least extend this courtesy to other racial and ethnic groups.
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