This conversation reminds me of two things. First, Helen Keller. It reminds me of how frustrated she was before she learned the names for things. I still clearly see Patti Duke as she feels water and realizes the name for water. How, for her, that was powerful. I'm also reminded of how my own children's language developed. How often when they first began to talk, so many things sounded the same. To them, I'm sure they knew whether they wanted juice or shoes, but sometimes, for the life I couldn't understand them. It was frustrating for both of us. I continue to be saddened to see children enter school so excited and curious about learning. Then, for some children, slowly that excitement turns into boredom; for some it turns into an unwillingness to try; for others, it turns into acting out. HOw lucky all our children would be if we gave them the kind of learning environments that Ellin envisions. For me, MOT gave me the language I could use for mini lessons in reading. I set up a reading workshop ala Nancie Atwell, but wasn't sure what to teach. I guess I naively thought all middle school students would know how to read, but might not just like to read. My graduate classes really were no help in providing me with what students needed to understand. Although I probably didn't reach the rigor that Ellin promotes, MOT gave me the language to help my students articulate their understanding. Carol
On Mar 29, 2008, at 11:05 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > Elisa > You are right, of course, our students are of course, thinking but > may not > know productive ways to think about text as they read. But to play > devil's > advocate here, would there be any thinking at all without language? > Do newborn > babies think or does thinking and reasoning come with language in > general...so > that by improving language you improve or even create, thinking? We're > getting pretty deep philosophically here for a Saturday morning, > aren't we? LOL! > Jennifer > > In a message dated 3/29/2008 11:37:54 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > And, I would argue that we're teaching a way of thinking not thinking > itself. That is already happening. The thinking has to come > first before we can > name it. But, I think we all already know that. > Elisa > > > > > > > > **************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video > on AOL > Home. > (http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer? > video=15&ncid=aolhom00030000000001) > _______________________________________________ > Understand mailing list > [email protected] > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/ > understand_literacyworkshop.org _______________________________________________ Understand mailing list [email protected] http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
