Jennifer's Prompt # 2: When Ellin writes on page 14 "I began to realize that the only reason that children weren't thinking consistently at high levels was that I hadn't consistently asked and expected them to." I wrote "ouch" in the margin of my book when I read this section. I realized that this sentence was about ME and that I needed to do something about it. What part of this chapter resonated with you and why?
Responses to Prompt 2: "You don't get paid to think." This was the motto which Dad repeated frequently as I grew up. Even as an adult, as a teacher, I recognize the truth in those words much of the time. For example, I am paid to replicate research-based techniques in my classroom, whether I understand them or not. The results in my classroom won't be as good as the research if I don't understand, yet emphasis seems to be more along the lines of the attitude, "Just do it." -Kare "You're not paid to think, just do it..." wow, that one takes me back to my earlier days! What a sad commentary! I've heard that from many people over the years. Is that the kind of children "we've grown"? I think the answer is yes, and it makes me sad to think that in many schools today that's where we are. I am now in a wonderful school with many children from families who are very involved in their education and provide experiences to promote learning. I truly feel blessed to be a teacher here, but I find sometimes even with the highest students at my school that when you really try to get a discussion or grand conversation going... many don't know what to say beyond the surface answers. Last year, my first year here, I started some "Book & Munch" literature groups during the students' lunch hour. It was sometimes like pulling teeth to get kids to think, and talk, and think and share, and think.... and we were really some great literature! Reading can be like a fine wine (even though I don't drink:>); it needs to be savored, held in your mouth, and slowly swallowed. I see the wine tasters sniffing it, rolling it in their mouths, and swallowing oh so slowly! That's what should be done with reading and great literature. I love when I can probe and really get a child to think and understand! Wow! I step back and say, "That's what I want every day." But I found that I really need to work at it and encourage students to think. It's hard work, both for them and for me. And I have found in working with teachers that they don't want to take the time to make the kids think... it's just so much easier to take whatever is said and move on. It's my personality to keep it moving, moving, moving, and I see how I need to slow down and think, share my thinking and the process with my children. I see the need, even here at this "good" school, to make my students do the same- think and understand... so they don't say to their children some day, "You're not paid to think..." -Darlene Wontrop _______________________________________________ Understand mailing list [email protected] http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
