I really agreed with this opening chapter. I think that some teachers and administrators are so caught up with standardized tests that they forget the real needs of the kids. That is so sad that a class was set up strictly based on the needs of the standardized tests. Students need to know they have value and worth as individuals, and their basic needs need to be met and addressed. Also, teachers need to find students areas of interest, and then they need to engage them with their interests like with the example of Collin. His teacher just assumed he could not be successful and did not take the time to get to know him. His teacher did not take the time to learn what would help Collin succeed as an individual. I had a student like that this year, and I finally found out that he loved to write song lyrics. I let him write away because he came alive with this and engaged with the materials.
Also, I agree with and had never critically thought about that literacy changes with time. What is valued as literacy changes with our culture and world, so the education system does need to change with this. I agree that school needs to be a place where students are challenged in their thinking and find their own voice.
I agree with bridging the gaps in more than just achievement, but how are we going to do that? How are we as educators going to influence those changes? This chapter really made me think.
2 comments:
I also noted the comments about closing the achievement gap. I am not sure how to influence these changes, but I'd say that it wouldn't hurt for us to write our local politicians. I also think we need to play a more active role in researching upcoming candidates and their views on these types of issues.
I really agree with Beth and the comments about Collin. It is so sad to see a student go "underground" with their reading and writing. It is our job as educators to help these students find out what interests them and support that.
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