Acceptance and Caring are at the Heart of Engaging Classroom Diversity by Jay Casbon
from Literacy Instruction for Cultural and Linguistically Diverse Students.
I have always been attracted to the word, "caring" especially in the classroom. I try to encourage and inspire my students to think before they act, to get involved and make an impact, and to care about others. Friday, a day set aside for poetry reading, was an interesting day filled with surprises and a reassurance as to why I became a teacher.
Thursday, I tried something new in my classrooom. I had students do a practice run in reading their poems before presenting Friday. I heard so many excuses, " I don't like to read aloud" shouted one of my students. "I too shy" said another student. "Can I bring a note from my mother saying that I am not allow to read?" laughed another student. I begin to think seriously about this particular activity. I decided that I was not going to be taken out by a bunch of students especially with the beginning of the new grading period. I stood my ground and explained my expectations. Then, I reach for a picture of my husband off my desk. Slowly, I begin to set the stage for a poetry reading. I set the frame on a stand and sat in a chair. I pulled out one of my favorite poems, "How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Count the Ways by Elizabeth B. Browning. I looked directly into my husband's eyes and begin to read the poem. As I read the poem with emotions along with mixed gestures, the students were totally quiet. When I ended the poem , I sat in my chair for a moment. My students gave me a standing ovation and began to cheer for the presentation. They begin to get excited about their presentations and talked amongst themselves about what they were going to do Friday.
Well, Friday came and students brought in props, original artwork, and even music to go along with their poems. Students encouraged those that were shy and cheered those that overcame their nervousness during the presentations. Students engaged themselves in reading and wanted to know when will they be able to present their original poetry to read in class. I was overwhelmed with the acceptance of poetry reading and writing that I wanted to cry, but not in front of my students. Finally, I found something that inspired them to want to become better and participate in education: poetry reading and writing. Some of my diverse students added flavor to their presentations by speaking the poem once in English and then in their language. They explained to the class about their cultural practices. I am glad that I did not allow students to talked me out of this activity. It was amazing. I found a quote in the article, "Teachers must develop a sensitivity to the cultural differences psychologists have documented in order to be effective in multicultural situations." Teachers must have the ability to care about students, staff, and others. A teacher that cares can change their students into scholars, active readers and writers. Best of all, a teacher can inspired his/her students to continue to pass it on. We must show how much we care when we are teaching our students writing and engaging them with reading activities.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Recitation Literacy
Recitation and Report Literacy:1864-1916
In reading this particular article, I begin to chuckle when reading the following quote: "How can you learn anything with your knees and toes out of order?" This statement along with some of the instructional practices pertaining to recitation in our time would be asinine. The idea that a student toes or knees must be in order before learning may be a reason as to why some of our students are not successful in their academic endeavors. (LOL) I am joking.
Seriously, as I was engrossed in this article I had formulated questions about language development. For example, how the principal complemented the children about the superiority of wagging their tongues during mouth movements. (p. 65) How can a person equate this type of mouth movement with learning achievement? Also, the struggle of not having enough books still is a challenge in today's school. In addition, some of the practices still exist in school districts across the nations. For example, Spelling Bee competitions, reading aloud activities, etc.
I could not believe that teachers were pushing students out of school based on gender, class differences, racial and ethnic groups, and by achievement. (p. 69)
During this time period, it seem that people were interested in hearing the recitation of stated assignments and not interested in students understanding what they have read. "Whether the reader understood was not empahsized, presumably because it was assumed that if you got the words, you got the meaning." (p. 70)
Many of our students struggle with reading comprehension. How can we help our students achieve a better understanding of reading comprehension and apply writing skills in the process?
In reading this particular article, I begin to chuckle when reading the following quote: "How can you learn anything with your knees and toes out of order?" This statement along with some of the instructional practices pertaining to recitation in our time would be asinine. The idea that a student toes or knees must be in order before learning may be a reason as to why some of our students are not successful in their academic endeavors. (LOL) I am joking.
Seriously, as I was engrossed in this article I had formulated questions about language development. For example, how the principal complemented the children about the superiority of wagging their tongues during mouth movements. (p. 65) How can a person equate this type of mouth movement with learning achievement? Also, the struggle of not having enough books still is a challenge in today's school. In addition, some of the practices still exist in school districts across the nations. For example, Spelling Bee competitions, reading aloud activities, etc.
I could not believe that teachers were pushing students out of school based on gender, class differences, racial and ethnic groups, and by achievement. (p. 69)
During this time period, it seem that people were interested in hearing the recitation of stated assignments and not interested in students understanding what they have read. "Whether the reader understood was not empahsized, presumably because it was assumed that if you got the words, you got the meaning." (p. 70)
Many of our students struggle with reading comprehension. How can we help our students achieve a better understanding of reading comprehension and apply writing skills in the process?
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Some of my favorite quotes from Ways with words by Shirley Brice Heath about literacy:
"Reading was a public group affair for almost all members of Trackton from the youngest to the oldest. . . but to read alone was frowned upon, and individuals who did so were accused of being anti-social." p. 191.
". . . reading alone, unless one is very old and religious, marks an individual as someone who cannot make it socially." p. 191
". . ., reading is a social activity; when something is read in Trackton, it almost always provokes narratives, jokes, sidetracking talk, and active negotitation of the meaning of written texts among the listeners." p. 196
"Behind the written word is an authority, and the text is a messager which can be taken apart only insofar as its analysis does not extend too far beyond the text and commonly agreed upon experiences." p. 235
I'm a reader. I have always been a reader. When I think of reading, I imagine myself as a sponge absorbing information, images, and powerful words as they pentrate my mind and heart. The words becoming part of my thought process that will eventually become renewed and rewritten in many forms of communication. I love to highlight profound quotes and passages that stimulate my imagination and renew my passion for reading. Reading is a gift that my parents gave me when I was younger. They made sure I had a plethora of books and trips to the library. Eventually, I found myself reading 25-30 books a year engulf in mysteries, romance, detective stories, and other genres that capture my attention. I am a proud owner of over 600 books that are stack on shelves throughout my house, and I continue to buy more. Why is this so important to me? How did literacy become a part of my life?
As I read Harry's story in Local Literacies by David Barton, I found myself thinking about my family (father, grandfathers, and grandmother) and literacy. My grandfather and grandmother, Clarence and Mary, were cherokee indians and able to read enough to function in society. The only book I ever saw in my grandparents home was the Bible. My grandmother would read the Bible consistently through out the day. She would quote scriptures and sing songs from the hymns books at the church. I would watch her as she would read recipes written on index cards or torned lined paper. My other grandfather, Willie, could not read. He had a good secure job at Firestone Tire Company, but he couldn't read. However, my grandfather, knew symbols and was an expert in recognizing money. He did not trust banks, so he kept his money in various places. He drove a new car every two years. He read enough to survive in society. But, my father is different. He is an avid reader. He loves to read. He would buy books about carpentry, non-fiction, religious books, and anything else that interests him at that time. My father retired as an engineer. My father has a library in his home filled with his favorite books. Sometimes, I just pick one and read his thoughts and questions that are written on the side of his books. Like me, he writes in his books comments and questions. Some of his books are highlighted in various colors by highlighters or red pen marks.
The quote about Harry, "Every night he reads in bed for an hour before going to sleep." p. 81 My father reads before he goes to sleep every night. Harry uses literacy to keep up with current affairs and local issues. p. 81 My father reads every section of the newspaper except the death notices. He watches the news; especially CNN news, the experts of getting things right as my father would say. My father at one time had written poetry and sketched characters like the pink panther and bugs bunny before his illness. Harry reminds me of my father using literacy to develop his true passion disregarding what others may feel or think.
Reading about Harry, for some reason, I could picture Harry in my mind making this statement, "and it still makes my mouth water, writing on a slate." But, I had a hard time trying to visualize the slate. Harry does bring up a point when commenting on educated and uneduacated people. He stated that being good at exams and good at paperwork are not necessarily the most important skills in working life.
I remember the older people in my life would often say that people who were educated have book sense, but the lacked CS (common sense) to keep jobs. In other words, books can take a person a long way, but it takes common sense to finish the job. Literacy is the same way. It takes a person to become skilled in reading and writing to make a connection within society.
"Reading was a public group affair for almost all members of Trackton from the youngest to the oldest. . . but to read alone was frowned upon, and individuals who did so were accused of being anti-social." p. 191.
". . . reading alone, unless one is very old and religious, marks an individual as someone who cannot make it socially." p. 191
". . ., reading is a social activity; when something is read in Trackton, it almost always provokes narratives, jokes, sidetracking talk, and active negotitation of the meaning of written texts among the listeners." p. 196
"Behind the written word is an authority, and the text is a messager which can be taken apart only insofar as its analysis does not extend too far beyond the text and commonly agreed upon experiences." p. 235
I'm a reader. I have always been a reader. When I think of reading, I imagine myself as a sponge absorbing information, images, and powerful words as they pentrate my mind and heart. The words becoming part of my thought process that will eventually become renewed and rewritten in many forms of communication. I love to highlight profound quotes and passages that stimulate my imagination and renew my passion for reading. Reading is a gift that my parents gave me when I was younger. They made sure I had a plethora of books and trips to the library. Eventually, I found myself reading 25-30 books a year engulf in mysteries, romance, detective stories, and other genres that capture my attention. I am a proud owner of over 600 books that are stack on shelves throughout my house, and I continue to buy more. Why is this so important to me? How did literacy become a part of my life?
As I read Harry's story in Local Literacies by David Barton, I found myself thinking about my family (father, grandfathers, and grandmother) and literacy. My grandfather and grandmother, Clarence and Mary, were cherokee indians and able to read enough to function in society. The only book I ever saw in my grandparents home was the Bible. My grandmother would read the Bible consistently through out the day. She would quote scriptures and sing songs from the hymns books at the church. I would watch her as she would read recipes written on index cards or torned lined paper. My other grandfather, Willie, could not read. He had a good secure job at Firestone Tire Company, but he couldn't read. However, my grandfather, knew symbols and was an expert in recognizing money. He did not trust banks, so he kept his money in various places. He drove a new car every two years. He read enough to survive in society. But, my father is different. He is an avid reader. He loves to read. He would buy books about carpentry, non-fiction, religious books, and anything else that interests him at that time. My father retired as an engineer. My father has a library in his home filled with his favorite books. Sometimes, I just pick one and read his thoughts and questions that are written on the side of his books. Like me, he writes in his books comments and questions. Some of his books are highlighted in various colors by highlighters or red pen marks.
The quote about Harry, "Every night he reads in bed for an hour before going to sleep." p. 81 My father reads before he goes to sleep every night. Harry uses literacy to keep up with current affairs and local issues. p. 81 My father reads every section of the newspaper except the death notices. He watches the news; especially CNN news, the experts of getting things right as my father would say. My father at one time had written poetry and sketched characters like the pink panther and bugs bunny before his illness. Harry reminds me of my father using literacy to develop his true passion disregarding what others may feel or think.
Reading about Harry, for some reason, I could picture Harry in my mind making this statement, "and it still makes my mouth water, writing on a slate." But, I had a hard time trying to visualize the slate. Harry does bring up a point when commenting on educated and uneduacated people. He stated that being good at exams and good at paperwork are not necessarily the most important skills in working life.
I remember the older people in my life would often say that people who were educated have book sense, but the lacked CS (common sense) to keep jobs. In other words, books can take a person a long way, but it takes common sense to finish the job. Literacy is the same way. It takes a person to become skilled in reading and writing to make a connection within society.
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