Our voice is important and as teachers we express our voice daily, but often we don’t allow our children to express their voice freely. We often silence student voice because we feel it in inappropriate or not the right time. As state in Henry’s study students “need opportunities to read, discuss, write, and express themselves in a safe, private context. It is our job as teachers to provide this opportunity to our students. Students often times don’t get the opportunity to express themselves because of their age and often times they have something very valuable to bring to the table. We have a job as teacher’s to help students to author themselves to find their own voice. Students need to learn to express themselves not matter if writing or public speaking is their strength of weakness. Often time’s students use not having a voice as a defense to slide through the cracks without being noticed that they do need help academically or emotionally. If we integrate writing into everything we teach as a reflection model then students will be able to give their voice in one form or another knowing it is safe to share their thoughts.
In Staples article students were able to re-author themselves in an after school program. It was argued that in the classroom these students were often “off task”, “slow”, “troublemaker”, or “struggling”, but when they were in the after school program they were able to “re-author” themselves. To some this concept should come as common knowledge and what everyone should be doing in the regular classroom. Meeting student’s interest and needs based on their abilities. This is not always easy to do, but a good teacher will make every attempt to make sure that it happens. When students are actively engaged then the terms of “troublemaker” or “struggling” can be change to successful as students are engage at their ability and interest. We did a gender study this year at my elementary school and as I got into the research and started applying some of the strategies within my own classroom there were drastic changes in the way boys and girls responded to literature. Their behaviors and attitudes also changed. Maybe it’s the teachers that need to”re-author” themselves instead of the students.
Kara Scott
Comments (8)
Kara,
I liked your idea of teachers 're-authoring' themselves! This type of reflection would benefit multiple students.
I also liked how you explained the benefits of integrating writing into everything that we teach as a reflection model. This is often one of the most powerful ways that we can help students to find their voice. I think it is all the more powerful when the teacher engages in written dialogue with the student and responds to their thoughts; inviting a conversation. I hope to do this next year with blogs instead of the reader response journals that I have used this year.
Posted by Karen Massey-Cerda | June 13, 2011 7:14 PM
Posted on June 13, 2011 19:14
Kara,
I agree that maybe it's the teachers who need to re-author themselves instead of the students. In my undergrad I was taught to constantly reflect on my work, and adjust it as necessary. I think reflection is not only what makes us better teachers, but better people in general. Students should also learn how to reflect. At one of the schools I sub at, one of the consequences after misbehavior is that the students have to write a reflection about their misbehavior- why it was wrong, what they could have done differently, and how they plan to change that behavior in the future. Now of course a Kindergarten student couldn't do this, but I believe this is a great consequence for third graders and older.
When encouraging students to use their voice, I think it is important that we encourage them to use their voice in the most comfortable and appropriate manner for them. Some students are stronger writers, and some are better at communicating orally, so it is important that we provide many opportunities for them to use their voice.
Posted by Lisa Beach | June 14, 2011 2:15 PM
Posted on June 14, 2011 14:15
The idea of allowing our students to have a voice shouldn't be a new concept, but unfortunatly I think it is to most teachers. I was one of those teachers that thought we didn't have time, or I didn't really listen, but I have learned that even six and seven year olds have great stories to share. If we encourage them while they are young then as they get older it won't be something new, but instead part of the norm.
We should do all we can to ensure that students are interested and engaged in their learning. And yes, that may require more work for the teacher, but it is our job to ensure that all students learn. Writing is a wonderful way to encourage students to use their "voice".I agree that many of those students that are labeld "troublemakers" may in fact surprise us if we required them to complete activities that interest them and meet their ability levels. The days of teaching the same material the same way to all students are over..we need to meet our students where they are and take them where we need them to be. That may mean that all students arent' doing the same activities the same way. Your statement says it all...maybe the teachers are the ones that need to "re-author" themselves.
Posted by Karin Scott | June 14, 2011 8:00 PM
Posted on June 14, 2011 20:00
Kara, what I appreciated most about your post was your comment that letting students go through their education without a "voice" allows them to slip through the cracks. Most students in middle and high school would rather stay silent and appear lazy than speak up and admit they need help. They fear ridicule from their peers and educators. Providing them with a safe place to admit their struggles, like the workshops in these articles, will allow them to find their voice and not slip through the cracks.
Posted by Andrea Schlobohm | June 14, 2011 8:10 PM
Posted on June 14, 2011 20:10
I think the students who are labeled in the classroom as disengaged or slow as described in Staples' study are often experiencing feelings of disconnect. The media used in the classroom has no relevance to their life so they have no voice in the matter. Although we cannot bring their culture, gender, or race into each and every lesson, we can find opportunities for all students to be heard as stated in your posting, whether it is verbally or written in their own language through journals. I have used journals in the past and enjoyed reading the students ideas about different issues both in and out of school.
Posted by Michelle Carlson | June 14, 2011 8:12 PM
Posted on June 14, 2011 20:12
I wholeheartedly agree with your comment about teachers needing to re-author themselves instead of/along with students! For one thing, education is constantly changing. There are always new methods, new strategies, new research and as teachers we ourselves need to keep changing and stay updated and informed so as to best teach all our students. In addition, along with all the new educational methods, we also need to reflect on the work that we do each day and alter our teaching methods to ensure that we reach each and every student.
Posted by Kim Strzelecki | June 14, 2011 9:01 PM
Posted on June 14, 2011 21:01
Hi Kara,
I get SICK every time I hear that a class has silent lunch because they need the opportunity to talk to each other! You're right in that we don't give them enough opportunity to socialize in the classroom...or share their personal stories and ideas that they are getting stunted in the long run. Quite honestly, this is the hardest class that I've taken because I thrive off of open discussion. I also hold student dialogue in high regard when assessing students because you can really see what they have gained from the material by their "talk." If a student is "voiceless," then you don't have a good measure of whether or not they completely understand the information.
Posted by Carrie Brown | June 14, 2011 9:12 PM
Posted on June 14, 2011 21:12
Kara,
You summarized the main ideas in the two articles nicely! I'm curious about the specifics of the gender study you mention and also I would have loved to read more about your idea regarding "teacher re-authoring."
Posted by Dr. Jackson | June 16, 2011 10:38 AM
Posted on June 16, 2011 10:38