As I read the Noll article, highlighting the literacy experiences of Daniel and Zonnie I was struck by the fact that these children, who grew up in the United States, were having these strong feelings of “disconnect”. We typically tend to think of ELL students or African American students when we think of students with dual-languages and cultural differences – I had not thought of American Indians having the same kind of experiences, particularly to the extent expressed by Daniel and Zonnie. I felt like their schools failed to support their efforts to learn. I was particularly struck by the fact that the teachers didn’t really seem to feel any connection with the two students, that they didn’t seem to know them well at all. It has been my experience that the more connected students feel with their teachers, the harder they will work and the more they learn. I was amazed that these teachers didn’t seem concerned that there was such a lack of connection.
As I read I was struck by the extent to which Noll took pains to express the perspectives of the American Indian people. She, very painstakingly, communicated their point of view. Noll was careful not to report her own perception of what they thought and believe, but, rather, to “capture the meaning that they confer on what they (do) and on the way other people react to what they (do.)” I believe that, too often, we become caught up in what we think our students are feeling and saying, and we forget to ask them...such a simple thing, really, but not something we do very often.
It was really evident that both students took great pride in their heritage. They both participated actively in music, dance, poetry, and art, and were able to express themselves fluently in those mediums. They were clearly intelligent students, but they both felt themselves to be on the outside of their school experiences. They seemed to feel so different from their classmates – and their classmates seemed to echo their feelings. I cannot help but think that if some teacher had taken the time to establish bonds with these students, they would have excelled. They had the home support we all want our students to have, and they had innate intelligence – I think a connection might have been the link that was missing.
The more I read, the more responsibility I feel to plan for and to provide rich multicultural literature and experiences for my students. This article reiterates the necessity to connect with my students on a personal way, to see them as people with interests and connections to abundant cultures of their own. We need to give them opportunities to share their own cultures and to help them learn to appreciate cultures of others. We have a lot of work to do in our classrooms, but I think the results will make it worthwhile.
Marlee Wright
Comments (8)
Marlee, I like that you pointed out the support that Daniel and Zonnie got at home. Like you said, that is the type of support we wish all students would receive. Too often students are left to do work on their own at home with no recognition from their parents or community. I think if their teachers had taken the time to connect the curriculum to Daniel and Zonnie's experiences, the parents would have been even more involved because they would feel even more able to contribute to what their child was learning. By expanding curriculums to include multiple cultures we may allow those parents who don't even speak English to participate as well!
Posted by Andrea Schlobohm | June 10, 2011 4:37 PM
Posted on June 10, 2011 16:37
Marlee, I agree that it was disappointing to hear the teachers did not know very much about these two students but I also wonder if that is because it was middle school and these teachers see so many different kids each day. As elementary educators, we see the same students all day, every day which gives us a greater opportunity to make those personal connections with our students. I also think that many kids today feel that "disconnect" from school because it does not meet their personal interests or cultural life outside of school. I know after reading this study, I will be more aware of the diversity in my classroom and make a greater effort to celebrate those differences by encouraging and bringing their culture into the classroom.
Posted by Michelle Carlson | June 10, 2011 5:13 PM
Posted on June 10, 2011 17:13
Marlee, I agree that we all have the responsibility to provide rich multicultural experiences for our students. As teachers it is our duty to incorporate and celebrate the differences in our classrooms. The results will be worth while to make those connections and make the students feel part of the learning community. Sometimes we get sidetracked with all the demands in public education that I think sometimes we forget what is really important. The importance of connecting to our students.
Posted by Kara | June 10, 2011 5:37 PM
Posted on June 10, 2011 17:37
Marlee,
How true about what you said we often do as teachers: We assume we know our students thoughts and feelings and we forget to actually ask.Asking the right questions is a simple but powerful thing!
Like you, I feel the responsibility of trying to provide multicultural experiences throughout my curriculum. It is hard work but as you so rightly stated, it makes it all worthwhile.
Posted by Karen Massey-Cerda | June 10, 2011 6:29 PM
Posted on June 10, 2011 18:29
Marlee, You bring up a great point that had not occurred to me- the disconnect of American Indian students and their experience being so similar to other ELL populations. I guess it is easy to focus on the majority of minority groups when designing instruction. This research shows the greater need to be even more culturally aware and sensitive to every student as individuals. I agree with you, these readings have reminded me of the importance of using multicultural literature to engage and expose students to the wide variety of people in the world. Good thing there are so many wonderful multicultural picture books we can share with our kindergarteners. After all, they are like sponges at this early age and have not yet developed the prejudices of older students or adults.
Posted by Ruth Ann Timmons | June 10, 2011 10:04 PM
Posted on June 10, 2011 22:04
I’m glad you pointed out the support that Zonnie and Daniel both received at home. This was something I noticed as well while reading the article and slipped my mind until I read your post. I also found it disappointing that even with the great home support we wish all our students had, both Zonnie and Daniel were still having problems at school.
I also liked the point you made about making sure that we are listening to our students and not just assuming we already know the way they are feeling. Asking students about how they are feeling is such a simple but important thing to do!
Posted by Kim Strzelecki | June 10, 2011 10:19 PM
Posted on June 10, 2011 22:19
Hey Marlee,
Your comment about how the students were so in touch with themselves culturally but felt so out of touch with their classmates really hit home. How often do we see kids that are that culturally engaged in their own heritage? I really respected these students the more I read about them. I think that unfortunately, because they take more of an interest in their traditional culture rather than the pop culture, then it has a negative effect on their abilities to interact with their peers. My hope for them, is that when their peers are figuring themselves out in college (like most people do), Zonnie and Daniel will already know who they are and where they come from and feel a sense of pride and independence that others needed longer to learn.
Posted by Carrie Brown | June 10, 2011 11:07 PM
Posted on June 10, 2011 23:07
Marlee,
What I find so intriguing about your post is how you offer what seems to be such an obvious solution: ASK QUESTIONS! If a classroom is not built on relationships, bonds, and connections, then what good is the classroom? Children and teens spend most of their young lives in schools. If there are not positive, supporting, productive relationships there, then I agree with you that teachers' roles should include this psychological aspect, as well as the cultural.
Posted by Dr. Jackson | June 15, 2011 9:14 AM
Posted on June 15, 2011 09:14