First of all, thank you for the outline, it was helpful as I listened to the podcast. I was particulary interested in the podcast, because I am currently taking the class Teacher as Researcher with another professor. It confirmed everything that I am learning in that class. Prior to this semester I had never even heard of Qualitative Research and here I am not only reading about it but beginning to do it. So while I will use the outline and information to help with my own action research project, I am overwhelmed to think that I am actually going to writing my own article.
I have not read Mildred Taylors "The Friendship" but read "Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry" and did a project with it in my undergrad. I know it may difficult for my students, but would like to try something like this with my class. My school is currently going through redistricting and next year our population will be completely different- the majority of the school will be minorities.
The Hinchman piece was not as interesting for me, but I could still relate to Jasons quote at the beginning of the article. My third graders know without me saying a word who the "good readers" are and who struggles. Heck they knew before I did. I have guided reading groups where students are about on the same reading level and other groups where I mix them up-some high, med and low. I praise all students for their progress but try not to place emphasis on the groups, but rather the individuals. I have seen confidence growing in my "low group" and nothing pleases me more. Confidence leads to success and success leads to confidence and that leads to comprehension which leads to success. Now thats what call a good "vicious circle".
SuSu Watson
Comments (4)
I had a hard time with the Hinchman article too. She used a lot of research jargon which made it difficult. I could have used a glossary! Anyway, I think she was basically saying that qualitative research is important because it helps us to understand the children and their thoughts and feelings about the instructional programs we put them through. It's just one way to help policy makers know and understand our students better. The way it is now, I think that we are too driven by data. All we hear about are the test scores. But we have to consider what is best for children. Qualitative research, like the paper done by Moller and Allen, help balance the numbers with student thoughts, feelings, and reactions. Like most things, we just need a balanced approach.
Posted by Jayne Thompson | February 13, 2009 8:37 PM
Posted on February 13, 2009 20:37
I think it's great how you give praise no matter what level your students are in. As a high school teacher, I'm not as familiar with grouping and leveling of reading skills, but I would imagine it would be very hard to give even amounts of time, praise, and attention to each group. Kids know more than we give them credit for, and I have no doubt that they can pick up on the fact that they are "low" or "high." It's so important to fill them with confidence and the notion that they CAN get to that high group and that they CAN learn. I'm grateful that there are teachers out there like YOU who know that this is important!
Posted by Christy Rivers | February 15, 2009 5:10 PM
Posted on February 15, 2009 17:10
I like how you have groups that are ability-groups and others that are mixed high, medium, and low. I think this is a great idea to at least postpone how quickly students try to figure out what groups they are in. Also, your comments about continued praise are wonderful. I think that praising a child is so much more important that correcting behavior. There are children have been corrected or disciplined so much throughout life that this is all that they know. I think it is great that you can praise them, which may be something completely unfamiliar to them. I try to always do this in my classroom as well.
Posted by Brittany Guy | February 16, 2009 3:26 PM
Posted on February 16, 2009 15:26
Susu,
How interesting that you are taking 5040 along with this course! What research will you do in your classroom? It would be interesting to try to dovetail your research project with some of the topics in our course. :)
Posted by Alecia Jackson | February 19, 2009 8:42 PM
Posted on February 19, 2009 20:42