This chapter closed the book very nicely. I feel the author made good points about our society’s need to educate all children. We need to find methods to reach all the needs of every child in our room. Working class children are truly the “lost” children in today’s classroom. We are required by law to follow IEP’s (Individualized Education Plan) for any exceptional needs child. These require modifications, specialized lesson plans and modified course work. These plans are easy to follow and found in most classrooms today. Working class children often do not have IEP’s. They do not come with instructions, they just learn differently. Yet, we need to reach their needs as well. Training and exposure to new techniques and hands-on lessons will greatly increase the mastery of subject matter for all of our students.
The memories of the young man named Rose brought to light how important we need to take this issue of working class education. Rose was tracked into a vocational program, by a mistake his teachers/school made. One teacher noticed how he “did not belong” in the program. What a difference this one teacher made for this child. By placing him in the college prep program, he was given the opportunity to advance his educational career. Even though Rose felt displaced, this one teacher made an impact on this boy’s life that he will never forget.
Finding out that Rose eventually became a teacher touched me. We have no idea how many students like Rose that we have every year. Knowing how to connect knowledge to learning styles is a strength that Rose gives to his working class students. He sees himself in his children probably every day. We have all benefited from hearing his stories of his own childhood experiences.
The author summed the book up well, when she expressed how we need to understand gender, class, and racial locations that have been traditionally excluded. We need to develop new teaching methods to reach all of our students and give them an opportunity to work to their greatest potential.
Beth Rigsbee
Comments (5)
Beth,
Your comments are well taken. It seems appropriate that each child have their own educational plan. I know this can be difficult but it is very necessary. Chapter six brought to my attention the fact that most elementary school teachers are female. How does this affect the way boys learn best? I think boys and girls learn differently especially when they are young.
It also makes me wonder again about the Montessori system where grade levels are not so defined. I don’t know about tracking at young ages. I hate for people to be pegged, but it is important to have employable skills. I do agree that not everyone wants or is able to go to college, but there should be viable options as he or she should still be able to make a good living doing something enjoyable.
I believe for our educational practices to change, it will be because our educators and parents demand it. Legislators may with great intentions design educational policies that do not make sense. Parents and teachers together can make the greatest change.
Laura Wollpert
Posted by Laura Wollpert | June 21, 2007 12:08 PM
Posted on June 21, 2007 12:08
Being an EC teacher, I can see your point on every child having an individualized plan. I think teachers need to look at all children and come up with an individualized plan the child’s needs. Not saying that one has to be written out like an IEP, but metaphorically anyone who with children from different backgrounds need to realize these children learn different and try to find the best way to teach all children and incorporate different strategies in their classroom. I think more training and professional development may be needed. Is it doable? Yes. Will it take some extra planning? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes, for the child’s sake. We are not here to find a the best way to meet our needs, but the best way to meet the child’s need and teaching is not what it was 20 years ago; although I have not been in the field that long. Children are changing every few years and the field of education is getting more and more demanding, but they need caring teachers who are willing to give it their best try and not be mediocre.
I agree with your response about Mike Rose. Many children like him are in Special Education, remedial classes, etc because of a mistake. I think we need to be careful and look at the whole child when we make decisions that affect their lives. One teacher can make the difference and usually that what it takes to make the difference in a child’s life and change their world forever.
Posted by Danielle Griffin | June 21, 2007 12:27 PM
Posted on June 21, 2007 12:27
Hi Beth,
Wouldn't it be wonderful if our classes were small enough to allow for more individualized attention? We know from research that smaller classes benefit all students but I don't see that happening. I guess the best we can do is to be attentive and always alert to those behaviors that can signal student distress. I agree that the message of this book seemed to be that teachers must be open and willing to try different approaches and, most importantly, to listen to the concerns/values voiced by students and parents. It is difficult to work within a system that doesn't appear to value the individual but that's where Hicks implores us to be courageous as we explore different ways to connect with our students in order to authentically address their educational needs.
Betsy Baldwin
Posted by Betsy Baldwin | June 21, 2007 4:50 PM
Posted on June 21, 2007 16:50
Beth-
I completely agreed with your first paragraph. Our working class and poor children do not come with any modifications in place, yet if they are to succeed in the classroom we must find a way to change our teaching so that each child is able to make growth. These children truly do learn differently and if more people could realize this then maybe our education system would be better off.
I also connected with your statement about Rose. Our students are counting on us to be the ones who help them get the education they need. We cannot let them down like the system almost did to Rose.
Posted by Lisa Outland | June 21, 2007 9:01 PM
Posted on June 21, 2007 21:01
Beth,
Do you guys have to do PEPs(personalized education plans) for students? We have recently had to start them at the middle school level. Just curious. I agree that all students seem to need individualized education plans. I, like Betsy in her post, believe smaller class size and an overhall of the education system would have to take place for this to transpire. I am just curious how this individualized instruction would look at my level, middle school, where we have over 100 students. Not that I don't think this should take place...I am just thinking logistics.
Posted by Sarah McMillan | June 21, 2007 10:36 PM
Posted on June 21, 2007 22:36