After reading about Laurie, I am beginning to understand what some of my students go through at home. I realize that not everyone had a childhood like I did, which is similar to Hicks. I also grew up going to church every Sunday and attended Bible School every year. I know that many of my students do not have comfort at home like I did. I grew up reading books every day. If I asked my parents for a new book they would take me out to get one. Reading was very important to my parents and they would help me in any way that I needed. I remember going every week to the local library and checking out a bag full of books. I used to look forward to that. Many of my students have never even been to the local library which breaks my heart. After reading about Laurie, it makes me realize how lucky I was as a child.
Laurie’s writing often dealt with her emotions as do many writers. When I read my students’ work I can often tell what kind of home life they have. My students write about their families and what activities they do together at the beginning of the year. This is really an eye opener for me. Not every child gets to play board games with their family as I did. Many of my students just write about watching TV together or how they do not see their parents much in the evenings. In Laurie’s writing, you could tell that she was missing something at home, in her case it was a father figure. It’s understandable that she would want a father, I think most people do. I know Laurie’s mother probably had financial problems, but it’s free to go the library and check out books. It doesn’t cost anything to give her some attention.
Some of Laurie’s writings are dark and this bothers me. I wonder if her teacher ever addressed some of these topics. If one of my students wrote these stories I would be concerned. The length of Laurie’s stories got longer throughout her second grade year, which is good. I have a few fourth graders who are writing on about the same level as Laurie and we have been working hard all year to improve their writing skills. It’s obvious that Laurie struggles and it’s a pitiful situation that she is in. It seems like she is only getting farther and farther behind.
Dana Eudy
Comments (1)
We are very lucky we had parents and they made a focus on education and family time. I am reminded daily working with my students, that I had a family that focused on my brother and myself, and not just work/television. Doing Writer's Workshops really allows me to hear what students do outside of school and also what their interests are. Laurie's writing on "The Magic Flowers" made me wonder what else was going on in Laurie's life. I also wonder how her teacher responded to her writing. Addressing some of these issues could have helped her gain some confidence.
Posted by Barbara Terauds | June 26, 2009 9:01 PM
Posted on June 26, 2009 21:01