Reading Lives: Working-Class Children and Literacy Learning Chapters 3 & 4
I enjoyed these two chapters in a way that was very different than the first two because of the focus of the relationship between Hick’s and Laurie. The writing seemed very personal intimate as we followed Laurie through her ups and downs within the classroom and also in her personal life. I feel that Hick’s made a wonderful connection between what was happening in both facets of her life. I appreciated the way Hick’s interacted with Laurie and worked to draw Laurie into a world of literacy. It wasn’t just the trip to Borders but the discussion on the way, the careful search for a book that met her needs and fell within the $4.99 price limit. I wondered why she didn’t give the child a little extra money to buy a fantasy book but after giving it some thought I feel certain that she was tempted but by giving into an impulse she might have taken away from the child’s personal achievements. Hick’s also pointed out in the last lines of chapter 4 how difficult this type of relationship is to have within the parameters in which we teach. That is such a shame because we all have a memory of a teacher that was there for us and perhaps if things don’t change those memories may fail to exist.
I did have two very specific points that were shared by Hicks the first was from page 63 about Laurie’s diagnosis of ADD.
“As much as Laurie wanted to be successful student, she encountered serious trouble that revolved around the material and emotional stresses of working-class family life. In kindergarten Laurie was “acquired by” a medical disorder that was to transform the shape of the year and impact her performances and identities throughout primary school. “
After reading this section and thinking about the many children that I teach who have been given this label which impacts their institutional history. Like Laurie the change after medication was not positive. They seemed to lose a love for life and learning and go through most of the day in a compliant but bored state. I know that there are situations where medication is necessary but maybe we should equip the children with the tools to handle the stresses of school and home rather than a pill that makes them less interactive.
It all connected to Laurie’s desire to be a “good girl” in the classroom and her pride in winning the Superstar award and her desire to be good for her new second grade teacher. She seemed at this point to be fluent with this discourse. She knew what was expected of her and how to make the teachers aware of her efforts. Even though she had disappointments at home during this time period she had learned to separate her two worlds of home and school. I find it amazing that children of this age can handle such grown up situations and make it look easy.
Candy Mooney
Comments (5)
Candy, I agreed with what you said about Laurie's diagnosis with ADD being a major factor that impacted her learning and I think in this case it truly was. I also believe that sometimes students are over diagnosed when the real problem is a situation at home or an enviromental problem rather than a chemical one. Now that I am a mother I can understand a parent's reluctance to medicate their child. However I will never forget one student in particular was put on medication for ADHD. He was a bright student but he had a great deal of trouble focusing in class and staying on task. His mother also taught at my school and she came to me and asked me what I thought she should do. I was new to teaching and really didn't know, but in my gut I thought it would help him. I told her to try it and if there wasn't an improvement then take him off of it. She did this and about two months later he hung around after the bell had rung for school to end. I will never forget him saying, "Mrs. Templeton I have really enjoyed reading Holes", (a book I had been reading with his small reading group at the time) "but do you know what I liked best about it?" I said no, thinking he was going to say something off the wall and crazy. He said, "because now I can sit down, read, and follow along, now I get school and I like what I can do here!" I immediatley went and told his mom what he said. The reason for this story is that I always worry when a parent ask me if I think their child should be medicated, if I am making the right decision, but I do believe when a child truly has a chemical imbalance medication can work wonders!
Posted by Katie Templeton | June 23, 2010 10:58 PM
Posted on June 23, 2010 22:58
Candy,
I do agree with you about giving students the tools they need to handle stress instead of a pill. As a child gets older it will only get worse. It doesn’t help there are commercials on TV advertizing how this pill could help you. It makes us think that a pill can solve our problems. Teenagers these days are turning to prescription drugs to deal with their stress. This stress is another reason why some people turn to drugs and alcohol, which only hurts us as a society. I have seen personally how these dependencies can inhibit a person’s fullest potential. So, when I read about Laurie getting put on medicine I was wondered why. Before she was diagnosed neither Hicks nor Mrs. Thompson noticed anything that would lead to an ADD diagnosis. So, it makes me think that her mom and grandmother could not handle her at home. Usually the teacher has to approach the parents and use the phrase, “Your child is having a hard time focusing and staying on task”. We could never say I think your child has ADD or ADHD. Parents usually are resistant to giving their child a pill, and I think rightfully so. From a parents perspective you love your children and you want to protect them. Like Katie said there are times when taking a pill can have positive effects. I have seen where it works and where it doesn’t. I think it is a complicated diagnosis.
Trish Edwards
Posted by Trish Edwards | June 24, 2010 4:27 PM
Posted on June 24, 2010 16:27
Candy,
In most cases children are amazingly resilient, aren't they? On the issue of ADD and it's diagnosis, I agree that many times we could better serve our children by giving them the tools to cope than giving them a pill. I think maybe part of the reason some people, whether its teachers, parents, or docotors, rely on medication is because it seems to be the easiest or quickest "fix" to the problem.
Posted by Marcia Smith | June 25, 2010 2:26 PM
Posted on June 25, 2010 14:26
I also am amazed by the resiliency of children. They can sometimes handle tough situations better than adults. I also agree that sometimes focusing problems can be misdiagnosed. It very well may be situations at home that are the cause of the problems at school. Even though I feel this way, I think medication can be a good thing at times. I have seen several students who have been put on medication for attention problems. They could tell a huge difference in themselves. I think it's a tough call as to whether to medicate or not. I also think it's a decision that should not be taken lightly and all aspects of a child's life should be considered.
Marsha Warren
Posted by Marsha Warren | June 25, 2010 8:43 PM
Posted on June 25, 2010 20:43
Candy,
I too enjoyed reading these two chapters better than the previous two. There definitely was an intimacy there between Hicks and Laurie. Going back to what you referred to with giving her more money for a fantasy book, I too also questioned why not just give it? The only thing I could come up with is that she was teaching her a lesson. But what lesson exactly?
ADD
I really don't see how she could have been diagnosed with this. The majority of her outburst occurred at home, so how does this make her ADD at school? While reading this I definitely thought that the caretakers at home were not able to handle her. As mentioned above in other comments the TV just makes it seem as if a pill can do the trick, but in reality it can't and many times will only make it worse by causing one to become addicted to the "drug." I feel that as teachers it is our job to help our students learn to cope with stress by showing them different techniques as to how they can release it.
Posted by Candace Barnes | June 27, 2010 2:07 PM
Posted on June 27, 2010 14:07