Girls Will Be Girls
In reading these chapters much of it sounded like my own childhood. Going to Sunday school, singing about Jesus, and wanting so bad to be a “good girl” was an ever present part of my life. Much of it is still part of my life. I had never thought about it as having played such a large role in my literacy. I did not come from a family who put much value in education, but from a family that lived paycheck to paycheck, barely getting by, without time read for themselves or to me. I found my love for Jesus and reading at my church. My Sunday school teacher would read to me and tell me to always be a good girl, I remember I so wanted to please her. I think we all are influenced in our literacy and discourses by our parents or any other person who plays an important role in our lives.
When I read What Hicks wrote on page 67 about Laurie wanting to be a good girl in order to gain power it made me reflect on my own classroom. When students are “good” they are the ones who get called on first to do things like run errands or be the teachers helper and that is power to the children I have had in the past. Others think of them as leaders, so this influences them to be good to keep this power.
As I read on I was angry as I read that Laurie was put on medication for ADD. I think too many children are put on medication unnecessarily. Children do not normally sit down and remain quiet for extended periods of time. If they get bored from lack of engagement the reason for their behavior is not always their fault but the teacher or parents also need to consider what the setting is and ask if it is truly appropriate for the child to still or is it just their lack of wanting to actively engage the child.
As I read on I was glad to see some happiness for Laurie when she tells of the new man that will bring happiness to her family. This again made me think of so many of my students who are in broken homes, or single parent homes and how you could see the desire for a mom or dad in their lives. Many of my girls would cling to my husband when he came and want to read to him or have him read to them, but mainly the ones without a male role model in their life. All this definitely plays a part in a child’s literacy and their different discourses.
Tracy Icenhour
Comments (4)
I also found it interesting that the good girls held the power. You made a valid point in saying they are the ones that get called on to do the extra things. It is still true in my middle school classroom. The good ones, the seemingly ones I can trust, get asked to file papers and such.
I also agreed with your argument about putting Laurie on ADD meds. I think too many kids are put on medication for disorders such as these. I wonder what would have happened if Laurie had not been diagnosed. Would her discourse during the primary years been different?
Posted by jennifer wagoner | June 24, 2010 6:18 PM
Posted on June 24, 2010 18:18
Tracy
I too liked that the good girls had the power within the relationship of school. I wish that were the case at my high school, but unfortunately, that is simply not the case as the bad girls rule the halls.
William Byland
Posted by William Byland | June 24, 2010 6:55 PM
Posted on June 24, 2010 18:55
Tracy,
I think that you are right. I try not to do it, but I find that I myself will call on those that are good to help me and be a leader etc... Why do we as teachers not call on those that are not as good to help us? I need to work on that :) I think that being rambunctious at a young age is ok. I felt that the ADD medicine ended up hindering Laurie, she complained of her stomach hurting and was miserable. Did her parents not try to change the dosing? Or try something different? I have had students try 3 or 4 different meds until they find something that works. Going back to what I said earlier, I think if we call on those students that are not as good to help us, maybe it will encourage them to be better behaved. Do you agree?
Posted by Natalie Enns | June 25, 2010 10:10 PM
Posted on June 25, 2010 22:10
It still amazes me at the life Laurie is having to live in. Not that it is bad, but she has not been given the chance to act as a child, thus affecting her literacy in many ways. I am not saying all of her failures in reading are due to her home life, but I feel that is out weighing the other reasons.
I too have a problem calling on the same students. But the ones I call on are not my favorite, but are the ones who don't mind answering. I guess I need to think of a better way to encourage others to speak out?!?
When my husband has came to work to help out in my class, the boy, not the girls, were glued to him. Reflecting back the ones who did this had no father figures in their lives. Everyday they would ask me, "When is your husband coming back here?" He not only read to them but would talk about life and give advice. Though I do that on a daily basis, it was great for them to hear it from another male figure!
Posted by Candace Barnes | June 27, 2010 2:18 PM
Posted on June 27, 2010 14:18