RES 5535: Race, Class, and Gender in Literacy Research (summer 2010)

As I mentioned in my post above, it is hard to try and fit in engaging opportunities for students to connect with their texts and what they are learning because we are bogged down with trying to teach the standard course of study and follow the pacing guide. Maybe there are a lot of creative ways to do this all at the same time and I have just not discovered them yet, but it is very difficult to accomplish. We want to help the students learn what is expected of them to pass seventh grade, or whatever grade we are teaching, but at the same time are we not obligated to teach them life skills. For some students, school is there only safe haven and there only means of expressing themselves. As teachers we must do a better job of promoting student learning, but making it interesting for ALL of the different students we teach!

Katy Dellinger

Journaling is an excellent way for students to find their voice. I have a reading and writing rotation in my classroom and students have a different assignment each day. One day is for them to write about certain aspects of the book they are reading. Often thimes I ask a question or start a sentence and let them run with it. This is an opportunity for the student and me to communicate through their writing. I can see what connections they are making with their text, as well as check for understanding.
When we write about other topics in class my students alwyas have the opportunity to share with the class. They also have the opportunity to fold their paper in half if it is something they do not want shared. The one problem I have with journal sharing is when classmates volunteer others to read. I discourage it each time, but there is always one that volunteers someone else to read. I think nosy classmates can both hinder and help each other. Some students eventually volunteer to read and some clam up even more. My point is...the students are able to write want they want and share if they want. They have a voice with a choice.

I think you did a great job of focusing on what our focus needs to be on. Whether students feel a connection through journal writing or scripts, the idea was still the same; empower the students by allowing them to express themselves in a way that they feel comfortable and that is meaningful to them. I know that I am guilty of often getting an idea in my head of an activity that I think would be fun, but not asking my students what they think. By changing the way I think I am hoping to change the ownership my students take in their work.

I think we are taught to avoid "controversial" topics because we don't want to bring up issues that could upset a student, and even worse . . . find out something we might have to report. I think there is definitely a fine line between what is appropriate for school and crossing over the line to inappropriateness. I can't say that I have played around on the line too much, and I wonder how much more student interest I would have when it comes to journaling and speaking about the text if I would discuss "controversial" topics in my class that are appropriate for the grade I teach. I think journaling can be such a powerful way for students to express themselves if they are taught how to do so. I think it is like anything else in the respect that students need to see it modeled and then given plenty of practice.

I know that there are days when I would get home and ask myself “did I talk to each one of my students about something other their school work?” You are so right that teachers do feel constricted to the curriculum and we are not getting to know our students. Teachers are on a schedule and in the schedule there is very little time for really getting to know your students as people. Some of my favorite times during the day are recess and guided reading. During both of these times we share stories and connections about their lives outside of school. My students wrote in journals at least twice a week. I never gave a prompt but just let them write about anything they wanted. I did not write back to them but I am thinking about trying that next year. So if it was a busy day and I did not get to communicate with them verbally I could respond to their journal entry.

I agree that journaling can be a powerful tool for students and teachers. It can open up a line of communication that may otherwise not be opened. I also think that journals could be taken a step farther to group students for discussion, based on topics they have written about in their journals. Sharing the journal entries could lead to some meaningful, voice-finding opportunities.