I really enjoyed reading chapters 3 and 4. I found them both very informative in such ways that will help me as a teacher when teaching my students. While both chapters were very informative, I found certain aspects troubling, especially for Laurie.
In the beginning of chapter 3 where Hicks is describing her up-bringing of church and singing Jesus Loves Me, I was able to instantly connect. As a person who has grown up in a rural small southern town and has attended church my entire life, I can tell you most churches are as the one she described. Although, I was the child that never questioned anything about anything or anyone when it involved church. But I was just being the "good girl." By being this this typically pleased my parents as well as other church members. I can remember as if it were yesterday when getting in trouble for something my mom would always say, "Now Candace what would Jesus have thought or done during that situation?" Instantly, I would usually always feel guilty until getting older and throwing that over my head just didn't work. It wasn't until college and being exposed to a whole new world that I began to take a step back and really discover what my faith and religion really were to me. I feel that everyone should take a step back and question for yourself and discover the true meaning, rather than just follow the crowd or what feels good just to please others around you.
"Very importantly, practices occur in engagement with others, such as the caretakers who help shape learners' values, feelings, and attachments at a young age (p36)." This statement could not be any truer! Everything that we encounter at a young age, even as adults, helps to shape who we are. In the end this can be either a good thing or a bad thing for someone, depending on a persons experiences. My mother though has helped shape me in my literary discourse. As a child she always read to me or told me stories. This sparked my interest in reading. But, if it was reading that teachers had assigned than I could have cared less to read it because more times than none it would be really boring!
Imagination! How can a child be a kid without one of these! Encouraging a child to use their imagination is essential to them. For many children this all that they have. It is wild to see the change of imagination from elementary to middle school. I teach middle school grades and asking them to use their imagination or look a cloud and tell me what it looks like, is like pulling teeth! Even as adults we lack the use of imagination which is why it can be hard for some of use to tell a kid a story on the spot. When we don't use our imaginations our lives become dull.
Comments (5)
I have often thought about throughout the last year and a half (grad school)how much caregivers in the early years influence what happens with our children. I think it would be very interesting to look at how children have changed in how they progress in learning to read as caretakers have changed throughout history. How have things changed from when most mothers stayed home to now when children are with someone else during those early years for a large part of the day? How has it changed since tv? Computers? Cell phones? I am sure the research is out there. I guess I need to find it! :)
Posted by Christy Laws | June 25, 2010 1:06 AM
Posted on June 25, 2010 01:06
I definitely know what you mean by school literature being "boring". I can't even remember the literature that I read when I was in school. That is definitely something that I hope to fix in the future. Last year I read the book, Poppy, to my class. I had these same students coming up to me this year asking if I had read it to my class this year. That is one aspect of their third grade year that they absolutely loved. I definitely think we need to find a way to get our students in interesting (for them)literature on their level to get students more motivated and willing to read.
Posted by Angie Sigmon | June 25, 2010 2:25 PM
Posted on June 25, 2010 14:25
Encouraging imagination is very important! I had quite the imagination growing up and had two older sisters with one as well, so you can imagine the things we used to make up and play as kids. When we don't continuously use our imagination it becomes harder to make up stories. I find myself struggling when teaching a writing lesson. It's like my on the spot part of me to make things up has disappeared. It's something we need to continue to have students exercise. Imaginary writing and storytelling are what I need to do more of!
Posted by Abby Boughton | June 25, 2010 8:13 PM
Posted on June 25, 2010 20:13
The imagination is so important. That is why I think that it is important to allow students time to just write. I usually would give my students a topic to write about but every once in a while I would allow my students the chance to write about whatever they wrote about. Sometimes they would have a hard time knowing what to write about but once they got the hang of it their writing was awesome! I think we need to give our students the chance to "free write" every day. I am thinking about allowing my students that chance when they come in in the morning to just write about whatever they want!
Posted by Natalie Enns | June 25, 2010 10:13 PM
Posted on June 25, 2010 22:13
I never thought about how little I used my imagination, but what you said is so true. I rememeber a few weeks ago my son asked me to tell him a story. I was at a lost for words. I had no idea what to say. However I ask my students to do it all the time. I guess without having to use it daily it is hard for us adults to break out our imaginations.
Posted by Odessa Scales | June 27, 2010 6:21 PM
Posted on June 27, 2010 18:21