These two chapters were much more interesting and easy to read. I enjoyed getting to know Laurie. I like how Hicks took on a journey through Laurie’s home and school life from kindergarden through third grade. In kindergarden, Laurie was involved and engaged in her classroom. She was very social and had friends. Her literacy seemed to be on track for the most part, she knew her letters and was retelling stories. Her home life was playing a part into her interactions with her peers and teachers. She was taking on the role of “caretaker” or “girlfriend.” These are roles that she was carrying over from her home life. In first grade, her problems with reading and writing became so much clearer. Her problems with literacy made her have problems in all areas. She struggles at academics, social interactions, completing her work. She was not progressing as fast as the other students in the class and she was getting so far behind. In second grade, her problems continued but when she thought she was getting a “daddy” she began to improve. This is proof that your home life has so much to do with your school life. Laurie wanted so much to be a good student and to be smart.
Some of the points that really struck me from these chapters are the fact that in first grade they were using a reading program that moved at a fast pace and it was leaving Laurie behind. I think this is the case in so many classrooms. Basals are too hard or school systems adopt a new reading program that just does not work for children. How can we get school systems and the state to understand that what works for one student does not work for all?
I felt so bad for Laurie having to grow up without a father. I can’t imagine what that was like to not have a father. My dad is such a big part of my life and always has been. I have very fond memories of spending time with him as a child and him helping me with homework. How can we as teachers help students who are growing up in homes like Laurie’s?
Ashley Caldwell
Comments (2)
We respond with kindness and a genuine concern for their well being. For many children it is normal to grow up with a “different” kind of family. Many have experienced divorce, neglect and other life changing events. This does not directly lead to failure and unhappiness. I know quite a few young adults that have been given everything, love, time; attention and financial support and they have been unable to deal with the stresses of life. How much harder do you think it is for those that have been given nothing but love?
Elizabeth Achor
Posted by Elizabeth Achor | June 25, 2010 12:46 PM
Posted on June 25, 2010 12:46
Ashley,
Our school system is adopting a new reading series for this school year and I do not think that it will be to hard. I think that a child needs to be exposed to reading that is on their grade level. The teacher then needs to take the time to pull the students out on an need be bases to work with them. I was wondering if the teacher, during their self selected reading time, could have pulled Laurie and others that were struggling and worked one on one with them, either reteaching the lesson that was taught that day or giving them a leg up to what will be taught the next day. i think that if she did that it would have helped her reading.
Posted by Natalie Enns | June 25, 2010 9:42 PM
Posted on June 25, 2010 21:42