I think children are the most interesting people. You can never be surprised by what can come out of a child's mouth. Children are honest and do not hold back. In "Walking Trees", Ralph Fletcher gets to know the students better through writing workshops. One student named Carlos wrote about his jealousy towards his mother's boyfriend. He was very open with his feelings. I think writing is a good way to try to get to know students a little better. Students may feel they can use writing as a way to express their feelings. Teachers should all take on the responsibility of trying to get to know students better in order to try to teach them better.
I think as teachers we should accept the fact that not all children have a perfect life. Every child is different. Every student has a different set of circumstances. My uncle works in a public school. He has shared many stories with me about his students. Many come from broken homes or have no contact with their parents at all. I think a lesson we can learn from children is that even the innocent may be affected by the cruelties in this world. Some children are forced to live with huge burdens on their shoulders. You never truly know what goes on behind closed doors. As teachers we must be open to the fact that our students come from varying backgrounds. We have to do our best to accomodate their needs and teach them effectively.
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6 comments:
I totally agree that writing should be encouraged in the classroom. It is a great and very healthy way for students to get stuff out. You are right, not all children's lives are perfect. We as teachers step into the classroom everyday with a different attitude. Children are the same way. We should learn to accept and respect their lives and give them the freedom to write about what it going on, whether it be good or bad. Children deserve to vent and to release their feelings, just as much as we do.
I agree with you also! All too often, we as teachers forget that children also have problems to deal with. Parents, friends, family, and other elements that they have no control over. We need to be mindful that as adults we could try to figure out certain problems, but for children it may be more difficult for them to do so. Some problems may be out of thier reach to solve.
Hi Jeanette,
I definitely agree that children are honest. My cousins are always willing to tell me if I have a pimple or something doesn’t match. I think children’s honesty is exemplified in their writing. Children are willing to share their whole lives and personal things, like Carlos did in “Walking Trees.” I believe for a teacher it can sometimes be overwhelming to hear some of his/her students’ stories, but to know your students you need to know their stories. Each student is different and has something to bring to the classroom.
I think you raised two very good points. One that children are very good at expressing their feelings and two that they too have many issues that they are dealing with. Writing seems to be a great way for them to express all their issues and emotions. It gives them time to think about what they are feeling and a way to perhaps share it with another person. Just as adults it is important to get those feelings out whether they be good or bad.
You answered this question perfectly. We need to be open-minded and realize that children have problems too. When we have a stressful day or constantly think about our own personal problems we must realize that our students even though so young can be going through worse situations at home. We need to be considerate of their problems and be a little easy on them. Remember never to judge but to always be there for them. I love Ralph's writing strategies of learning about the students. That's the best method of releasing anger.
I totally agree with you, in that children are in many different circumstances and teachers should be accommodating to that. Teachers definitely need to understand that many children can be carrying so many burdens that it can affect the way they are learning or behaving in school. Instead of being so quick to finding out which students are the "problem" students, teachers should think differently and ask themselves why certain students are behaving the way they are and that perhaps it is because of what is happening outside of school.
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