Reply to Question from a teacher about your kids...

Forum Index » Tweens and Teens

Reply to "Question from a teacher about your kids... "

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
I know you’re being helpful but trust me, I know all this. This (literally) what I’m trained to do and have advanced degrees in. [/quote]

Fellow teacher here.  If you know all this and are [i]literally[/i] trained to do this with advanced degrees :roll: then why ask?  You asked for input based on their individual children.  She is telling you her feedback based on her child's education experience.  No need to be rude.  [/quote]

I’m not being rude! I asked did their kids read and if so, what they did. I don’t need someone telling me there’s crossover books (like how would I not know this?) don’t make the kids take notes. I don’t do that. [/quote]

DP here- You are, though.  Her kid reads crossover books.  She was suggesting them.  And clearly plenty of English teachers do make their students take notes while reading, so how was she supposed to know that you don't?  You didn't share your lesson plans or education philosophy or anything.  She's telling you what their experience has been.  If you're this condescending and patronizing to your students,  no wonder they refuse to engage in your class.

Also I would bet money that you are within your first 5 years teaching, and either Teach for America, or some other SJW white woman.[/quote]

Who said my kids don’t engage in my class? They absolutely do. wanting to teach them better doesn’t mean they’re not engaged. Asking their parents, the people who know them best, for insight into how they read at home, is a huge part in understanding how to teach them better.

Weird also you think giving your students choice instead of forcing Steinbeck on them = SJW. It’s just seeing the kids as humans with interests of their own. [/quote]

DP- Why are you being so incredibly defensive?  You asked for input, what our kids read and don't read, etc.  But if anyone tries to give you honest feedback, you are going off on tangents about POC and being forcefed racism.

Some takeaways I have saved from a literacy conference this summer (I'm a reading specialist in a VA high school)...
[quote] It’s a good jumping off point for me to know whether the kids are reading books of their choice when they’re able or if they’re not reading at home either since getting them to think of reading as a valuable pastime they should consider doing for enjoyment is, well, hard. [/quote]

[quote]"To Kill a Mockingbird” is a revolutionary novel which exposed the large glaring fault of racism in our society in the 1960s. This novel is now more relevant than ever with our country still dealing with segregation and discrimination, but it has managed to survive hidden under the radar. Students should be trusted to read this novel, understand its intricacies and the historical importance of racism, because of the tremendous effect it has had on our society as a whole.[/quote]

Why do you not have any faith in your students of color?

[quote]To Kill A Mockingbird is about discrimination – racial, economic and the fear of the unknown. It is about a child’s coming of age as she learns this lesson. Yes, the book depicts racism; it does not promote it or ignore it. As all literary works depict conflict, it would be impossible to suggest that we avoid any literary work that portrays evil. The true learning behind teaching literature comes from the study and discussion of these profound issues. To Kill A Mockingbird teaches the value of empathy and understanding differences. The novel offers excellent learning opportunities such as discussion, role-playing, and historical research, allowing students to delve into these issues and appreciate them and the work itself.

The historical context of the novel is crucial, as the book not only introduces teenagers to the problems of the past, but also leads them to make connections to the world in which they live today, making this decades-old work very relevant. Even the objectionable language decried by some is an excellent “teachable moment” and a chance to talk about why language evolves over time. Having an open and honest discussion about this is essential in understanding the context and providing an atmosphere of respect and trust.

An argument against the book is that students may feel uncomfortable with the topic. Obviously, we want our students to feel respected and physically safe. But it is becoming a disturbing trend, even in post-secondary education, to avoid issues that will provoke reactions. It is only by discussing these issues and reacting to emotions in a safe classroom environment, among students of different racial groups, and with a teacher’s leadership, that students will learn from the work itself, and  from each other, and be able to make sense of such issues in a complex world. [/quote]

You are so obsessed with pointing out "that's how things used to be taught" or how "recent research says xyz."  That's great, but you also cannot force the concept of loving reading to kids.  You can, however, prepare them for this world.  Prepare them that sometimes tasks aren't 100% enjoyable, but bring great value - challenges bring growth.

You are incredibly patronizing and contemptuous.  I encourage you to reflect upon this before berating a group of high schoolers and letting them somehow earn high school English credit when they read Twilight or The Hate U Give or The Fault in our Stars for an entire year.  Your obligation is not only to "make them love reading" but to teach them, history is part of learning, context matters, language matters, literature is relevant in all aspects of the world.  Maybe you don't do enough reading of these 'classics' to understand.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics