Eamonn's mother believe the Houghton Mifflin Program does not follow the curriculum for a first and second grader. She mention couple stories that don't have correct grammar and appropriate wording choices. But when Eamonn went to second grade, the teacher had granted her request and now Eamonn enjoys reading and likes to writes his own stories. This little story explains how it's so important to be an open-minded teacher. How just following some suggestions can make a big difference in someone's life.
Another story called Strawberry Fields Forever by Cirila Ramirez explains how to help children with language and cultural barriers. A teacher was not lucky enough to have a teacher to help her with her education. Therefore, when she became a teacher she was able to relate to the children who struggle to speak and learn a different language and culture. One of the most important activities she did to help these specific children was to read books and stories that relate to their own culture/environment. After that she had noticed more progress in these students.
From reading these stories made me have more ambition and ideas one how to be a better teacher. I really agree with implementing many language and literacy activities will help the child improve in all developments. When children are able to achieve their goals then they will be more confident and challenge themselves to be better. In conclusion, we have to sometimes think out side of the box and be open with new things in order to achieve higher goals.
Hi Breena,
ReplyDeleteI wonder how the reading from the New Possibilities might expand your entry.
You mention thinking outside the box. This is an interesting idea especially in a school culture where literacy is so prominent. Is considering literacy outside of the box? Are there specific ways to consider literacy outside the box? Could these readings be telling us about something outside of literacy? Is there a connection between how children are viewed and the articles? How can we think outside the box while we are engaging in the readings? (The New Possibilities text might offer an example of thinking outside the box.)
Jeanne
Hi breena,
ReplyDeleteI like the point you make about being an open minded teacher and to think outside of the box. It shows that children really benefit when teachers think outside the box and change the curriculum to fit their students. Why do you think more teachers don't have the same mentality? Why don't the curriculum that is "inside" the box work? Obviously it must do something productive if they have in everywhere, what is wrong with it? and how can we fix it?
Does thinking outside the box means being open to suggestions?
ReplyDeleteWhat if the suggestions does not relate to what you know about children? What if you find it developmentally inappropriate for children? If you disagree to the suggestion, does that mean you are not thinking outside the box?
I agree that language and literacy are important and providing children with those are critical to their overall development.