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| #CyberPD 2012 |
My thoughts on chapters 1-3...
"As teachers, we choose our words, and, in the process, construct the classroom worlds for our students and ourselves." (p. 1)
I've been teaching for over 17 years now, and I absolutely, positively know this statement to be true. My actions, reactions and my words in the classroom determine the atmosphere in which we live for over 7 hours a day. I always find it amazing (and a little scary) when I hear kids start to use the phrases and language that I have used with them. This leads me to believe they are also picking up on my nonverbal cues and my actions/reactions. I know all of these will stick with them for a long time, so I'm very aware of choosing carefully. Do I make mistakes? Of course. But reading Peter's book (among others) reminds me to be careful with the language I choose.
"Teaching is planned opportunism... Teaching requires constant improvisation." (p.4)
Isn't this so true?! We just never know where our little learners are going to take the conversation. We have to be ready to just go with it and be "in the moment" every day. Some (or I'd argue, most) of the best lessons come out of conversations that just pop up. Isn't this how real life learning is, too? Yes, I go to workshops and teacher conventions with the intention of learning about something specific... but in conversations with colleagues at those workshops, I get something entirely new out of it!
"Honey, when you grow up I want you to be assertive, independent and strong-willed. But while you're a kid, I want you to be passive, pliable and obedient." (cartoon, p. 7)
This cartoon really resonated with me. I can't stop thinking about it. What message are we really sending to kids? It makes me really think about my classroom community and my expectations for my first graders. Am I giving them plenty of opportunities to think for themselves? Am I fostering independence and assertiveness... or dependence and passiveness?
Fixed vs. Dynamic Theory
Honestly, I don't know that I ever thought about this before. It really opened my mind to phrases and ideas I try to instill in my students... and what message those statements relay. The power of the word "yet" was quite evident in what Peter wrote.
With so much emphasis on data and test scores now, I wonder how it will impact children in years to come. Will they learn to judge themselves based on single test scores, or will they learn to look for patterns of growth? How can we encourage children to always work hard? Will this allow them to realize they do grow and change, or will they fall victim to thinking they will always perform the same way?
On page 15, when Peter talks about the fixed-performance frame, it made me think of myself in terms of reading. I consider myself a good reader. I've always been a good reader... until I compare myself to my Nerdy Book Club friends who read voraciously and seem to remember everything they read! It's so important for us to help children to step out of this frame of mind!
"Your brain is changing and so is the way you experience ideas. Expect to change." (p. 26)
Oh, I loved the way Pegeen Jensen handled it when her first graders told her they'd already heard a book she was about to read aloud! Pointing out that we have changed and that we may think differently when we hear a book again is really important. I always compare rereads to watching our favorite movies again and again, but I am definitely going to take Pegeen's idea and incorporate it into my repertoire.
Below, I linked a podcast where Pat Johnson interviews Peter, and he expands on this idea of fixed vs. dynamic theory. Sometimes it's good to hear it another time in another way! :)
#CyberPD continues next week!!!
July 18 at My Primary Passion with Jill Fisch
July 25 here at Our Camp Read-A-Lot!
July 26 on Twitter (time TBD)
You can also keep the conversation going any time on Twitter using the #cyberPD hashtag. AND... you can add your thoughts to the Wallwisher for this event!
I'm looking forward to reading everyone else's posts to see what their takeaways were this week!
Laura,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I love your format for this post. I like the way you took quotes from the book and expanded on them. I enjoyed reading your thinking. Like you, I wonder what the emphasis on data is going to mean for students. How will they feel when they are always measured numerically? This question really sticks with me, "Will they learn to judge themselves based on single test scores, or will they learn to look for patterns of growth?" I suppose this is where we have to work to change the narrative. I love the way you remind us that we are looking for growth. How have we changed as learners?
Thanks for sharing your thinking. A professional book's value seems to grow exponentially when I travel from blog to blog to read more.
Cathy
Hi Laura,
ReplyDelete"This leads me to believe they are also picking up on my nonverbal cues and my actions/reactions." I agree and this made me think about my own nonverbal cues and actions. I also wonder about test scores and the stories kids tell themselves based on these. I also want kids to judge themselves on patterns of growth. Thanks for sharing!
Side-note: After I read your blog about planbook.com this year I started using it and LOVE it! Thanks for the recommendation:)
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI, too, loved your format of pulling out quotes and responding to them. These quotes really resonated with me, too. One in particular:
"As teachers, we choose our words, and, in the process, construct the classroom worlds for our students and ourselves." (p. 1)
This one is both scary and inspirational at the same time. It is scary to be reminded of how much influence our language has over events/learning/perceptions in the classroom. It is also inspirational for the very same reasons. We can influence thinking in a positive way (and remove the fear).
I am really enjoying this book. Thanks for hosting this event.
Laura & Amy~
ReplyDeleteIt is so true that we are setting the tone for our communities and so frightening to think all those young minds are taking in every cue. And no we aren't perfect yet… but, isn't this uncertainty or quest to be better that has built this wonderful learning community we have now!
I too loved the organization of your post! My favorite quote is here~
"Teaching is planned opportunism... Teaching requires constant improvisation. So I guess in our " improv" momenst we need to be mindful that we are always teaching. So much pressure!
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the format of your post as well - the quotes followed by your great thinking, wondering, and questions!
What struck me was the profound effect our words have on our little ones. As you mentioned, they begin repeating things word for word. I'm seeing this more and more at home with my two year olds. Beyond that it's not just our words, but our actions too! We can't use that expression anymore, "Do as I say, not as I do." I'm feeling the pressure!
Loved these questions and want to keep them with me as I'm planning and throughout the school day: "Am I giving them plenty of opportunities to think for themselves? Am I fostering independence and assertiveness... or dependence and passiveness?" This stems from creating a culture of learning and classroom community.
Thank you for your insights and learning right beside you! And yes, we are close enough that we could meet for some coffee! :)
Laura,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your reflections and sharing the podcast interview. Listening to the podcast did help.
I was moved by the cartoon and caption too. The questions you asked are ones that I need to be asking myself too, so thank you for the nudge.
Looking forward to reading your more next week!
Barbara
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI didn't get my act together to order Peter's book, and get the reading done for this week, but after reading your post and several others, I am SOOO going to do it for next week. I'm especially intrigued by the fixed and dynamic mindset. I kind of stumbled into this last year with my fourth graders during a struggle to master long division. It was amazing how much the word "yet" changed kids' thinking about their ability to grasp the concept. By the end, my ten year olds were actually keeping track of who hadn't gotten it "yet" and deciding who was going to partner with that child to support them. And every single kid mastered it! Like many others have said, I liked your format, of a quote and a reaction. Hoping I will be back next week, with book bought, reading done, and a post!
Laura,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for finding and sharing the podcast. It was great to hear more ideas about the fixed vs. Dynamic learning frames.
I also appreciate your honesty about comparing yourself to other readers. I had to work hard this year with my class on this one because of the constant comparison/competition some of my students were having. I showed them Donalyn's Goodreads page to emphasize how I can't compare myself to others too much or I would give up.
Tony
Thanks for sharing the podcast. Your question..."Am I giving them plenty of opportunities to think for themselves?" really hit a thought I have been thinking about ALOT this summer in the form of book partners and book clubs. When we provide time for these opportunities we also need to support critical listening. How do we provide these opportunities to think,share and critically listen? Lots to think about!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteWe really do have to operate "in the moment" when we are teaching don't we? I love those spontaneous conversations that I have with my students. Those are the moments I enjoy the most.
The part in Opening Minds where Pageen Jensen is rereading a book reminded me of my classroom. When you wrote that you tell your students it's like watching a movie again, I had to smile because that's one of the things I tell my students too. I plan to incorporate Pageen's idea into my classroom conversations as well.
Thanks for sharing this insightful reflection and for inviting me to participate in #cyberPD.
Val
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI love the organization of your post as well. I'm already thinking about how I might re-organize my post for next week. As far as your thoughts related to data and test scores, I think you're spot on. This thinking led to further thinking on my part in regards to reading levels. So many students today identify themselves as "level __" Leads me to wonder how can we help change the language and thinking in our classrooms so that students just identify themselves as readers?
Thanks so much for helping me continue my thinking on this topic!
Dawn
I couldn't agree with you more in your first two paragraphs. It is critical that we think about how we talk to kids; I have also watched students mirroring my words and mannerisms. And I loved the improvisation theme - we can't know what exactly will happen on any given day. It is our ability to be flexible that will serve us well. Loved your post. Thanks so much for co-hosting the #cyberpd again this year!
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteLike the others, I like how you set up your post. So many of the quotes you pulled resonated with me as well, especially "Teaching is planned opportunism. Teaching requires constant improvisation." That is so true. I don't know how many times what I've planned becomes something entirely different (and even better). Listening to kids is so vitally important. Loved your thinking about comparing yourself to your nerdy book club friends. What a great connection to how many of our own students might feel. Thanks for sharing your great thinking!
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI love this post and how you set it up. I too was struck by Pageen Jensen's reply when the kids had already read the book. I will keep her words in mind when this comes up this year.
"Yet" is such a tiny little word with such a huge impact. It is a work I need to use more often with my students. This part reminded me of asking "What would you say if you did know?". Just crack open the door a little and they'll run with it.
Thanks for cohosting #cyberPD again, you all always help extend my thinking.
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ReplyDelete