tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10132773.post8010933933774881170..comments2024-03-08T00:17:09.224-08:00Comments on The Daily Grind: Oh, the Change theme...Mr. McNamarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062641578010808106noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10132773.post-52005288545062613202009-01-22T15:02:00.000-08:002009-01-22T15:02:00.000-08:00So true, Sra.So true, Sra.Mr. McNamarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03062641578010808106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10132773.post-44503501496357209402009-01-21T18:39:00.000-08:002009-01-21T18:39:00.000-08:00It all needs a huge overhaul. We have been doing ...It all needs a huge overhaul. We have been doing the same thing for ages, stuck in our secluded classrooms, while the World has changed outside our doors... but we teach the same stuff we always taught, and we teach it the same way. And we wonder why we're failing our graduates?<BR/><BR/>"'Cuz that's the way we've always done it" has never been a good reason to do anything. Why is it so often used in education?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10132773.post-67877233130454577762009-01-20T18:37:00.000-08:002009-01-20T18:37:00.000-08:00By Foley's criteria, Native Son would be banned fo...By Foley's criteria, Native Son would be banned for use of "the N-word."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10132773.post-10694995936034548162009-01-12T18:03:00.000-08:002009-01-12T18:03:00.000-08:00I had the same questions while I taught English. I...I had the same questions while I taught English. I happen to dig most of the works listed (esp. Macbeth), but we as teachers do have a higher call. We need to be careful not to simply do what has always been done (though the institutionalization of state-based, standardized tests makes it hard for public school teachers to break away). We also need to be sure that the values we espouse are not promulgated in a way that is dogmatic - though I think it's OK if we talk about - and especially model - our values. <BR/><BR/>In my 2nd year of teaching, I had a senior in my class ask me if I had ever read Wright's _Native Son_. Sadly, I had not, but I took up the challenge. Later that year, I ordered 45 copies, and all of my junior/senior students read it (thankfully, it was a private school where I had the freedom to do so). The best part? Some of my students, those who were not good readers or who had an allergic reaction to books, initially looked at the 300+ page work and were a bit incredulous. I assigned about 25 pages at a time, as I recall. On the third day, many of my "non readers" said they had NEVER enjoyed a book as much as it, and had read the first part (100 pages) entirely. They consumed the rest with as much interest. I continued to teach Native Son until I left for grad school - and it always got the same reaction from my kids.<BR/><BR/>We need to be listening to our students, as they may well have insights into good literature that can be challenging and important.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10132773.post-5883045043957146562009-01-12T15:43:00.000-08:002009-01-12T15:43:00.000-08:00Good qustions. Thought provoking. Thanks.RGood qustions. Thought provoking. <BR/><BR/>Thanks.<BR/><BR/>Rrkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00854031170284684549noreply@blogger.com