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Talking about Community
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From: Kathy Isaacs <kisaacs>
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2003 21:41:30 -0400
In tbe beginning of our sixth grade year, when all students are new to the school, we consciously explore schools, geographically (this new school place) and socially. They read short stories and selections from novels that describe how schools work. (One example, Roald Dahl's description of his schooling in FROM THE WONDERFUL STORY OF HENRY SUGAR AND SIX MORE). I have read aloud Spinelli's CRASH and Howe's THE MISFITS, as we talk about how students treat other students. They enjoy Susie Morgenstern's THE BOOK OF COUPONS for an alternative image of a schoolroom. We discuss selections in which teachers accuse students unjustly (as in Cisneros "Eleven.") Tim Wynne Jones has a variety of short stories featuring students working with other students which make good reading and read well aloud. We talk about power issues, student to student and teacher to student. And, we talk about ways that working together supports learning. The universe of children's literature is full of examples to support such discussion.
Megan Schliesman wrote:
I'm wondering if anyone has used books about community to explore that very theme with children and teeange readers in an intentional way? It seems the issue of school as community-for better and for worse--is one that could be, or perhaps has been, particularly worthy of exploration. Has anyone done this?
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2003 21:41:30 -0400
In tbe beginning of our sixth grade year, when all students are new to the school, we consciously explore schools, geographically (this new school place) and socially. They read short stories and selections from novels that describe how schools work. (One example, Roald Dahl's description of his schooling in FROM THE WONDERFUL STORY OF HENRY SUGAR AND SIX MORE). I have read aloud Spinelli's CRASH and Howe's THE MISFITS, as we talk about how students treat other students. They enjoy Susie Morgenstern's THE BOOK OF COUPONS for an alternative image of a schoolroom. We discuss selections in which teachers accuse students unjustly (as in Cisneros "Eleven.") Tim Wynne Jones has a variety of short stories featuring students working with other students which make good reading and read well aloud. We talk about power issues, student to student and teacher to student. And, we talk about ways that working together supports learning. The universe of children's literature is full of examples to support such discussion.
Megan Schliesman wrote:
I'm wondering if anyone has used books about community to explore that very theme with children and teeange readers in an intentional way? It seems the issue of school as community-for better and for worse--is one that could be, or perhaps has been, particularly worthy of exploration. Has anyone done this?
-- Kathy Isaacs kisaacs at mindspring.comReceived on Fri 24 Oct 2003 08:41:30 PM CDT
