Thursday, November 5, 2015
Chapter 3
After reading chapter 3 I see how important it is for teachers and parents to encourage their children and students. It was disheartening to hear that Jamien really had a hard time figuring out who encouraged him. I always try to encourage my students because I could be the only nice thing they hear all day. I remember my own high school experience. As a high school student I really wanted to be an architect. I took all the classes that my high school offered and during my junior and senior years my teacher, Mr, Hovis, allowed me to draw the blueprints of a house for a teacher at our school. I was also able to go out to the job site to see how the builders used the blueprints to create the house. I worked with the architect who actually designed the teachers house. Mr. Hovis definitely encouraged me to pursue my dreams and talents. When I went on to college all architecture classes were offered in the afternoon and it interfered with softball. Which was paying for my schooling. Sometimes when I am reading the book I feel like these are exceptional students. Do they really exist? I sometimes feel that students are just going through the motions. Maybe I need to challenge students more and definitely implement these PBL units.
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Stacia - I agree. It was very hard to read about Jamien who was discouraged repeatedly in schools. I wonder what makes some children so resilient that they continue their quest despite a lack of encouragement and supportive adults. I hope that we can all be more conscious of the ways our words can affect our students, and glad to know that you had someone who encouraged you in pursuing your interests!
ReplyDeleteWow, Stacia! I absolutely loved reading your own personal experience with Mr. Hovis! Thank you for sharing. What an exciting opportunity to have experienced PBL as a student! More of us need to model what Mr. Hovis did for you! I think this is the reason many of us struggle to make this transition...it's hard to connect when our own experience as a student was so very different. I, myself, can only think of a few isolated situations that I would classify in this arena. Fortunate for you, you had a true PBL experience! I can only imagine the STEM, literacy, and math integration that a unit like this could include!
ReplyDeleteI do not necessarily believe PBL is the "cure all" for the lack of motivation we may see in our students...but providing more meaningful, authentic opportunities can hopefully spark a love of learning and a passion for what is possible. Keep pressing on and continue to implement and reflect on the work you are doing to promote more inquiry-based practices. You're doing good work - don't be so quick to doubt yourself.
I also wonder where these exceptional students are? Are they right in front of me and I can't find it because I'm too busy trying to do all the paperwork and fulfill the "goal" of the moment? I am also sad to hear that you could not take your architectural classess because of softball. You seemed to have such a passion for that and you had to leave it behind in order to pay for your college.
ReplyDeleteYou do inspire your students and you are the "architect" of young minds for the future!