1. What connections does Ms. Yang Herr see between theory and practice?
Ms. Herr sees the importance of theory as a guiding principle and a basis for a teacher's practice. Ms. Herr asserts that if a teacher knows the reasons why she uses a certain method in the classroom, if it does not work, then she will have the flexibility to try out something else that will work. These theories can also back teachers up when they need to explain to parents or administrators why they are doing certain things or why they are practicing certain strategies and methodologies in the classroom.
2. How do you see theory playing out in your own teaching practice?
I have been teaching for a long time and I have studied about these theories a long time ago, too. Sometimes, due to this length of time, I have forgotten exactly the theories that affected my way of teaching. However, as I read through the different explanations in the book, it refreshes me on why I am doing certain things.
I believe that these theories have certainly affected me in a way because in my teaching practice, I always regard the parents of my students as important stakeholders. I always include them in my planning, they have to be involved. This is due to the theory that nature and nurture plays an important factor in the development of a child. As a special educator, I have also seen how my students go through different developmental stages or milestones throughout their life. This theory also help me in identifying if my students have needs that require support services since they are not developing as their typically developing peers are.
3. What learning theories are you familiar with?
- Piaget's stages of development
- B. F. Skinner's behaviorist theory of learning
- John Locke & Jean Jacques Rosseau "tabula rasa" theory of learning (I don't agree with this!)
Questions for Further Reflection
1. What were your beliefs about teaching reading before you read this chapter?
I believe that teaching reading is a process where students read by mastering different sets of skills. I believe that decoding is necessary to create meaning of the text. I also believe that texts that should be available to the students are texts that contains students' interests and culture. The classroom should be a print-filled environment and that the teacher will set-up the room so that students can work collaboratively with each other.
2. What do you now understand about literacy learning and development and instructional choices?
I now understand that the instructional choices that a teacher makes on literacy learning and its development reflect an underlying theory. It does not happen just because. I also saw through the different theories that were discussed in the book that there are advantages and disadvantages to each one. Not one is perfect. It is up to the teacher, or the district, or the state, to implement a certain program. I also can see why the country tries to stick to the bottom-up theory and not give districts, or even teachers the freedom to choose their literacy program in the classroom. Literacy is power. If the whole population will be literate, will be motivated to learn, will reach its utmost potential, then it becomes a threat to the ones who are holding power now.
3. Which theory or theories might you ascribe to as you develop your own teaching beliefs and practices?
As I was reading, I was looking for a theory that will match my belief. I agree with the critical theory and critical literacy. I like the four-resource model because it provides the student all aspects that are effective in literacy instruction.
3 comments:
Hi Paulette,
I, like you have been teaching for many, many years and although I am familiar with many of the theorists that are mentioned in this chapter of the text, I also know new theories or revised looks at these theories have evolved and continue to evolve all the time. So it is important that we not only stay current, but be able to articulate what it is we believe about literacy learning and why. Programs are so rarely questioned, yet teachers are questioned all the time
You are so right about the connection between literacy and power. That is why the top down, basic skills model works to keep power in the hands of the 'already powerful'.
The critical theory you said you felt matched your thinking is all about interrupting that status quo of 'who gets the power' through our education practices.
I appreciated your thoughts and comments here.
Hi Paulette,
It's interesting how you mention nature and nurture but the book hasn't talked about the nurture factor of the development of the child. I agree with you that the involvement of the family in a child's education is important. A supportive system both at home and at school is needed for the child to have a good foundation for probable success in school.
I think the theories are different ways for the teacher to look to for methods to use in the classroom to help the students because, as you said, not all students learn the same way nor does cognitive development progress at the same rate. So the theories can help a teacher organize their lessons with student needs in mind. I think you make a good point that the theories can be a back up for the teachers when talking with parents as well as the administration when explaining usage of certain methods.
I agree with you that the texts used in the classroom should be those of interest to the the students. If the students don't relate to what they are reading, writing, or learning about they don't want to do the work.
I think, too, the teachers should have more freedom in decisions in their classrooms regarding implementation of reading practices. The teacher knows the students better than the school district or state though it is the officials of the school and state that choose the programs to be used. The teachers should be allowed to use the resources they have from education, experiences, and life to teach and the teachers also should be part of the committee deciding on reading curriculum. The teachers see first hand what is the outcome of the application of different theories.
Hi Paulette,
I agree with you when you said parents are important stakeholders. I also keep parents in mind when I try new methods. You made a good point on nature vs. nurture. I also believe that students need supports from home even though some may not get it. I like your idea about decoding and how it seems that students learn best when they do that. I should try that method with my students. Unfortunately, because they are in high school, we don't have access to decodables.
I also agree with Doris's comment on this page. Teachers should have freedom in trying out their methods because we know our students better than the administrators. Unfortunately, they are usually the decison maker, which doesn't make sense to me or other teachers.
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