Check it out: not only are these two students
sharing a set of ear buds, they're working side by side
to accomplish a goal. They're working hard, too - despite
the fact that neither one particularly enjoys reading
British Literature or, in this case, re-reading a Goth Romance
and completing a complicated activity that requires a lot
of writing. But they're getting it done and doing so without
complaint. In my 15 years as a classroom teacher,
I've learned a thing or two about selling an unwanted
product to an uninterested audience. The key is to create
an environment that appeals to the buyer,
of writing. But they're getting it done and doing so without
complaint. In my 15 years as a classroom teacher,
I've learned a thing or two about selling an unwanted
product to an uninterested audience. The key is to create
an environment that appeals to the buyer,
one that gives the buyer access to the product on
his or her own terms; a good salesperson encourages
the buyer to ask questions about the product and then
asks for the buyer's opinion on what could be done to make
the product more appealing and is thankful
for the buyer's suggestions.
the buyer to ask questions about the product and then
asks for the buyer's opinion on what could be done to make
the product more appealing and is thankful
for the buyer's suggestions.
The Japanese have a word, Kyocho, that combines
two great concepts: harmony and teamwork. I am not sure if
there is such a word in English, but I'm assuming there
isn't because separately, each is difficult enough to achieve.
two great concepts: harmony and teamwork. I am not sure if
there is such a word in English, but I'm assuming there
isn't because separately, each is difficult enough to achieve.
This American Life aired a program a few weeks ago
about the auto industry, more specifically, about the
closing of a plant in California, NUMMI, that opened in the
early 80's as a joint venture between Toyota and GM.
I listened to it on the way to work this morning and
all I kept thinking was, "Hmm, swap out the auto industry
for the education system and man, it's the same story:
when workers feel devalued, they don't work
about the auto industry, more specifically, about the
closing of a plant in California, NUMMI, that opened in the
early 80's as a joint venture between Toyota and GM.
I listened to it on the way to work this morning and
all I kept thinking was, "Hmm, swap out the auto industry
for the education system and man, it's the same story:
when workers feel devalued, they don't work
to the best of their abilities. Buyers aren't interested
in investing in an inferior product. Which is what you get
when management views the end product in terms of figures
and focuses more on mass production than perfecting its process.
If you have an hour,
head over here and listen to the program.
in investing in an inferior product. Which is what you get
when management views the end product in terms of figures
and focuses more on mass production than perfecting its process.
If you have an hour,
head over here and listen to the program.
While you're listening, consider the following:
Don't we all have something unique to offer?
Why isn't teamwork the obvious way forward?
Isn't a quality product more important than one's
own ego? People ask me all the time why our
American students can't compete with Japanese
students and after listening to this podcast,
own ego? People ask me all the time why our
American students can't compete with Japanese
students and after listening to this podcast,
the answer seems obvious and it has nothing
to do with intelligence or ability.
Today is an important day in New Jersey:
it's the day voters can show their support for our
schools by electing school board officials and approving
district budgets. I know that in my district, this vote is
particularly important because a multitude of student services
are at risk, including World Language and Arts programs,
clubs and activities, athletics, and class sizes, to name a few.
Contrary to popular belief, this vote is NOT a vote to raise
salaries or to fund teacher contracts; that's a separate issue.
This is a vote that directly affects the most important people
in the education equation: the kids. If you live in NJ,
please remember that as you go out to cast your vote today.
to do with intelligence or ability.
Today is an important day in New Jersey:
it's the day voters can show their support for our
schools by electing school board officials and approving
district budgets. I know that in my district, this vote is
particularly important because a multitude of student services
are at risk, including World Language and Arts programs,
clubs and activities, athletics, and class sizes, to name a few.
Contrary to popular belief, this vote is NOT a vote to raise
salaries or to fund teacher contracts; that's a separate issue.
This is a vote that directly affects the most important people
in the education equation: the kids. If you live in NJ,
please remember that as you go out to cast your vote today.
This American Life is my number one most favorite podcast. I just love it. I haven't heard this one yet (I tend to save them up for summertime when I can listen to them during long runs in the sunny morning), but now I am certainly looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteOne question: What was the assignment?
Several questions: What novel are they re-reading? What was the assignment? To what were they listening? How is education funded in New Jersey? A statewide vote? In Ohio each district must convince its voters to approve property tax millage to fund education; New Jersey's system sounds more equitable and sustainable. I've never commented before, but I read you posts often and always look forward to your views on education and life, and I admire your writing style.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comments, ladies!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, NJ funds its schools through property tax millage, too. The districts propose their budgets to the public in the form of a vote: if the budget is voted down, it then is sent to the governing body of the community for further consideration. At that point, the township can make further cuts to the budget before putting it through.
New Jersey needs to come up with a different system of funding for many reasons: it's not fair to raise property taxes of those on fixed incomes, nor is it fair that property owners bear the burden when the state has such a large amount of apartment dwellers whose children attend schools, too. I wish my salary wasn't tied to others' taxes, that's for sure!
As for the pic, aren't they adorable? I love my students - they'll do just about anything for me as long as I allow them to listen to their iPods... lol. Seriously though, I've done a lot of research on the differences between past learners and the 21st Century learner and one note of interest is that our students are "digital natives" who have perfected the art of multi-tasking to the point that many of them need a "distraction" in order to fully concentrate on a task. When the classroom is too quiet, my students grow uncomfortable listening to others breathe, shift, scratch, etc. Music, for many of them, is my equivalent of white noise!
The novel pictured is The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Settenfield - please excuse my creative non-fictional employment of "Gothic Romance"; it is, in fact, contemporary Gothic and worked perfectly as a transitional novel between the Romantic Period and the Victorian Period. Although its 400 pages and written by a British writer in a traditional style, its contemporary nature is more reader friendly for standard students than, let's say, Jane Eyre or Dorian Gray.
On that day, I think the kids were determining how this quote "All children mythologize their birth. It is a universal trait. You want to know someone? Heart, mind and soul? Ask him to tell you about when he was born. What you get won't be the truth; it will be a story. And nothing is more telling than a story." relates to the book as a whole as its thesis and selecting direct quotes to serve as textual evidence.
Don't get me wrong - they would always prefer to watch an episode of The Office (The Coup episode is a perfect parody of Macbeth!) but after a few minutes of getting their ya-yas out at the beginning of each class by running around slap happy like typical teenage boys, they always get to work and work hard. I love that class!