Patrick Rainville
EDU-3265
Weekly Response #7
October 22nd,
2012
(1.)
“Reading and thinking aloud gives teachers
opportunities to model the cognitive processes used to construct meaning”
(Debbie Miller). Miller’s quote is
one that can be seen from Bloom’s Taxonomy. This method or strategy of teaching allows children to think
at a higher level and learn to analyze and evaluate what the teacher is stating
or reading. Both Kindergarten
teachers I have observed have been great at using read aloud to stimulate classroom
discussion and allow for student higher level thinking to take place.
(2.)
“Models constructed from clay and paper
illustrate a child’s learning and demonstrate understanding” (Debbie
Miller). Miller’s example is one
that Howard Gardner would be very fond of and pleased. Modeling with clay is a
bodily-kinesthetic or visual intelligence in which children can make sense of
their learning. The Kindergarten
teacher I am currently observing allows students to use materials such as clay,
paint, glitter, and so forth, that way they can use more than just lined paper
and a number two pencil.
(3.)
“One Children begin to integrate their learning
into their play, the materials are no longer an end unto themselves; they’ve
become another means for creating understanding and constructing meaning. They’ve become a means for living the
learning” (Debbie Miller). The
last sentence of Miller’s quote can be connected to John Dewey and his
experiential learning theory.
Dewey believed the best way to learn was through real life experience
and application. Dewey saw these
real life encounters as a way of enriching one’s learning and expanding one’s
understanding of the world we live in.
When I was in third and fourth grade I can remember my teacher would
teach some history or current events.
Often times the current events would begin to be seen in the classroom
in the form of student play.
Drawings, role-play, and building blocks were all ways I remember myself
and fellow classmates would live out our learning.
After reading the
sixth chapter of Debbie Miller’s text, “Reading with Meaning”, I
have thought about many of her points
related to “Digging Deeper”
and establishing
guiding strategies
of teaching in the classroom.
There is one point I would like to discuss and elaborate on. This point is Miller’s quote, “One Children begin to integrate
their learning into their play, the materials are no longer an end unto
themselves; they’ve become another means for creating understanding and
constructing meaning. They’ve
become a means for living the learning.”
I feel this quote speaks volumes for what is vitally important for
students and their education.
If teachers can get students to
live what has been taught, then their will be students who appreciate the power
of learning and the many pleasures it can bring.
As
a future educator I find myself learning more and more about educational
theorists and their respective theories.
Perhaps one of my personal favorites is experiential learning. John Dewey for me is up there with
Vygotsky as one of my favorite theorists.
From the very day I get handed with my classroom I will seek to teach in
ways in which students can connect to experience and their lives. This connection will create the sweet
learning as explained in Sweet Words. When students take the initiative
to incorporate learning into their play is establishes that they understand the
concepts and more importantly enjoying the process of learning.
I
am thankful for many of the early education teachers I had and their ability to
get me to experience learning, not just memorize or write. Vital skills such as communication of
learning, problem solving with others, and respectfully offering different perspectives,
are all positives that come about from experiential learning. For these reasons, there is no doubt in
my mind that I will strive to help students live their learning and help them
enjoy their new found understanding.
