"If you want to build a ship, don't recruit the men to gather the wood, divide the
work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea."
--Antoine De Saint- Exupéry
work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea."
--Antoine De Saint- Exupéry
I believe that a teacher’s
job is to allow students to question and analyze. Whether you are in English,
science, Japanese, or PE, the objective of school is to learn what it means to
be a productive citizen of the world. Students should ask questions and develop
their personality to live in a way that makes sense. What kind of person do you
want to be?
Literature is not only about the plot or the characters; it is about life and emotion, and building character. Authors write to question the life they observe; readers should read to question the life they themselves observe. Readers need to question whether what they are reading is valid or relevant to their life, and question what they believe based on their reading. Their stance or belief may not change, but at least they took the time to analyze what they believe.
I believe students should read “classic” and “modern” literature; they share themes and observations. They are similar because they explore the same questions. My students will question and discuss life’s issues; they will connect those issues to their lives today. We do not read to answer questions on a worksheet, we read to discover more about ourselves.
The study of literature leads to the study of writing. Writing is how students explain what they think and what they have learned. Studying literature leads to discussion about how authors create meaning with word choice, style, and voice. Students then apply these techniques to strengthen their own writing.
There is an urgent need for technology in the classroom. Students need to learn what it means to be a “digital citizen”. They must discuss issues of plagiarism and learn to use all technology responsibly. I desire a curriculum that is “unplugged” AND one that is technologically enriched. Let’s use technology to expand and enhance what we learn.
Literature is not only about the plot or the characters; it is about life and emotion, and building character. Authors write to question the life they observe; readers should read to question the life they themselves observe. Readers need to question whether what they are reading is valid or relevant to their life, and question what they believe based on their reading. Their stance or belief may not change, but at least they took the time to analyze what they believe.
I believe students should read “classic” and “modern” literature; they share themes and observations. They are similar because they explore the same questions. My students will question and discuss life’s issues; they will connect those issues to their lives today. We do not read to answer questions on a worksheet, we read to discover more about ourselves.
The study of literature leads to the study of writing. Writing is how students explain what they think and what they have learned. Studying literature leads to discussion about how authors create meaning with word choice, style, and voice. Students then apply these techniques to strengthen their own writing.
There is an urgent need for technology in the classroom. Students need to learn what it means to be a “digital citizen”. They must discuss issues of plagiarism and learn to use all technology responsibly. I desire a curriculum that is “unplugged” AND one that is technologically enriched. Let’s use technology to expand and enhance what we learn.