As I reach the end of this book, I feel that I've gained a lot of
useful tips that Tovani shares with her readers, and which I think are special
to her and those that she's shared with. I've titled my last blog After every ending, comes a new beginning…,
because obviously I've concluded the reading of the book, but thanks to this
book I feel like I've grown as a future teacher through the experiences of
Tovani, her suggestions, and passion for her teaching. This final point has made
me realize that besides impacting students in the subject that I love, I will
also serve a big purpose in the help I could give them when they are found a
struggling situation.
Just as we are infatuated
with the various subjects we all seek to teach, Tovani also reminds her readers
that she doesn’t “…see how we can be teachers of this content without spending
at least some of our time with students helping them learn how to read about it”
(121). It is a basic aspect for us to aid our students in the way to read about
our subjects, which will therefore have an impact in the rest of the classes
our students will take.
Thanks to this book I have been gifted a glance to real classroom
experiences that many teachers have had, and from which I’ve learned about many
possible ways I could respond to similar situations in my future classrooms.
I felt in this final chapter, that Tovani
wanted to thank her readers for the read, but what is most important she wanted
to state her passion and belief in every teacher that truly has a love for the
art of teaching. She then states that
her book "...will help you in your teaching only if you trust yourself
enough..." (122), about knowing what you know, and looking for methods
that will serve the purpose you wish to use them for.
I’m very glad I choose this book, it contains very useful
information that future and current teachers can find of use. The main point
that I’ll take from this book and hope to always remember when I find myself struggling
to help a struggling student will be, to breathe, have patience, remember what
it is to find myself struggling with a reading, remember my purpose as a
teacher, and as Tovani states that “we’ll never have all the answers” but it is
a duty for us to try to find as much answers as possible. Now, I end this
reading, by promising that I will start a new beginning with what I have learn from
it.
Great last post :) I think it is so important to remember that we are teaching a particular subject because we love what it has to offer. Not all of my students, for example, will be an enthusiastic about reading and writing as I am, but if I am patient and understanding, perhaps I can make those who struggle in my class have an easier time with the subject so that they hate it less. I like that you say we must first teach a student how to read about the content area before we can hope for them to enjoy it. I think this is dead on. It's also great to hear from someone who read a book that they not only enjoyed, but also learned some core values from.
ReplyDeleteI really like your point about how we will never have all of the answers, but it is our duty to find the answers. I have always believed in this, and in the idea of teaching by example. If students see that you can admit you don't always know, but are willing to find out, it provides a great example for students.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura! I really enjoyed your summaries and interpretations of this book. I will definitely be adding this to my collection. It seemed to give a ton of practical advice.. simple, realistic and effective. Sometimes I feel we can get really caught up in the theory and "teacherness" of it all, when really we just want a new, great idea, that works. And one that works well, with many different types of learners and students. Best of luck to you in your future studies! (and enjoy the rest of the summer!)
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