In my teaching and learning classes, I'm learning about lesson and unit planning and how important it is to have a hook. This is why I included this video. However, while watching Vanessa and Ivan's prezi on Edgar Allan Poe, I realized that the English teacher has more roles than just presenting literature to students. It is crucial that we also include an introduction to the author of certain works and talk about the time period so students can gain a more full understanding of the literature they're reading. Granted, this might not really interest most of your students but it might aid in them making more connections and being able to analyze why these kind of stories are considered "horror" or "scary" for the time period and also how they might still be scary today.
I have known for a long time that English teachers also facilitate discussions or debates and I believe our past few discussions, on both Frankenstein's monster being human or non-human and the protagonist of Tell-Tale Heart feeling guilty or just paranoid or nervous, have been excellently facilitated. It is important to not allow these kind of discussions to get out of hand and that a respectful tone remains throughout the class. It is sometimes difficult to give attention or respect to an opinion you disagree with, but it is also a great way to enhance your own argument if you listen and can counter the points they make. Being able to model this for students is a good way to enforce this respectful manner that you expect your students to have. Personally, I have a hard time sometimes not interrupting someone when they are saying something I disagree with, so I know I am going to have to start trying things to prevent myself from interrupting. I could see myself taking notes on what the person is saying so I can focus on what it is about what they said that I don't agree with and then write out a way I can counter their idea with evidence to support my own thoughts and ideas. This communication skill is one that very few students master by the time they leave high school (sometimes even before they leave college...) but I hope that I can provide my students with some methods of approaching this kind of discussion.
I also realized that the teacher usually is expected to stay neutral on a topic but I know I can't do that because there are some things I feel strongly about and I don't want to send a message to my students that they should censor their beliefs in certain settings. In a discussion about Tell-Tale Heart, if students are having a hard time getting started, I would prompt them with a question about whether or not they think the protagonist feels guilty. If no one wants to offer their opinion at first, I would get them started with my opinion that it isn't guilt because he doesn't seem the least bit sorry for what he has done. He seems boastful and proud, and the only thing that leads him to turn himself in is the beating heart that is driving him crazy. I guess the heartbeat that is pounding in his ears could be a sign that he feels guilt for what he has done, but I honestly think it's a sign of madness that he cannot bear to imagine is only in his head because throughout the whole story, he's trying to convince you he's not a madman. It's quite a clear sign of madness to be hearing something that no one else can hear.
I would not have elaborated that much in my classroom, I probably would have only given my first sentence, but I think that it's important to show students that it's okay to have opinions and that it is also good to hear or share opposing opinions because it challenges everybody to dig deeper into the context of their own approach to a text and also open their eyes to the other side (as well as showing them where their argument or stance is not very strong or supported).
These posts on teaching from your group are interesting, Katie. You identify some issues that all teachers have to address.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of using the video! As I am also in the midst of teaching and learning classes, I understand the importance of using hooks, particularly pop culture, to introduce a concept to students. This is especially important with the subject matter that we are covering as high school students may consider it irrelevant to their lives. So by incorporating any sort of video or Prezi presentation, you can present the information in a way that students find interesting.
ReplyDeleteI do, however, disagree with the idea that teachers have to stay ‘neutral’ on a topic. The teaching and learning instructors that I have would also disagree with that statement. Teachers are absolutely able to have opinions on certain topics, controversial or not, it’s how they present their bias that matters. If a teacher lets students know that the information they are telling them is their own personal bias, and there are always other sides to consider to, then the teacher is not doing them a disservice at all. In fact, this approach can open up the classroom for a good, respectful debate. As long as there are guidelines and a safe environment is established, students should feel free to state their own opinions, even if the views are opposing to the teacher’s.