When I heard your comment about your readers reaction to you when you suggested looking up the words I became curious about her age. When I repeated the Yodio you mentioned at the beginning that she is 14 years old. Having helped to raise 1 teenage girl and in the middle of two more I can tell you her comments are completely normal for her age. I am sorry I can't interpret their meaning as I am not that gifted. EB
I had to do the same thing that Eric did. I found it interesting that she didn't want to look up the words, because she figured she would learn them over time. I think that is a real strategy that some people employ. They figure context and understanding will come along eventually. Also, how did you respond when she made the comment that you were JUST her music teacher? I have to admit I wasn't expecting that as I was listening to your Yodio post.
Stopping and looking words up during the reading process can be very distracting from meaning. Creating a word list where students can write words down while reading or circle them while reading (words they can't read or don't understand) and then taking them time to look them up after reading and then taking that new knowledge back to the text can be useful.
I was definitely not expecting her to say you're just her music teacher either! Wow!
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Ok, I think I'm over the initial shock now. I also find it really interesting she didn't want to look up the words. I'm sure I have felt the same before. mostly out of laziness. I'm surprised she didn't just ask you for the definition.
And I think you're right about needing to get her to reflect on what she's reading--otherwise, what's the point? :)
After she said I was JUST her music teacher, I told her that music teacher or not I went to school just like her other teachers- just because my focus was music doesn't mean I never took English, art, or foreign language classes and that I am here to help her grow in any way I can. I think she mostly felt battered in a way because I made a suggestion in a content area that she may not associate with me. It felt kind of like when I would offer advice to a friend or my little sister and she would snap- who are you, my mom? I got the sense that she had probably never thought to look up the words (or though to but never had) and was feeling inadequate or embarrassed.
When I heard your comment about your readers reaction to you when you suggested looking up the words I became curious about her age. When I repeated the Yodio you mentioned at the beginning that she is 14 years old. Having helped to raise 1 teenage girl and in the middle of two more I can tell you her comments are completely normal for her age. I am sorry I can't interpret their meaning as I am not that gifted.
ReplyDeleteEB
I had to do the same thing that Eric did. I found it interesting that she didn't want to look up the words, because she figured she would learn them over time. I think that is a real strategy that some people employ. They figure context and understanding will come along eventually. Also, how did you respond when she made the comment that you were JUST her music teacher? I have to admit I wasn't expecting that as I was listening to your Yodio post.
ReplyDeleteStopping and looking words up during the reading process can be very distracting from meaning. Creating a word list where students can write words down while reading or circle them while reading (words they can't read or don't understand) and then taking them time to look them up after reading and then taking that new knowledge back to the text can be useful.
DeleteI was definitely not expecting her to say you're just her music teacher either! Wow!
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Ok, I think I'm over the initial shock now. I also find it really interesting she didn't want to look up the words. I'm sure I have felt the same before. mostly out of laziness. I'm surprised she didn't just ask you for the definition.
And I think you're right about needing to get her to reflect on what she's reading--otherwise, what's the point? :)
After she said I was JUST her music teacher, I told her that music teacher or not I went to school just like her other teachers- just because my focus was music doesn't mean I never took English, art, or foreign language classes and that I am here to help her grow in any way I can. I think she mostly felt battered in a way because I made a suggestion in a content area that she may not associate with me. It felt kind of like when I would offer advice to a friend or my little sister and she would snap- who are you, my mom? I got the sense that she had probably never thought to look up the words (or though to but never had) and was feeling inadequate or embarrassed.
ReplyDelete