I wish I could HAVE little Mary in my classes! But the biggest difference between me and the teachers I imagine you had is not that I ask children to think whereas your teachers did not. The diference is, that when children tell me what they are thinking, I pay attention. I assume I have something to learn from them. I'm more confident about having something to learn from them than about having something to teach them.
Of course, if everyone listened to children, then, they would be boring maybe. But then there are enough other problems to stand in for the imperfect parts, so let’s lean towards more listening to children. You got my 10-year old mind moving this morning.
I wish I could HAVE little Mary in my classes! But the biggest difference between me and the teachers I imagine you had is not that I ask children to think whereas your teachers did not. The diference is, that when children tell me what they are thinking, I pay attention. I assume I have something to learn from them. I'm more confident about having something to learn from them than about having something to teach them.
I would have liked to be in your discussion groups when I was a kid. My teachers did not often ask me to really think until I hit college!
Of course, if everyone listened to children, then, they would be boring maybe. But then there are enough other problems to stand in for the imperfect parts, so let’s lean towards more listening to children. You got my 10-year old mind moving this morning.