A little boy was overheard talking to himself as he strode through his
backyard, baseball cap in place and toting ball and bat. “I’m the greatest
baseball player in the world,” he said proudly. Then he tossed the ball in the
air, swung and missed. Undaunted, he picked up the ball, threw it into the
air and said to himself, “I’m the greatest player ever!” He swung at the ball
again and again he missed. He paused a moment to examine the bat and ball
carefully. Then once again he threw the ball into the air and said, “I’m the
greatest baseball player who ever lived.” He swung the bat hard and again
missed the ball.
“Wow!” he exclaimed. “What a pitcher!”
Doesn't this remind you of teaching literacy? setting expectations, being persistent and having faith in your students. I had an ah ha moment the other day teaching one of my slow progress learners - she was actually making progress: a) because she believed in herself , and b) because she believed in me and my instruction.
She really is a slow learner and yet just for an instant in our lesson I got a glimpse of her world as a struggling reader and she taught me all over again... always have faith , hope and trust that these kids can lift their learning and make improvements - it just might be slower, longer and more repetitive than normal.
Since entering this entry I have experienced the struggles of being a learner again in a specific situation. Everything is expressed in terms of being new but I am feeling quite crushed because I like to get things exact and correct but basically 'I don't know what I don't know' .
I have to keep in mind I am delivering sound literacy lessons and this other matter will be resolved. Have faith and trust my own abilities.
backyard, baseball cap in place and toting ball and bat. “I’m the greatest
baseball player in the world,” he said proudly. Then he tossed the ball in the
air, swung and missed. Undaunted, he picked up the ball, threw it into the
air and said to himself, “I’m the greatest player ever!” He swung at the ball
again and again he missed. He paused a moment to examine the bat and ball
carefully. Then once again he threw the ball into the air and said, “I’m the
greatest baseball player who ever lived.” He swung the bat hard and again
missed the ball.
“Wow!” he exclaimed. “What a pitcher!”
Doesn't this remind you of teaching literacy? setting expectations, being persistent and having faith in your students. I had an ah ha moment the other day teaching one of my slow progress learners - she was actually making progress: a) because she believed in herself , and b) because she believed in me and my instruction.
She really is a slow learner and yet just for an instant in our lesson I got a glimpse of her world as a struggling reader and she taught me all over again... always have faith , hope and trust that these kids can lift their learning and make improvements - it just might be slower, longer and more repetitive than normal.
Since entering this entry I have experienced the struggles of being a learner again in a specific situation. Everything is expressed in terms of being new but I am feeling quite crushed because I like to get things exact and correct but basically 'I don't know what I don't know' .
I have to keep in mind I am delivering sound literacy lessons and this other matter will be resolved. Have faith and trust my own abilities.
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