Chapter 1
“Adolescents on the Edge” begins by highlighting the need
for a classroom community. To create a strong, trust-based community within a
classroom, it all boils down to looking to the students. The classroom
environment should reflect their ideas and principles. For example, have
students create a class chart outlining how to go about having an appropriate
classroom discussion. In addition, students have to have common goals. Baca and
Lent provide a few helpful suggestions, which include having students read
their creative writing to younger students, helping them form book clubs, and getting
them involved in community service projects that relate to what they are doing
in the classroom. I love their suggestion of relating reading and writing projects to community service projects. It is involving kids in the classroom community and in their broader communities.
Golden Lines
“Students’ heads must be up and they must be actively
involved in their communities, including communities created in school.” (P. 4)
Strategies
Have students apply their writing to their world
Find ways to tailor the classroom to their needs
Chapter 2
The authors then move on to discussing how to help motivate
and engage students. A standout is the example of a teacher showing students her
“reading mind.” In this exercise, the teacher read aloud from the text and then
shared her thought process out loud. This helps demonstrate to students how to
process what they read, especially if they are striving readers. I liked that
the authors laid the example out in a detailed fashion. I could see myself
referencing it easily in the future. Another method of engagement comes from
purposeful activities. One student shared how she would find herself reading an
article on the internet and then researching aspects of it after, just for her
own enjoyment. Another example shared was of high-risk students becoming
engaged in reading in retirement homes after school because it had a purpose.
To further engage students, teachers need to show them how to talk about their
ideas and exchange feedback. This will create a more open environment that is
conducive to discussions.
Golden Lines
“Adolescents will engage in literacy when they find it
purposeful.” (P. 21)
“The words ‘nonthreatening, no strings attached, no penalty’
all confirm the importance of allowing students to try on learning as you couch
from the sidelines, not offering false praise, of course, but constructive,
honest feedback that shows students that you care about their progress and that
you can be trusted to support them even when they are not ‘getting it.’” (P.
23)
Strategies
Have students adjust a writing assignment to fit their
interests
Provide opportunities for honest feedback where no grades
are involved
Resources
Super fun poem creator that let’s kids use their own
interests as inspiration: http://www.pongoteenwriting.org/introduction-to-writing-activities.html
Questions
How cohesive would our classroom be, discussion-wise, if all
the students were doing slightly different assignments at the same time?
How likely is it that I could lead my class into a community
service project related to our reading re: time and expenses?
