Reflections on Diversity Perspective
09-14-2015
Topic: Can we use too much realistic fiction?
I
am pasting my initial discussion post followed by the discussion post
of a classmate (Tom) and my response to his. He really challenged my
perspective.
"I thought this week's topic was very
interesting! I love to use realistic fiction in my classroom and I
prefer reading realistic fiction when reading for pleasure. I believe
students do need the opportunity to read and hear books read to them
about real-life situations because often times our students are led to
believe that everyone lives in the utopian world that some of my
students' parents have created for them. For instance, September 11th
just passed. Our teachers and admin at school were very leary of evening
mentioning this day and the horrible events from 14 years ago because
they were worried it would "upset the children". It should
upset the children!! We should be teaching children of the tragedies of
this world!! I wouldn't advocate for showing the pictures of the man
jumping from the tops of the towers before he burned to death but I
believe there is power in knowledge and if our job as educators is to
empower students, then we are doing a disservice to hide from reality.
I think the Outsiders article made a great point. The author
said the trick with writing and choosing realistic fiction is writing
about problems without attempting to offer a solution. We should expose
children to reality and allow them to think and ponder on social issues
without imposing our own idea of a solution. We should maintain a
neutral stance on issues, when possible, to allow students to consider
multiple perspectives.
Literature is a great way to build foundational knowledge among
students. We should be using as much of the available resources as
possible to ensure our children are developing a healthy, realistic view
of the world they are growing up in."
Authored by: Thomas Collins
Authored on: Sep 13, 2015 10:41 AM
Subject: Tom Collins
I will post more later. This is something on my mind that might be
lost if not put down on paper. We are discussing if books are too
realistic. To me, we can't answer this question without also knowing if
a child also has a mentor, teacher, or parent to talk to about these
book before and/or after they read it. Children need a guide. We can't
just hope that they get what they need by reading alone. I realize
that is what some teachers are doing. I guess today I'm just sad that
we don't have more support in homes today. Realistically, teachers
can't do it my themselves. I realize this is off topic and a issue we
have had for many decades. It felt good to write this out. Thanks.
My response to Tom's post: Tom I love your point! I am a huge
advocate for using realistic fiction in my classroom and I just finished
posting on why I think all teachers should do the same. However, your
post allowed me to consider that not all teachers have the luxury of
working in a school where parents are active, sometimes overly active in
their students' lives. I can count on my parents to further the
discussions that we begin in my classroom so I believe that I feel so
strongly about exposing social issues because I have that support from
home. I do think you make a valid point that exposing children to these
things without a parent or mentor to discuss things with could be
dangerous. Thanks for allowing me to see this perspective!!
