Sei's Reflection on Fox, Chapter 6
Mem Fox is, in every essence of the word, truly a “writer”. In chapter 6, Mem reaches out to her readers with stories within a dialogue within her book. She truly practices what she preaches about writing and literacy with her dialogue between the LAT (Language Arts Teacher) and the KATG (Keep at the Gate). The dialogue in this chapter is a very creative writing technique that Fox has used to captivate and intrigue us, as readers. I must admit that the style of the writing may be difficult to read and comprehend for some and maybe even uninteresting to others. I found the task of reading this chapter a little more arduous than the others that we have previously read from this book, but I tried to stay focused on the main points and ideas that I can take away from the piece.
Fox has revealed the Four Rs to the effective teaching of writing. RELATIONSHIPS is the first key component to the teaching of language arts. It is through the loving relationship of a mother and daughter duo, which happens to be Fox’s sister and niece, that we learned of the necessity of love to learn. Fox goes on to state that it is important to get to know one’s students; to be delighted in each other’s company; and to create an environment in which the students feel safe, protected, and happy enough to concentrate on their learning. I couldn’t help but to feel really warm-hearted when I read this. Just as Mem Fox had revealed that her sister was a paraplegic, I learned that it’s important to open ourselves up to our students. It’s opening ourselves up and making ourselves vulnerable that makes the student want to open up themselves and try their best in our classes.
In the REALITY component of teaching language arts, Fox introduces the readers to the “Three W Test”. The 3 W are “Why, Who for” and “Who cares?” This is to say that students will better participate and learn when they know that their assignments are authentic and for good reason. Of course, after reading this, I only want to teach assignments that matter to the students. I want to assign and teach concepts that will remain with them for a long period of time.
REJOICING IN CHOICES is the component that entitles the writer to the choices of a wide variety of genres and styles of writing. It is our role as teachers to give the students the opportunity to “rejoice in choices”.
The last component is THE RETURN OF THE AFFECTIVE. This is to say that the heart is also something that should be nurtured with education. Education isn’t only about touching the minds of children. It’s through beautiful literature, stories, and experiences that the hearts and emotions of the students and teachers can be stimulated. When the hearts of students are stimulated through well-thought out activities and assignments, the learning component is automatically triggered.
People often misconceive teaching and learning as processes that only involve lecturing, homework, and practicing. To be an effective teacher, I always want to be knowledgeable of all the techniques and components of great teaching. After reading a number of chapters from Mem Fox’s book, I think this’ll be a good guide and tool for me to utilize in the future.
Fox has revealed the Four Rs to the effective teaching of writing. RELATIONSHIPS is the first key component to the teaching of language arts. It is through the loving relationship of a mother and daughter duo, which happens to be Fox’s sister and niece, that we learned of the necessity of love to learn. Fox goes on to state that it is important to get to know one’s students; to be delighted in each other’s company; and to create an environment in which the students feel safe, protected, and happy enough to concentrate on their learning. I couldn’t help but to feel really warm-hearted when I read this. Just as Mem Fox had revealed that her sister was a paraplegic, I learned that it’s important to open ourselves up to our students. It’s opening ourselves up and making ourselves vulnerable that makes the student want to open up themselves and try their best in our classes.
In the REALITY component of teaching language arts, Fox introduces the readers to the “Three W Test”. The 3 W are “Why, Who for” and “Who cares?” This is to say that students will better participate and learn when they know that their assignments are authentic and for good reason. Of course, after reading this, I only want to teach assignments that matter to the students. I want to assign and teach concepts that will remain with them for a long period of time.
REJOICING IN CHOICES is the component that entitles the writer to the choices of a wide variety of genres and styles of writing. It is our role as teachers to give the students the opportunity to “rejoice in choices”.
The last component is THE RETURN OF THE AFFECTIVE. This is to say that the heart is also something that should be nurtured with education. Education isn’t only about touching the minds of children. It’s through beautiful literature, stories, and experiences that the hearts and emotions of the students and teachers can be stimulated. When the hearts of students are stimulated through well-thought out activities and assignments, the learning component is automatically triggered.
People often misconceive teaching and learning as processes that only involve lecturing, homework, and practicing. To be an effective teacher, I always want to be knowledgeable of all the techniques and components of great teaching. After reading a number of chapters from Mem Fox’s book, I think this’ll be a good guide and tool for me to utilize in the future.
posted by Sei | 11:28 PM
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