Overall, I found these articles to be both highly applicable and consistent with my ideals for my classroom. One of the reasons I most wanted to teach science was the value of thought and process in the discipline. Science certainly has a lot of content but, more important is the ability to "think like a scientist." This idea was repeatedly mirrored in the articles' discussion of valuing thinking over answers. In science as well as the broader world, the ability to clearly articulate ideas is crucial. I have often noticed, though, my students’ reticence and uncertainty of how to engage each other in academic discourse. I particularly like the suggestion to have students help to create the accountable talk stems. Encouraging them to take part in the creation of the norms helps increase buy-in and accountability by fostering a heightened sense of ownership.
Additionally, I really liked the emphasis on promoting student ideas as resources. Through strategies such as the student interviews, these ideas can help increase the applicability and relevance of teacher's lessons. In class, these ideas can be built upon and used to spark further inquiry and suggestion. Continually recognizing student ideas as both useful and valuable can also help to create the safe environment required for productive discourse. It shows the students that they are heard, valued, and capable or creating new information (rather than simply reproducing the thoughts of others).As I begin to design my classroom for next year I will definitely revisit these chapters so as to more quickly and consistently implement these norms. For the remainder of this year, I will work to ensure that I am asking my students higher level questions and pressing them to think through and support their answers with evidence.
FInally, EL students make up a very small percentage of Peart Cohn's student body and so are often overlooked. I wonder how these students can be engaged in these conversations in a way that enables them to both contribute and understand.
I like that you are concerned with the small percentage of students that are often overlooked. It is important to consider the learning strategies for all of our students.
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