Fostering Growth Through Planning
In the past Miller has focused on read alouds. In this chapter, she talks more about think alouds as related to read alouds. She writes, “I make sure my think-alouds are genuine, my language is precise, and my focus is clear” (p.70). That sounds simple enough, but actually making those things happen seems to provide more difficulty than one would think. Goals are a major part of making those previous words a reality. Goals require planning, or at least in most cases. I really liked how Miller has the goal of providing her students with information that will last a lifetime, not just what might appear on a test. When it comes to planning in a goal-oriented fashion, I think it is important to consider the high value of flexibility. As Miller writes, “Every child deserves a year’s growth…” (p.71), and I believe flexibility in planning is the way to achieve this. She continues to say that getting to know each child is the first step in helping them grow. I feel that any teacher’s relationships with his or her students should be first priority, everything else follows naturally because he or she then cares enough about their students to ensure they live up to their full potential.
We watched the Miller video in awe as one of her first grade students said she inferred something from the reading. I love that Miller uses ‘real language’ with her students. She teaches them the actual terms right off the bat. By doing this, it seems as though they are at an advantage because they now can have the ability to speak more concisely and with strong vocabulary. Conciseness from teachers helps students gain focus; this focus is only intensified when they learn to think and speak that way themselves.
Miller writes, “I’ve learned that children love to grapple with complex social and moral issues…” (p.89). This concept is evident in the Crafton reading as well. I really like the idea of giving children enough credit to be trusted with what are often seen as adult topics. Making this idea come alive in the activities teachers plan for students is key. Recognizing these thoughts and ideas is essential to supporting growth, which in the end is what all teachers should strive to help their students achieve.
