When I first browsed through the book Schools that Learn by Peter Senge, I wasn’t too motivated to read it. I said to myself “Oh this is going to be just another text book that I need to read for college”. Well I thought wrong. While reading through Schools that Learn I found it at times to be difficult to follow, but as I continued to read it became interesting. I liked the fact that the book spoke about real life experiences that one can relate to because these stories may just be some of the experiences that teachers may encounter each day.
One story from the book that stuck with me was when an elementary school principal arrives to his school early in the morning and finds a little boy sitting on the steps waiting for the school to open. When the principal asks the boy how long have you been here, the boy didn’t know because he didn’t know how to tell time. This little boy was only in kindergarten whose mom was a single parent that began her job at 5AM. The boy wakes up by himself and comes to school on his own, never knowing what time it is.
For me this story was touching because I have some students of my own that I know have lots of responsibilities that a normal second grader shouldn't have. Due to the fact of certain situations that children have at home they are exposed to more than they should be today. I feel even if this little boy knew how to tell time he would still have to wake up on his own everyday and go to school. Whatever situation or circumstances that a child has to deal with at home is always brought to school or even in the classroom. I think that those children who are affected with home issues affect their education. Yes, we as teachers are there every day to make a difference in the lives of children these days, and to teach them as best as we can, but when there is a serious situation at home is it very hard for the child to apply their self within the classroom. I also feel that a parent/teacher relationship is crucial to a child’s education because they go hand in hand.
In all, Schools that Learn had great experiences and stories to share. The story about the little boy I remembered the most because of the real life experience that I see almost every day with some of the students of my own.
2 comments:
Hi Antonella! I am right on the same page with you. I often forget that the students are a package of their home life and how this affects their learning . I think the students also forget how real we are as teacher and how our teaching affects us in the classroom. After learning about a student, it helps us understand who they are. I currently work in a small alternative school and there I am able to know everything about the students and their home atmosphere and upbringing. It creates a closer, understanding realationship. I really get to know them. But for the students in the main high school, unless they are outgoing or create problems in the classroom, our relationship is only skin deep. I try to talk about their weekends and chat here and there when there are extra minutes, but how do we engage the others to share and bring the 'real' them to the classroom?
I felt totally the same way about reading the book initially. I also was touched by that story at the beginning of the book about the boy who arrived to school early. There also a story in the book about a coach who uses certain techniques to inspire his team and they come up with rules and philosophies together at beginning of season in such a unique way that it gave me ideas for next year when I coach.
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