Please read and respond to the following....
"In reality 'learning' and 'change' are synonymous. Change is not an issue if it makes sense to and is 'owned' by those involved. An appreciation that change is a continual process, involving confusion and difficulty, is vital for future learners. 'It is not change that kills it is the transitions'."
14 comments:
I agree that learning and change are synonomous. As we learn new things we change our behavior and ideas to incorporate that new learning into our lives. Change that is forced upon us also forces us to learn new ways to cope, act, and think to accommodate the changes in our lives. We can also choose change, knowing that we will need to adjust our behavior and thinking to achieve the changes we desire.
Many, if not most, of us resist change because it requires new learning, which requires effort and work. It seems much easier to do what we have always done. However, change often results in better outcomes and even processes. So, in hindsight, we realize it is good for us.
We live in a world that is always changing, so it is essential for us to realize that change is ongoing and will never end so long as we are living. This quote uses the word "kill", which I think means that change is painful. We have to give up the things that we are comfortable with and go through an uncomfortable period of time until we have learned enough to be comfortable again. But once we are comfortable again, change is needed and the cycle continues.
Wow! Dolly, I love what you said! I also believe that learning & change are synonymous. Learning takes shape(improves one's mind) when we take considerable time to explore new concepts with our all our senses--emphasis on 'time' & 'explore'. Change happens when we understand and believe that the learning is meaningful & worthwhile. It matters to us. When I read this quote, I visualized a butterfly. The complete metamorphosis doesn't occur quickly...the transformation is gradual & not always easy. Each 'stage' of the butterfly's life is critical for transformation to take place-- just like each step we take on our learning journey is important. Change is not always easy & I think it is designed that way to make us better. When we take steps towards learning something new, I believe it is important to look back & reflect on all the things we already do well. Think about how long it takes for the butterfly to emerge from its' chrysalis....it must be thinking "I already knew how to crawl so what do I do with these wings?" The process can't be rushed. When the butterfly is ready, it will spread its' wings & fly just like when we, as learners, are ready---we will join in the amazing flight with our minds!
Wow...can I relate to this statement! I have always had a very difficult time teaching reading. I certainly haven't made a secret of that. I found comfort in the use of a basal as, as I heard someone say today, it really made us into "Stepford Teachers". I had a script to follow, and felt like I couldn't really "screw up" if I followed the plan, as prescribed. Veering away from that sounded scary.
Last year I took part in the book group at school using Mosaic, and did the content literacy classes that we all went to, but nothing made sense. Everything was all over the place. For me, last year was really a wash. So much was going on in my life outside of school that I wasn't as deeply invested in what we were learning as I should have been. An old professor of mine would have said that I was "renting" the information from last year.
When the opportunity to take part in LTT this year came about, I decided to jump in with both feet. I really feel that this has made all the difference in the world. I'm so much more invested in everything that we're doing in class, and in applying it to my classroom. I'm bound and determined to get reader's workshop up and running in my classroom!
The transition to this kind of teaching and thinking, in general, has been tough. I feel so much less in control of what's going on and of the "grading" piece of instruction. I'm learning to let go and to learn about my students more. I feel like I know them better. From the way I'm looking at it, if I can make it through this transition piece without it "killing" me, my students will be that much better off!!!
I agree with Michelle that last year was very confusing. I was also doing the Mosaic of Thought study group at my school and attended all of the reading workshops. Everything seemed to be a confusing/frustrating mess last year. Everyone at my school was trying suggested lessons, but we didn't really have the "big" picture in our minds yet.
I feel like this year I began the year with a clearer picture of what my reading programs was going to look like, but still there were so many unanswered questions. This year I have tried to make small changes throughout the year so I didn't overwhelm myself. I have noticed major changes in the discussion my student are having, which has confirmed that we are on the right track. Next year I will be able to start some of the strategies/lessons earlier in the year and I believe this will have positive impacts on my students learning.
I have to agree with the end of this statement "the transition is what kills." It is really hard to get through the unknown area. Having been a part of the first LTT group, I feel that I have been transitioning for a long time. I am trying new things all the time, but I still really feel that I am always learning (changing) what I am doing.
I am already starting to feel more comfortable about using the stategies being back in a group. The discussion and sharing have helped to reinforce what I am doing and have given me more to think about what needs to be changed.
Isn't this what assimilation and accomodation are all about. Your brain is always taking in new information and figuring out what to do with it. It is a continual process. I'm not sure what "It is not change that kills it is the transitions". Is that saying that change doesn't kill learning, but transitions do? I'm not sure about that. Anyway, anything worthwhile takes time. We can enjoy the process though, with support from one another.
I agree with this statement in general, but have to question one part. "Change is not an issue if it makes sense to and is 'owned' by those involved"
I too feel as though last year was a rocky year. A lot was being thrown at us, new strategies, new ideas and totally new ways to teach reading. I fully believe that I came at this with a totally open mind, ready to try anything and willing to take on this "task." It made perfect sense to me as to why we were doing this and what would come from it. I was ready to "own" it and have thrown myself into it. Now looking back at all that we have done and been through, I would not say this has been easy...In my 7 years of teaching this is the most difficult change I have taken on, but it did not come any easier just because I was ready for it and supported it.
WOW! I so agree with this statement. Often times change does make sense if we are willing to think it through, give it a chance, and try it. And yes it is sometimes difficult and confusing and so we tend to stick with what we know. I'm reminded of the old addage, 'If it ain't broke don't fix it.'
I tend to like to try new things but often have a hard time getting it all straight in my mind and so I stick with what I know or put off beginning. For this reason I know that the hardest thing for me to do is to START something. While so many people will take what we are learning and start planning for next year, I knew that I needed to try this approach (reading workshop) now so that I can work out the structure and organinzation of my time. Is it perfect? Absolutely not! But my students are reading (and thinking)more than ever and that is the bottom line. I do have some things to work out but now I know where and I'm certain sooner or later I'll figure out how.
In one of our classes I was talking about the structure of my reading time when Dolly asked if it was wrong because I was only doing it 2 days a week instead of 5 days. I understand why she was asking that question but I believe that my students are better off doing what we are doing now rather than trying to read some of those awful leveled books. I do not believe that my students achievement is at risk and I know that I will grow in confidence as I try new things. I also had the support of Tomasen and others in my building taking her class, so I knew who I could go to if I needed direction. Now when the next school year starts, I may have (I hope to have)less confusion and more knowledge about my students and reading and my planning.
I also believe that our world is always changing and so we need to grow and adapt along with it. If we don't have the courage or determination, we may never discover new things and lead a very lonely, sad life.
I will fully admit, I am someone that doesn't adjust well to change. Whether it be in my classroom, in my daily routine or a lifestyle change...I always seem to be set in my ways. Yet at the same time I feel like I am fairly flexible and do enjoy trying new things. I think this statement is validation of my feelings! With every change there is some form of learning and eventually (after confusion and difficulty) the continuation of the process allows us to accept the change.
From the beginning of this new "reading program" I have enjoyed learning about the activities used, hearing everyone's ah-ha moments and sharing information with colleagues...but I've sort of been stuck in between. I want my kids to benefit from it, I want to try things...but how do I jump in? How do I face this change? I can honestly say that since I went and observed Leslie's class I have a much better understanding and acceptance of this change. It was almost as if that was my ah-ha moment that made it OK for me to change how I was approaching this.
I am one of those people that fights change in the beginning, and appreciates it in the end. Thanks for letting me observe Leslie, it truly made a difference for me!!
This post makes me think of the way parents and teachers reacted to the Everyday Math. Because it was so unlike anything that most of us had been brought up on, it was very scary. Many parents and teachers didn't trust that the kids could learn Math this way. Boy,was that a misconception!
I think that Content Literacy was approached with the same amount of trepidation. This is somewhat different from what we have been doing all these years, so people were a bit cautious about integrating these strategies into their methods of instruction. I feel that changing the way I teach reading, has given me a chance to learn something new. I love the conversations I am having with my students. And the great part of this is that the conversations are across the curriculum and not limited to the Reading or Language Arts block. I agree with the post that change is a continual process. As we are changing and learning about the strategies, the kids are learning right alongside of us! With each new strategy they use, they are changing as learners. I don't even think they realize it. I have witnessed such remarkable kid generated discussions. They use the language of content literacy...they own it now. It is part of who they are as learners.
I can definately see the truth behind this quote. I know that changes have always been easier for me to make when I agree with them and see the merit behind making an alteration. As the quote also states it IS the transitions that "kill." If you don't see the purpose or value in a change it is just SO difficult to force yourself to go through with those oh-so-fun transitions! The only part of this quote that was less clear to me was the stuff about change involving confusion and difficulty. Mostly, agreed with this part less because I do not think that ALL change is confusing or difficult. For example, as I look over the changes that I have made to my teaching as it applies to the reading comprehension strategies, I can recall certain changes, such as incorporating schema and inference into my reading lessons, that to me seemed straightforward and easy. Other changes we definately wrought with difficulty and confusion... particularly teaching the strategy of questioning to my first graders. So, I almost wish the quote said "sometimes involving confusion and difficulty."
Change for me is the hardest thing to accomplish. I find something that works and I stick with it. Like Liz stated"if it isn't broke then why fix it". The knowledge that I know it will work and will be successful is very comforting to me. Change means having to take what is comfortable and moving to the scary unknown.
With that said, the changes that I have made this year as challenging and as scary as they have been at times, they have also bought renewed enthusiasm for teaching reading. Letting go of control and allowing my students to think for themselves and discovered what they are thinking has been so rewarding for me. They are excited about reading(especially my stuggling readers)and more willing to think and share. I have given them a voice to share without concern for right and wrong answers. Listening to their thoughts allows me to see ideas that I (closed minded at times) never would have seen. They have taken me places through questioning, inferring, and visualizing that I may never have gone.
Change is a part of life and as difficult as it is at times it has to be faced and accepted. Just let me get through one change at a time.
I believe that learning creates change. Especially in our quest as educators to always provide our students with best teaching practices. The more we learn, the more we refine our teaching skills. When we really learn about our students and their needs, we adapt what we do to meet those needs. I love to learn but am not comfortable with change. I like my established routines and the comfort of knowing what I am doing and what I will do next. I have not thought about the transitions associated with change before. It makes sense to me that it isn't the learning and adaptation to that, it is more the transition that I struggle with. The discomfort of reaching beyond that which I clearly understand and uncertainty of where it will bring me. I am such a "why" person that the statement of change making sense and being "owned" must have been written for me! For me, change that makes sense and is something that I can own overrides the discomfort of the transition times and allows me to travel the path of confusion.
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