This blog replaces the focus group interview I had originally planned for my dissertation study on teacher talk, teaching philosophy, and effective literacy instruction. Think of the blog as a bulletin board, where I post questions and you post your responses. You may respond to any or all of my posted questions. Besides myself, there are 4 exemplary primary-grade teachers posting to the blog. One teacher in each grade level: kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
In the past, have you ever tried to consciously change a language pattern? Why? What happened? Has participation in this study prompted you to change any language patterns? Why? Please describe.
I have never consciously tried to change my language pattern. It just seems to be a part of who I am and how I teach. I do not think I will change my language patterns because they seem to work very well for me.
Posting for BA (second grade): I have tried to change in the past and my students catch on quickly that it is not sincere. If I change anything it must be at the beginning of the year before my students truly know me or else it is phony to them.
I have long been interested in the subject of “teacher talk” and how it impacts literacy instruction. I trace this fascination with the power of teacher talk back to my field experiences as a master’s student in school counseling. With feedback from my professors, I learned that the words I chose to say or not to say had an impact on the counseling relationship and counseling session. With personal effort and reflection, I was able to change some of my verbalization habits. While I was completing my counseling field experience, I was also teaching in the elementary school. I began to think carefully about the words I used during instruction. I came to the realization that my words could make or break a student’s self-esteem. I made conscious efforts to monitor my verbal language and improve it.
2 comments:
I have never consciously tried to change my language pattern. It just seems to be a part of who I am and how I teach. I do not think I will change my language patterns because they seem to work very well for me.
Posting for BA (second grade):
I have tried to change in the past and my students catch on quickly that it is not sincere. If I change anything it must be at the beginning of the year before my students truly know me or else it is phony to them.
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