Some six, seven years ago I went to a
conference at the University of Maine. They had a keynote speaker I
had never heard of before. She had written a number of books and was
a national teacher of the year. She changed my life. Midway through
her keynote, the message centered around reading and the stories
behind each book, that is understanding the lives, conflicts, and
decisions of the characters. This way, readers could become, not
only engaged with reading, but develop a core sense of humanity,
thereby developing readers.
After her keynote, I had to ask her
“how she did it?” I basically asked, how do you stay true to your
values when you are told to “do” so many other things, which at
the time, included a significant focus on leveling.
While I have forgotten, verbatim, what
she said, the gist this: Always follow your heart. She discussed
advocating for students and believing in great teaching.
Sharon Draper is not aggressive. Her
message was powerful; inspiring. She was passionate. She was
energized to do what was right for students, humanity, and the
profession. Sharon Draper recognizes the trials and tribulations of
education. She was not fussing or leading war cries, but advocating
for students through reading.
Her book Out of My Mind,
challenged readers on so many levels, as a teacher and for students.
Almost daily, one student is crying. They feel for Melody, not always
because of her CP, but because of the way she is treated by teachers
and doctors. Sadly, kids empathize. During turn & talk or
sharing, my students have readily connected to similar situations
where they “lost their voice” or detail how “someone thought
for them.”
We read chapter 7, where Melody had to
learn ABC's in February of third grade, threw a fit and
was sent home. Our read aloud turned into a hootenanny. I began
acting out mom's part with the sarcasm and frustration, in addition
to playing the besieged Mrs. Billups. Without comprehension question
or reading responses, they showed their comprehension the text by
yelling out what should happen to the teacher. Other students boasted
predictions and little sidebar conversations erupted as students
sought a way to express their feelings, including anger, frustration,
irritation, and for my CP student, sympathy. As one ed-tech stated
afterwards, you could see the kids minds opening.
I can't help but think, this must be
exactly what Sharon Draper wanted. Students did not absorb the
story passively, rather they recognized the injustice and
maltreatment, by voicing their opinions on equality and compassion.
Her message of hope, humanity, empathy,
and sympathy with passion, serenity, and patience. In my estimation,
all Sharon Draper is asking the world to do is open our eyes and see
the world from something other than the “me” first society we
have grown accustomed to.
I guess now, the question is, “How
does the book change each students life and think about how they
treat one another.”
Justin Stygles (@JustinStygles) GR. 5/6 ELA/Humanities teacher, Norway, Maine. Maine Reading Association Executive Board. IRA Advisory Committee of Teachers
Currently Reading: Almost Super (ARC)
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