As I read the McGee article I found myself coasting along, hardly highlighting anything. It was then that I realized that she was telling me concepts I had already thought. These ideas were already in my pedagogy. In that, it made me feel that she was stating obvious statements, nothing too extraordinary. It became very hard for me to read, while looking for a deeper meaning. I tried to focus on the big concepts and vocabulary she was using but it just seemed elementary to me.
I have to give credit to her when she states, “readers construct literary meaning using the text as merely a blueprint”. I completely agree with this statement 100%. I think that as one reads they connect ideas to experiences or hypotheses they already carry. However, if the text does not match or connect with what they already know it becomes very difficult for the reader to connect ideas or continue comprehending what the text is trying to express.
At another point in the article McGee explains, “In a group, readers share their own understandings and significant insights and must convince others of the value of their insights”. This is true for any classroom regarding any type educational situation, regarding literacy, mathematics, science, etc. This is also true for any level of education. Even now I’m trying to convince others of my opinions. I believe this is a life skill that every student needs to learn in order to work within society.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I agree with McGee having many ideas that seem "common sense" and when reading had trouble paying attention. I think the point you bring up with McGee talking about constructing ideas to the text "as a blueprint" is a great point. It it important to make sure children find some sort of meaning in the text they are reading, whether it is a personal connection or not. As teachers our job is to help students connect to the reading and using the text as a "blueprint" can also help us construct meaning for our students.
ReplyDelete