When a child is misbehaving, not learning (at the rate and manner determined by the adults), or appears sullen and unhappy, what do you do? Do you blame the child? "It's because he's lazy, spoiled, insolent?" Or, do you blame the parents? "They're spoiling her." "They don't set limits." "They let him do whatever he wants." "They aren't supporting her learning at home. " Blah, blah, blah. Sound familiar? No? Really? Come on, don't tell me you've never participated in staff room conversations that blame the child or the parents for the child's performance? No? Really? Well, let me try to jar your memory. Have you ever been in the staff room on a bad day and you just need to vent, so you start venting about a particular child in your classroom or his parents? You start slowly because, in your heart of hearts, you're not sure this is an ethical conversation to be having with your c...
This blog is a place to ruminate on the problems of teaching. If I am thinking thoughtfully, my posts will hopefully raise more questions than answers. By problematizing teaching we reflect on those questions that are constantly behind, in front, and at center of everything we do in the classroom. Feel free to comment. I'd love to hear what other teachers are thinking about on these and other issues. Cheers! Elisa