Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Chapters 1-5

In Chapter 4 we learn that ol' Maud had lost her sense of smell, but still had great eyesight and good ears. Granpa explained that, "...this gave her something she could do and take pride in knowing she was of worth. Granpa said if a hound or anybody else has got no feeling of worth, then it's a bad thing" (p. 21-22).

How true this is for students. I once had a student who was in my class for a second time (having failed the first time around) and was again failing miserably. He refused to turn in work and enjoyed trying to distract other students or disrupt the class with inappropriate comments. He would frequently try to read automotive magazines in class and fancied himself as a bit of a mechanic. One day I had a very self-serving, yet highly effective idea. I asked if he would replace the alternator in my truck during class. He was thrilled at the opportunity. I began class as usual and he set out to the parking lot with some tools. He was back in no time announcing to all how easy of a task it was. In thanking him I mentioned to the class that there was no way I could have made the repairs on my own and that I sincerely wished I had the skill and knowledge to complete such a task.

I was thankful to have saved myself the time or money that would have been necessary in fixing the problem on my own, but was even more thankful at how this special assignment seemed to turn this student around. Suddenly he participated in class, treated others with respect, and became a productive part of the class. I believe the transformation came about because he felt, much like ol' Maud, that he was of worth. I have since seen similar changes in countless students. Truly everyone desires to feel needed, valued, and appreciated. Throughout this book we will have the opportunity to see how Granpa continuously helps Little Tree create a strong and genuine sense of self-worth. It is one of the many things that we can each incorporate into our teaching practice which will be of great benefit to our students.

Cougar

10 comments:

  1. The discussion of words in chapter 5 is interesting, especially with regards to teaching. The book talks about how Granpa believes there are too many words and they just cause more trouble in the world. "Granpa favored the sound, or how you said a word, as to its meaning" (p. 37).

    In the profession of teaching, our words are very important. However, I believe that the message we convey is more important than the words we use. Messages are sent through the tone of our voice, our body language, etc. Language and words are interesting because they can be the cause of such trouble and misunderstandings if the correct meaning behind the words isn't understood. "To [Granpa and Granma], love and understanding was the same thing" (p. 38). It is so important that we understand our students if we want them to understand us. The book teaches us that with that mutual understanding comes love. When we love those we teach, we in turn become better teachers.

    Katelyn Lamoreaux

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  2. I love the culture of this book. It is inspiring to me to watch little tree learn life skills through his grandfather in a loving and inspirational setting. While I read, the cherokee culture is new to me but I van not help but think tha I can use the same techniques as little tree's grandfather to teach students in my future health classroom. Little tree learns respect and responsibility through observing nature, reading books, and through simple interactons with people around him. I can teach respect and responsibility with different meothods but within the same categories. for that reason, I love the example little tree's grandfather is showing me to become a better teacher mentor. The most striking lines read in chapters 1-5 are when little tree grandparents connect the ability to love someone and the ability to understand someone as the same. Grandma said "You cant love something you cant understand". I couldnt agree more and if i want to connect with students and help them in the way i desire, I need to love them first and the way to do that is to understand them and to meet thier needs.

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  3. I like the idea of "The Way." Granpa taught Little Tree that they should only take what they need and will use. I think this can apply to teaching. It is important to focus on what our students really need and can apply to their lives. As we plan lessons, it will be important to pick out one or two big ideas that we want our students to understand and take home with them.

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  4. I think that I was most impacted by how Granma and Granpa teach by example. They never say to little tree, "this is how you hunt" or "make sure to hold the oil this way"... He gets to learn by their example, and then discover for himself how to do things as he wants to do them, but still following their example. I think that this message is great for teachers. I think as a health teacher especially, we need to be the ultimate example of what we teach. We need to keep ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually strong, and we need to make sure to always live according to the principles we teach like not doing drugs, abstaining from sexual activity outside of marriage, setting goals, making informed decisions etc. I really liked this principle as taught in the book by the example of Granma and Granpa.

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  5. On page 5 the last couple sentences read "I knew I was Little Tree, and I was happy that they loved me and wanted me. And so I slept, and I did not cry." Little tree's parents had just died and he was in an unfamiliar place, yet his grandmother was able to offer him peace and comfort. As teachers we will not always know what type of situations our students are coming from and it is up to us to make sure that we offer a place of peace and comfort, a place where they can feel love. At times I am sure we will have students that do not get the chance to feel peace at home so it is up to us to create that environment in the classroom.

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  6. One part in this reading that really stuck out to me was on page 31 where it states "...you can't cheat without making unnecessary trouble for yourself." This simple statement is so profound. As I thought more of how in the moment cheating can be looked at as an quick solution to a hard situation. However, without fail later down the road cheating really does bring unnecessary trouble into our lives. Then thinking about our future students I was reminded how important it is that we help them understand the need to be honest in their school work, and with those they associate with. Overall in that concise statement I was reminded of how being honest will help eliminate unwanted trouble in all aspects of our lives.

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  7. P.S. that last comment was by me..Staisha

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  8. One part of chapters 1-6 that really struck me was when Granpa and Little Tree were giving directions to the people in the car. This is just one of Granpa's master teaching moments. He teaches Little Tree to treat every one with respect through his words and by his example. Even though the lady in the car was rude, Grandpa tries to help her as much as he can and "give full attention to what [is] being said." As a teacher, I think that learning to respect every one of your students is very important. If you treat your students with disrespect they will resent you and learn nothing from you. If you treat every student like a human beings and with respect you have the opportunity to teach them things that can enhance their lives.

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  9. A passage that really stood out to me in this section of reading is on page 23. This passage discusses Granpa's way of living. In discussing hunting it says, "Grandpa lived with the game, not at it."

    This passage helped remind me of the importance of understanding our students. It is important to be present with them through their journey in life. We should try to relate to them and understand what they are going through. Rather than teaching at them, we should teach with them and allow them the opportunity to teach one another.

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  10. I love the way that Granpa treats Little Tree. He teaches him many things yet treats him as his equal. He always treats him with respect, as he does everyone else. I also love his natural way of teaching and praising.

    Granpa teaches Little Tree about The Way by spending the whole day discussing it. He helps Little Tree understand that it is an important and essential concept in life. Everything is a teaching moment. When it came time to pick out only three turkeys to take home, he let Little Tree choose. For Little Tree, I'm sure he was a little surprised and viewed this as a huge responsibility after all he had been taught that day. After he had chosen the three, he nervously seeks for confirmation that he had chosen well. Granpa gives him a compliment, saying he should call him Little Hawk. I think kids are always seeking for compliments, approval, etc., especially in jr. high and high school. It's so important to seek for ways to compliment students on their work! I remember it being a huge motivator for me. I tried just as hard or harder after receiving a praise from a teacher.

    This is a lesson my mother also taught me. While me and my siblings were growing up she found that the more she praised us, the more we sought to be praised. Instead of putting an emphasis on the bad behavior, she chose to pay more attention the good behavior. To this day I still enjoy doing little tasks for her because she is so happy afterward and makes me feel good for doing them.

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