Saturday, February 14, 2015

Saturday Sayings: Listening



We had just finished reading our weekly big book for the second day in a row.  I was ready with a mini-lesson about compound words since there were several in the book, but first I had to ask a question that I find myself asking more and more even to the point of putting it in my lesson plans.  "What do you notice?"  Cooper raised his hand.  I can always count on him to notice something.  "I noticed that if you put two words together it makes one big word."  Thrilled, I said, "Cooper, I was hoping someone would notice that!"  I pulled out a piece of paper where I had already written a handful of compound words from the big book.  I wrote his words at the bottom of the paper, and Cooper became our teacher that day.  I'm so glad I asked the right question and stopped to listen. 

I share that moment because it reminds me that though I teach with a sense of urgency, as Regie Routman advises, and believe in teaching as efficiently as I can, I must strive for an important balance that allows for listening as well, like Donald Graves admonishes.  

I was reminded of this balance last week when I posted about the importance of being a highly effective and efficient teacher.  I love what a few of my fellow colleagues said regarding that post.  Miss Trayers commented how she encourages questions from her students that sometimes create tangents, and Barb mentioned the importance of a relaxed atmosphere while still maintaining pace.  They both make great points.  Being efficient does not mean racing through the day.  I know I can be guilty of that from time to time.


My goal is to be both efficient and willing to give the kids a voice at the same time.  Here's a thought.  Doesn't it make sense that the more efficient I am, the more time I will have for the all-important skill of listening?  Like Cooper demonstrated, kids have important things to say.


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9 comments:

  1. Guilty! I find myself rushing through the day, trying to get in every bit of teaching and learning that I can. Then someone raises their hand with something of importance to them to say. I want to move on, but I have noticed that a lot of times, the kids have some important things to point out where they have made connections between our texts, noticed how one word looks like another, if you change one letter in that word it would be.....etc.... I can get caught up in my time limits with each group, but I need to remember the kids are learning and can show evidence of this if I will just take a moment and let them!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. Lori, you are definitely in a special situation where teaching with a sense of urgency is of the utmost importance. It's not always easy to stop and listen, especially when working with struggling readers and writers who have so much to learn in so little time. You're right though. They have good things to say and can teach other in those moments as well.

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  2. I have a strong feeling that you listen carefully to your kids most of the time:) I think you're probably one of the most self-aware and thoughtful teachers I know. I'm always learning from you.
    Happy Valentines Day!

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    1. Barb, thank you for thinking so. I still have much work to do though.

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  3. I love that you allowed them to discover compound words themselves! I don't think most people really listen anymore. I am constantly reminded of that quote saying something like-we don't listen, we wait for our turn to speak. I think we do that a lot as teachers-not even just with the kids, but with our colleagues as well. A great reminder-thanks Tammy!

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    1. I agree. I sometimes catch myself with that one too.

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    2. Miss Trayers, you're very right. This is what I want to work on.

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  4. Well said. I have worked so hard over the last few years to do less talking and more listening. Anytime THEY drive the instruction and make the connections, the more meaningful it becomes. Almost every day I'm surprised when I ask, "What do you notice about our Morning Message?" I see the obvious but when they come up with a gem- a teachable moment, it simply makes my day. I have 19 kids in my class but I truly believe there are 20 students! :)

    Firstgradebloomabilities

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    1. Lisa, this is what I've been trying to get better at. I've asked "What do you notice?" so much that some kids tell me what they notice without even being asked.

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