Comments for Babb's Book Blog

Comment on TTCTW Chapter 6 by thinton

thinton — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:17:43 +0000

I would love to be a student in your classroom. I can tell that it would be an exciting and enriching place to be. As I read your blog, I could feel a sense of peace. To know that you would find the gift in each student and then nurture that gift is truly amazing. This is my favorite quote from you, “In my opinion, every child is above average in one or more areas of intelligence.” What an inspiration to all of us. Thank you.

Comment on TTCTW Chapter 6 by coreyrieke

coreyrieke — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:02:40 +0000

I am so envious that your county actually encourages authentic assessment. Although I’ve heard it thrown around a few times at my school, it is by no means encouraged. In fact, my grade level in particular is pressured to become more uniform in our assessments. But my kids are not exactly like the kids next door or down the hall. It’s so frustrating!
I think that your students are very lucky to have you in their corner helping them to discover their areas of intelligence. It sounds like you are doing an amazing job! Keep up the great work!

Comment on TTCTW10 by Brandi Holmes

Brandi Holmes — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:12:13 +0000

I teach at a school that is 50-60% free and reduced lunch. We have a high percentage of single parent homes as well. I had an extremely hard time getting volunteers even to go on a field trip–when we gave them a month and a half notice. I think it is wonderful to have parents that want to be involved, but I think that there has to be some limitations somewhere. It sounds wonderful to have such involved parents, but I don’t know that I would feel comfortable having parents in my room four days a week. I think somewhere between where you are and where I am would be heavenly.

Comment on TTCTW10 by jdennis5

jdennis5 — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:02:45 +0000

I knew that I could get a different perspective from your school. My question is have you all ever seen an employee fired due to the “over involvement” of parents? The chapter talks about it happening to a principal. But, I am hoping that your parents haven’t ever gone to that extreme.

Comment on March 21, 2008 by mhammer

mhammer — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:56:39 +0000

I , too, was amazed that Paul would speak for free so I did a google search for his workshops and found out that he does, indeed, charge money for his workshops, although not as much as Ruby Payne. I found many workshops where he charges $45.00 per person. I think it is great that he chose not to charge GSU! So even though he does make money for speaking, the money does not appear to be the focus for him, which in my opinion says alot about his character. I think your idea about setting up pen pals is an excellent one. Not only will you help your students make meaningful connections with students who may be different than they are, but you can also use that as a way to increase their writing/reading skills through a “real world” experience.

Comment on March 21, 2008 by park

park — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:36:13 +0000

I had no idea that you taught in an inner city school. I’ve taught at a title 1 school but never an inner city one. How difficult was that? I really think that you impact your students, especially in your circle time. I still recall watching your teaching video. I think that is something that I definately want to do when I have my own classroom again. That’s a great time to learn about social issues and empathy. I know a middle school teacher in Alpharetta who does penpal with a south Fulton elementary school. Every spring, the south Fulton children come on a fieldtrip to the suburban middle class north Fulton school. I think that would be a great idea for you to try with your students next year.

Comment on Ruby Payne by koubs1

koubs1 — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:34:45 +0000

Hey Diana,
I couldn’t agree more with you and I have noticed that there is not a lot of empathy or even awareness in our children these days. It is amazing what comes out of the mouths of my students about people who are different from them. When we talk about problems facing many children today it is as if they had no idea or think that I am making it up. It seems that many children, teachers and people I know live in a bubble. I challenge myself to pop that bubble and help the kids brainstorm on what we can do to contribute to the solution. We have to change from everyman for himself to a more collaborative atmosphere!

Comment on Ruby Payne by coreyrieke

coreyrieke — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:13:50 +0000

I love your idea about trying to help develop empathy in our students! I think that is so important and not done nearly enough. We’ve talked a lot in this program about how most people are just kind of out to help themselves and do what they need to do to get ahead. It makes me kind of sad to think about how egocentric we’ve all become. I do believe that being focused and having personal goals is important, but at what cost? People have to realize that you can’t really get anywhere completely on your own. But if you step on everyone on your way to the top, who will help you if you fall? WE SHOULD ALL WORK TO BE MORE EMPATHETIC! Great point Diana!

Comment on March 1st Comments by Brandi Holmes

Brandi Holmes — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 01:46:01 +0000

Hi Diana!
I truly enjoyed reading your blog. I too chose to write about this article on my blog. Until this year (Ed.S. program) I had not really taken notice to the books I chose to read in the classroom or to have available for students to read. I picked out books related to my theme or topic and did not pay much attention to the cultural representations. I think it is important for all children especially young children just starting school (K/1st) to be able to identify with people (especially children) of their own cultural background. I also really liked your idea of having students write from another culture perspective. I’m not sure how well this would work in kindergarten though. Maybe I could model it for them through shared writing and think alouds. What do you think?

Comment on March 1st Comments by ctyson1

ctyson1 — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:28:41 +0000

I like your idea of having students write a story from a classmate’s perspective! Some of my students still don’t quite “get” the idea of culture differences, but they know a great deal about personalities. I’ve been having an ongoing problem with some strong-willed girls in my class who are just not getting along. Your idea might help them to see each other’s point of view and might make my life easier!!