It's just not 2007 without the Salk staff book club...
After an unfortunate report-card-related postponement, we were back in full swing again today. Cherith, Katherine, Sheila, Sonia and I met to discuss Choice Words by Peter Johnston. Overall, people seemed to enjoy the book, which focuses on the power of the specific language teachers use with their students and the subtexts of that language. We had an interesting conversation about the language and methodology of workshop model versus the language and methodology of inquiry-based teaching. Our major criticism of the book was that it lacked non-ELA examples, which led us into a fascinating discussion about the ways in which powerful teaching looks different in different disciplines (and also how it might change within a discipline as the content becomes more challenging or sophisticated). We also talked about the tension/interplay between teaching students the "basics" they need and teaching students to be independent thinkers.
And now, as customary, a plug for our next book. Hold onto your hats, because this next one is sure to spark some heated conversation. Time magazine has called him "perhaps the country's most outspoken critic of education's fixation on grades [and] test scores." He doesn't believe in homework, standardized tests, or saying "Good job!" to students. Yes, folks, we're taking about the one and only Alfie Kohn. Listen, people, if reading Alfie Kohn doesn't put several dozen bees in your bonnet and make you rush over to Push Cafe & chow down on falafel sandwiches to fuel up for a big ol' debate, then nothing will. So mark your calendars and order yourself a book.
Date: Tuesday, March 13th
Time: 4:30 PM
Place: Push Cafe (3rd Ave. & 22nd)
Book: Beyond Discipline by Alfie Kohn
Happy reading,
Pauline
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