Triplett-Book Talk

I read the article, "Book Talk: Continuing to Rouse Minds and Hearts to Life" by Cheri F.Triplett. This article brought an issue to me that I never knew existed, decreasing book discussions occurring around the country.

The article discussed how so many teachers are getting rid of their book discussions simply because, "they did not have time." Teachers said they found a different way to be the only way that time would allow, "allowed only enough time for reading the story and answering questions at the end of the story" I think although reading and answering questions might be good, the students are not being engaged and discussing the book with their peers. So, if a student did not understand part of the book and may have been to timid or embarrassed to ask they would simply be left with that feeling because the class would move on and never discuss the issue.

The most surprising thing about the fact that schools are not have discussions about the books they are reading in class, besides the fact that the book is not being reinforced through discussion in the classroom, is that studies show that these discussion are important. "There is evidence that these types of instructional conversations benefict non-mainstream, culturally diverse students because discussion more closely matches the interaction styles on non-mainstream students than the typical recitation format where teachers ask and children answer" Even now in my college course book discussions, even when I don't participate just listen, clarify my thoughts about the book we have read. Some days I have a lot to say about a text we have read outside the class, other days I do not, but I always feel more comfortable with a text after having a discussion in class. If this is the case for me now, although I cannot remember, I am sure that these discussion were even more helpful for me as a learner when I was young.

Vygotsky discusses how though and language are separate, but that this separation is one weakness. Even with young children teachers may think that students cannot engage in meaningful conversation or follow their peers conversations. As we discussed in class students can understand and cope with books on "touchy" subjects. The same thing is happening here, teachers are underestimating their students abilities.

This article made me think seriously about engaging in thoughtful discussions in not only my future classroom, but this year in my placement because most students in the school I will be at are from low-socioeconomic households and may be risk. I want to make a conscious effort when working with students on reading and literacy to spark up conversation about the book instead of simply assisting them in answering questions.