"Handed My Own Life" by Annie Dillard describes the parental involvement and interest in activities, acquired knowledge of the child, and final work productions of their daughter, Annie. Dillard's parents were very interested in drawings and poetry written by Dillard herself at an early age. Her work as a young child received many "oohs and ahhs" from both her mother and father. Later in her adolescent years, when Dillard became interested in playing hockey, discovering amoeba through a microscope, and observing and studying various objects under a microscope her parents were not interested in the final products and the moments of "Mom and Dad come look at this!" were acknowledged but dismissed by her parents. Through out her adolescent years, Dillard's parents continued to hold little interest in her readings, homework, tests, collections (ranging from rocks to animals), and her ability to play the piano. Despite the lack of interest in Dillard's enjoyments in life, her parents provided her with the tools and other necessities to fulfill her enjoyment. Dillard realized she was responsible for herself in life after her parents continued to sit and converse over coffee one evening instead of visiting her new discovery, amoeba. Dillard had indeed been handed her own life to plan day in and day out due to the disinterest demonstrated towards her interest and enjoyments in life by her parents.
Reading this essay allowed me to realize the luxury of life I encountered as a child. My parents were always there for everything throughout my life-school, sports, and "detective work." Anytime I asked my parents to do something or see something one or the other would indeed do so. It was not until college that I had my life handed to me. Upon graduation of high school my parents handed my life to me, allowing me to make my own decisions and began being more responsible for my finances. I am know planning and fulfilling my life, as Dillard did as an adolescent.
"Handed My Own Life" by Annie Dillard allowed me to see the importance of observing and discussing children's discovers, activities, and work with them. It allows students to expand their minds, remain committed, persistent, creative, and enthusiastic about their personal enjoyments in life and educations. Although some children may come from backgrounds similar to that of Dillards, I hope to set a different tone in my classroom by not handing my students their lives at such a diligent age. It is my desire to remain interested at all times in what my students say, do, and have in my classroom. I aim to be a teacher of understanding, question, concern, and enthusiasm for my students and their involvements, while presenting ideas and concepts to be discovered in an understandable manner. By teaching in this manner I will be able to continue to guide my students lives and better educate them.
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2 comments:
I believe that giving your child or student praise is so very important. A child needs this from adults and it really helps with their self esteem ans desire to do better. I know that as soon as I do something good, the first person I want to tell is my mother and grandmother, and if I didnt have them to praise me some things would not seem worthwhile.
It sounds as though you are thinking like a "constructivist" in planning for your teaching! I hope this article helped you see the importance of giving children freedom to explore and discover on their own, but also the importance of an interested, observant guide to help them along the way!
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