Week 6: You Can't Say You Can't Play

Since we didn’t have class last week, this will be a short entry.

 

I am really enjoying You Can’t Say You Can’t Play.  I like how it’s a story rather than a more technical book about classroom management and the like.  I never would have thought to go into older grades and ask them what they though about a rule I would like to create in my classroom.  I thought it was great that she did this and brought the responses back to her class.  Kindergarteners can have some good discussions!  I loved reading their quotes and the language they use!  It made me smile every time J 

 

There were also some things I liked that made me think.  Vivian Paley says that, “In general, the approach has been to help the outsiders develop the characteristics that will make them more acceptable to the insiders.  I am suggesting something different: The group must change its attitudes and expectations…” (33).  This was such an amazing concept!  I think that many teachers’ initial response would be to help the outsider fit it.  The problem I can see with this is that there are many different situations one child may need to fit it to.  By working to change the “attitudes and expectations” of the group, each student will be able to fit in to every situation.

 

Another idea I found in the book came from the older elementary students.  After talking with the 2^nd graders, Paley came to the conclusion that they found it better to be rejected by only one person as opposed to a group of people (which is why there are bosses in games who get to decide who gets to play).  Does this make rejection any less painful? 

 

I am excited to continue reading this book and hopefully see how this issue gets resolved.