I just finished reading chapter 4. I liked the chapter and how it suggests readings for students. I did love a part of the section titled Classics vs. Contemporary Works. It talks about a "windows and mirrors" theory which I found to be great but I thought beyond it and will explain after I quote it.
"Some of what the kids read in school should hold up a mirror to them, by including their story, their culture, their experience. This is a way of saying, you and your family are important, you are part of us, part of our country and culture. But other books should act as windows, where kids look out not at their own reflection, but upon other peoples, other time periods, other stories, and values, and ways of life."
So the quote does makes a point, or a small analogy, with the mirror and window. What I believe is that this window can be used as a reflection also. You can look through a glass window and see what is outside but then again, you can also concentrate on your reflection. I see it as looking at the world and reflecting on it. It is possible to look through a window and also look at yourself. One can reflect on whatever is put in front of them. I don't think a book can only be used specifically for a reflection of one's self or specifically to have insight into other people, time periods, stories, values or ways of life. It can be done at once without have too much emphasis on either. I like the thought of a combination of both the mirror and the window analogy.
I hope you guys get what I'm trying to say, if not I'll explain in person. Thanks for reading.
I totally understand what you mean by that expression. Reading creates a perspective, whether it is something we are familiar with or something new that we are experiencing. We can reflect on something we are familiar with and make a connection, but we can also see past our own reflection and see a world past us. By understanding our surroundings, we can take in another perspective and bring it back to us, the reflection we are familiar with, and make connections.
ReplyDeleteYES!!!! Thank you. You worded it nice.
DeleteThat was very poetic of you and it makes a great point. I feel as though we are always reflecting when we read, even if we are not aware of it. We are either taking in the story or information in a way that we relate it to what we already know in order to better process it. Tapping into that reflection in students is what is key to me, thinking from an English concentration. Posing questions about the text to students can help them start reflecting or help them analyze why they are thinking what they are thinking. It's a great way for students as well as teachers, to become more socially aware of the world around them. Yay for real life lessons!
ReplyDelete-Heather