Giving students a voice

Submitted by Tyrone Martinez-Black (not verified) on May 16, 2007 - 07:00.

Inspired by a fellow pre-service teacher, I incorporated the use of daily quotes in my entry routines. Each student volunteered to read the quote aloud and then write and verbally respond to its meaning. I believe that the exercise gave my students an opportunity to express themselves without judgment, to communicate their perceptions of the world from a place of honesty and respect.

The study exhibited here seems to resonate with the same chord. Children (and adults) value their expressions and express their values in everything that they do. When we open the forum and allow students to own their values/voices, we have profoundly greater results than when we attempt to force values/voice upon them.

I look forward to more studies of this nature.

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