The way in which we organize our classrooms is so important to the way our students learn. It is important that a child feels comfortable in the classroom in order to share their thoughts. In the diagram displayed on page 105 it represented the community of truth. I loved how it showed all the interaction between the "knowers" and the "subject." Palmer states that it is important for the subject tot be the center of attention in the classroom and I believe this can occur when the space is set up in a way students can learn. I believe an environment in which the students learn should be creative and spacious. Students should be comfortable in their surroundings and not have too many distractions so that they can focus on the subject at hand. In order for a community of trust to occur a teacher needs to establish a safe environment. I fully believe that begins with the aesthetic of the classroom.
I also really enjoyed that Palmer spoke of competition affecting the community in a classroom. In today's fast past world, competition is something that we face everyday. If there was some way to try and minimize that in classrooms the students may be more comfortable with sharing their own truths. Like Palmer said a student knows themselves better than we ever will, so if we can make our students feel as if they are part of a community they may feel safer sharing their thoughts.
Maurine, I liked this quotation,
ReplyDelete"To teach is to create a space in which the community of truth is practiced." We all as teachers need to create that space in our own educational set up.We as teachers need to build homely atmosphere where true learning of our students takes place. I am enjoying my suuny weather here but Vinod is sick so please pray for him.
HI Maureen, you really emphasize the environment. You would love the Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches to the environment. They believe the environment is the "third" teacher!!! I agree with you about the space and its aethestics. The outer reflects the inner, and the inner reflects the outer. Personally, I think that a cluttered environment reflects a cluttered mind and heart. The physical arrangement somehow needs to reflect the structure of the community of truth....
ReplyDeleteMaureen, the environment is crucial to a successful classroom. Years ago, I worked at a camp that worked diligently to emphasize cooperation over competition. There is even a book, perhaps more than one now, The Cooperative Games Book. It is a great resource for what you are looking to do. You are on to something really important: to temper the craze of competition! Good luck.
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