Participant Observation 7/18

A short set of field notes because I present my demo tomorrow!!!! One thing I noticed is that participants seemed much more patient with one member of the more unique group members. I feel sure I observed kinder attitudes and attribute this to the example of our instructors who give respect to every comment. For example, Amy gave instructions for morning writing and the "read-around" share time. If anyone had comments or questions about anything shared, Amy suggested writing them down and asking later. One participant had difficulty remembering this suggestion. But when she commented, Amy very kindly reminded her to write down what she wanted to return to for discussion adding that she too found it difficult not to jump right in and discuss. I noticed a couple of people who, in previous sessions, had just glanced at each other when the unique participant comment, speaking to her during break. This participant asks many questions and, as Amy says, asks some good ones. She seems to take longer to grasp some concepts that others get immediately. On the other hand, she asks clarifying questions as well. So... I'm thinking about how this relates to community building in the classroom and teacher response and attitude toward students with behaviors and learning needs that may be considered outside the norm. Today's sessions were very supportive. I looked up from my own peer response group to witness other groups engaged in serious discussion about each other's works. In our sharing too, the responses were supportive. Asking others to repeat a phrase, taking notes as others speak... these actions indicate attention and respect for what is being shared.

Now.. the poem I posted to the E-Anthology today with an additional line or two. For me, this poem (a found poem from morning writing... jotted down minutes before I posted it actually...with input from Doug) relates to my critical incident which concerns the power structure in the classroom and how to encourage more student input, and involvement. So, it might end up in revised form in my portfolio.

Alpha Leaderless

Heel! With three heads He drags and growls and rips Cerebus with a choke chain.

I lock legs steel my gaze jerk Heel!

A tug of war unleashed by a leash push-me-pull-you going nowhere Hell!

Canines don't fail obedience school only their master do. But who can learn with such inequity in the classroom? Loose the choke and chain. Heal.