Tradionalist vs. The Free Spirit Reader
New Critical Response Theory
This is what I think and what I think is the only right answer. So if you have different thoughts than I do, you are completely wrong! Sound like a tradionalist? Absolutely! These types of teachers make the classroom feel like a prison and instill a permanent fear within our students. In fact, such a devilish tactic is a perfect style for this particular teacher because it keeps the student quiet. In that case, the teacher can have complete control over their thoughts and behaviors. So how does this pertain to reading?
When reading a particular text, the teacher's main goal is to receive interpretations from the students themselves. But, the catch to this traditionalist way is that the students can only have one interpretation to a particular text - because the teacher says so. Therefore, say that a student writes a beautiful essay describing his or her own interpretation of Catcher in the Rye and his justification is very strong, this type of teacher would automatically denote this students paper because he or she is not seeing the same interpretation the instructor has stuck on the brain - doesn't even take the time to see the student's perspective.
This form of teaching just scares me to death. By no means does this method of teaching spark student creativity, motivation, or engagement whatsoever. What the student will be most paying attention to is the hand on the clock. The only way that these students will contribute to the class is by adding the sound of shuffling pages to signify that they are trying to find the right answer before they are put to shame for stating their opinion.
When reading a particular text, the teacher's main goal is to receive interpretations from the students themselves. But, the catch to this traditionalist way is that the students can only have one interpretation to a particular text - because the teacher says so. Therefore, say that a student writes a beautiful essay describing his or her own interpretation of Catcher in the Rye and his justification is very strong, this type of teacher would automatically denote this students paper because he or she is not seeing the same interpretation the instructor has stuck on the brain - doesn't even take the time to see the student's perspective.
This form of teaching just scares me to death. By no means does this method of teaching spark student creativity, motivation, or engagement whatsoever. What the student will be most paying attention to is the hand on the clock. The only way that these students will contribute to the class is by adding the sound of shuffling pages to signify that they are trying to find the right answer before they are put to shame for stating their opinion.
Reader Response
Have you ever wondered what an English class would be where every student hand was up flailing as you ask the question, Well what is your interpretation of the story, class? I know i would! Thus, that is the goal of the Reader Response Theory - to have the students be first to foretell their interpretations. Of course, each interpretation must be backed up by justifiable evidence.
The beauty of this way is reading is that it frees the reading spirit. It allows the students to speak their mind, speak their emotions, and speak their evidence. This form of digging into the story sparks debates, opens new windows for the teachers - really gets the critical thinking juices bubbling - when there are so many different interpretations, it really forces the students to be solid with their support evidence; and like the best learning dessert their is in the learning world, it allows the students to show how much they have learned.
When trying to come up with ideas for the final project of a reading unit, it makes our jobs as teachers very easy - this method of reading really gives the students the choice as to how they will show their understanding of the texts whether its through dramas, home videos, artwork, puppet shows, poems - the list is endless.
The beauty of this way is reading is that it frees the reading spirit. It allows the students to speak their mind, speak their emotions, and speak their evidence. This form of digging into the story sparks debates, opens new windows for the teachers - really gets the critical thinking juices bubbling - when there are so many different interpretations, it really forces the students to be solid with their support evidence; and like the best learning dessert their is in the learning world, it allows the students to show how much they have learned.
When trying to come up with ideas for the final project of a reading unit, it makes our jobs as teachers very easy - this method of reading really gives the students the choice as to how they will show their understanding of the texts whether its through dramas, home videos, artwork, puppet shows, poems - the list is endless.