Talk is a valuable instructional tool.

In last weeks class we proved that talk is a valuable instructional tool in a few ways. The thing that spoke to me the most, however, was the clip we watched from freedom writers. This clip was a prime example of how by letting our students speak and actually listening to them, we can learn more about them than we do from the "Tell Me About You" worksheet we give them at the start of the year.

I really loved how in this clip Hilary Swank's character did not try to correct the students when they showed disdain toward her and her race, or the other races. By letting the students share their true feelings, Swank's character was able to gauge what types of literature would speak to them, as well as help them to see that they are not the only race, religion, or gender that has ever been oppressed.

I believe that in order to be effective teachers we must always be searching for ways to reach our students. It is impossible to do this if we do not allow them to express themselves, and of course, listen to what they have to say.

We must remember that talk is not only what we can hear. Sometimes talk is in drawings, or writing. At my field experience this year the teacher I worked with showed me a students portfolio that contained a picture he had drawn of his family and underneath were the works, creatively spelled, "My dad hits my sister." The teacher listened to the student and the family issue was resolved by child services. We must always be listening to our students, not only to better their learning but sometimes even their lives.

It is not enough to listen, we must encourage talk. Class and group discussions are a great way to do this. I also think that for older students "magic talk" is a wonderful activity. I personally plan on having a question box so that I can address questions in an anonymous and orderly manner. I plan on doing this because talk is a valuable instructional tool.