There was this one dog that I was assigned to give a bath to. His name was Cocoa and he was a black lab. He was shaking when he was handed to me and his eyes were shining with fear. But once he was in my arms he stopped shaking and just sat there staring at me with curiosity . That's when I knew I wanted to help rescue animals.
David Coleman (the architect of the Common Core State Standards) and his ilk dismiss narrative in favor of argumentative writing in schools, but the longer I'm a teacher and a writer, the more I realize that arguments mean nothing without story.
Just look at the recent story of the walking man in Detroit. Issues don't become important or real to people without the benefit of story. Now one person's plight is bringing national attention to the lack of public transportation in the city of Detroit. We as a species don't pay attention to issues until we make a personal connection to them, and how can we do that without telling stories?
So I will continue to celebrate, embrace, and encourage my students to write stories. No matter what the architects of the Common Core think I should be doing in their stead.
*For the sake of clarity and flow, I corrected a few spelling errors in the above passage.
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What you've shared is so inspiring and I agree we need stories they are the thread that weaves our connectedness! Thank you for sharing your student's story!
ReplyDeleteAll types of writing are important, but stories are at the core! Thanks for pushing "story" in your classroom, Beth.
ReplyDeleteIf only David Coleman could hear you!
ReplyDeleteYou would love Tom Newkirk's book, Beth - this is what he believes, too.
ReplyDeleteAmen! A terrific example from your student's writing and from current events.
ReplyDeleteI love the title and I love the sentiment you convey in your piece too. Argument is an element of story. No writer is completely neutral. We influence readers through the treatment of characters and events.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true. Stories connect us, feed our souls. They help heal, expose the bad and bind us together. Hurrah for narrative! Wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteMy students last year did genius projects-- or passion projects--it was invigorating. Teaching students how to tell their own origin and interest stories is powerful stuff. Like Alan I see story as an element of argument too.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the passion project. I also take this challenge personally to develop my stories. Thank you for this slice today!
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