When I started this article, one student immediately popped into mind as well as thoughts of your Boy's Writers...students who may display behaviors related to "inadequate development of thinking abilities". I started VTS with the student in mind but did not continue our work as he moved on in grade levels. He is now in second grade and still displays disruptive behavior. He displays anger and an inability to work through his anger. I have also noticed how some teachers allow him the path of least resistance; keep him happy and don't challenge him. I would love to see how VTS might work to give him confidence and allow him to work through the levels of development. VTS offers the scaffolding and opportunity for students to move upward through the thinking progressions. Blooms Taxonomy came to mind as I read this article.
Image #4
SHELLEY GRUND"Empathy"
Reflect on image #4
This image was great for the purpose of empathy but I must note that I did preface the lesson by reviewing the images we had already discussed. Students really got this image. Students put themselves in the shoes of this young girl and thought of many scenarios of why she might be upset. They picked up on her body language and how she rests her head on her hands. They came up with ideas such as, she was missing a special day at school. Something a kindergarten student could relate. I got a lot of information about how well students could read the art and body language to determine how someone might feel.
I would use this image again. While some students did notice details like the steps, there was not enough to distract them from my intent of the image.
I think one of the most important reasons I love VTS is it changes the way of teaching. In traditional curriculum, teachers make lectures to give students information, and require students to give back the information. However, in VTS, teachers offer curriculum opportunities to students: let them collect, interpret, analysis datas by themselves, and find deep and rich meaning through discussion. It totally developed their ability of thinking. They will be more confidence and even help them in other subjects. I think your student will improve a lot during VTS!
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