Subject Matters Ch. 6 How to Use a Textbook

 I really enjoyed this chapter, specifically I enjoyed three points from it. I enjoyed that they said textbooks should not be the only text you use, the emphasis on the teacher’s selection and the activity Star Search Guide-O-Rama. One of the points I addressed in my textbook analysis, was this warning to not use the entire textbook and only that to teach students. I think textbook usually have a great way of organizing themes and information, they give you access to quick, easy texts and information and can be beneficial to use. However, I also think relying too heavily on textbooks can make the learning passive for both teachers and students. This is a dangerous pattern to fall into and can lean to coverage versus deep learning. Another concept that was important is related to this one, that of what to cover and what to leave out. This just emphasized to me the reality of what it means to be the filters for our students.

 

We cannot possibly cover everything they could ever learn in a school year, but are we giving them access to enough of a variety that they’re aware what else is out there? Additionally, are we assigning independent readings and projects which lead students down individual roads of learning that we wouldn’t necessarily have time to cover? And also, when we are providing the material, do we have solid evidence backing our choice for that assignment? Even if that solid evidence is students need to learn through play and so we assign an exploratory assignment. Whatever it may be, we need to know why we chose that to cover. The last point I really loved from this chapter was the Star Search Guide-O-Rama as a during reading strategy. The idea of having stopping point for the students, and putting your thoughts, connections and questions seems fun. Almost like a scavenger hunt of good-reading skills. You could even incorporate a portion where students have to respond with their own questions, understandings and connections therefore creating a dialogue even when doing independent work.