Quote: “The multiple ability treatment requires you to convince the students that many different intellectual abilities are necessary for the group-work tasks” (Cohen, page 126).
Explanation: This quote was interesting to me first and foremost because I had never heard of the multiple ability treatment and I found it very fascinating. The multiple ability treatment consisted of explaining the different abilities necessary for a survival task of Lost on the Moon before groups began their discussions (page 123). This strategy was created so that individuals would be shown equal status behaviors as opposed to exhibiting a pattern of dominance by the high-ability students. Therefore this quote intrigued me to want to see this treatment be put into action. I feel that in our first grade classroom, if we made use of the multiple ability strategy the students would understand from the start how each individual student is equal and everyone has their own strengths and abilities. I also feel that at this age, this is a good way to introduce the students to treating everyone equal and not as superiors or inferiors, right from the start. This in-turn can help with self-esteem and confidence later in life.
I agree. This would be interesting to see put into place. I feel that students need to be introduced to this type of interaction among students earlier. In my kindergarten classroom, we try very hard to not try and put students in a place where they do not look equal or to let children believe that because of academic abilities that someone is less than someone else or more than someone else. Self esteem is so important especially at a young age. Once children start to feel down about themselves, it is hard to correct unless you find the right teacher or peer who can influence you in the right ways. I see right now that there are times when my students will say well he does not know the answer, but I do. This breaks my heart and I am always trying to say that some children need more time to think about a question. I try to find something positive especially when a child really wants to share something they feel is important. Being able to listen to your students and what they have to say is just one important aspect of respect to students. Listening is one thing that I want to instill in all of my children. Not only listening to the teacher is important, but being able to listen to each other and understanding where someone is coming from even if you do not agree. This is just one place to begin when talking about a classroom community and how everyone is different but we are all on an equal playing field and we respect one another.
ReplyDeleteLindsey,
ReplyDeleteIt’s great that you noticed this quote! You brought up how the multiple ability treatment will help with self-esteem and confidence. I absolutely agree with this and feel like multiple ability treatment is important in creating a comfortable, safe classroom community. I feel that assigning specific roles for group work (i.e. one person gets the materials, one writes, one illustrates, one shares to the class, etc.) would go hand in hand with this multiple ability treatment. This system holds each student accountable for contributing and encourages each group member to be responsible. This ties in with the multiple ability treatment, as it allows for different group members to showcase different abilities. It also shows students that each person is an important part of their group.