“How many times have I not pursued a child’s thinking because it did not align with mine?”
I chose this because I feel it has a lot of relevance. Miller realized this after a student made a connection that was different from the answer she was looking for. I believe it is an important realization and stretches beyond simply answering a prompt. It is essential to try and understand a child’s thinking before we shut it down as wrong, discouraging them from thinking this way in the future. It is important to respect the process.
“I remember that It often takes adults a while to get focused- why should it be any different for children”
This quote really stood out to me because I am similar to Miller in that I would get anxious if children did not automatically jump into an assignment and begin thinking. This is something that I will need to recognize and fix in order to be an effective teacher. Children get distracted easily, and teachers should not be excessively worried if they need a few minutes to settle down and begin. When I think of myself and how I settle into an assignment, I need a few minutes to unwind. Children need this few minutes of patience to play with their materials. Then, if they still don’t begin, a teacher may need to make her presence known. However, this does not mean the child is incapable.