Power and Voice in the English Classroom - Capital Letters Workshop

Nigel Mitchell posed some interesting questions in this workshop and referenced some interesting sounding research to look at - including Gay Geneva - Culturally  responsive teaching

The ability to be expressive us at the heart of what we do in English - getting that voice is essential. Culturally expressive voice is fundamental to what we do. 

Spectrum - Continuum of student voice

- expression (English provides many opportunities) 

- consultation

- participation

- partnership

- activism (identifying problems, generating solutions) 

- leadership 

Heretaunga College -  check out their English programmes - Maori voices in English  - but check out the list of English courses that run multi-level.

The 'Maori' voices are in the heads of the Maori students - not just in Patricia Grace or Witi Ihimaera

What do the parents of your akonga want from an English classroom and how do you know? 

How can whanaungatanga characterise the environment of your classroom? 

- what did the kids say in response? 

        - work  together  - writing and discussing - sharing 

        - laugh with us - share your life - share food 

        - use music 

       

Wananga - what we actually do as teachers. Who decides what's worth teaching and learning? 

 Absolutist

 Relative

 Reflective 

Question to leave with - Where's the balance between teacher and student decision making and power?