22 of 31 - SOLSC 2018
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I have read Fox In Socks out loud more times than I can recall. It is so fun to read, so fun to see if you can keep up with yourself.
We had read The Lorax yesterday, which inspired a Grand Conversation where my students discussed movies vs. books, childhood memories vs. current understanding, and how to save the planet.
Fox In Socks is for the fun of it, the appreciation of language, not for deep conversations. Additionally, the kids appreciated the banter between Mr. Fox and Mr. Knox and tried to put a term to it. Smackdown? Pestering? Mic Drop!
With 90+% of my students being ELL, we then started talking about the nuances of the terms that were being suggested. At one point someone mentioned Mr. Knox reaction to something, which then turned into a picture walk. It was fascinating. We went through the book looking only at Mr. Knox's facial expressions, following his journey through his emotions. I knew Dr. Seuss was a creative genius, a word crafter extraordinaire. I had no idea the depth of his character development. The emotional journey Mr. Knox travels in Fox In Socks is rich and powerful.
This is a book I have known and loved for many decades and today I saw it with fresh eyes. Who would have ever guessed there was a deeper meaning to Fox In Socks?!
That's the beauty of working with English Language Learners. In finding new ways to teach the same old things (or books in this case), we actually become more creative and learn new things ourselves. I miss that aspect of being an ESL teacher as a now happily retired one.
ReplyDeleteOff to reread it right now --thanks to you and your students. Mic Drop!
ReplyDeleteClare
First, I have to get out that book which I am constantly putting on the bottom of student’s piles when conferring. This also reminds me of a funny moment I witnessed yesterday, our trainer was constructing a story in interactive writing with a first grade class and said the elephant charged. A student in the front started to laugh and it as evident that they were thinking about purchasing rather than running, a true teachable moment.
ReplyDeleteI love when our students help us see something new in a thing that has become too familiar. Off to find my copy of Fox in Socks...
ReplyDeleteChildren have the ultimate beginner's mind because that is truly who they are beginners in every way. If we let ourselves see through their eyes as you have done our teaching becomes so rich. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteFunny how we can read something over and over and then -- after MANY reads -- find something new.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm intrigued! I guess I will have to pull out a copy and take a picture walk. Kudos to the kids for their observations and effort in understanding!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to go back and look at it again. I've only ever thought of that one as fun nonsense!
ReplyDeleteI have been reading our well-read copy to my 4 yr. old grandson lately. He giggles through some of it. However, I'm off to reread it for myself so that I can discover Mr. Knox's development!
ReplyDeleteI read the same novel for years as a read aloud for a unit and each time kids had Grand Conversations I learned something or noticed something that I hadn't before! Now I want to go back to reread Dr Seuss (and I have some ideas for next year's Read Across America activities!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful discovery to make with your students! I'm going to look at Fox in Socks with new eyes now.
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