ALAN Workshop-Jean Ferris
ALAN Workshop-
Jean Ferris
Jean Ferris is the author of 8 Seconds (dealing with sexual identity), Of Sound Mind (teenage caretaker of a deaf parent), Bad (Dallas), Love Among the Walnuts, Once Upon a Marigold. She writes books for students because they don't have their adult filters yet. The are on the cusp of deciding how to be and getting ready to make life, altering decisions. They are becoming aware of the idea that they have choices.
We have allowed in electronic media what we would never allow in person. Because there is access to so much information, our children are being seriously affected. In the 1940s kids were afraid of the dark and bullies. Today kids are afraid of death, AIDS, multiple forms of abuse and divorce. With that in mind, what are the developmental tasks of adolescents?
- Leaving Childhood and establishing emotional independence.
- Puberty and sexual awakening. They are finding a masculine or feminine identity that "fits" them. *All kids need to read books about themselves*
- Achieving a sense of accomplishment and achievement. This is something that cannot be given to students. It must be earned and part of that process is learning to deal with failure.
- Creating a definition of self. Who are they? And what are they doing? Where are they going?
- Achieving Competent Social Interaction with their peers. They need to learn how to get along with ease and comfort in the world.
- Solidifying a Sense of Values and arriving at an ethical system. They need to recognize consequences of their action, and they need to be able to make the reasoning progression.
- Acceptance of their bodies and the uses of them. Students are dealing with insecurities and they need to learn how to achieve OK-ness with their bodies.
- For an interesting take on this, take a look at The Body Project. We've moved from a pre-occupation with character to a preoccupation with the body. Why? Possible reasons: ready-made clothes, the personal scale, and the full-length mirror at home.
- Discovering an outlet for their creative expression. A need for participation in something greater than ourselves. They need to learn that there is a world outside of themselves.
Students need access to books that help them deal with all of of these things, and because students recognize themselves in books that deal with these things, they are more willing to read.
How do we get students to read?
- We give them books that are relevant to them and leave them with something they may not have had before.
- Give students that show respect and care for the reader (authors and teachers need to be conscious of the idea that reading is a gift).
- Allow them to see that there is no greater pleasure than reading a good book. Books give you something to talk about.
What do students need when they read?
- Heroes
- Hope
- Awareness of choice
- Help
- Compassion
- Awareness of life's difficulties
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Last Updated April 11, 2011
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