How We “Do” School —
Abstract of

Section I
Reflections About School Enviroment

Karen Morrow Durica

The poems and subsequent reflective questions in this section address a common theme–that is, how school is organized and how many of its practices are implemented are, in fact, detrimental to some students. For example, “How We Do School” questions some of the well-accepted structures of a typical school day. “I Used to Ask the Questions” examines the issue of students' control over their learning. “Museums of Their Souls” illustrates the differences in thriving and stilting classroom environments. Finally, “The Feel of a Pencil” asks teachers to examine different learning styles and student preferences. The reflective exercises in this section will help to initiate conversations about what changes may be necessary in the very structure of school and common pedagogy in order to assure that all students reach expected levels of proficiency.

Durica, K. (2007). Reflections About School Enviroment. In How We “Do” School (pp. 2-18). Newark, DE: International Reading Association.