According to the web page: http://www.locoloboevents.com/display_bio.php?id=7991, a man named Charles Murry wrote a controversial book in 1995. The book was called "The Bell Curve." The web page states, "In the book, he mentioned that Marva Collins' work would have no long lasting effects on children. 60 Minutes...wanted to find out if this was true. So, they ran a second story showcasing the lives of the first thirty-three students who attended Westside Preparatory School. Statistically, one of the students should have been shot, two in jail and five on welfare. This was not the case. All thirty-three students, now adults, were leading very successful lives with a majority choosing teaching as a profession."We will read about Weside Preparatory School later in the book. As of right now, do you see any reasons why these children are successful? Is there anything that Marva Collins does in chapter 1 that makes you believe that the children will be successful? Is there anything that she does that makes you surprised that these children are successful? I'd like your thoughts and opinions on this.
I think these children are successful because someone believed in them when no one else did. Marva listened to the children and made them feel more intelligent. I am not suprised by her methods or by the results yielded.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually shocked that Charles Murry didn't believe in the results yielded. Marva gave these children her love and patience and as a direct reult they began to enjoy learning. The fact that her students beat the odds is not really suprising to me.
ReplyDeleteYeah she taught them things that other teachers thought were too difficult. She knew the children could learn more and they did. Her methods were basically get the kids to want to learn and to actually teach them, not hide behind a desk and tell the students to read the picture books. Instead she talks to then fondly and makes it fun for the students.
ReplyDeleteTo me, Marva Collins seems like a remarkable woman, and it is because of this that these children even had a chance. After hearing other adults say “can’t can’t can’t” towards their learning abilities it was probably hard for these children to think otherwise. When Marva Collins comes along and tells these kids that they CAN, this is the first step in their success. Anything is possible. Some people need more time and more help than others and Marva Collins was brilliant for taking on this role. Without her, these kids wouldn’t have the confidence in themselves to succeed and people would still be telling them that “they can’t”. ~ Cassie Epperson
ReplyDeleteAll good comments! Cassie-something you said seems very important to me. The fact that telling the kids that they CAN do something is truly the first step to succes. I also agree that some people need more time and help in class. As a teacher, this is our responsibility. I know that there were teachers I had in school that really took the time to help me and it made such a difference in my learning and in my attitude. I strive to be more and more like this.
ReplyDeleteI think the kids were successful is because Marva was an outstanding teacher who taught them to never give up. In the book, the kids' previous teachers didn't like them because of how they acted, and the kids didn't like their teachers either. However, Marva wasn't like the other teachers; she saw the potential in the kids and she made them want to work hard. The kids realized that they could do anything if they applied and believed in themselves. Marva really changed their lives, and I am not surprised by the results in her methods. I completely disagree with Charles Murry's opinion. -Kristin Kennedy
ReplyDeleteHannah is right. They have been successful because someone beleived in them. With people beleiving in me, I have done so much better in school.
ReplyDelete~Megan Leffler
I believe the children that Marva taught succeeded because they had a teacher that wasnt afraid to help them. Most teachers were mean to students, and they thought the best way to make a child learn was through fear. Marva was like a mother to her students. She cared for them, loved them, and believed in them. She not only pushed them to be great students, she also pushed them to be the best people they could be.
ReplyDeleteI agree a lot with Hannah, the success of the students came from Marva's technique of believing in the children, therefore, they believed in themselves. The fact that Marva is repetitive in her teaching and encouragment of the students makes me think they will easily succeed with determination and hard work. It isn't surprising that the students are successful from Marva's teaching techniques. They have never had anyone to believe in them, therefore they did not believe in themselves-success has a lot to do with believing you can succeed. To me, Charles Murry's opinion is shocking, the things students learn at a young age are carried with them their whole lives, a great start leads to a great future.
ReplyDelete-Melinda Edwards
This is what happens when the students feel like somebody believes in them! They start caring about what their actions.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter one she was patient with each individual child. She encouraged all of them, she wasn't mean, she was very gentle with them. Marva Collins wanted them to succeed and do great things with their lives.
Marva told them what they could do, instead of what they couldn't do!
-Jackie Miller
I think that the teacher had a huge in pack on the students that made them believe in them selfs.
ReplyDeleteS.D.G
I believe that the students that Marva taught were successful because she did things and took steps that each and every student could relate to. All students have a different aspect of learning and draw a different amount of attention needed. She pushed the students to levels and took the time that no one else had before and you can tell the improvements and the will to learn from her students.-- Andrew Yeager
ReplyDeleteThese are really great comments! Nathan - I loved that you said that she was like a mother to them!! So true! Students, especially some children, respond very well when they feel like they are loved and being taken care of instead of bossed. Also, I like what Warren said about the fact that she is not just sitting behind a desk. She is interacting with them. This shows that she really cares what they are doing, whether or not they are learning and whether or not they are paying attention. It can be tempting for any teacher to sit down to rest for a minute or get something done at his/her desk. However, the best teachers are up and moving around! Even though it can be tiring, this is a very active approach and it will prevent problems in the long run!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hannah and Megan about Marva Collins believing in her students. She was showing love to them and promising them they will not fail in her class in that school year. I was really amazed with what she was teaching those students that first day about believeing in yourself and getting all the students to answer questions. Marva Collins is truly one incredible teacher that made all her students successful adults to this day.
ReplyDelete-Julia Sieg
I also think it has something to do with the attitude of the teacher. Admittidly I know that students should be able to suceed no matter what; but its easier to do when someone seems to make your problems there own. It makes you want to suceed, not only for yourself, but now its nessesary for someone else. It makes you feel like someone else is depending on your sucess. It really does help. Not only were they suceeding for themselves; they wanted to please there teacher.
ReplyDelete-Amber May
I believe that the students in Mrs. Collins class are successful because she shows love and cares for them. As we read, Freddie is a problem child that didn't get along with the other teachers in the past. When he gets to Mrs. Collins class he changes his attitude because Mrs. Collins showed him love. This leads me to believe that the other teachers could care less about the students learning. Mrs. Collins' technique is very successful. Every teacher should teach like this. If you tell a student how good they are doing they feel very confident in themselves to not give up and continue in the right direction. Mrs. Bennett is a very good representation of Mrs. Collins. - Tyler Episcopo
ReplyDeleteI think that they way Marva Collins taught was remarkable. I really think that if I had teachers like that I would do better in school. It's amazing to see what a little bit of a positive attitude can do to a class full of studnets. Because of Marva's encouragement and great teaching style, the children that were told they'd never learn became important people in the world. I honestly can't believe anyone would under estimate the abilites of Marva Collins. Sometimes all children need is a "push" and they'll go far!
ReplyDeleteAs of right now, I don't believe the children in Marva Collin's class are successful. However, I do believe that they show true potential in becoming better students who will show success once they learn how to cope with it. Marva is encouraging and attentive to each student and shows the them that each and every child is special and can be a success. I'm not surprised by how she acts towards the kids because I know from experience that a child needs to be praised for good work in order to further improve. --Libby Freiberger
ReplyDeleteI think the students became successful was actually because of the way Marva taught them. I also agree with Hannah, beacuse the students did believe in themselves. -Jontel Smith
ReplyDeleteI feel the way Marva Collins teaches is so effective on young children, with no will to learn. Marva feeds them compliments and bulids confidence as well as self-esteem. The kids feed off her positive energy and get involved with class. The kids start believing in themselves, as that is already a dramtic change.
ReplyDeleteKimberly Striegel
ReplyDeleteI think that when the kids first started that they were not ready for a teacher to help them out this much. Therefore they werent successful because teachers before made them scared to ask questions. I think that Marva Collins have made these kids very successful and she is a very good teacher. When i say this its because Mrs Marva Collins is very encouraging to the kids even if they are wrong.
I agree with all of the comments above. Marva Collins to me is a role model as a teacher because she taught that you not only have to worry about helping the students to learn with their education, but also to care about their thoughts and feelings. I believe its great that she showed she actually cared when they got an answer right or did good on something. She gave the students confidence that other teachers might have never given them. I think anyone who does not believe Mrs. Collins was a good teacher doesn't realize what students truly need to succeed. -Morgan Mosley
ReplyDeleteI think Marva Collins is a role model as a teacher as well, because shes not like the other tecahers, she doesnt give up on the kids no matter there back ground. Its like she can see past the bad things in the kids for what they did and she sees the star in them. She gives the kids hope and more. I think kids see if they have someone who believes in them they can be whoever and whatever they want to be, and Marva Collins is that someone.
ReplyDelete-Miles Walker
I definitely agree with all the comments above. I like how Melinda said the things students learn at a young age are carried with them their whole lives because that's so true. I remember how all of my teachers were when i was young, and now thinking about it, you never realize how much you looked up to those adults in your life. Marva Collins is a role model and helped set a standard to what teachers should strive to be like.
ReplyDelete-Ashley Crawhorn
I think Marva Collins method of teaching causes many children to be successful. She shows the children that she really cares about each and every one of them and really believes that they can do well and succeed. She also encourages them to speak out loud, because she beieves that they can learn and understand what she teaches. The most important thing I believe she does is making the students actually believe in themselves, which is mostimportant to be successful.
ReplyDelete-Gloria McCarty-Flores
Marva Collins had faith in each an every kid that walked in her classroom. She would never give up on any of them. In the book she says "You can pay a teacher to teach but their not paid to care" this is true ,but in no way is it true with Marva. she goes beyond just teaching. She cares enough to help every kid learn
ReplyDelete-abby kurz
I think one thing that helped the kids become successful is that they realized that someone believed in them. Marva Collins showed them that they have the power to change their life. She gave them the chance they never knew they had.
ReplyDelete-Koko Sams
I think that people have brought up many great points. Believing in them and encouraging them helped a lot in my opinion. I also believe they are successful because of her teaching style. She really tries to enforce what she is teaching. She makes sure the children are listening by making them repeat the answers and asking them questions. It's important to her that not only they pay attention but she also tries to help them understand what she is actually saying and what they're learning. The children are in a sort of prime in their lives for learning, and molding their brains. Breaking down things for them really helps what they are learning stick with them.
ReplyDelete-Olivia Worland
I agree with Gloria, Marva is successful because she shows the students she cares, and loves them. Not only does she show it with her actions, she tells them constantly she loves them. If you let a student know you care for them, I believe most of the time the studet will succede.
ReplyDeleteI think that the children are not used to Marva's style of teaching. They aren't used to being sucessful in school. I believe that they will all discover how to become sucessful within the ways of her teaching. She makes every single child feel important. When I was a kid it always inspired me to work harder when the teacher noticed me and the things I did. I think that, that is how these children will think and become more and more sucessful as the year progresses.
ReplyDeleteI think that the children are not used to Marvas way of teaching. They have never really been sucessful in school at all. She makes all of the children feel important in different ways individually. When I was a child it always meant a lot to me and drove me to work harder when I was complimented and encouraged. I believe that all of these kids will have that same mentality as the year progresses. They will all become sucessful as a result of Marva Collins way of teaching.
ReplyDelete-Peyton Watson.
I would say Marva Collins teaching method is very useful and helps people in being successful. The way she shows the children how to say things outoud and shows them that she cares and loves them, helps them speak up. She believed in them pretty much when the other teachers didn't. The way she helps them believe that they can do it, and believe in themselves, is very important in teaching.
ReplyDelete-Rachel Deaton
I think that the children ended up successful because Marva Collins convinced them that they were worth something, and that she believed in them. Then they began to believe in themselves as well, and started to think that they weren't doomed to fail. Also, Marva Collins' teaching teaching style helps the children learn because it's individualized.
ReplyDelete- Hannah Meyer
I think that the kids are sucessful because Ms. Collins kept telling them that they all have a purpose in life. They can do anything!When hearing that they began to get convindence in themselves.All there lives they have been put down put she is only saying good things so they we be able to pass and want t do work.-Ethan Wright
ReplyDeleteI believe that the results to the way Marva Collins teaches, is no surprise at all. I think if all teachers were incouraging and supporting of their students the way she is, then the school system would be much better off and once you have good schools and good students then the rest of the world would be better. She teaches the kids right of the bat that they are capable of doing things, and that they aren't failures. THat's how it should be...
ReplyDelete~ Emily Barry
Marva Collins always told these children they CAN do anything they want. That means alot when all these children have been told is that they CAN'T. She wasnt only a teacher but she tried to have a special relationship with the kids so they knew she was serious about helping them suceed. Marva Collins had a succssful way of teaching that really got to these kids and by the end of the first chapter these kids had already made an improvement.
ReplyDeleteHaley Gilley