"Somehow my days on the island seemed numbered and I
grew restless and impatient with the sluggish pace of learning in the
classroom."
It seems that teachers are
forever wondering what else can be done or changed to excel the academics for
children. It is not that teachers rush the children along with the learning
process, they feel that they can do more to reach every child and for every
child to move forward. Conroy was the same as any other teacher with
expectations for his children. He wanted the children to know more not even
just in the academic rim. However, Conroy was growing tired and he knew that he
needed more resources and help. "Somehow my days on the island seemed
numbered and I grew restless and impatient with the sluggish pace of learning
in the classroom." (Conroy, 2006, p.262) He had taken the boys to see the
Globetrotters and his wife had hosted a Valentine party, but he was searching
for something more. He even loaded the children up and went to Washington. The
lines that divided the streets only brought to his attention how much more
these children were needing and how isolated they have been. Conroy searched
for so many ways to reach the children. He even taped his friend's voice, Dick
Caristi, from Boston to do a lesson. Boston was identified on the map and the
children were explained how their language sounded different as well. Conroy's
sister visited the island and did magic tricks. It was funny when the children
claimed she was a witch. So many things that the children had not been exposed
to and so many things that Conroy knew lacked at the school. Saul when visiting
the Globetrotters used the bathroom in public. He didn't think anything about if
it was inappropriate or would it offend anyone. He did it because that was what
the boys on the island did when they felt the urge to go. Conroy was battling
with the thoughts of what more could he
do to help the children.
Conroy, P. (2006). The Water Is Wide. New York, NY: Bantam Dell.
I liked this chapter a lot. Conroy does everything he can think of to keep his students entertained throughout the book. Taking them to see the Globetrotters, and to the Valentine's Day party so that they could experience life off of the island. Not only do they get to learn, but they get to have fun as well. The visitors to the classroom were the best form of entertainment. I agree with you that it was funny when the students thought that Conroy's sister was a witch. They were so convinced that Conroy could not sway them to think any other way.
ReplyDeleteI feel like Conroy was burned out in the classroom. He was thrown into a situation he was not trained for and not given the necessary resources needed to be successful. He wanted to do more for the children, but he did not know what to do. I think he could sense the days ending for him on the island because no one would help him and he had to fight for every little thing.
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