The sudents are watching

 

Sizer, N- & Sizer, T. (2005). The students are watching: Schools and the moral contract.
ISBN-13: 978-080703121 6

Flead the Preface: Watching, first- I challenge you not to become mesmerized by the
Sizers’ honest portrayal of how our students watch and learn from us- You will want to
read on

Next, read a chapter at a time: 1- Modeling; 2. Grappling; 3- Bluffing; 4- Sorting; 5.
Shoving; 6- Fearing and finally, the Afterward: Thinking-

This book is not an easy read, so pace your reading and make notes about what you
agree or disagree with in each chapter- Think about how the messages in the chapter
relates to your own experience as a teacher and/or student-

You will write a 5-7 page (double-spaced) “Synthesis Essay” that describes the
essence of the chapters and how each chapter connects to your own teaching and
learning experience- In this paper you will address each chapter(1-6) by providing a
brief summary of the chapter and your thoughts about how the ideas relate to you,
your own school setting, and 21 st century schools of today- Keep in mind, this book
was written more than 15 years ago- What has changed? What has remained the
same? Are we dealing with the same moral issues in schools as we did in the late
nineties- Most importantly, if we know that how schools function teaches our children a
certain moral contract, what should school be doing differently? What role do we as
teachers have in the shaping of schools today?

NOTE: an open essay response. Feel free to write openly and honestly about
what this book makes you consider as a professional educator. How will you use this
information to improve your own classroom teaching?