What any good teacher hopes to convey, even more than the specific details of their subject, are Enduring Understandings. These are big ideas that the students will carry with them long after the course content fades away. We canvassed our eighth graders this week about the enduring understandings they had gained from English class, and I think you will find the students’ insights interesting.
- You can learn life’s lessons from reading and/or reflecting with your peers.
- Reading comprehension is important to fully appreciate/understand literature.
- Your actions are important when you are trying to convey a message. Keep your eyes on the audience; speak in an audible voice; and always proceed with confidence.
- A strong vocabulary enhances your understanding in all subjects.
- Proper grammar helps you communicate more effectively. Using correct grammar makes a good impression.
- Writers use figurative language to make their work more interesting.
- Vivid verbs help form a mental picture of your writing.
I am so impressed by this group of fourteen-year-olds and the lessons they've learned. This kind of wisdom is rare, even among adults. This is just one more example of the value provided by a James River education. We are proud of our students, our teachers, and our school.