Fellow Classmates & Professor,
Here is the abridged version of my book review for this week:
Writer and veteran educator of America’s youth, Theodore R. Sizer, conducted a personal observation/study over the years in the education system, producing The Red Pencil: convictions from experience in education. As opposed to the standard instructional texts that guide soon-to-be teachers through their first day of teaching, Sizer criticizes and advises the past, present and predictable future of the educational system. Through Sizer’s writings, one comes to understand how socio-economic class has affected the classroom and teacher for years.
A topic that has been focused on in AED 541 is incorporating young adolescent interests and relevant experiences into their reading and writing. Additionally, we have established that building a relationship with one’s students allows for better teaching and most likely higher achievement amongst students, since the teacher can gear his/her lessons to appeal to the students. Sizer first touches upon this on page 5 by stating, “… if we want a powerfully educated population we must attend to all aspects of each child’s situation…” Sizer adds that too many schools shortchange their students due the socio-economic state the school is in. “A successful school might be best described as one that produced “upper-class” – future-oriented – graduates,” writes Sizer in his portrayal of schools over time (Sizer 14). As one reads on, it becomes evident that Sizer supports and encourages “free minds” and “creativity” amongst both students and educators. Through historical examples and argumentative writing, Sizer proves his thesis a strong and useful one.
Sizer discusses in greater depth the difference between teaching and learning, how to create a congruency between the two, the (negative and positive) significance of authority in the school and at home, and the structure and arrangement of the education system. Sizer’s study proves that the education system has failed its students, especially those of diverse and/or underprivileged backgrounds. Furthermore, Sizer demands for schools to honor and respect students’ differences, and provide attention to each student individually.
Divided into chapters titled “Building,” “Authority,” “Order,” “Horace Compromised” (a reflection on his previous book on education), and the Epilogue, “Dodging Our Duty,” Sizer publishes his own case study on the education system. With suggestions and guidelines for reform, Sizer tells new and elder educators the education system is in desperate need of a facelift. This short, slender book intends to influence the decisions and practices of policy-makers, parents/guardians and educators. The Red Pencil motivated me to want to teach differently from my past teachers, become more involved with students, and embrace my future students’ differences.
