1. Theory to Practice Paper: The Glass Castle
2. The purpose of this assignment is to give you a view of students' lives that is often hidden from us. The Glass Castle provides an autobiographical account within which the analysis of educational theory and practice is possible.
3. The following steps are required for successful completion of this assignment:
4. Read the memoir The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.
5. Write a reflection paper about the book, keeping in mind the theories, strategies, and concepts we have studied in class. Use the following questions to guide your thinking:
o What theory or theories could be connected to the teachers' role in the lives of Jeannette and her siblings? (this question must be addressed)*
o How would you apply the theory or theories to your treatment of Jeannette in the classroom or as a counselor/school psychologist? (this question must also be answered)*
o One of Jeannette's high school teachers mentored her toward journalism. Jeannette is currently a journalist with MSNBC. Do you think you could have overcome any personal distaste for her, considering her looks, odor, and odd behaviors, in order to become her mentor?
o How does the pressure to meet standards interfere with a teacher's, counselor's, or school psychologist's role to know, mentor, and support the development of children like Jeannette and her siblings?
o What is the school's role in protecting children with the kinds of problems Jeannette had?
o Do you think Jeannette and her siblings are better off with or without their parents? They are loved by their parents, and the parents want the children to be educated, and the children love their parents-how do these factors play into your thoughts?
o Jeannette and her siblings often do not tell adults about their experiences. They try to please adults, and they engage in behaviors that seem effective for their survival. Those behaviors are not always appropriate in an academic setting. School and the "real world" are not always consistent for children. What is our responsibility as educators in these circumstances?
* For the questions that address theory, please note the following additional guidelines:
Choose a theory covered in this class. Theories that can be chosen include:
• Behavioral Theory
• Humanistic Theory
• Social Cognitive Theory
• Piaget's Cognitive Developmental Theory
• Vygotsky's Theory of Cognitive Development
• Information Processing Theory
• Motivational Theories
• Developmental Theories
Once you have chosen a theory, apply it to the book. Discuss how your chosen theory could be used to demonstrate how a teacher might work with students like Jeannette and her siblings. In other words, how do you see a teacher's, counselor's, or school psychologist's role in this situation, and what theory explains that role.
Many theories can be applied. For maximum points, be sure you do the following:
• Describe what portion(s) of the theory apply to the case.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the theory.
• Accurately apply the theory. While many theories can be applied, you must demonstrate accurate application.
• Use language from the theory and examples from the book and integrate theory and example together.