Great essay. I hope you will revisit Vico vs Decartes in another essay--you've made me want to investigate this debate more deeply.
Any suggestions for incorporating this kind of narration into a college classroom? It's one thing for me to ask my six-year-old to recap the evening's Bible story. How could I do the same for 20-year-olds, in a way that's not patronizing?
I have had success getting college and graduate students to "narrate" by simply asking for a recap of the reading at the beginning of class. One student will volunteer and then others can add. At the end, I may draw their attention to something that was left out. It is quick and helps to orient us and for the students to re-imagine the text before we begin discussing it. I've also had success assigning short, 1/2-1- page summaries of the reading. They are forced to "narrate" it and to distill its essential points. As they get used to this, they (may) read the texts more carefully.
Yes, Vico and Descartes. Fascinating. Rationalism is the real enemy.
Thank you so much for your great work on this important topic, which seems pretty much forgotten these days.
Throughout your posts I recognize the theme of dedication, care and hard work towards your family, that has to be put in daily to function. Above that is the theme of time, having the opportunity to read your children the same stories over and over only to let them repeat it in their own words is a true gift. Nowadays, there is such a feeling of checklists, rush and speed. As a result, the truthfulness and honesty of a simple task gets lost. There needs to be a slowing down in so many ways. I had never thought about the importance of word choice in storytelling before and now I can see the immense potential, especially for the children’s minds and creativity.
Thank you, Veronika. You are right. Words matter. We are so careful about the food we give our children, but we should be just as mindful of their literary diet!
Great essay. I hope you will revisit Vico vs Decartes in another essay--you've made me want to investigate this debate more deeply.
Any suggestions for incorporating this kind of narration into a college classroom? It's one thing for me to ask my six-year-old to recap the evening's Bible story. How could I do the same for 20-year-olds, in a way that's not patronizing?
I have had success getting college and graduate students to "narrate" by simply asking for a recap of the reading at the beginning of class. One student will volunteer and then others can add. At the end, I may draw their attention to something that was left out. It is quick and helps to orient us and for the students to re-imagine the text before we begin discussing it. I've also had success assigning short, 1/2-1- page summaries of the reading. They are forced to "narrate" it and to distill its essential points. As they get used to this, they (may) read the texts more carefully.
Yes, Vico and Descartes. Fascinating. Rationalism is the real enemy.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for your great work on this important topic, which seems pretty much forgotten these days.
Throughout your posts I recognize the theme of dedication, care and hard work towards your family, that has to be put in daily to function. Above that is the theme of time, having the opportunity to read your children the same stories over and over only to let them repeat it in their own words is a true gift. Nowadays, there is such a feeling of checklists, rush and speed. As a result, the truthfulness and honesty of a simple task gets lost. There needs to be a slowing down in so many ways. I had never thought about the importance of word choice in storytelling before and now I can see the immense potential, especially for the children’s minds and creativity.
Thank you, Veronika. You are right. Words matter. We are so careful about the food we give our children, but we should be just as mindful of their literary diet!