I really related to the section in chapter three that talked about "positive labels." Ever since I was young I have been labeled as "gifted," "talented," and "smart." These are all "positive" words that were supposed to make me feel good about my achievements, but instead, they left a sour taste in my mouth. I didn't understand why until I read chapter three. Every time I was told I was essentially "better" than other people, I was suddenly put higher on a pedestal that I never even wanted to be on. As I climbed higher and higher the risk of falling also grew. The people who complimented me did not mean any harm but their words scared me and I wished that I was just a "normal" student. As I have grown older I have been able to recognize that everyone has the potential to be at the same level I was on but that I was the one who worked hard and made the choices that caused me to be at a high level and that I could choose to move myself around the metaphorical tower. I am lucky that I came to that conclusion before I "fell' from the tower and I hope that we can change the way we label students before we lose anymore "gifted" students. - Kate Draper
I totally understand and agree!! I was always in the gifted and talented program and principal's honors roll... but when I got to middle school and I challenged myself to take high school classes, I got my first B. After that I was okay with B's in classes as long as I tried my best. But I know of a girl who would cry to teachers so that she got to keep her 4.0. I also related to that same section because I have always been told how smart I am and how I can do anything. While that was nice to hear, it really gave me a shock when other people were so much smarter than me. As I went throughout school there were those classes I got a few B's in and I understood that maybe that wasn't the subject for me and I thought I had gotten rid of the stigma of "gifted," but then during my junior year, the year I challenged myself in the most, I got all A's and I was ecstatic. Until it came to ACT scores and everyone was judging you based on a number. It wasn't until I read this chapter where I was like YES THIS IS ME. Now as I am going into college I feel as though the parts of this novel that directly related to me really helped me understand myself and my mindset. I hope that us as an honors group can go into different classes and help others with their mindset and the way they think about themselves.
I also agree, I never liked being expected to make better grades than everyone. People would always asked what I made on assignments and always be so excited if their's was higher, as if I was the smart standard. It is nice to get recognized for the hard work you put in that no ones sees, rather than just expected to make good grades because the come "easy". Thanks for sharing Kate, your comment was very insightful!
I had an interesting thing happen to me while reading this book. One night, while I confined myself to my room to get some reading done, my parents watched a movie called Florence Foster Jenkins. I was lucky enough to catch the beginning and end of this movie and was surprised at how well it related to this book, at least what I saw of it. This movie is about a New York Socialite who dreams of being a great singer but unfortunately doesn’t have the voice for it. Her husband does all he can to keep her happy and let her live her dream without her learning how awful her voice is. When she had a concert and people began laughing at her, it was clear she did not take well to criticism. I feel this shows a fixed mindset. In fact, one scene involves her recording an album and when the recorder suggests doing another take she says “I don’t see why. That sounded perfect to me.” This shows that she is unwilling to accept advice and change. Mrs. Jenkins is also at an advanced age and has some disease. The movie ends with her death. Her husband sits with her and she asks if people really laughed at her. She then said something that surprised me and shows what I consider a growth mindset. “They can say that I couldn’t sing, but they can never say that I didn’t sing.” I couldn’t believe how well it fit with what I had just read. Mrs. Jenkins had a passion for singing so she tried her best at it. She didn’t succeed in her dream, but she didn’t think of herself as a failure. She recognized her effort and that she got to sing at Carnegie Hall, a rather large concert hall. This was just another example that helped me to understand this book. This movie is based off a true story and I don’t know how much of it is accurate. If the end is true in any way, then I think we could all learn from Florence Foster Jenkins.
Kate, I love that you addressed this because I feel as if it was something I always struggled with growing up. The adults who surrounded me pushed me toward perfection while my peers resented me for being seen as "better" in the eyes of said adults. Often times I found myself wondering if I should give in and play dumb in order to gain popularity or continue striving for greatness to better my future. I chose the latter and later realized something similar to what you did: everyone has the potential to grow and develop intellectually. The difference is that not everyone takes advantage of that opportunity. Be proud of your intellect. It's a blessing.
I really related to the section in chapter three that talked about "positive labels." Ever since I was young I have been labeled as "gifted," "talented," and "smart." These are all "positive" words that were supposed to make me feel good about my achievements, but instead, they left a sour taste in my mouth. I didn't understand why until I read chapter three. Every time I was told I was essentially "better" than other people, I was suddenly put higher on a pedestal that I never even wanted to be on. As I climbed higher and higher the risk of falling also grew. The people who complimented me did not mean any harm but their words scared me and I wished that I was just a "normal" student. As I have grown older I have been able to recognize that everyone has the potential to be at the same level I was on but that I was the one who worked hard and made the choices that caused me to be at a high level and that I could choose to move myself around the metaphorical tower. I am lucky that I came to that conclusion before I "fell' from the tower and I hope that we can change the way we label students before we lose anymore "gifted" students. - Kate Draper
ReplyDeleteI totally understand and agree!! I was always in the gifted and talented program and principal's honors roll... but when I got to middle school and I challenged myself to take high school classes, I got my first B. After that I was okay with B's in classes as long as I tried my best. But I know of a girl who would cry to teachers so that she got to keep her 4.0. I also related to that same section because I have always been told how smart I am and how I can do anything. While that was nice to hear, it really gave me a shock when other people were so much smarter than me. As I went throughout school there were those classes I got a few B's in and I understood that maybe that wasn't the subject for me and I thought I had gotten rid of the stigma of "gifted," but then during my junior year, the year I challenged myself in the most, I got all A's and I was ecstatic. Until it came to ACT scores and everyone was judging you based on a number. It wasn't until I read this chapter where I was like YES THIS IS ME. Now as I am going into college I feel as though the parts of this novel that directly related to me really helped me understand myself and my mindset. I hope that us as an honors group can go into different classes and help others with their mindset and the way they think about themselves.
DeleteI also agree, I never liked being expected to make better grades than everyone. People would always asked what I made on assignments and always be so excited if their's was higher, as if I was the smart standard. It is nice to get recognized for the hard work you put in that no ones sees, rather than just expected to make good grades because the come "easy". Thanks for sharing Kate, your comment was very insightful!
DeleteI had an interesting thing happen to me while reading this book. One night, while I confined myself to my room to get some reading done, my parents watched a movie called Florence Foster Jenkins. I was lucky enough to catch the beginning and end of this movie and was surprised at how well it related to this book, at least what I saw of it. This movie is about a New York Socialite who dreams of being a great singer but unfortunately doesn’t have the voice for it. Her husband does all he can to keep her happy and let her live her dream without her learning how awful her voice is. When she had a concert and people began laughing at her, it was clear she did not take well to criticism. I feel this shows a fixed mindset. In fact, one scene involves her recording an album and when the recorder suggests doing another take she says “I don’t see why. That sounded perfect to me.” This shows that she is unwilling to accept advice and change. Mrs. Jenkins is also at an advanced age and has some disease. The movie ends with her death. Her husband sits with her and she asks if people really laughed at her. She then said something that surprised me and shows what I consider a growth mindset. “They can say that I couldn’t sing, but they can never say that I didn’t sing.” I couldn’t believe how well it fit with what I had just read. Mrs. Jenkins had a passion for singing so she tried her best at it. She didn’t succeed in her dream, but she didn’t think of herself as a failure. She recognized her effort and that she got to sing at Carnegie Hall, a rather large concert hall. This was just another example that helped me to understand this book. This movie is based off a true story and I don’t know how much of it is accurate. If the end is true in any way, then I think we could all learn from Florence Foster Jenkins.
ReplyDeleteKate, I love that you addressed this because I feel as if it was something I always struggled with growing up. The adults who surrounded me pushed me toward perfection while my peers resented me for being seen as "better" in the eyes of said adults. Often times I found myself wondering if I should give in and play dumb in order to gain popularity or continue striving for greatness to better my future. I chose the latter and later realized something similar to what you did: everyone has the potential to grow and develop intellectually. The difference is that not everyone takes advantage of that opportunity. Be proud of your intellect. It's a blessing.
ReplyDelete