Sierra Scherb

January 15, 2021

Dr. Tovey

Reading Reflection 1

In what ways does Miss Agnes reflect theory and research in best teaching practices?

The Year Of Miss Agnes tells the story of a group of kids from a village that learn to love

going to school because of a special teacher. I feel that Miss Agnes reflects theory and research

in best teaching practices by being flexible, validating the children and using their interests to

teach them.

Miss Agnes is very flexible in her teaching practices by allowing students to come by at

different times to finish their schooling. At one point in chapter 9, Little Pete had to go away for

a while to help his family but he didn’t want to miss any school so Agnes stayed after school

with him to read him Robin Hood so that he wouldn’t miss anything. “But he didn’t really want

to go this year because school was so interesting with Miss Agnes there. Most of all he didn’t

want to miss the end of Robin Hood. He wasn’t good enough at reading to read it for himself, so

Miss Agnes read extra long the last day he was in school, and we finished the book.” (“Chapter

9, Page 59.”)

Another way that Miss Agnes was flexible was in the way that she taught. She taught the

children in all different levels. Some of the children needed to be at a more advanced level while

others still needed to master the basics. This is shown in chapter six. ““Well, Bertha.” She bent

to look carefully at each letter. “It would be hard to improve on that,” she said. Bertha looked

really shining like, having Miss Agnes see what a good writer she was. “I’ll teach you how to

write cursive now. You’re ready.”” (“Chapter 6, Page 35.”) Carol Ann Tomilinson said it best
when she said “Children are on different trajectories and learn in different ways.” (Tovey,

Shannon. 2021)

One of the most meaningful ways that Agnes was flexible is when Fred’s sister Bokko

came into the classroom. Bokko is deaf. She did not go to school because the other teacher that

had been there before did not teach her. Agnes took upon the challenge and taught her sign

language as well as reading and writing. Agness said that ““She must come to school from now

on,” said Miss Agnes.” (“Chapter 8, Page 50.”) Agnes also got special sign language books for

Bokko to read. “When Sam White flew in with the mail that afternoon, Miss Agnes had a long

talk with him at the store, and the next time Sam came in with the mail, there were special books

for Bokko. Sign language. A way Bokko could learn to talk with her hands.” (“Chapter 8, Page

53.”)

Miss Agnes also validated the children in their schooling. She told Bertha she had good

writing skills in chapter six. She also validated the children's way of talking. The children's

English was not the best and even though their grammar tended to be wrong, Agnes said that

“there were lots of right ways to talk.” (“Chapter 15, Page 95.”) This helps show Carl Rogers'

idea of self concept. He said that children must be motivated to learn by being themselves.

(Tovey, Shannon. 2021)

Miss Agnes also used the children's interests to teach them. In chapter 14, Agnes wrote

customizable books for the children so that they could see themselves in the books. “So Miss

Agnes put those books away, and she made some other little books for us to read. A different one

for each of us. Just little pieces of paper stapled together, but the thing about those books was

they were about us.” (“Chapter 14, Page 91”) Children need to see themselves in the books so

that they will be more motivated to read.

 The Year Of Miss Agnes tells the story of a wonderful teacher who breaks into every

aspect of her children's lives. She validates them and their thoughts. She is flexible so that they

are able to gain an education through the hard times. She even writes custom books so that they

see themselves in said books. Miss Agnes is who all teachers should aspire to be.She is there for

her students whenever they may need her. She will be in her children's hearts for a lifetime.
 Citations

“Chapter 9, Page 59.” The Year of Miss Agnes, by Kirkpatrick Hill, Margret K Elderberry
Books, 2000.

“Chapter 6, Page 35.” The Year of Miss Agnes, by Kirkpatrick Hill, Margret K Elderberry
Books, 2000.

Tovey, Shannon. 2021 Theories That Inform Classroom Environments. 14 Jan. 2021,
kennesaw.view.usg.edu/d2l/le/content/2204778/viewContent/33972447/View.

“Chapter 8, Page 50.” The Year of Miss Agnes, by Kirkpatrick Hill, Margret K Elderberry
Books, 2000.

“Chapter 8, Page 53.” The Year of Miss Agnes, by Kirkpatrick Hill, Margret K Elderberry
Books, 2000.

“Chapter 15, Page 95.” The Year of Miss Agnes, by Kirkpatrick Hill, Margret K Elderberry
Books, 2000.

“Chapter 14, Page 91.” The Year of Miss Agnes, by Kirkpatrick Hill, Margret K Elderberry
Books, 2000.