Are you smarter than a first grader?

As I read Gallas's book, I really just can't ignore the fact that these are first graders. Maybe I'm biased since I teach grades 7-12, but I really can't see the long-term merit of this "study." While I agree that verbalizing one's understanding of issues, particularly the math and sciences, can be very helpful for students of any age, I find that at this particular age, when the teacher can't structure the conversation, much of the dialogue is meaningless. I find it amazing that one of the students actually knew, somewhat, why leaves turned change color. Although, Eureka moments like that happen, I saw one last week in my 8th grade math class, I feel as though Gallas somewhat wants to depend on those kinds of occurrences, and they're just not that common, particularly with 1st graders!!!

I would, however, like to see this same activity done with older children. I think that many of the issues Gallas is trying to get at would be more prominent with older children. I think 7th and 8th graders have the same kinds of questions, and i think it is more productive for 12 and 13 year-olds to discuss science than 7 year-olds. When we talk about literacy in the science classroom, for example, I agree with Gallas that as a society, we should aim for all students to be proficient enough in the subject to hold their own in a basic scientific discussion. For example, if a student is in a physics course, I would expect them to be able to explain to me why some objects fall faster through the air than others, despite everything being affected by the same amount of gravity. I would expect to hear words like 'air resistance,' and for the child to understand what it means conceptually. I just think first grade is too young for this! And I'm really having trouble getting past that. I hope to talk about this issue further in class.