When explaining the text "The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl", the students raised a series of doubts and questions. They question whether the Cowherd is a thief because he stole the Weaver Girl's clothes;They consider it illegal for the Cowherd and Weaver Girl to take a bath;They wondered why the Weaver Girl would fall in love with someone like the Cowherd;Some parents even suggested that this text should be removed from the Chinese textbook. I was a little overwhelmed by this series of questions, but as a Chinese teacher, I think it is a sign of students' positive thinking, and it is also a good opportunity for them to identify and solve problems.
However, as a teacher, I am well aware of my responsibility to educate and guide. During the lesson, I explained the meaning of the text to the students and answered their questions. First of all, I explained to my classmates the background of the Cowherd, who was a hard-working child from a poor family and had a difficult life. The Weaver Girl chose to marry him, not because of his appearance or wealth, but because of his kindness and truthfulness. Second, I told the students that the text describes ancient myths and stories, and its values are different from those of modern times. Therefore, we should not judge the behavior of the ancients with modern eyes and laws, but should understand them in the context of history.
Some of the questions that the students were concerned about were related to whether the Cowherd's behavior was illegal. The students believe that it is wrong for the Cowherd to steal the Weaver Girl's clothes and peep at her bathing, and that this behavior should be considered illegal.
In response to the students' questions, I first affirmed their critical thinking and emphasized the importance of independent thinking. Then, let's find out together whether the behavior of the Cowherd constitutes an illegal act if it occurs in modern society. I cited to them article 238 of the Criminal Code, stating that it is illegal to illegally steal other people's property and to invade their privacy. From a legal point of view, Cowherd's actions are indeed suspected of theft and illegal detention. This was recognized by the students, who realized that the behavior of the Cowherd is not tolerated in modern society.
However, I also highlighted the difference between today's and ancient values. At that time, the behavior of the cowherd was regarded as an anomaly, revealing the particularity of the mythical story. Therefore, we cannot simply use modern thinking to explain the behavior of the ancients, but need to understand the cultural background and the lack of time behind it.
The students also questioned why the Cowherd attracted the Weaver Girl. They think that the Cowherd has neither culture nor good looks, how could the Weaver Girl fall in love with him?This issue sparked a brainstorming discussion.
I combined my own views with the interpretations of the ancients to give a multi-angle reflection. First of all, the Cowherd is a hard-working child, he has experienced many difficulties and setbacks, but he has never given up his yearning for a better life. This persistence and optimism made the Weaver Girl realize his value. Secondly, beauty is not only about appearance and wealth, but also about a person's soul and quality. Cowherd's kindness and truthfulness let the Weaver Girl see his excellent side. Finally, I told the students that this story is the imagination of the ancients for a better life, symbolizing dreams and hopes. Therefore, when reading this text, we should focus on its connotation and emotion, not just on the superficial details.
In addition to students' doubts, some parents suggested that "The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl" should be removed from the Chinese textbook, believing that it was too explicit and not suitable for young people. In this regard, I think that everyone's aesthetic standards for literary works are different, so it is impossible to generalize. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to guide students to think independently and learn to analyze and evaluate the connotation and meaning of literary works. The story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl has been passed down from generation to generation and has endured for a long time, precisely because of the people's yearning and pursuit of a better life it expresses. We should learn Xi kindness and courage in it, as well as the extraordinary imagination of the ancients.
In the face of students' doubts and parents' suggestions, I insisted on answering questions through thinking and discussion. In explaining the meaning of the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, I encourage students to think independently and understand the actions of the ancients in a historical context. At the same time, I also emphasize the diversity of aesthetics and the multi-dimensional interpretation of literary works. In the end, the students were satisfied with the class and felt that they had gained new inspiration and knowledge from their thinking and discussions.
I think it's valuable for students to question and think about this matter. Education is not only about imparting knowledge, but also about cultivating students' ability to think critically and independently. By answering students' questions, we can guide them to better understand literary works and develop their critical thinking skills.
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