ABSTRACT
Erickson asserts the risk involved in teaching and learning. The consequences of failed teaching and learning interactions have effects at local and institutional levels for both teacher and child. Laura's impulse to identify Jay as emotionally impaired and/or learning disabled reflected the deficit or medical model approach to understanding low achievement and school failure. An additional demonstration of the social nature of learning and display of ability and disability at the level of social relationships involved not only Jay but the other identified children. Jay is very excited about the possibility of collecting his own insects and we return to Harry's office to discuss getting started. Harry helps Jay focus the microscope and then uses a sharp pair of tweezers to point out the different structures on the specimens while Jay peers through the microscope. Further, these contexts composing blues poetry, conducting an entomology investigation, and attending church were representative of his unique ontological history and interests.
