For my second random blog, i have been wanting to post about the worksheet incident that happened in class a few days ago. When i recieved the worksheet, i of course thought that it was definitely something different, but i didnt think to not do it. After we finished the worksheet i found the discussion very interesting. The majority of the class did not like sitting there doing the worksheet on the Oakes reading. Only myself and a handful of other students didnt mind doing the worksheet because we found it as a an organizing activity. However, when Dr. bogad explained why we were doing the activity, everything became much more clear. It was showing us what type of teachers that we shouldnt be. The majority of students do not like sitting there doing handouts because they feel like they arent learning and that it is busy work. Dr. Bogad showed us how much more we lean by doing group work and interacting with other students and sharing all of our ideas with one another. Doing a worksheet does not give you the same interaction and experience. A worksheet once in a while is okay to be used as practice material. I now realize that worksheets are not the best way to teach or learn something new.
After this happened in class, during my service learning project the next week, i automatically reflected back on the whole worksheet idea. The teacher was passing out worksheets to the students as soon as they walked through the dorr. The class is always rowdy and never wants to do their work; but now i can see what part of the problem is. They are constantly doing worksheets everyyyyy single time i am there. They have a few worksheets to do then usually one or two workbook pages. no wonder why the students cannot focus and do not want to do their work. They have to sit there every class and just do independant work immediately after they are taught a new lesson. Giving students worksheets everyday are not very beneficial. The worksheet incident in class and then seeing it first hand at my service learning project definitely have been great examples. These examples show me some different strategies and outlooks and what type of teacher i want to be.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Talking Point 10
Education in Politics
By: Ira Shor
1. "A curriculum that does not challenge the standard syllabus and conditions in society informs the students that knowledge and the world are fixed and fine the way they are with, no role for students to play in transforming them, or no need for change."
-I really liked that quote and i found it very true. If students are not challenged then they believe that the world and schools are okay the way they are; when they are really not. There is always room for improvement in the curriculums and students should be aware of that and encouraged to change society.
2. "Participation is the most important place to begin because student involvement is low in traditional classrooms and because action is essential to gain knowledge and develop intelligence."
-I find this quote to definitely be true. I think participation is very important in a class and helps to understand the topics that are being discussed in class. I agree with this quote so much because i am experience the importance of participating in this fned class.
3. "While a participatory classroom cannot transform society by itself, it can offer students a critical education of high quality, an experience of democratic learning, and positive feelsing towards intellectual life."
-I thought this statement was powerful. It shows how participation and class discussions can really impact a student.
I thought this article was a good one to read. I liked the beginning when the author was talking about students and the syllabus; and whether students take part in the form of the syllabus or not. I find it helpful to see what the goals of a class are and how the class is going to work out. It is good to look forward to some events and assignments in class. I feel that the syllabus of a class is inportant and something that all students take consider to pay attention to in order to gain knowledge from the class. Another part of the article that i enjoyed was all of the questions that were asked. I liked reading a few of the questions at a time and then going back and answering them to myself. i thought it was interesting to answer the questions and then relating them back to my personal experience in school. I also liked the section where they talked about participating in class. This is the first class i have really been involved with when it comes to speaking out loud a lot during class. My other classes have never really had a rule when there was a requirement to talk during every class. At first i thought it was going to be a horrible semester because of the participation points and now it really doesnt even bother me at all! I thought this piece was important to read considering that i will be a future. It gave a lot of questions for me to consider and some outlooks on helping me become the best teacher that i can be.
By: Ira Shor
1. "A curriculum that does not challenge the standard syllabus and conditions in society informs the students that knowledge and the world are fixed and fine the way they are with, no role for students to play in transforming them, or no need for change."
-I really liked that quote and i found it very true. If students are not challenged then they believe that the world and schools are okay the way they are; when they are really not. There is always room for improvement in the curriculums and students should be aware of that and encouraged to change society.
2. "Participation is the most important place to begin because student involvement is low in traditional classrooms and because action is essential to gain knowledge and develop intelligence."
-I find this quote to definitely be true. I think participation is very important in a class and helps to understand the topics that are being discussed in class. I agree with this quote so much because i am experience the importance of participating in this fned class.
3. "While a participatory classroom cannot transform society by itself, it can offer students a critical education of high quality, an experience of democratic learning, and positive feelsing towards intellectual life."
-I thought this statement was powerful. It shows how participation and class discussions can really impact a student.
I thought this article was a good one to read. I liked the beginning when the author was talking about students and the syllabus; and whether students take part in the form of the syllabus or not. I find it helpful to see what the goals of a class are and how the class is going to work out. It is good to look forward to some events and assignments in class. I feel that the syllabus of a class is inportant and something that all students take consider to pay attention to in order to gain knowledge from the class. Another part of the article that i enjoyed was all of the questions that were asked. I liked reading a few of the questions at a time and then going back and answering them to myself. i thought it was interesting to answer the questions and then relating them back to my personal experience in school. I also liked the section where they talked about participating in class. This is the first class i have really been involved with when it comes to speaking out loud a lot during class. My other classes have never really had a rule when there was a requirement to talk during every class. At first i thought it was going to be a horrible semester because of the participation points and now it really doesnt even bother me at all! I thought this piece was important to read considering that i will be a future. It gave a lot of questions for me to consider and some outlooks on helping me become the best teacher that i can be.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Talking Point 9
"Citizenship in School: Reconceptualizing Down Syndrome"
By Christopher Kliewer
1. " It's not like they come here to be labeled, or to believe the label. We're all here-kids,teachers, parents, whoever-it's about all of us working together, playing together, being together, and that's what learning is. Don't tell me any of these kids are being set up to fail."
-This quote was by a teacher (named Shayne) and i agree with what she is saying. I think she means that students do not come to school to be labeled, they come to learn. If students are labeled something, it is more of a distraction and the label, if it is a "bad" label, then it is pretty much setting up the student to fail; just because of a name that is given to them.
2. "Acknowledging students with down syndrome as thoughtful, creative, and interested learners with personal identities that distinguish them from all other people suggests an individual value that enhances any context containing the child."
- I think that the adjectives used to describe children with down syndrome are positive and also encouraging. Down syndrome learners should not be looked at as less able; treat these students the same so that way they can feel valued like the other students in class do too.
3. "To eliminate a single person through any form of banishment, no matter how benevolent the logic, reduces the web and makes the community a less democratic and less rich place.
-This quote is pretty self-explanatory but i really liked it. Eliminating and discriminating against anyone is wrong, and i think the result of the elimination does cause the community and also the classroom to be less of a place in general.
I thought that this article was a little long and had some boring parts to it. On the other hand, some of the stories in the piece were so interesting to read and i really enjoyed them. I found all of the stories about each of the children very amazing. i have never really met anyone with down syndrome, so my own thoughts were that, when it comes to schooling, students with down syndrome were either home schooled or put in a separate classroom with other disabled students. I was totally wrong. It was definitely interesting to read about these students that were put in classrooms with learners without a disability. I really never even knew that classrooms did such a thing. one example of a story that i found so amazing was about a girl named Christine. she had gone through segregated schooling until age 14. when she entered a public high school, the isolation was over and she was put in a "normal" class. although Christine started out with low level cognitive skills, low levels of communication, and over all, all other low-leveled skills, she had a total 360 as her high school career progressed. christines skills approved in all areas, which i found so astonishing. as i was reading this article i felt so happy for all of her accomplishments. this reading was definitely an eye-opener. I think that now-after reading this, it is just as important to not have children with disabilities isolated when it comes to their education. this message is just another example showing that isolation isnt right...not only when it comes to cultures and languages; but when it comes to students with disabilities as well.
By Christopher Kliewer
1. " It's not like they come here to be labeled, or to believe the label. We're all here-kids,teachers, parents, whoever-it's about all of us working together, playing together, being together, and that's what learning is. Don't tell me any of these kids are being set up to fail."
-This quote was by a teacher (named Shayne) and i agree with what she is saying. I think she means that students do not come to school to be labeled, they come to learn. If students are labeled something, it is more of a distraction and the label, if it is a "bad" label, then it is pretty much setting up the student to fail; just because of a name that is given to them.
2. "Acknowledging students with down syndrome as thoughtful, creative, and interested learners with personal identities that distinguish them from all other people suggests an individual value that enhances any context containing the child."
- I think that the adjectives used to describe children with down syndrome are positive and also encouraging. Down syndrome learners should not be looked at as less able; treat these students the same so that way they can feel valued like the other students in class do too.
3. "To eliminate a single person through any form of banishment, no matter how benevolent the logic, reduces the web and makes the community a less democratic and less rich place.
-This quote is pretty self-explanatory but i really liked it. Eliminating and discriminating against anyone is wrong, and i think the result of the elimination does cause the community and also the classroom to be less of a place in general.
I thought that this article was a little long and had some boring parts to it. On the other hand, some of the stories in the piece were so interesting to read and i really enjoyed them. I found all of the stories about each of the children very amazing. i have never really met anyone with down syndrome, so my own thoughts were that, when it comes to schooling, students with down syndrome were either home schooled or put in a separate classroom with other disabled students. I was totally wrong. It was definitely interesting to read about these students that were put in classrooms with learners without a disability. I really never even knew that classrooms did such a thing. one example of a story that i found so amazing was about a girl named Christine. she had gone through segregated schooling until age 14. when she entered a public high school, the isolation was over and she was put in a "normal" class. although Christine started out with low level cognitive skills, low levels of communication, and over all, all other low-leveled skills, she had a total 360 as her high school career progressed. christines skills approved in all areas, which i found so astonishing. as i was reading this article i felt so happy for all of her accomplishments. this reading was definitely an eye-opener. I think that now-after reading this, it is just as important to not have children with disabilities isolated when it comes to their education. this message is just another example showing that isolation isnt right...not only when it comes to cultures and languages; but when it comes to students with disabilities as well.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Talking Point 8
Jean Anyon- "Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Schooling"
1. "(In working class schools) The teachers rarely explain why the work is being assigned, how it might be connected to other assignments, or what the idea is that lies behind the procedure or gives it coherence and perhaps meaning or significance."
-I think it is a shame and unfair that students are not given the connection to other assignments in the past or even a meaning or significance of the assignment. I know that when i know the purpose of the assignment i am much more interesting in working it through. Just because the teachers work in a working class school should not determine how they state purposes of assignments and make connections.
2. "While the teachers spend a lot of time on explaining and expanding on what the textbooks say, there is little attempt on how or why things happen, or to give thought on how pieces of a culture, or say, how a system of numbers or elements of a language fit together or can be analyzed."
-I think that teaching should go beyond the lessons and learnings of a textbook. The most important question is WHY something would happen and if teachers are giving little attempts on answering the "why" questions in middle class schooling, then i feel that they arent learning subjects to the fullest extent of which they can be taught.
3. "(In the executive elite schools) A primary goal of thought is to conceptualize rules by which elements may fit together in systems and then apply these rules in solving a problem. Schoolwork helps to acheive, to excel, to prepare for life."
-I find this quote important; especially the second sentence. I think that no matter what social class a school is located in, the goal of school work should be exactly as the quote states; to help achieve, excel and prepare for life. School work should be enriching for all students no matter what social class they are in.
I found it very interesting to read about how teachers teach and the creativity factors that are included at each school. It seems like at the working class and the middle class schools, the students dont seem like they are asked as much as students in the higher social classes. I feel this is wrong. Just because someone lives in a lower income neighborhood doesnt mean that they should be taught at such different extermes as the students that live in high class areas. I also noticed that in the elite schooling, students are asked to explain their answers in great detail and they seem very challenged. On the other hand, the working class students seem to get some answers handed to them; which means they really are not learning what they need to be. Why cant lower income students be challenged too? I think the students should be challenged starting in the first grade; so that by the time that they get to high school, they will know what will be expected from them. I can relate this to the students that i work with from the service learning project. These students come from lower income areas and i can tell by the lessons and tons of worksheets that they are receiving each class that they were not challenged at a young age. These students are in eighth grade and they have no motivation in class, nor are they discussing problems in class. This doesnt help their learning process of the new material that they are being taught.
I really thought this article was eye opening and the differences between the schools and classes are easily visible. I really didnt think that the differences would be that apparent, but after reading the article, the examples of the same types of lessons are taught so differently amongst the classes. I am looking forward to class to discuss the schools and social classes on Monday.
1. "(In working class schools) The teachers rarely explain why the work is being assigned, how it might be connected to other assignments, or what the idea is that lies behind the procedure or gives it coherence and perhaps meaning or significance."
-I think it is a shame and unfair that students are not given the connection to other assignments in the past or even a meaning or significance of the assignment. I know that when i know the purpose of the assignment i am much more interesting in working it through. Just because the teachers work in a working class school should not determine how they state purposes of assignments and make connections.
2. "While the teachers spend a lot of time on explaining and expanding on what the textbooks say, there is little attempt on how or why things happen, or to give thought on how pieces of a culture, or say, how a system of numbers or elements of a language fit together or can be analyzed."
-I think that teaching should go beyond the lessons and learnings of a textbook. The most important question is WHY something would happen and if teachers are giving little attempts on answering the "why" questions in middle class schooling, then i feel that they arent learning subjects to the fullest extent of which they can be taught.
3. "(In the executive elite schools) A primary goal of thought is to conceptualize rules by which elements may fit together in systems and then apply these rules in solving a problem. Schoolwork helps to acheive, to excel, to prepare for life."
-I find this quote important; especially the second sentence. I think that no matter what social class a school is located in, the goal of school work should be exactly as the quote states; to help achieve, excel and prepare for life. School work should be enriching for all students no matter what social class they are in.
I found it very interesting to read about how teachers teach and the creativity factors that are included at each school. It seems like at the working class and the middle class schools, the students dont seem like they are asked as much as students in the higher social classes. I feel this is wrong. Just because someone lives in a lower income neighborhood doesnt mean that they should be taught at such different extermes as the students that live in high class areas. I also noticed that in the elite schooling, students are asked to explain their answers in great detail and they seem very challenged. On the other hand, the working class students seem to get some answers handed to them; which means they really are not learning what they need to be. Why cant lower income students be challenged too? I think the students should be challenged starting in the first grade; so that by the time that they get to high school, they will know what will be expected from them. I can relate this to the students that i work with from the service learning project. These students come from lower income areas and i can tell by the lessons and tons of worksheets that they are receiving each class that they were not challenged at a young age. These students are in eighth grade and they have no motivation in class, nor are they discussing problems in class. This doesnt help their learning process of the new material that they are being taught.
I really thought this article was eye opening and the differences between the schools and classes are easily visible. I really didnt think that the differences would be that apparent, but after reading the article, the examples of the same types of lessons are taught so differently amongst the classes. I am looking forward to class to discuss the schools and social classes on Monday.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Social Justice Event
I attended my Social Justice Event on April 7th which was a lecture by a man named Dr. Edmund Barry Gaither. The lecture was titled "Comtemporary Cultural Constructs." Dr. Gaither is very well known and is the director of NCAAA, which stands for National Center of Afro-American Artists. The lecture was by far not what i had expected. It had to do with the expression of human diversity and the arts. The focus was African American art and the strides that black people have had to overcome to get their art in museums. Dr. Gaither ( who is African american) was a greatspeaker, but he spoke so fast it was hard to catch and then remember some of the important highlights of the speech. His speech was broken up into four sections that posed a question at the beginning of each part. All four parts had to do with the struggles that black artists faced just because of the fact that they were black. I felt such shame during the speech because it was difficult to think that a piece of artwork could not be showecase simply because of someone with black skin.
I found connecting this event to three authors that we have discussed in class was difficult. The first author i chose was McIntosh. This connection had to do with white privilege. White's were privileged enough to have their artwork hung in museums and had the privilege to show off their talent in a public place without any problem at all. On the other hand, when black artists wanted to showcase their work, it was such a struggle. The white artists had, what we called in class, the invisible knapsack. The knapsack would include words such as advantaged, confidence, and power especially. Another aunthor that i chose to make a connection with would be Carlson. Although the lecture did not have anything to do with the subjects of issues with LGBTQ, Carlson's message is to break the invisibility, silence, and absense of LGBTQ students. This can be applyed when looking at the discrimination against Black's and their artwork. Dr. Gaither did not want black artists artwork to be invisible or kept silent from the public eye. He felt that black art should be included in all museums and be equal to white art. Dr. Gaither accomplished this message that he was trying to spread to people by speaking about the issue to people all over. The last author to make a connection with was a little difficult. I chose Delpit for a couple of different reasons. When i looked back to my notes, as a class, we made a list about what we thought Delpits article was all about. The words power, control, struggles, race, and conflict all stick out at me when i look at this list. These words all have to do with both the lecture by Dr. Gaither and the Delpit reading. I have already discussed struggles of black people because of their race, and the conflicts they faced when it came to showcasing their artwork. White people had all control in not only the arts, but the society as a whole.
I thought the lecture taught me something new and reinforced some old ideas that i already had. overall, it was an interesting lecture that gave great examples of problems that were faced by African American artists.
This website is a site that showed some black art that i found very beautiful and interesting to look at.
I found connecting this event to three authors that we have discussed in class was difficult. The first author i chose was McIntosh. This connection had to do with white privilege. White's were privileged enough to have their artwork hung in museums and had the privilege to show off their talent in a public place without any problem at all. On the other hand, when black artists wanted to showcase their work, it was such a struggle. The white artists had, what we called in class, the invisible knapsack. The knapsack would include words such as advantaged, confidence, and power especially. Another aunthor that i chose to make a connection with would be Carlson. Although the lecture did not have anything to do with the subjects of issues with LGBTQ, Carlson's message is to break the invisibility, silence, and absense of LGBTQ students. This can be applyed when looking at the discrimination against Black's and their artwork. Dr. Gaither did not want black artists artwork to be invisible or kept silent from the public eye. He felt that black art should be included in all museums and be equal to white art. Dr. Gaither accomplished this message that he was trying to spread to people by speaking about the issue to people all over. The last author to make a connection with was a little difficult. I chose Delpit for a couple of different reasons. When i looked back to my notes, as a class, we made a list about what we thought Delpits article was all about. The words power, control, struggles, race, and conflict all stick out at me when i look at this list. These words all have to do with both the lecture by Dr. Gaither and the Delpit reading. I have already discussed struggles of black people because of their race, and the conflicts they faced when it came to showcasing their artwork. White people had all control in not only the arts, but the society as a whole.
I thought the lecture taught me something new and reinforced some old ideas that i already had. overall, it was an interesting lecture that gave great examples of problems that were faced by African American artists.
This website is a site that showed some black art that i found very beautiful and interesting to look at.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Talking Point 7
Gender and Education Research
While researching gender and education for the year 2010, there was not too much information regarding the subject. A lot of the info was not recent. However, while reading over this particular website about gender gap and colleges, i was not surprised with the statistics. It was reported that in 2010 and past years, that the college split between women and men is 57% to 43%. Last semester i took a class on gender inequality and although many subjects have to do with favoring men, in this case, women have a higher percentage. There are more women in college than men. When it comes to college graduation, women also have the higher stats, and i would assume this would also be true for high school graduation as well. There was a lot of the same information about the college gap and little focus on early education.
When it comes to boys and girls in education, the two genders have always been stereotyped. Boys are favored towards science and math, while girls tend towards english and history. This website, MSNBC, shows the myths about girls when it comes to math and science. To summarize, 5 myths are given about girls saying that when it comes to boys liking science and math, there are just as many girls too. another myth that is stated says that girls are less interested in science in elementary school, which is not true.
This UNICEF website shows many graphs comparing the gender gap in the different continents. The wensite concentrates on gender equity and empowerment of women in education.
While researching gender and education for the year 2010, there was not too much information regarding the subject. A lot of the info was not recent. However, while reading over this particular website about gender gap and colleges, i was not surprised with the statistics. It was reported that in 2010 and past years, that the college split between women and men is 57% to 43%. Last semester i took a class on gender inequality and although many subjects have to do with favoring men, in this case, women have a higher percentage. There are more women in college than men. When it comes to college graduation, women also have the higher stats, and i would assume this would also be true for high school graduation as well. There was a lot of the same information about the college gap and little focus on early education.
When it comes to boys and girls in education, the two genders have always been stereotyped. Boys are favored towards science and math, while girls tend towards english and history. This website, MSNBC, shows the myths about girls when it comes to math and science. To summarize, 5 myths are given about girls saying that when it comes to boys liking science and math, there are just as many girls too. another myth that is stated says that girls are less interested in science in elementary school, which is not true.
This UNICEF website shows many graphs comparing the gender gap in the different continents. The wensite concentrates on gender equity and empowerment of women in education.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Talking Point 6
"Between Barack and a Hard Place"
Author--Tim Wise
Watching a video and then writing a blog after it was something i thought i would like. However, i now realize that i would much rather have the reading material right in front of me for easier access. This video blog really wasnt for me. However, the topic of Tim wise's interview was interesting. It had to do with racism in our country and the topic of Obama becoming the first black president is discussed. Wise says that racism 1.0 which he describes as the kind of racism that everyone has; the "overt, biased opinion." In the case of Obama becoming president he says that racism 1.0 has been defeated but that he unsure that this would happen every time in America. Wise then describes racism 2.0, which i find interesting. It is the hope that people will support and accept our black president. Wise explains that white folks can live a double standard and not be critized for being a buffoon. however, colored people have not been able to live this double standard like white people have been able to. Bottom line is that Wise doesnt think that America has come all that far in racial segregation. Some people still do not view white and black people as equal, which is a total shame.
When it comes to the Brown vs. Board of education case, i think that Wise would agree that maybe we havent actually come all that far since the case. The case and Wise's interview on racism have very similar points. The 1954 case ended segregation in schools, which was of course a big deal. However, the line on the website that really stuck out was the quote "separate, but not equal." This quotes shows that colored and white people are still not looked at as equal in the united states. Wise also agrees. He thinks that people have not looked at colored and whites as equal, but Obama becoming president is a step in the right direction; yet everything takes a lot of time. Wise believes that the Brown case was huge step in the right direction over 50 years ago, but even now there is still a long way to go; even after electing a black president.
It was shocking to hear Wise explain that back in the 1960's 2 out of 3 white folks would say that blacks were treated equally back then, while now if you ask white folks they would definitely admit to the harsh racism that colored people have had to endure. although it hink that the separation has been dimished a little, i also agree with Wise that we have a long way to go; still even in the year 2010. Some of the assumptions and beliefs that people had about colored people back in the 1900's are still percienved today in the 2000's. i think that the stereotypes will still unfortunately exist for a long time to come; which is such a shame.
Author--Tim Wise
Watching a video and then writing a blog after it was something i thought i would like. However, i now realize that i would much rather have the reading material right in front of me for easier access. This video blog really wasnt for me. However, the topic of Tim wise's interview was interesting. It had to do with racism in our country and the topic of Obama becoming the first black president is discussed. Wise says that racism 1.0 which he describes as the kind of racism that everyone has; the "overt, biased opinion." In the case of Obama becoming president he says that racism 1.0 has been defeated but that he unsure that this would happen every time in America. Wise then describes racism 2.0, which i find interesting. It is the hope that people will support and accept our black president. Wise explains that white folks can live a double standard and not be critized for being a buffoon. however, colored people have not been able to live this double standard like white people have been able to. Bottom line is that Wise doesnt think that America has come all that far in racial segregation. Some people still do not view white and black people as equal, which is a total shame.
When it comes to the Brown vs. Board of education case, i think that Wise would agree that maybe we havent actually come all that far since the case. The case and Wise's interview on racism have very similar points. The 1954 case ended segregation in schools, which was of course a big deal. However, the line on the website that really stuck out was the quote "separate, but not equal." This quotes shows that colored and white people are still not looked at as equal in the united states. Wise also agrees. He thinks that people have not looked at colored and whites as equal, but Obama becoming president is a step in the right direction; yet everything takes a lot of time. Wise believes that the Brown case was huge step in the right direction over 50 years ago, but even now there is still a long way to go; even after electing a black president.
It was shocking to hear Wise explain that back in the 1960's 2 out of 3 white folks would say that blacks were treated equally back then, while now if you ask white folks they would definitely admit to the harsh racism that colored people have had to endure. although it hink that the separation has been dimished a little, i also agree with Wise that we have a long way to go; still even in the year 2010. Some of the assumptions and beliefs that people had about colored people back in the 1900's are still percienved today in the 2000's. i think that the stereotypes will still unfortunately exist for a long time to come; which is such a shame.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Talking Point 5
"In Service of What? The Politics of Service Learning"
By: Joseph Kahne and Joel Westheimer
1. "-students will have opportunities to experience what David hornbeck, former Maryland state superintendent, referred to as 'the joy of reaching out to others.'"
-I feel this quote is important because this is exactly how i feel after i leave my school each week. I am extremely joyed when i leave my students that i am helping because i feel that i am really helping the students and that they are excited to see me in class."
2. "In many service learning projects the emphasis is on giving and on countering the narcissism that is believed to be so prevalent among young people and in the society generally."
-I also liked this quote. At Service Learning projects that people take up, they focus on themselves rather than other people around them. People lose focus of what the project is all about and will simply concentrate on themselves.
3. "Rather than assume, erroneously, that all educators share the same vision, we think it is better to be explicit about the numerous and different visions that drive the creation and implementation of service learning activities in schools."
-different visions are much more important to assume rather than just assuming all of the same ones. Service learning is about everyones different visions and aslo sharing them so people can learn as well.
This article was interesting to read considering that i am currently participating in a service learning project. I liked many points that Kahne and Westheimer brought up. thoughout the reading, the idea of charity and change came up a lot. i think that charity automatically comes with every service learning project because you are taking the time to work and help other people who need it. on the other hand, change may not, but i believe should, occur during a time of someones service learning. i think that if you change as a person during the project, then the project has done its job and should considered worthwhile of someones time. For example, my service learning project is definitely considered charity and better yet is including change as well. i am learning so much at my school and it is changing my attitude and views on the students that may have some tough times at home for whatever reason it may be. This is similar to the second case that the authors talking about. however not only has my attitude changed about the students i am tutoring, but being in the diverse classroom is also such a great experience and place to be in.
I do think that all high schools shuld take part in service learning projects. For some students, this would be no problem; but i think that for many it would be a challenging, yet rewarding task. I didnt know, but learned from the article, that some schools do mandate community service projects to graduate. i think this is a great idea as long as the students dont choose a project that would be considered "busy work." Maybe assigning the projects would be a better idea. This website gives some ideas and talks about service learning projects depending on the subjects.
I liked this article because i feel that as a future teacher, service learning will be and has been so far a great "learning" experience to help me become a good and successfuk teacher. This reading was an eye-opener and reassured some of the reasons why students should take up a service learning project and what students should get out of the whole experience.
By: Joseph Kahne and Joel Westheimer
1. "-students will have opportunities to experience what David hornbeck, former Maryland state superintendent, referred to as 'the joy of reaching out to others.'"
-I feel this quote is important because this is exactly how i feel after i leave my school each week. I am extremely joyed when i leave my students that i am helping because i feel that i am really helping the students and that they are excited to see me in class."
2. "In many service learning projects the emphasis is on giving and on countering the narcissism that is believed to be so prevalent among young people and in the society generally."
-I also liked this quote. At Service Learning projects that people take up, they focus on themselves rather than other people around them. People lose focus of what the project is all about and will simply concentrate on themselves.
3. "Rather than assume, erroneously, that all educators share the same vision, we think it is better to be explicit about the numerous and different visions that drive the creation and implementation of service learning activities in schools."
-different visions are much more important to assume rather than just assuming all of the same ones. Service learning is about everyones different visions and aslo sharing them so people can learn as well.
This article was interesting to read considering that i am currently participating in a service learning project. I liked many points that Kahne and Westheimer brought up. thoughout the reading, the idea of charity and change came up a lot. i think that charity automatically comes with every service learning project because you are taking the time to work and help other people who need it. on the other hand, change may not, but i believe should, occur during a time of someones service learning. i think that if you change as a person during the project, then the project has done its job and should considered worthwhile of someones time. For example, my service learning project is definitely considered charity and better yet is including change as well. i am learning so much at my school and it is changing my attitude and views on the students that may have some tough times at home for whatever reason it may be. This is similar to the second case that the authors talking about. however not only has my attitude changed about the students i am tutoring, but being in the diverse classroom is also such a great experience and place to be in.
I do think that all high schools shuld take part in service learning projects. For some students, this would be no problem; but i think that for many it would be a challenging, yet rewarding task. I didnt know, but learned from the article, that some schools do mandate community service projects to graduate. i think this is a great idea as long as the students dont choose a project that would be considered "busy work." Maybe assigning the projects would be a better idea. This website gives some ideas and talks about service learning projects depending on the subjects.
I liked this article because i feel that as a future teacher, service learning will be and has been so far a great "learning" experience to help me become a good and successfuk teacher. This reading was an eye-opener and reassured some of the reasons why students should take up a service learning project and what students should get out of the whole experience.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Talking Point 4
"Underlearning the Myths that Bind Us"
By: Linda Christensen
1. "We are not only taught certain styles of violence, the latest fashions, and sex roles by Tv, movies, magazines, and comic strips; we are also taught how to succeed, how to love, how to buy, how to conquer, how to forget the past and suppress the future. We are taught, more than anything else not to rebel."
-This was in an essay that a student wrote. It is not often that we think of how we learn things and where they come from. a large part of what we learn does come from the media and they are teaching children all the wrong ways of success and happiness.
2. "Then the students start to notice patterns-like the absense of female characters in many of the older cartoons. When women do appear, they look like Jessica Rabbit or Playboy centerfolds..."
-This shows that women were and sometimes are only portrayed as sex objects in the media. This portrayal of women gives children the idea that women are used just to "look pretty" and other than that are useless in society. This link has to do with women and gender sterotypes in disney movies...
3." Kenneth noticed that the people of color and poor people are either absent or servants to the rich, white, pretty people."
-When i think back to movies or cartoons, from what i can remember, this is totally true. Cartoons and most movies make white people the rich and live fabolous lifestyles, when they discriminate agaisnt people of color, making them servants and economically unstable. This is not right and total discrimination against any people of color.
this was one of my favorite articles to read thus far. The media is so percise with how it goes about including discrimination on TV, in magazines, and movies as well. Just as the students in the response went back and watched cartoons, i would find it fascinating to do the same and review the cartoons that children are watching. These cartoons are putting ideas in these childrens heads that white people are above everyone else in society. not only that, they are also discriminating against women, people of color, obese people, and other cultures. when parents think that their kids are just being entertained about a simple and silly cartoon, they really dont even know the message that these cartoons are giving their kids. these children are learning that overweight people are considered "buffoons", white, pretty people get the furthest in life and make a lot of money, that being "ugly" will get you no where in life, happiness meaning having nice things and a lot of money, and that women are object and worth nothing more than a pretty picture in a magazine. This is not what cartoons should be embedding in childrens heads. As Christensen says, this ebedding becomes accepted knowledge which is so wrong.
By: Linda Christensen
1. "We are not only taught certain styles of violence, the latest fashions, and sex roles by Tv, movies, magazines, and comic strips; we are also taught how to succeed, how to love, how to buy, how to conquer, how to forget the past and suppress the future. We are taught, more than anything else not to rebel."
-This was in an essay that a student wrote. It is not often that we think of how we learn things and where they come from. a large part of what we learn does come from the media and they are teaching children all the wrong ways of success and happiness.
2. "Then the students start to notice patterns-like the absense of female characters in many of the older cartoons. When women do appear, they look like Jessica Rabbit or Playboy centerfolds..."
-This shows that women were and sometimes are only portrayed as sex objects in the media. This portrayal of women gives children the idea that women are used just to "look pretty" and other than that are useless in society. This link has to do with women and gender sterotypes in disney movies...
3." Kenneth noticed that the people of color and poor people are either absent or servants to the rich, white, pretty people."
-When i think back to movies or cartoons, from what i can remember, this is totally true. Cartoons and most movies make white people the rich and live fabolous lifestyles, when they discriminate agaisnt people of color, making them servants and economically unstable. This is not right and total discrimination against any people of color.
this was one of my favorite articles to read thus far. The media is so percise with how it goes about including discrimination on TV, in magazines, and movies as well. Just as the students in the response went back and watched cartoons, i would find it fascinating to do the same and review the cartoons that children are watching. These cartoons are putting ideas in these childrens heads that white people are above everyone else in society. not only that, they are also discriminating against women, people of color, obese people, and other cultures. when parents think that their kids are just being entertained about a simple and silly cartoon, they really dont even know the message that these cartoons are giving their kids. these children are learning that overweight people are considered "buffoons", white, pretty people get the furthest in life and make a lot of money, that being "ugly" will get you no where in life, happiness meaning having nice things and a lot of money, and that women are object and worth nothing more than a pretty picture in a magazine. This is not what cartoons should be embedding in childrens heads. As Christensen says, this ebedding becomes accepted knowledge which is so wrong.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Random Post 1
i figured i would write a random post besides the regular talking points. so im pretty much gonna talk about a few random things!!-well im taking the ppst in 2 weeks and i am kind of nervous! hopefully i am well enough prepared and do not have to take any of the parts over again! i am also taking the tech comp exam in a couple of weeks as well...i am not as nervous about that because it seems like, from what we have talked about in class, that it will not be that bad...as long as i review all of the components i should be fine! i am definitely looking forward to spring break...but who isnt? haha...i have been enjoying my semester though...i do like my classes and this fned course has really opened my eyes...i really enjoy the class discussions and considering everyone elses opinions on important topics...well thats pretty much all i have to say so im gonna go heat up some pizza and watch some tv :) until next timeeeeee...
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Talking Point 3
"Gayness, Multicultural Education, and Community"
By: Dennis Carlson
1. "...gay people have for the most part been made absent, invisible, and silent within this community and at the same time represented as the deviant and pathological 'Other.'"
-i am upset that gays were referred to as the "others", as if they were not "normal people." however, i do not feel as if they are made absent, invisible, and silent anymore. maybe at the time of this article they were, but i feel that gays have definitely come a long way. on the other hand, i am sure that many lgbt people do still struggle with being silent and uncomfortable with who they are.
2. "...it is not estimated that one third of all adolescent suicide victims are gay, approximately one-quarter of all homeless youth in the United States are gay..."
-these stats are high and i was a little shocked and also disturbed when i read them. it is so upsetting that a possible 33 % of teens kill themselves simply because of being a gay person. also reading that 25% of homeless youth are gay, it makes me wonder why? are parents kicking their children out on the streets because of their chosen sexual orientation? if so, how awful!
3."If, in popular culture, being straight meant being "normal", that is, affirming bourgeois, traditional, repressive, monogamous, married sexuality, then being gay meant-by definition-the opposite."
-This quote reminds me of the of the first activities we did in class with SCWAAMP. i remember writing under sexual orientation that straight was considered the norm in our society. a gay person should be considered just as normal as a straight person is.
-i liked reading this article because all of the other articles have focused on race and education and this was a little different. focusing on lgbt was an interesting read, and i am anxious to see everyones different opinions, if any, in class tomorrow. although i did feel like some things were a little outdated, i did still like the reading. i feel like gays have come so far since this article was written with more success in coming out and marriage as well. i noticed that throughout the article "silence" was a huge idea. gays were silent and coming out was and is very difficult for them. other articles we have read have also concentrated with the idea of silence. In Delpit, the culture that knows the codes and rules of power do not teach them and are silent about what they are. it doesnt even occur to people with power and forces them to be silent almost a little unintentionally. also, in Rodriguez, he is silent about his first language and when to speak it. Publicly vs. Privately was a huge issue for him and i also think it is a huge issue for gay people as well. Being a public gay vs. a private gay is probably very difficult for a gay person. overall, i liked this article and enjoyed the easy read.
-i am upset that gays were referred to as the "others", as if they were not "normal people." however, i do not feel as if they are made absent, invisible, and silent anymore. maybe at the time of this article they were, but i feel that gays have definitely come a long way. on the other hand, i am sure that many lgbt people do still struggle with being silent and uncomfortable with who they are.
2. "...it is not estimated that one third of all adolescent suicide victims are gay, approximately one-quarter of all homeless youth in the United States are gay..."
-these stats are high and i was a little shocked and also disturbed when i read them. it is so upsetting that a possible 33 % of teens kill themselves simply because of being a gay person. also reading that 25% of homeless youth are gay, it makes me wonder why? are parents kicking their children out on the streets because of their chosen sexual orientation? if so, how awful!
3."If, in popular culture, being straight meant being "normal", that is, affirming bourgeois, traditional, repressive, monogamous, married sexuality, then being gay meant-by definition-the opposite."
-This quote reminds me of the of the first activities we did in class with SCWAAMP. i remember writing under sexual orientation that straight was considered the norm in our society. a gay person should be considered just as normal as a straight person is.
-i liked reading this article because all of the other articles have focused on race and education and this was a little different. focusing on lgbt was an interesting read, and i am anxious to see everyones different opinions, if any, in class tomorrow. although i did feel like some things were a little outdated, i did still like the reading. i feel like gays have come so far since this article was written with more success in coming out and marriage as well. i noticed that throughout the article "silence" was a huge idea. gays were silent and coming out was and is very difficult for them. other articles we have read have also concentrated with the idea of silence. In Delpit, the culture that knows the codes and rules of power do not teach them and are silent about what they are. it doesnt even occur to people with power and forces them to be silent almost a little unintentionally. also, in Rodriguez, he is silent about his first language and when to speak it. Publicly vs. Privately was a huge issue for him and i also think it is a huge issue for gay people as well. Being a public gay vs. a private gay is probably very difficult for a gay person. overall, i liked this article and enjoyed the easy read.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Talking Point 2
"Aria" by Richard Rodriguez
1. "Because I wrongly imagined that English was intrinsically a public language and Spanish an intrinsically a private one, I easily noted the difference between classroom language and the language at home."
-Richard speaks Spanish at home and he can see in school the dominant language is English; something he nor his parents are used to speaking. Richard is used to speaking Spanish privately at home. This shows the separation of language in the schools and at home. Schools shouldnt assume that all students can walk in and speaking perfect english anymore, but as a society everyone is very diverse.
2. "Without question, it would have pleased me to hear my teachers address me in Spanish when i entered the classroom. I would have felt much less afraid. I would have trusted them..."
-For Richard to feel welcome in his classroom, it would have been best for him to have a Spanish teacher to respond to him in his first language. However, this doesnt happen and it is sad that he has to feel afraid to enter the class room, which should be the most inviting atmosphere for a child to learn and feel comfortable in. It is even more sad that he is delayed in his speaking because he cannot speak English well.
3. "At last, seven years old, i came to believe what had been technically true since my birth: I was an American citizen."
-Wow. In order for Richard to fully believe that he was an American citizen, he felt that he needed to speak English well. I can see and understand why he would feel like this because the majority of Americans do speak english. On the other hand, as Richard says, he was an American all along and it seems like him learning the english language proved it to himself.
-I found the article very interesting to read. I was interested when Richard was talking about how his parents reacted to speaking english at home more. First off, everyone had much more confidence. While his mother was restless and a little anxious about using english at home, he father was a little bit more relaxed and also quiet about the situation. It seemed like it was a difficult situation for everyone when Richard was encouraged to speak more english at home as well as in school. His parents although they did speak much english, they expressed their feelings in more detail when they spoke in Spanish. Im sure that had to be a bit of an uncomfortable situation at times. i think that it is important for students to learn and know more than one language. however, if a student does learn a second language, the first known language should not be forgotten and still cherished. I know some friends that came into elementary school knowing only spanish, just like Richard. The reactions that my friends had to learning english were very similar to Richards; feeling more welcomed, not so afraid to speak anymore, and American.
I think that bilingual education is an important and benefitting subject in schools to address. A YouTube video that i found shows a school in which children, that have english as their first language, are learning spanish, chinese, and japanese. The mother who sends her children to the school states how it is such a success and enrichment in their learning. The children in the school are taught in a different language and learning about diverse cultures too, and not only the language. I think it is very interesting to see so definitely check the video out!
1. "Because I wrongly imagined that English was intrinsically a public language and Spanish an intrinsically a private one, I easily noted the difference between classroom language and the language at home."
-Richard speaks Spanish at home and he can see in school the dominant language is English; something he nor his parents are used to speaking. Richard is used to speaking Spanish privately at home. This shows the separation of language in the schools and at home. Schools shouldnt assume that all students can walk in and speaking perfect english anymore, but as a society everyone is very diverse.
2. "Without question, it would have pleased me to hear my teachers address me in Spanish when i entered the classroom. I would have felt much less afraid. I would have trusted them..."
-For Richard to feel welcome in his classroom, it would have been best for him to have a Spanish teacher to respond to him in his first language. However, this doesnt happen and it is sad that he has to feel afraid to enter the class room, which should be the most inviting atmosphere for a child to learn and feel comfortable in. It is even more sad that he is delayed in his speaking because he cannot speak English well.
3. "At last, seven years old, i came to believe what had been technically true since my birth: I was an American citizen."
-Wow. In order for Richard to fully believe that he was an American citizen, he felt that he needed to speak English well. I can see and understand why he would feel like this because the majority of Americans do speak english. On the other hand, as Richard says, he was an American all along and it seems like him learning the english language proved it to himself.
-I found the article very interesting to read. I was interested when Richard was talking about how his parents reacted to speaking english at home more. First off, everyone had much more confidence. While his mother was restless and a little anxious about using english at home, he father was a little bit more relaxed and also quiet about the situation. It seemed like it was a difficult situation for everyone when Richard was encouraged to speak more english at home as well as in school. His parents although they did speak much english, they expressed their feelings in more detail when they spoke in Spanish. Im sure that had to be a bit of an uncomfortable situation at times. i think that it is important for students to learn and know more than one language. however, if a student does learn a second language, the first known language should not be forgotten and still cherished. I know some friends that came into elementary school knowing only spanish, just like Richard. The reactions that my friends had to learning english were very similar to Richards; feeling more welcomed, not so afraid to speak anymore, and American.
I think that bilingual education is an important and benefitting subject in schools to address. A YouTube video that i found shows a school in which children, that have english as their first language, are learning spanish, chinese, and japanese. The mother who sends her children to the school states how it is such a success and enrichment in their learning. The children in the school are taught in a different language and learning about diverse cultures too, and not only the language. I think it is very interesting to see so definitely check the video out!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Talking Point 1
Amazing Grace
By: Jonathan Kozol
1. "Have you read about George Washington?"
"I dont even know the man," he says. (Cliffie)
-When Cliffe is asked to name heroes he named Michael Jackson and Oprah. What Kozol wanted Cliffie to refer to was some important historical figures; yet Cliffie first mentions black heroes. I think this shows that students in school were not so concentrated on imporant white figures and rather focused on the important black people in their culture.
2. "A nurse come once a month to take her temperature and check her heart and her blood pressure."
-The text is speaking of a woman named Alice Washington who had AIDS. Alice is extremely sick, but it is shocking that she is only visited by a nurse once a month. Many people in this area (South Bronx) are of extreme poverty and many are sick. Throughout the whole article, maybe people die of AIDS all the time, which again reflects on the poverty of the area. There are not enough nurses and doctors to help the sick patients.
3. "That's how it is. What can i say? she often asks."
-When Mrs. Washington is questioned about troubles in the neighborhood, she is often saddened as she gives an answer. While reading, you can tell that her tone is upsetting and quiet, and that she feels helpless in her city. Nothing good happens in her life and especially the neighborhood. Alice feels helpless and has come to the conclusion that she cannot change how it is. She knows there is nothing she can do about the violence, sickness, drugs, and poverty in the Bronx.
As i read this article i got very upset when Cliffie was talking about all of the violence in the streets. It is so sad that a young child has to live in this kind of an enviroment. He has seen death, shootings, guns, and drugs all at such a young age. I feel that because eh is growing up in such a violent and poor neighborhood, this could affect how he learns at school. It is crazy to think that this little boy has seen so much death for so many terrible reasons. Then, when Alice describes death, it seems to come out so easily because it is normal to her and the people in her community.
I thought this was an easy read, but the stories and situations were not easy to take in. They were disturbing. i am curious to know how the students do in school and wish that there were more statistics on that aspect. If i had to guess, i would think that their home lifes are so distraught that they would have some learning trouble. As Delpit thinks, since the students are most likely not learning enough about the culture of power at home, hopefully the teachers in teh school systems are helping the students and are understanding of some or most of the childrens troubled home lives.
By: Jonathan Kozol
1. "Have you read about George Washington?"
"I dont even know the man," he says. (Cliffie)
-When Cliffe is asked to name heroes he named Michael Jackson and Oprah. What Kozol wanted Cliffie to refer to was some important historical figures; yet Cliffie first mentions black heroes. I think this shows that students in school were not so concentrated on imporant white figures and rather focused on the important black people in their culture.
2. "A nurse come once a month to take her temperature and check her heart and her blood pressure."
-The text is speaking of a woman named Alice Washington who had AIDS. Alice is extremely sick, but it is shocking that she is only visited by a nurse once a month. Many people in this area (South Bronx) are of extreme poverty and many are sick. Throughout the whole article, maybe people die of AIDS all the time, which again reflects on the poverty of the area. There are not enough nurses and doctors to help the sick patients.
3. "That's how it is. What can i say? she often asks."
-When Mrs. Washington is questioned about troubles in the neighborhood, she is often saddened as she gives an answer. While reading, you can tell that her tone is upsetting and quiet, and that she feels helpless in her city. Nothing good happens in her life and especially the neighborhood. Alice feels helpless and has come to the conclusion that she cannot change how it is. She knows there is nothing she can do about the violence, sickness, drugs, and poverty in the Bronx.
As i read this article i got very upset when Cliffie was talking about all of the violence in the streets. It is so sad that a young child has to live in this kind of an enviroment. He has seen death, shootings, guns, and drugs all at such a young age. I feel that because eh is growing up in such a violent and poor neighborhood, this could affect how he learns at school. It is crazy to think that this little boy has seen so much death for so many terrible reasons. Then, when Alice describes death, it seems to come out so easily because it is normal to her and the people in her community.
I thought this was an easy read, but the stories and situations were not easy to take in. They were disturbing. i am curious to know how the students do in school and wish that there were more statistics on that aspect. If i had to guess, i would think that their home lifes are so distraught that they would have some learning trouble. As Delpit thinks, since the students are most likely not learning enough about the culture of power at home, hopefully the teachers in teh school systems are helping the students and are understanding of some or most of the childrens troubled home lives.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
First Entry!
well i am just trying out this blog thing for the first time...my name is Brittany & im 20 years old. I attend RIC as a secondary ed. major for math. I have loved math ever since elementary school...yupp i know kinda dorky haha! I bartend part time so that is pretty much what im not doing when im not busy at school or doing homework..other than that i love being with family & friends..hmm...i feel like this class is definitely going to be interesting and i am looking forward to it!...until next timeee :)
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