Empowering Education - Extended Comments

I am using Erica's Blog & Jessica's Blog for this week! I liked things from both of their blogs.

In Erica's Blog she had put "In "Empowering Education: Critical Teaching for Social Change" by Ira Shor argues that modern day education is too focused on drilling information into students brains and expecting them to memorize facts and data, instead of allowing children to make meaning of materials and act from reflection."  
-----I totally have to agree with this because I remember being in elementary school the teachers were always saying how they had to drill things and make us memorize things to move on to the next grade. I think it is great that they do it like this but i do not like it because there should be a better system of teaching and getting things in our brains a different way.


“The typical classroom is framed by the competition, marked by struggle between students (and often between teacher and students), and riddled by indicators of comparative achievement and worth. Star charts on the wall announce who has been successful at learning multiplication tables, only children with ‘neat’ handwriting have their papers posted for display” (Shor, p23-24). Jessica picked this quote. 
------For my journals I picked one of the topics which was what to look for in the classroom. Just like Jessica this quote fits perfect. I may go add in to my journal and use this quote. My teacher in my classroom at service learning uses a clip up clip down chart which is basically the same thing as a star chart. It helps the children know where they stand in the classroom and get very excited when they can "clip up". 


Jessica Says: "On page 43, Shor says, “Our role as teachers is to create a safe environment in which students can express opinions and, most importantly, generate their own language materials for learning and peer-teaching” (Shor, p.43). This single quote is full of connections. The first one being August’ “Safe Space” article. Shor says that as teachers we need to create a safe environment for students to come and learn and express themselves, as August explains through her example of LGBT in the classroom." 

-----I agree with this. Every classroom needs to have a safe environment. I have my last CEP 315 exam this week and while studying it was talking about having a good positive environment for your students. I found this to be very important and will take "safe spaces" article and use it in my classroom one day. Having a safe positive healthy environment for my students will be a big priority for me.

Citizenship in Schools ; Quotes

               

                 Reading Citizenship in schools: Schooling Children with Down Syndrome was very interesting to read. This was one of my favorite articles that we had to read so far. "Vygotsky found that the culture of segregation surrounding people with disabilities actually teaches underdevelopment of thinking through the isolation of children from socially valued opportunities. As described in more detail below, altering the culture of disability requires that a child be recognized as an active learner, a thinker, and a problem-solver, but this cannot occur apart from relationships that allow for such engagement."(p. 83)  I chose this quote because I can relate to this. He is basically saying how if you have a disability you are are not learning as much as the kids that do not have disabilities because if you do have a disability you are being taken out of your actually classroom to help with whatever you need help with. I know that when I was in elementary school and even middle school I was taken out of my class because I had a reading comprehension deficit. I absolutely hated being taken out. I felt like I was being judged.

                This brings me to my next quote which says, "How absurd to be judged by others at all, especially by those who have never experienced a disability or who are unwillingly providing us with support or who don't listen to the voices we have." (p. 72) Not so much in elementary school, but in middle school a lot of people made fun of the students that had disabilities and road the "mini busses" to school. August's Safe Spaces says that kids should feel safe at school and not worried that they are going to be bullied. I agree, no child should feel worried about going to school because they might get made fun of because of their disability. It was absolutely terrible to hear this because I always wondered if they made fun of me behind my back because I was being taken out once a day for different reasons. Nobody should feel this way especially kids who have down syndrome or even other types of disorders. 

                "A sense of reciprocity Or shared value exists in relationships in which individuals  including those with the most severe disabilities, are recognized as thinking, feeling, caring human beings with personalities all their own."(p. 88) A lot of students have disabilities, whether they are mild or extreme. I do not believe students should necessarily be characterized for this and be placed in other classrooms. I wish there could be another way to help a student with disabilities, I just don't know what. Having a disability is sad but it is a part of who you are. There is absolutely no shame involved. 
               
             When I was younger, I am not going to lie, I never judge a person with a disorder but I did think to myself, "they're weird,  or that stinks to be different", But I as grew older I understood more about the different types of disorders and actually realized that I wanted to help this children when I came home from Blessed Assurance. I worked with a little boy who had Down Syndrome who changed my perspective on thing. I still am thinking today that I want to work with down syndrome children. 

 

Literacy With an Attitude - Extended Comments

I first have to stay while being sick at home this reading took me forever to read. I had to keep re-reading it to understand what was going on. It did take me a little while to read. I am using Jessica Tenerella's blog this week to make some extended comments on. I did end up liking this reading. I could see all the connections it had with Delpit along with Rodriguez. I totally agree with jess when she was saying how Delpit would try and say you need to say the words or it will not get done when Finn had said the quote "But, in fact I was schooling these children, not to take charge of their lives... No opening for an argument"(Finn page 4) I think Delpit could have wrote this article. I think Delpit is very straightforward and stern. I believe she could help out in this particular situation.

Just like Jess, this piece also related to my service learning as well. In Jess's school the teachers use sarcastic tones with their students. This is how my teachers are as well. I am in a Kindergarten and 2nd grade classroom. I see it more with the 2nd grade teacher then the Kindergarten. I feel as though the teachers at the school I am at do not have the patience to help these kids. This is part of the reason is part of the reason why the students are the way they are. Part of it is because of there family. But I think if teachers had the patiences to help these students it would make a big difference.

Brown Vs. Board of Education

Brown Vs. Board of Education

"Now we are free. What do we want? We want education; we want protection; we want plenty of work; we want good pay for it, but not any more or less than any one else...and then you will see the down-trodden race rise up. "—John Adams, a former slave

It is very sad that White people basically overruled black people. In the 1870's people took away the black people's right to vote. When they were able to vote there was a poll tax so that they could keep most of the African Americans away from voting. This is so sad. This is why they say everyone is not equal. I believe this to be true. Race and politics were always a problem then.

"	We went every day about nine o’clock, with our books wrapped in paper to prevent the police or white persons from seeing them...After school we left the same way we entered, one by one, when we would go to the square about a block from school, and wait for each other. "
	—Susie King, who attended a secret school in Savannah, Georgia

When they were looking to help these children out with education it was difficult. "After the Civil War, southern states ultimately created a dual educational system based on race. These separate schools were anything but equal." Theses so sad to read because they had to hide themselves from going to school and coming home from school. So basically no student felt safe during this time. 



Listening to Tim Wise was interesting. I think he was right with everything he has said. Just because Obama, the first African American President is doing great with money and his life does not mean that other African Americans are doing great. Just like the 1800's it is the same how it is back then. All people are different. Just because you are a certain color does not necessarily define who you are. You can be who you want to be if you do the effort and change yourself. I do have to agree it is hard to find a job or become president if you are not White but Obama has done it so anyone can. 







I really enjoyed reading Bob Herbert's article. I enjoyed what he said about: 

"Studies have shown that it is not the race of the students that is significant, but rather the improved all-around environment of schools with better teachers, fewer classroom disruptions, pupils who are more engaged academically, parents who are more involved, and so on. The poorer students benefit from the more affluent environment. “It’s a much more effective way of closing the achievement gap,” said Mr. Kahlenberg." 

I believe this is true and correct. This is what we need for these students to make a difference in their lives.