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Troublemakers (#9)

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What does it mean to be a troublemaker? A troubled child who causes problems and needs to be controlled. A child who needs to learn to obey and follow the rules and elders. That is the norm that Shalaby questions. In the preface and introduction, she starts to open up the discussion. Shalaby argues that children who are labeled troublemakers are not what needs fixing, rather they are showing that something is wrong around them and that is what needs change. That can be in classrooms, different systems, home environment, and more. In my service learning I have seen certain students who are deemed troublemakers. I have also realized I too, have thought of a child as trouble. Student A is someone I have struggled in engaging and keeping her hands to herself and not distracting others. At one point I have had to ask her to leave the group table. After reading this I wonder what could I have done differently? What was student A trying to convey to me. Perhaps frustration, confusion, or the ...
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Literacy with an Attitude by Patrick J. Finn (#8)

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 "The United States has developed two kinds of education." says Patrick J. Finn. In these couple chapters he goes in depth as to how our society has changed education to especially keep the rich richer and the poor poorer. When reading this you come to realize where you have been placed in the astounding education system of the United States of American.  The author talks about empowering literacy and domesticating literacy. one that leads to leadership, power, influence, taking charge and another that leads to basic skill learning and taking orders and executing them.  When I reflect back to my experience, I acknowledge that I have experienced both types of teaching styles. In a charter school I had many projects and discussions and many different forms of practicing thinking and learning outside of the typical norm of sheets of paper. However, when I entered my public high school for Central Falls it was like I was relearning all of my middle school in a different way. ...
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Video + Khon Reading (#7)

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While reading Alfie Khon's view about what you should see in a classroom, I thought about my placement classrooms. When I watched video about Cultural Relevant Pedagogy, I instantly though how does that play a role into my placement classrooms. Khon talks about the furniture, the walls, and so much more. A couple things that stood out to me is that he says, " Possible ways to worry Chairs all facing forward (or even worse) in desk rows." this is something I agree with because I believe that kids should be able to talk to each other. Having tables in a group or facing each out creates community and shows trust between your students, helping them build a community with their peers. In my placement classroom I notice that the students are mostly separated. They have half circle tables facing the front of the classroom. I do notice that the teacher does not often give them "turn and talk" opportunities or time to engage with each other. I also notice that regardless...
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Delpit, The Silenced Dialogue #6

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The silenced dialogue by  Lisa Delpit talks about the codes of power. The codes of power and how that reflects into our classrooms. She mentions the frustrations behind it, who perspective is valued as the correct one, and what happens because of this. A couple quotes that stood out to me from this text (1) "want their children to be successful in the white man's world", (2)"Issues of power are enacted in classrooms." and (3)"Those with power are frequently least aware of—or least willing to acknowledge—its existence. Those with less power are often most aware of its existence." All three quotes are around the say topic yet have different aspects and feeling behind them.  In the first quote, I think about how parents look at the situation. I think about my mother. What she taught me and how she believed the code of power was. My mom often told me to not leave the house in pajamas. Not to leave the house until my hair was done and I looked presentable. ...
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The Academic and Social Value of Ethnic Studies #5

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 The Academic and Social Value of Ethnic Studies A Research Review by Christine E. Sleeter argues that ethnic studies should be incorporated into our students learning to better connect our students. When I read this article, I could not help but connect it to my own learning think back to when I was a student. It reminded me of learning about Christopher Columbus and how until only a couple of years ago, has the narrative changed even just a little bit. Since elementary school, I have heard of Christopher Columbus. “The great explorer who found this new land… He came and found this land” and so on and so forth. As a child you are not given the choice to look into different narratives. You are just told to sit and listen, and this is what happens. I believe Sleeter would call this “Bais's history” and in whose favor is this too? The mainstream look of “correct” as has been proved by our own history and society. This version of history resonates most with those in power. While elimi...
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Shifting for Deficient to Asset-Based Models #4

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Shannon Renkly and Katherine Bertolini are the authors to  Shifting the Paradigm from Deficit  Oriented Schools to Asset Based  Models: Why Leaders Need to  Promote an Asset Orientation in our  Schools . They argue the importance of switched techniques when teaching. “Positive development emphasizes strengths  over weaknesses, resilience over risk, and assets over deficits” This quote stood out to me the most because I personally tend to be gentler and look at the bright side of things. Not in a "sugar coating" sort of way but more of looking at the picture. Many times, in school a student can feel as though they are not good at something and lose interest or even momentum. The student would rather step away and push away because they do not want to be "bad" a something. In that case what learning happens? a student should know that it is okay if they're not quite yet there. All students do have asset they just may not all look the same. If school can creat...
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What “Counts” as Educational Policy? #3

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In this week's reading we read 'What “Counts” as Educational Policy? Notes toward a New Paradigm' by Jean Anyon. This author, Jean Anyon explains that throughout the past years educators have tried to help fix school performances by constantly changing educational policies inside of the school, she argues that we have been looking at issues symptoms and not the complex roots. The problem is not in the school, but on the outside. Therefore, educational policies include economic, transportation, income, neighborhoods, community. "Rules and regulations regarding  teaching, curriculum, and assessment certainly are important, but policies to  eliminate poverty-wage work and housing segregation should  be part of the educational policy panoply as well." This quote states the importance of both, but it does explain that one lacks attention that it needs. When I read this, it really spoke to me and the experience I had in high school. I went to Central falls High School. ...
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