http://prezi.com/u2ygr6chedwx/copy-of-herbert-khol/
Stephanie and Kelsey's Service Learning Presentation!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Education is Politics
Blog #11 Education is Politics (Connections)
In this article Ira Shor suggests a new method of approaching teaching. Shor describes the politics of teaching as not only being in the classroom. Teachers must educate to standards defined by the national, state, local and even school building level. Shor believes there is a better way to achieve the desired results than the status quo. Rather than teachers doing all the talking and students listening, taking notes, and blindly repeating what they’ve been taught, today’s students should be empowered to participate in creating the curriculum, question the validity of the materials presented, and become more informed, inquisitive, and educated members of society.
In the article Aria by Richard Rodriguez the following two guidelines, when utilized, would help to achieve an empowered education for its students.
Collier’s fifth guideline states, “Do not forbid young students from code switching in the classroom. Understand the functions that code switching serves.” Code switching occurs when bilingual people use both languages in speech and they alternate between the two languages. When code switching occurs it does not mean that students do not understand the difference between the two languages. In many ways it demonstrates that the children are making an effort to communicate using everything they have learned.
As explained in guideline seven, “Providing a balanced and integrated approach to the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.” Children become aware very early of the importance of written language through books, the media, signs, printed containers, and endless forms of environmental print. The main goal of an ESL instructor is to teach her students to be able to communicate verbally and understand written words. Communication is of vital importance if foreign speaking parents and their children want to be successful.
According to Shor it is the teachers job to get to know their students, their backgrounds, their intellectual abilities, and what matters to the students in their everyday life. Curriculum that addresses this criteria will be more beneficial to the students and more readily learned.
According to McIntosh in the article White Privilege, “whites are taught to think of their lives as morally neutral, normative, and average, and also ideal, so that when we work to benefit others, this is seen as work that will allow “them” to be more like “us”. When the curriculum is geared towards strictly whites students, when all the examples pertain to only white culture then the minority students are at a disadvantage before they even begin the lesson. Theses lessons also make the minority students feel inferior.
Shor suggests that “subject matter is best introduced as problems related to students experience, in language familiar to them.” Teacher’s who use the problem-posing method correctly will have a better learning environment for all students.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Reconceptualizing Down Syndrome
Blog #10 Reconceptualizing Down Syndrome - Hyperlink
It must be very challenging for teachers who have inclusion model classrooms to accommodate the needs of special needs students and be responsible for all the other students to meet the high standards that are placed upon students today. I was disappointed to learn that Early Education Majors now have to extend their education to a 5th year because we are no longer allowed to combine the Early Education B.S. Major with an Undergraduate Special Education Program. If all communities have inclusion model classroom then all teachers are going to need some sort of special education training.
When I was in kindergarten and first grade we had 2 special needs students in our classroom. I believe that having special needs students in the classroom helps young students accept special needs people for who they are and it carries forward throughout their lives.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Literacy with an Attitude - Reflection
Blog Post #9 Literacy with an Attitude - Reflection
On a weekly basis this class has helped to shape my personal definition of what wanting to be an educator means. I use my personal experiences as examples throughout this class and I feel like my journey through the public school system is shaping me into the teacher I will become someday.
Jean Anyon discusses the different types of students she observed in five public elementary schools:
"The First school discussed consisted of high achievers who are placed in the advanced placement classes and are being taught like the executive elite schools where knowledge is academic, intellectual and rigorous." Initiative and assertiveness is encouraged unlike working class schools where students learn by rote, memorizing facts and spitting back the teacher's notes. Working class students are not empowered, not allowed freedom of choice or movement in the classroom or school building.
"In affluent professional schools work is creative activity carried out independently. It involves individual thought and expression."
"In the Middle - class school, work was getting the right answer. Answers were words, sentences, numbers, facts and dates. You could not make them up. They were found in books or by listening to the teacher. You wrote them neatly on paper and in the right order. If you got enough right answers, you got a good grade."
I grew up with a middle class education in a small Rhode Island town that is mostly middle class with some upper class and lower class population. I feel as though my education was a mixture of all three types of education discussed in the article. In some subjects like science and history and math the assignments where repetitious and mechanical.While in English teachers expected their students to read and then write essays that express a different way of thinking about the same topics we learned about in class. This type of teaching encourages individual thinking.
When I was in high school I always wished that the curriculum was laid out differently. I feel as though by junior year of high school the curriculum should introduce a more career driven path. By senior year students will have been exposed to more subjects introducing career opportunities to help the student plan their future. I also think the idea of a career driven path is important for the students who will not be attending college. Today high school is becoming more and more difficult because of the high expectations the curriculum is placing on all students. In order to graduate we had to pass the NECAP’S and complete a half online and half paper portfolio that included a presentation to a room of teachers and principals that represented four years of completed assignments that met the state graduation standards. I think more high school students are dropping out of school because the standards are too high for the academically challenged students.
Thinking Points: There are many different teaching styles as well as a diverse student populations. There is no teaching method that will meet every student's needs because each student has a different background when they enter a new school year. Teachers may have to redefine their teaching style based on the needs of their students.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Brown vs. Board of Education
Talking Points #8 Brown vs. Board of Education (Quotes)
What is the relationship between the historical issues you see in the website on Brown v. Board of Education and the contemporary issues of race that Bob Herbert and Tim Wise raise here?
The relationship between the topics above is that the issue of racial discrimination is still a problem in today's society. Tim Wise states that after the election of President Obama as our first black President we are " no where near a post racial America". Tim Wise is the author of Between Barack and a Hard Place and he feels that "the evidence of racism and discrimination against average everyday folks of color is still very much in evidence". This country will not be a truly equal opportunity society until the racial discrimination in housing, education, jobs and criminal justice is eliminated.
It has taken many historical events such as Rosa Parks refusing to get up on a bus, Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech, the 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery, the 14th Amendment (1868) extended equal protection of the law to all citizens, the 15th Amendment (1870) guaranteed that the right to vote could not be denied on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude. Electing Barack Obama as the president of the United States of America is yet another step closer to equality between the races.
What is the relationship between the historical issues you see in the website on Brown v. Board of Education and the contemporary issues of race that Bob Herbert and Tim Wise raise here?
The relationship between the topics above is that the issue of racial discrimination is still a problem in today's society. Tim Wise states that after the election of President Obama as our first black President we are " no where near a post racial America". Tim Wise is the author of Between Barack and a Hard Place and he feels that "the evidence of racism and discrimination against average everyday folks of color is still very much in evidence". This country will not be a truly equal opportunity society until the racial discrimination in housing, education, jobs and criminal justice is eliminated.
It has taken many historical events such as Rosa Parks refusing to get up on a bus, Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech, the 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery, the 14th Amendment (1868) extended equal protection of the law to all citizens, the 15th Amendment (1870) guaranteed that the right to vote could not be denied on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude. Electing Barack Obama as the president of the United States of America is yet another step closer to equality between the races.
The Supreme Court decision on May 17, 1954 for Brown v. Board of Education made equal opportunity in education the law of the land. As stated in HERBERT's article Brown v. Board of Education , “Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal". If the less fortunate, poorer population is confined to the same areas where they live, they will not receive the same education as students in middle to upper class school systems. Herbert states "long years of evidence show that poor kids of all ethnic backgrounds do better academically when they go to school with their more affluent — that is, middle class — peers."
I agree with Herbert's statement that "Schools are no longer legally segregated, but because of residential patterns, housing discrimination, economic disparities and long-held custom, they most emphatically are in reality." I believe that racial discrimination is prominent in our public schools today represented by income level. Until legislation and education reform is passed to disperse low income student bodies among more affluent community schools racial disparity will continue in full force in our modern day society. All students deserve an opportunity to be educated to their full potential.
Monday, November 5, 2012
15th Annual Promising Practices Conference
The Fifteenth Annual Multicultural Conference Promising Practices took place on November 3, 2012 at Rhode Island College in Donavan Dining Center from 8am - 2pm. The event began with a welcome speech from Nancy Carriuolo (President of Rhode Island College) and Dr. Corinne McKamey and Dr. Holly Dygert (Promising Practices Co- Chairs). Followed by a keynote speech by Dane Fusco titled "Youth Development -- Promoting equity through child and youth agency" After the presentations the participants departed to attend two work shops located throughout the campus.
The two workshops I attended where 1.17 Wake Up and Smell the Environmental Racism and 2.10 Preventing Transgender Bullying Before Children are 6 or 7 or 8 by Using Transgender Friendly Picture Books. I enjoyed both presentations.
Workshop 1.17"Wake Up and Smell the Environmental Racism" was not what I expected. We discussed topics such as the Johnston Landfill located off of 295 south and the sewerage plant located off of Mendon Road in Woonsocket RI and why these plants are placed in poor areas and there is not anything the towns people can do about it. Not only is it heart breaking and sad that the people who live in these communities have to live with a terrible smell. These plants are polluting the environment and making the residents of these communities sick (more likely to have asthma). Overall I thought the presentation was informative and interesting. I often talk with my parents about topics such as this and I didn't realize there was an active group that is trying to "clean up the environment" the presenters where 2 high school students and they are part of the group ECO Youth (Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island)
Woonsocket Sewerage Plant
My second workshop was 2.10 Preventing Transgender Bullying Before Children are 6 or 7 or 8 by Using Transgender Friendly Picture Books. The presenter Elizabeth Hansen Rowell was a very energetic older women who loves sharing and spreading her knowledge about this topic to anyone who will listen. I was unaware that there are picture books available about this topic and I am excited to begin my search in finding them to expand my personal library. We discussed the difficulties that todays children face with their gender specific toys and how bullying unfortunately begins at a very young age in todays society when a boy plays with "a girls toy" or "dresses like a girl" young girls also face similar name calling when if they are different from societies stereotypes. The main focus of this workshop was on young transgender children who understand that they are the opposite sex at heart. I wish this workshop could have been longer the presenter had so much information on this topic that there was little time for discussion at the end of the presentation.
These books feature little boys who feel that they are in the wrong body
10,000 Dresses By Marcus Ewert
Be Who You Are By Jennifer Carr
These books feature little girls who feel that they are in the wrong body
Backwards Day by S.Bear Bergman
When Kathy is Keith by Wallace Wong
Books that feature children who like to wear the clothes of or and do things usually associated with the opposite gender but nothing is said about them feeling that they are in the wrong body.
My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodouis
Pictures of our presenter
Over all I enjoyed the Promising Practice Conference there was a large turn out and all the speeches where informative I'm looking forward to discussing the event in class and learning about the different workshops my classmates attended.
The two workshops I attended where 1.17 Wake Up and Smell the Environmental Racism and 2.10 Preventing Transgender Bullying Before Children are 6 or 7 or 8 by Using Transgender Friendly Picture Books. I enjoyed both presentations.
Workshop 1.17"Wake Up and Smell the Environmental Racism" was not what I expected. We discussed topics such as the Johnston Landfill located off of 295 south and the sewerage plant located off of Mendon Road in Woonsocket RI and why these plants are placed in poor areas and there is not anything the towns people can do about it. Not only is it heart breaking and sad that the people who live in these communities have to live with a terrible smell. These plants are polluting the environment and making the residents of these communities sick (more likely to have asthma). Overall I thought the presentation was informative and interesting. I often talk with my parents about topics such as this and I didn't realize there was an active group that is trying to "clean up the environment" the presenters where 2 high school students and they are part of the group ECO Youth (Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island)
Woonsocket Sewerage Plant
My second workshop was 2.10 Preventing Transgender Bullying Before Children are 6 or 7 or 8 by Using Transgender Friendly Picture Books. The presenter Elizabeth Hansen Rowell was a very energetic older women who loves sharing and spreading her knowledge about this topic to anyone who will listen. I was unaware that there are picture books available about this topic and I am excited to begin my search in finding them to expand my personal library. We discussed the difficulties that todays children face with their gender specific toys and how bullying unfortunately begins at a very young age in todays society when a boy plays with "a girls toy" or "dresses like a girl" young girls also face similar name calling when if they are different from societies stereotypes. The main focus of this workshop was on young transgender children who understand that they are the opposite sex at heart. I wish this workshop could have been longer the presenter had so much information on this topic that there was little time for discussion at the end of the presentation.
These books feature little boys who feel that they are in the wrong body
These books feature little girls who feel that they are in the wrong body
Books that feature children who like to wear the clothes of or and do things usually associated with the opposite gender but nothing is said about them feeling that they are in the wrong body.
Over all I enjoyed the Promising Practice Conference there was a large turn out and all the speeches where informative I'm looking forward to discussing the event in class and learning about the different workshops my classmates attended.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Romney vs. Obama - Education
Blog #7 Romney vs. Obama - Education - Extended Comments (Jessica S.)
I wish I could say that I followed politics and understand what is being discussed at political debates. Unfortunately I find politics to be very confusing and hard to follow. As a college student going to school to be a teacher I understand that each candidates opinion on the topic of Education is important for our future as a nation, but I am often confused and I find what is being said hard to follow. When I read Jess's blog for the first time I was relieved because the way her blog post is laid out was very helpful.
I like the way that the article Jess found from The Washington Post explains where Romney and Obama stand on specific elements of Education. The article explains where each candidate stands on:
Vouchers - (using tax money to pay tuition at private schools) Obama opposes and Romney supports this aspect.
No Child Left Behind - As a future teacher I wish I knew more about this program of action because this effects my future directly. Each candidate states that he accepts certain aspects of the plan and since I don't fully understand No Child Left Behind I find it difficult to follow and support a specific candidate.
Higher Education - This aspect of education effects my future greatly due to the fact that during the next 4 years I will be in college. Based on the portion of the article I believe my understanding is that Obama and Romney have very different opinion on how to make college more affordable.
I also found this article Romney vs Obama online I liked how the article used quotes from pervious debates to demonstrate how each candidates opinion has changed or developed over time. I especially enjoyed Obama's speech at the end of his section I listened to the whole thing ( its 35 mins I don't expect you guys to watch the whole thing).
Thinking Points: I am so happy that Jess's blog was helpful but I still feel like I have more questions than I had before. Does anyone else feel the same way after researching their topic? Hopefully the class discussion will be helpful!
I wish I could say that I followed politics and understand what is being discussed at political debates. Unfortunately I find politics to be very confusing and hard to follow. As a college student going to school to be a teacher I understand that each candidates opinion on the topic of Education is important for our future as a nation, but I am often confused and I find what is being said hard to follow. When I read Jess's blog for the first time I was relieved because the way her blog post is laid out was very helpful.
I like the way that the article Jess found from The Washington Post explains where Romney and Obama stand on specific elements of Education. The article explains where each candidate stands on:
Vouchers - (using tax money to pay tuition at private schools) Obama opposes and Romney supports this aspect.
No Child Left Behind - As a future teacher I wish I knew more about this program of action because this effects my future directly. Each candidate states that he accepts certain aspects of the plan and since I don't fully understand No Child Left Behind I find it difficult to follow and support a specific candidate.
Higher Education - This aspect of education effects my future greatly due to the fact that during the next 4 years I will be in college. Based on the portion of the article I believe my understanding is that Obama and Romney have very different opinion on how to make college more affordable.
I also found this article Romney vs Obama online I liked how the article used quotes from pervious debates to demonstrate how each candidates opinion has changed or developed over time. I especially enjoyed Obama's speech at the end of his section I listened to the whole thing ( its 35 mins I don't expect you guys to watch the whole thing).
Thinking Points: I am so happy that Jess's blog was helpful but I still feel like I have more questions than I had before. Does anyone else feel the same way after researching their topic? Hopefully the class discussion will be helpful!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Service Learning
Blog #6 In the Service of What? Extended Comments
I found this article very difficult to follow, unlike Nate who stated that he enjoyed this article. Nate sees the value of our journal entries for our service learning placements this semester. I see the value in researching the service learning placement prior to the first visit so that the volunteer knows what to expect and can relate on a more personal level with the people he or she will be working with. I also see the benefit of reflecting on our experiences in the classroom.
Service learning has value for college and high school students. I enjoyed my service learning experience in high school because I made it a priority to volunteer my time for something that I knew I would like to do. I worked with special needs students as they prepared for their special olympic games that take place at URI each spring. I agree with the statement in the article that says high schools should include service learning in their curriculum. Nate posted some helpful links that could help both high school and college students identify the many organizations and people that need help in today's society.
I found this article very difficult to follow, unlike Nate who stated that he enjoyed this article. Nate sees the value of our journal entries for our service learning placements this semester. I see the value in researching the service learning placement prior to the first visit so that the volunteer knows what to expect and can relate on a more personal level with the people he or she will be working with. I also see the benefit of reflecting on our experiences in the classroom.
Service learning has value for college and high school students. I enjoyed my service learning experience in high school because I made it a priority to volunteer my time for something that I knew I would like to do. I worked with special needs students as they prepared for their special olympic games that take place at URI each spring. I agree with the statement in the article that says high schools should include service learning in their curriculum. Nate posted some helpful links that could help both high school and college students identify the many organizations and people that need help in today's society.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Roger Williams Zoo...Jack O Lantern Spectacluar Saturday Night!!!
This Idea is credited to Lucy and Ashley!
Roger Williams Zoo Jack O Lantern Spectacular!!!! - I've never actually been but I have heard its a blast =)
Event Dates: Thursday, October 4 - Saturday, November 3Event Hours: 6 – 11 pm, with the last admission at 10 pm.NEW extended hours on Saturdays: 6pm-midnight, last admission at 11 pm.
Roger Williams Zoo Jack O Lantern Spectacular!!!! - I've never actually been but I have heard its a blast =)
Event Dates: Thursday, October 4 - Saturday, November 3Event Hours: 6 – 11 pm, with the last admission at 10 pm.NEW extended hours on Saturdays: 6pm-midnight, last admission at 11 pm.
Friday through Sunday nights: adults $15 ( Plus a $5 wheelchair fee incase anyone needs one)
Alex W, Lucy and Ashley are meeting at my house in Cumberland around 8pm. You guys are more than welcome to join us its an open invitation bring whoever you want! Its going to be a fun night out (away from homework) something different that people of all ages can enjoy. And it's not scary!!!!
p.s. if you decide to go and you want to meet up with us my number is: 401-556-8421 feel free to text or call for more information you can meet us at the zoo, we can drive to RIC, it's whatever is best for you!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Cinderella Ate Me...
BLOG # 5 - CINDERELLA ATE ME (ARGUMENT)
Peggy Orenstein is very opinionated and analytical in her writing style concerning the marketing of children’s toys and her interpretation of Disney movies. The author begins with her version of the Disney Kid / Princesses and proceeds to discuss Barbie dolls, Shirley Temple, American Girl Dolls, Bratz Dolls, the color pink on all things girly and originally meant for both genders, i.e.: Monopoly, Tinker Toys for girls, and how Barbie dolls were marketed to the younger child.
Every topic the author brought up was dissected and ripped apart. Young children do not watch Disney movies with judgmental eyes. They watch with fascination and develop their own imaginations. These children are playing. They do not believe what they are watching is real, is exactly what their lives will be someday. Fantasy or make believe is a valuable tool to express oneself, find out what you like and don’t like, and to decipher right from wrong.
I grew up with an older brother. He is 2 and half years older than me. Jonathan’s toys were always available for me to play with (age appropriately) but my mom told me that I always gravitated to my own genders toys, baby dolls, tea parties, doll carriages, shopping carts, cleaning toys, Pretty Pretty Princess board game (played with dad - too funny). I never even glanced at Jonathan’s trucks, trains, tinker toys, screwdrivers and hammers, etc. But put me in a sand box with some water, bowls, and spoons and I was in my glory baking mud pies. It wasn’t anything I was taught, it was innate.
This article makes me uncomfortable, upset and disturbed about what is going on in society. Big business, in its insatiable quest to make more money, is manipulating children’s toys, toys that are clearly gender neutral. I agree that a girl would hesitate to invite a boy to play Monopoly on a “Pepto Bismol” Monopoly board (her words). I happen to like the color Pink. It has always been my favorite color. There is no need to rip it to pieces. Yes, there are too many pink toys. But don’t make the color seem so taboo.
My mom always taught me to not let people’s opinions of my own likes and dislikes bother me. But I do. Let the kids be kids. Don’t over analyze every move they make. Let them fantasize. They will find out soon enough how the world works....won’t they?
Thinking Points: Wether you agree with my blog post or not, Do you think children (both girls and boys) suffer any kind of set back by playing with toys that are meant for both genders or a game that simply has a PINK box on it?
Thinking Points: Wether you agree with my blog post or not, Do you think children (both girls and boys) suffer any kind of set back by playing with toys that are meant for both genders or a game that simply has a PINK box on it?
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Who doesn't like Fairytales????!!!!!!!
Blog #4 Christensen: Education Beyond the Classroom: Media Literacy ( Reflection)
We are all told from a young age that Fairytales like the ones described in this article are not real. But this is a very hard lesson to learn and accept. Fortunately I already learned that people don’t always mean what they say when they are 15-18 years old. Promises are shot to hell, feelings get hurt, hearts get broken and friends decide to walk out of your life for whatever reason. Learning that life does not always go how you picture it at 15 years old was a huge life lesson for me when I was 18 years old because I was destroyed and angry and sad that “MY FAIRYTALE” didn’t have a happy ending”
I like that this author developed a term “a secret education” - which describes the bigger message that these stories implant into the minds of anyone who reads them or watches the movie. A secret education gives readers a deeper message of what these stories are trying to tell us.
The first time I read through this article I thought that the high school students where a little dramatic in their responses but the truth is I was just like these students a couple of months ago. Whenever someone asked me if I was ready to go to school or excited for my birthday I would say something along the lines of, “I want to go backwards and be 8 again.” but the point is we cannot go backwards we have to push forward and learn from the tough lessons that life throws at us and stop living in the past and embrace the future. It’s ok that the fairytales that were read to us and the cartoons that we watched growing up are not everything we thought they were.
I like the idea that the students had for a project about analyzing and grading the cartoons that are on TV and giving them a report card to hand out to parents with their findings when the students analyzed the shows while watching them in a different way. We could do this project with cartoons from any generation. Cartoons from the 90's include:
Another reason why I think this article didn't bother me (as much as it would have bothered my Senior in high school self) is because my FAVORITE show on TV right now is called Once Upon A Time. The writers of this show put a spin on the fairytales that we love and know. The Evil Queen cast a curse that sent all the characters into REAL LIFE and they are trapped living in Stroybrook Maine. On her 28th Birthday, Emma Swan meets the child she put up for adoption 10 years before. Henry believes Emma is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, prophesied to break the powerful curse and being back everyone's "Happily Ever After"
This show is now in its second season and is on ABC on Sundays from 8-9 p.m.
(P.S. if anyone is interested I just bought the first season on dvd from target I won't be giving it out but id be more than happy to watch it again...and again...and again....)
THE CASTLE <3
Me and Cinderella <3
My Best Friend Katelyn and I in DISNEY! She goes to Tampa University and this was my first time seeing her since she came home for winter break...
We spent the day in Animal Kingdom!!!
The Big Hat at Magic Kingdom I believe?????!!!!!!!
P.S. space mountain is my favorite Ride in this park my good friend Bryanne and I did it about 20 times in a row because we where stuck in a thunder storm and had nothing better to do...
The HUGE and AWESOME firework display at the Grad Night Party we got to run around Magic Kingdom until 3 Am <3
I know that a good number of friends from my graduating class have had the opportunity to take part in the Disney College Program which allows college students to live and work for Disney for an extended period of time. I've tried to look into this program in the past but I had a hard time finding information for opportunities for Education Majors. I've heard a lot of good things about this program and I've been meaning to take the time to ask Dr. Bogad if she knows anything about the Disney College Program and if it would be a good opportunity for Education Majors....
Thinking Points: Wether you've run through Disney's parks or spent time WATCHING a disney movie do you think you will share the Disney experience with your students or future children someday?
We are all told from a young age that Fairytales like the ones described in this article are not real. But this is a very hard lesson to learn and accept. Fortunately I already learned that people don’t always mean what they say when they are 15-18 years old. Promises are shot to hell, feelings get hurt, hearts get broken and friends decide to walk out of your life for whatever reason. Learning that life does not always go how you picture it at 15 years old was a huge life lesson for me when I was 18 years old because I was destroyed and angry and sad that “MY FAIRYTALE” didn’t have a happy ending”
“Although these stories are supposed to merely entertain us, they constantly give us a secret education. We are not only taught certain styles of violence, the latest fashions and sex roles by movies, magazines, and comic strips, we are 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, how not to rebel.”
I like the idea that the students had for a project about analyzing and grading the cartoons that are on TV and giving them a report card to hand out to parents with their findings when the students analyzed the shows while watching them in a different way. We could do this project with cartoons from any generation. Cartoons from the 90's include:
Another reason why I think this article didn't bother me (as much as it would have bothered my Senior in high school self) is because my FAVORITE show on TV right now is called Once Upon A Time. The writers of this show put a spin on the fairytales that we love and know. The Evil Queen cast a curse that sent all the characters into REAL LIFE and they are trapped living in Stroybrook Maine. On her 28th Birthday, Emma Swan meets the child she put up for adoption 10 years before. Henry believes Emma is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, prophesied to break the powerful curse and being back everyone's "Happily Ever After"
This show is now in its second season and is on ABC on Sundays from 8-9 p.m.
(P.S. if anyone is interested I just bought the first season on dvd from target I won't be giving it out but id be more than happy to watch it again...and again...and again....)
My Senior Trip To Disney!!!!! Grad Night 2010 <3 <3 <3 <3
Cumberland High School class of 2010
Students who went on Senior Class Trip Grad Night
THE CASTLE <3
Me and Cinderella <3
My Best Friend Katelyn and I in DISNEY! She goes to Tampa University and this was my first time seeing her since she came home for winter break...
We spent the day in Animal Kingdom!!!
The Big Hat at Magic Kingdom I believe?????!!!!!!!
P.S. space mountain is my favorite Ride in this park my good friend Bryanne and I did it about 20 times in a row because we where stuck in a thunder storm and had nothing better to do...
The HUGE and AWESOME firework display at the Grad Night Party we got to run around Magic Kingdom until 3 Am <3
Epcot!!!
I think I may me going to Florida for spring break to visit Katelyn (i've never actually been to see her at her school before) and we want to take a trip to DISNEY!!!
I know that a good number of friends from my graduating class have had the opportunity to take part in the Disney College Program which allows college students to live and work for Disney for an extended period of time. I've tried to look into this program in the past but I had a hard time finding information for opportunities for Education Majors. I've heard a lot of good things about this program and I've been meaning to take the time to ask Dr. Bogad if she knows anything about the Disney College Program and if it would be a good opportunity for Education Majors....
Thinking Points: Wether you've run through Disney's parks or spent time WATCHING a disney movie do you think you will share the Disney experience with your students or future children someday?
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
2:30 A.M. on a Wednesday Morning....
Ok so I just had break down # 109324-28-1340-93123 of the last six weeks of pure disaster (I almost used a swear word but I decided to use better vocabulary) I am getting really personal in this blog but I think its an important topic because it is all about having second thoughts as to wether or not the career of teaching is for me. These thoughts have never occurred to me so I freaked myself out even more because of it. To say I am over whelmed this week would be an understatement but I am trying to be a college student and I'm not convinced its going so well but thats a topic for another time...
My freak out of the day occurred while I was looking up information of my placement school Asa Messer at Bridgham Elementary School. I was trying to look up the date of when the school reopened as a new elementary school after the Providence School Committee decided to close 5 schools in Providence. After reading angry blog posts of unsupportive parents and learning about an unsupportive Teachers Union I totally lost it and started to wonder if Dr. Bogad was trying to scare me out of wanting to be a teacher. I don't like angry / unhappy people it makes me uncomfortable and I don't know what to do or say when I feel like a don't have the right answer and totally over react (^^^) and watching video's of a community who was clearly distraught over the situation made me extremely uncomfortable. I've never dealt with parents in an educational setting before and I'm very nervous about meeting parents because I've never had to before and I get very nervous before I do things I've never done before.
I understand that the point of this assignment is to NOT give me anxiety about my future or career choice. Or to make me question or feel uncomfortable about attending my placement (which is not an issue I am actually looking forward to Friday) This assignment is meant to expose us (college students) to what is going on in the real world - Which to me right now is Providence Rhode Island, PAST (the history), PRESENT (now), and FUTURE (my own classroom or next semester even)
I think that what Dr. Bogad is trying to do is expose us to knowledge so that we can decide what we want to do with it as students trying to become teachers. I'm sure I will read articles and watch video's in the future that will make me very uncomfortable but I'm not going to run away from what I want anymore. It's time to embrace everything... I may be overwhelmed on a wednesday morning at 2:30 A.M. but someday I'm not going to remember the day I wanted to change my major because of a YOU TUBE video.
My freak out of the day occurred while I was looking up information of my placement school Asa Messer at Bridgham Elementary School. I was trying to look up the date of when the school reopened as a new elementary school after the Providence School Committee decided to close 5 schools in Providence. After reading angry blog posts of unsupportive parents and learning about an unsupportive Teachers Union I totally lost it and started to wonder if Dr. Bogad was trying to scare me out of wanting to be a teacher. I don't like angry / unhappy people it makes me uncomfortable and I don't know what to do or say when I feel like a don't have the right answer and totally over react (^^^) and watching video's of a community who was clearly distraught over the situation made me extremely uncomfortable. I've never dealt with parents in an educational setting before and I'm very nervous about meeting parents because I've never had to before and I get very nervous before I do things I've never done before.
I understand that the point of this assignment is to NOT give me anxiety about my future or career choice. Or to make me question or feel uncomfortable about attending my placement (which is not an issue I am actually looking forward to Friday) This assignment is meant to expose us (college students) to what is going on in the real world - Which to me right now is Providence Rhode Island, PAST (the history), PRESENT (now), and FUTURE (my own classroom or next semester even)
I think that what Dr. Bogad is trying to do is expose us to knowledge so that we can decide what we want to do with it as students trying to become teachers. I'm sure I will read articles and watch video's in the future that will make me very uncomfortable but I'm not going to run away from what I want anymore. It's time to embrace everything... I may be overwhelmed on a wednesday morning at 2:30 A.M. but someday I'm not going to remember the day I wanted to change my major because of a YOU TUBE video.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Feeling Comfortable In Your Own Skin
Blog #3: GLSEN (Reflection)
I was unaware that the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network is an accessible group and resource for anyone seeking guidance, a supportive community or research material. I am disappointed that there is not a Local Chapter for GLSEN in Rhode Island. I know that there is a group at my local high school (Cumberland High School) that LGBT students can join for a supportive environment. I recognize a couple of the groups and organizational activities such as The Day of Silence, Ally Week, and No-Name-Calling week. I wish that I had taken the time to show the students I went to high school with that I care and support them in their struggle for acceptance.
I remember my Sophomore year of high school was the first time the LGBT group participated in the Day of Silence. I do not remember there being a lot of advertisement or signs explaining what a “Day of Silence” meant before the event took place. The students participating in the event walked around school with a shirt that had the logo for a day of silence and duct tape on their mouths. Unfortunately I think the event was not as accepted as the LGBT student group thought it would be. I think it was due to the fact that the student population was not well informed before the event took place. I remember seeing students walk up to the LGBT students and ask them why they had duct tape on their mouths. When the students didn’t answer it was because they couldn’t, not that they didn’t want to give an explanation.
As a future educator I feel that training workshops for educators and community leaders should be part of the educators training to better prepare teachers to create a more accepting environment for all their students. I also support GLSEN’s Safe Space Campaign to place a Safe Space Kit resource in every middle and high school in the country. Its important to introduce to children at an early age that bullying and name calling is never acceptable behavior anywhere especially in school and will not be tolerated. I support the idea of No-Name-Calling week but I believe it is something that should take place in the classroom everyday.
Teaching in my own classroom no matter the grade level will hold many challenges for me but knowing that there are resources like GLSEN helps me feel better prepared for the difficult and challenging situations that I will face in the future.
Thinking Point: As a future educator what will you do in your classroom to educate your students about GLSEN or GLBT people?
I was unaware that the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network is an accessible group and resource for anyone seeking guidance, a supportive community or research material. I am disappointed that there is not a Local Chapter for GLSEN in Rhode Island. I know that there is a group at my local high school (Cumberland High School) that LGBT students can join for a supportive environment. I recognize a couple of the groups and organizational activities such as The Day of Silence, Ally Week, and No-Name-Calling week. I wish that I had taken the time to show the students I went to high school with that I care and support them in their struggle for acceptance.
I remember my Sophomore year of high school was the first time the LGBT group participated in the Day of Silence. I do not remember there being a lot of advertisement or signs explaining what a “Day of Silence” meant before the event took place. The students participating in the event walked around school with a shirt that had the logo for a day of silence and duct tape on their mouths. Unfortunately I think the event was not as accepted as the LGBT student group thought it would be. I think it was due to the fact that the student population was not well informed before the event took place. I remember seeing students walk up to the LGBT students and ask them why they had duct tape on their mouths. When the students didn’t answer it was because they couldn’t, not that they didn’t want to give an explanation.
As a future educator I feel that training workshops for educators and community leaders should be part of the educators training to better prepare teachers to create a more accepting environment for all their students. I also support GLSEN’s Safe Space Campaign to place a Safe Space Kit resource in every middle and high school in the country. Its important to introduce to children at an early age that bullying and name calling is never acceptable behavior anywhere especially in school and will not be tolerated. I support the idea of No-Name-Calling week but I believe it is something that should take place in the classroom everyday.
Teaching in my own classroom no matter the grade level will hold many challenges for me but knowing that there are resources like GLSEN helps me feel better prepared for the difficult and challenging situations that I will face in the future.
Thinking Point: As a future educator what will you do in your classroom to educate your students about GLSEN or GLBT people?
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Voices and Silences: Language is Power
Blog #2 Rodriguez / Collier ( Quotes)
The articles for this week Aria by Richard Rodriguez and Teaching Multilingual Children by Virginia Collier discussed bilingual education from a student and educators point of view. These articles worked together to borden my understanding of what it is like to teach or participate in an ESL learning environment. By connecting Richard’s personal experience of being an ESL student and some of the seven guidelines mentioned in Collier’s article I will demonstrate the importance of being bilingual in today’s society.
Richard Rodriguez was taught by nuns. When he was in first grade the Sister’s visited the Rodrigueze’s home and made a request, “Is it possible for you and your husband to encourage your children to practice their English when they are home.” In my opinion the parents took the nuns request too literally because they stopped speaking spanish to their children all together.
For my Placement this semester I am working with ESL students in a kindergarten classroom. On my second week at the school I had the opportunity to work with 1st grade students. And the first thing 2 of the students asked me when I sat down to work with them at their center was, "Miss Stephanie, do you speak Spanish?" This question did not make me feel uncomfortable and to be completely honest I think my past self would have been out of my comfort zone. But I understand that this language is a part of their culture and it is another way that these children communicate and get their points across to their teachers, families, and friends.
The third guideline mentioned in Collier’s article states, “Don’t teach a second language in any way that challenges or seeks to eliminate the first language.” It is essential for families and communities to recognize the importance and opportunities that being bilingual has to offer them. If Richard’s parents had decided to continue to speak spanish in their home a language barrier would not have been created when the children became Americanized.
Collier’s fifth guideline states, “Do not forbid young students from code switching in the classroom. Understand the functions that code switching serves.” Code switching occurs when bilingual people use both languages in speech and they alternate between the two languages. When code switching occurs it does not mean that students do not understand the difference between the two languages. In many ways it demonstrates that the children are making an effort to communicate using everything they have learned.
As explained in guideline seven, “Providing a balanced and integrated approach to the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.” Children become aware very early of the importance of written language through books, the media, signs, printed containers, and endless forms of environmental print. The main goal of an ESL instructor is to teach her students to be able to communicate verbally and understand written words. Communication is of vital importance if foreign speaking parents and their children want to be successful.
Thinking Points: Have you had any experiences working with Bilingual students in your placement settings? Have you ever had experience working with bilingual people in everyday life?
The articles for this week Aria by Richard Rodriguez and Teaching Multilingual Children by Virginia Collier discussed bilingual education from a student and educators point of view. These articles worked together to borden my understanding of what it is like to teach or participate in an ESL learning environment. By connecting Richard’s personal experience of being an ESL student and some of the seven guidelines mentioned in Collier’s article I will demonstrate the importance of being bilingual in today’s society.
Richard Rodriguez was taught by nuns. When he was in first grade the Sister’s visited the Rodrigueze’s home and made a request, “Is it possible for you and your husband to encourage your children to practice their English when they are home.” In my opinion the parents took the nuns request too literally because they stopped speaking spanish to their children all together.
For my Placement this semester I am working with ESL students in a kindergarten classroom. On my second week at the school I had the opportunity to work with 1st grade students. And the first thing 2 of the students asked me when I sat down to work with them at their center was, "Miss Stephanie, do you speak Spanish?" This question did not make me feel uncomfortable and to be completely honest I think my past self would have been out of my comfort zone. But I understand that this language is a part of their culture and it is another way that these children communicate and get their points across to their teachers, families, and friends.
The third guideline mentioned in Collier’s article states, “Don’t teach a second language in any way that challenges or seeks to eliminate the first language.” It is essential for families and communities to recognize the importance and opportunities that being bilingual has to offer them. If Richard’s parents had decided to continue to speak spanish in their home a language barrier would not have been created when the children became Americanized.
Collier’s fifth guideline states, “Do not forbid young students from code switching in the classroom. Understand the functions that code switching serves.” Code switching occurs when bilingual people use both languages in speech and they alternate between the two languages. When code switching occurs it does not mean that students do not understand the difference between the two languages. In many ways it demonstrates that the children are making an effort to communicate using everything they have learned.
As explained in guideline seven, “Providing a balanced and integrated approach to the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.” Children become aware very early of the importance of written language through books, the media, signs, printed containers, and endless forms of environmental print. The main goal of an ESL instructor is to teach her students to be able to communicate verbally and understand written words. Communication is of vital importance if foreign speaking parents and their children want to be successful.
Thinking Points: Have you had any experiences working with Bilingual students in your placement settings? Have you ever had experience working with bilingual people in everyday life?
Sunday, September 16, 2012
White Privilege....Who Knew?
Blog #1 : White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack By: Peggy McIntosh (Hyperlink)
I feel as through I have lived in a “bubble” (small town Rhode Island) for the last 20 years. I have lived in the same house and neighborhood, went through school ( K-12) and even some college with the same group of people, and I was hesitant to explore places outside my comfort zone. The articles presented to us in this class so far have opened my mind in a way that high school and the Community College of Rhode Island never came close to achieving. Spitting back facts to teachers is one thing but reading material about a world you live in while experiencing discrimination without even realizing it is another.
In the article, White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, the author Peggy McIntosh, discusses the advantages of “white privilege”. My initial reaction to this article was best described through her quote, “As a white person, I realized I had been taught about racism as something that puts others at a disadvantage but had been taught not to see that white privilege puts me at an advantage.” In some ways I feel that this quote could be used by certain people as an excuse to be oblivious to what is going on in the world around them.
I found the 26 examples of white privilege described in the article helped me connect my personal experiences with white privilege. For example number 26, “I can choose blemish cover or bandages in “flesh” color that more or less matches my skin.” Two weeks ago in class when we where discussing S.C.W.A.A.M.P and Dr Bogad said that the ideal white female has blond hair and blue eyes I was instantly uncomfortable. I have always had a hard time understanding why humans have to have boundaries, labels and high expectations in order to be successful in life. What I did not realize before reading this article is that white privilege is setting the stage for society.
It brings me great sadness that discrimination and racism is still going on around us. I am grateful that the United States no longer promotes slavery or abuses our “help”. As demonenstrated through the best selling Book and hit movie The Help we have come along way from discriminating and abusing those we hire to help us. But as a country we are far from being free from ourselves. It is articles like this that create awareness and once the knowledge is out there it is up to the public to decide what to do with their newly found “power”.
Thinking Points: When we discussed S.C.W.A.A.M.P in class did any of the 26 examples the author introduced make you as the reader feel uncomfortable or self conscious?
I feel as through I have lived in a “bubble” (small town Rhode Island) for the last 20 years. I have lived in the same house and neighborhood, went through school ( K-12) and even some college with the same group of people, and I was hesitant to explore places outside my comfort zone. The articles presented to us in this class so far have opened my mind in a way that high school and the Community College of Rhode Island never came close to achieving. Spitting back facts to teachers is one thing but reading material about a world you live in while experiencing discrimination without even realizing it is another.
In the article, White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, the author Peggy McIntosh, discusses the advantages of “white privilege”. My initial reaction to this article was best described through her quote, “As a white person, I realized I had been taught about racism as something that puts others at a disadvantage but had been taught not to see that white privilege puts me at an advantage.” In some ways I feel that this quote could be used by certain people as an excuse to be oblivious to what is going on in the world around them.
I found the 26 examples of white privilege described in the article helped me connect my personal experiences with white privilege. For example number 26, “I can choose blemish cover or bandages in “flesh” color that more or less matches my skin.” Two weeks ago in class when we where discussing S.C.W.A.A.M.P and Dr Bogad said that the ideal white female has blond hair and blue eyes I was instantly uncomfortable. I have always had a hard time understanding why humans have to have boundaries, labels and high expectations in order to be successful in life. What I did not realize before reading this article is that white privilege is setting the stage for society.
It brings me great sadness that discrimination and racism is still going on around us. I am grateful that the United States no longer promotes slavery or abuses our “help”. As demonenstrated through the best selling Book and hit movie The Help we have come along way from discriminating and abusing those we hire to help us. But as a country we are far from being free from ourselves. It is articles like this that create awareness and once the knowledge is out there it is up to the public to decide what to do with their newly found “power”.
Thinking Points: When we discussed S.C.W.A.A.M.P in class did any of the 26 examples the author introduced make you as the reader feel uncomfortable or self conscious?
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