Aria
Richard Rodriguez
Rodriguez argues that language barriers in a classroom can end up taking over and breaking up a once close family. To take this out of the prespective of the article, issues and changes with one individual can often transpond over to other individuals, resulting in a "tremor" in a once fluid system.
"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 and responded with ease."
I picked this quote because I think everyone can feel this way, whether or not you do not speak the language of the majority. For example, like most older citizens, my grandparents have all had their fair share of medical setbacks. So when it comes down to me listening to a doctor ramble off his procedure that he is about to perform on someone I love, I don't feel comforted or confident. I feel scared, aloned and segregated. I feel like the doctors simply come out and talk to families because they have to not because it will help the family rest a little better or inform other citizens of the "wonders" of the medical world. Is this what teachers feel like in a classroom that has non english speakers in it? That they "have" to "try" to explain English to those who don't understand it and not help them because they want to improve their quality of education? And if I feel this way around doctors as a fairly well educated, middle class white girl, I can't even being to imagine how alone, terrified and helpless a young child of a different culture feels like in a prodominately English speaking classroom.
"In an instant, they agreed to give up the language (and sounds) that had revealed and accentuate our family's closeness."
I feel like this quote stuck out to me because it is basically saying the the majority race "demands" everyone else to give up what makes them different and their own person to conform to what is assumed to be a "better" race. (By better, I mean more prodominent and more accepted--I do not by any way mean that the white race is the best or bettet than any other race.)
"We remained a loving family, but one greatly changed. No longer so close; no longer bound tight by the pleasing and troubling knowledge of our public separateness."
This quote stuck out to me because I think it could be an example of "long term" effects of teaching in a non-Delpit style. To me, teaching in a non-Delpit style would be having every child in your classroom, regardless of anything, learn all the same ways. So, if you have a child do this (like force them to learn English and change their culture in doing so) I believe this to be non-Delpit. I think this could an effect of that teaching style as it would make the child (or children in this case) more like everyone else, which segregates them from their parents. Its like sending your kids off to school in the morning to find out that they have been "replaced" with just another white American child. It really seems to just strip a child of their individuality almost because the teacher just doesn't want to deal with their differences--this is something I hope never to intentionally do in my classroom.
Overall, I actually enjoyed this article. I thought it was interesting to see how separated a family becomes out of their use of language. But when its put into perspective, it all kind of made sense. You often seen families of other cultures that are closer together--even as a comnunity. But when you look at white families, you do not get that same impression. Yeah, they might know their neighbors but they don't interact as much as other cultures do. And within a "nuclear" family, there are those huge separations; children at school, who are involved in activities and clubs, parents who are constantly at their jobs or running errands. And, as the society becomes more and more based on money, whenever people are not at school or working, they are out spending their money. Its not like they save it and go on a family vacation and actually spend their time together--they probably go off and have their own activities. Its really unfortunate and I think everyone could see how separate their families are in reading this article. It also made me thankful for how close my family is but I know how hard we work to keep it that way as well considering my brother now lives in Arlington after 4 years of college in D.C. and I live at school. Granted, its half an hour away but I am really close to my parents so its still a big deal. One last point what that iwas interesting to see a family "broken up" by a language issue--usually you see this happen with drugs, drinking or just other forms of trouble. But then again, maybe those are more "white" based problems and families of different culture may also experiance these problems but much more complicated ones that can be cured with rehab or moving to a different town.
On a side note, I googled the word "aria" and found out it was a term used in music. It was often a way of a melody, usually in refrence to singing. However one alternate definition included: "to describe a self-contained piece for one voice usually with orchestral accompaniment" I feel like this connects to the article in that Richard's original voice, his native language, was that aria. It was self contained and alone but it completed the orchesta of all different voices. By "americanizing" himself, I feel like that orchestra is still complete but not nearly as interesting.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Talking Point #1 (Kozol)
Amazing Grace
The Lives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation
Jonathan Kozol
Kozol argues that people living in the poorest oparts of the country still deserve to have quality lives (good hospitals, streets they can walk down without being asked to buy drugs, etc.) but do not get these lives. These people also get any shot of hope or freedom taken away from them either by disease or other hardships they face (welfare getting taken away).
"He doesn't answer me but smiles at the bears affectionately. 'I saw a boy shot in the head right over there,' he says, a moment later, in a voice that does not sound particularly sad, then looks up at me and asks politely, 'Would you like a chocolate chip cookie?' "
1.) I don't think I can verbally describe this quote but when I read it, it just stayed with me.
"A nurse who works there [Harlem Hospital], according to one press accountant, carries a card in her wallet with the message: 'Do not take me to Harlem Hospital in an emergency.' The relative merits if Brinx-Lebanon, however, do not offer Mrs. Washington much solace. 'It's the difference between terrible and worse than terrible.' "
1.) This quote is basically expressing the bottom line of how terrible the living conditions are in the place that Kozol is visiting. It appears that going to the hospital is worse than trying to take care of it yourself.
"I think they [drug dealers] hate you because you are not in their condition. 'I am in hell an you are not and so I hate you and I have to try to bring you down to where I am.' I feel pity for them and fear because they're lost."
1.) This quote gave me back hope after reading this article. It showed me that amid the mess that is described, there are still hopeful people in the world who literally have nothing to hope about it. It gave me back hope.
I felt that this article was easy to read. It was written well and the language was not complicated. I also felt like it kept my interest. Even though it was about 15 pages, it did not feel that long. As horrific as most of the details were, for some reason it just made me want to keep reading. I guess I was searching for the "hope" in the article.
I also felt it was hard to really describe the quote I picked. A lot of things stuck out to me in the article but to be able to write down what exactly it was about each quote that had such an influence on me was very difficult.
In addition, I am not used to reading about this type or material and literally felt like I was reading a script from a movie setting. Its not that I am naive or that I have never been to a part of the world that is like the places desecribe in the article. I guess a part of me just wants to hold on to that hope and not face the harsh reality that is described in the article. I guess I want to believe that even if life is horrible, that is some beacon of hope that gets people through their day.
On a separate note, when I started to read this article, I was prepared for a liberal lesson in the form of education reform. But I was suprised. As I read Goldberg's article first, I had a rough outline of how Kozol's article was going to read but it was not the case at all! Its almost difficult to see how Kozol could write the type or material Goldberg described when at the same time he produced this article.
The Lives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation
Jonathan Kozol
Kozol argues that people living in the poorest oparts of the country still deserve to have quality lives (good hospitals, streets they can walk down without being asked to buy drugs, etc.) but do not get these lives. These people also get any shot of hope or freedom taken away from them either by disease or other hardships they face (welfare getting taken away).
"He doesn't answer me but smiles at the bears affectionately. 'I saw a boy shot in the head right over there,' he says, a moment later, in a voice that does not sound particularly sad, then looks up at me and asks politely, 'Would you like a chocolate chip cookie?' "
1.) I don't think I can verbally describe this quote but when I read it, it just stayed with me.
"A nurse who works there [Harlem Hospital], according to one press accountant, carries a card in her wallet with the message: 'Do not take me to Harlem Hospital in an emergency.' The relative merits if Brinx-Lebanon, however, do not offer Mrs. Washington much solace. 'It's the difference between terrible and worse than terrible.' "
1.) This quote is basically expressing the bottom line of how terrible the living conditions are in the place that Kozol is visiting. It appears that going to the hospital is worse than trying to take care of it yourself.
"I think they [drug dealers] hate you because you are not in their condition. 'I am in hell an you are not and so I hate you and I have to try to bring you down to where I am.' I feel pity for them and fear because they're lost."
1.) This quote gave me back hope after reading this article. It showed me that amid the mess that is described, there are still hopeful people in the world who literally have nothing to hope about it. It gave me back hope.
I felt that this article was easy to read. It was written well and the language was not complicated. I also felt like it kept my interest. Even though it was about 15 pages, it did not feel that long. As horrific as most of the details were, for some reason it just made me want to keep reading. I guess I was searching for the "hope" in the article.
I also felt it was hard to really describe the quote I picked. A lot of things stuck out to me in the article but to be able to write down what exactly it was about each quote that had such an influence on me was very difficult.
In addition, I am not used to reading about this type or material and literally felt like I was reading a script from a movie setting. Its not that I am naive or that I have never been to a part of the world that is like the places desecribe in the article. I guess a part of me just wants to hold on to that hope and not face the harsh reality that is described in the article. I guess I want to believe that even if life is horrible, that is some beacon of hope that gets people through their day.
On a separate note, when I started to read this article, I was prepared for a liberal lesson in the form of education reform. But I was suprised. As I read Goldberg's article first, I had a rough outline of how Kozol's article was going to read but it was not the case at all! Its almost difficult to see how Kozol could write the type or material Goldberg described when at the same time he produced this article.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Talking Point #1 (Goldberg)
110 People Who Are Screwing Up America
Bernard Goldberg
Goldberg argues that Jonathan Kozol is messing the minds of Americans by enforcing a more liberal approach be applied to the field of education. Goldberg states that Kozol's practices and beliefs in a liberal society are not only praised but placed into effect in school systems, who now turn out children who have recieved biased education.
"Yet, what be even worse, and in the end even more dnagerous, is that so many of today's schools are turning out "smart" kids with little understand of how precious their heritage is."
1.) I felt that this quote was important in conveying the vast diaster Goldberg feels that Kozol's beliefs are contributing to the edcuation system.
"He [Kozol] says teachers should talk to their students about the architect of the Holocaust, Adolf Eichmann, whose 'own preperation for obedient behavior...was recieved in German public schools' ---which produced 'good Germans, or good citizens, as we in the United States would say.' "
1.) This is important in that it shows an example of Kozol's thinking.
2.) This is also important in that you get to see how Kozol thinks. He obviously uses the influence of other cultures (like Cuba as well). He also feels like the effect of "good thinking" isn't that important if he uses Eichmann as a example of a "good" student.
"All the book's model lessons aim to teach little children to withstand America's state-sponsored brainwashing and to open them up to the self evident truths of feminism, enviornmentalism, and the Left's account of history."
1.) This quote is important as it states Kozol's direct ideas and goals.
2.) This quote also stuck out to me for another reason. If Kozol is so anxious to have education be solely based on Liberal fact, is he not creating the same enviornment that education is already in? He would be closing off education to any other ideas, which is what he argues already exsists! A better idea would be to integrate liberal ideas into the exsisting form of eduction but still keep it open as to get a well rounded group of ideas and not just from one source.
Overall, this wasn't my favorite article to read. When it comes to politics, my interests drain a bit. Don't get me wrong--I'm interested in the upcoming election and the canidates but when it gets down to the "boring" politics, I just can't focus on it. Therefore, when this article started quoting Sol Stern, my focus went right out the window. I had to read this part over a few times to fully grasp what they were talking about.
On a different aspect, I thought Goldberg's writing style was easy enough to follow and the section was short enough where I could keep an interest and get through the article with little to no hassle (excluding the Stern quote).
Bernard Goldberg
Goldberg argues that Jonathan Kozol is messing the minds of Americans by enforcing a more liberal approach be applied to the field of education. Goldberg states that Kozol's practices and beliefs in a liberal society are not only praised but placed into effect in school systems, who now turn out children who have recieved biased education.
"Yet, what be even worse, and in the end even more dnagerous, is that so many of today's schools are turning out "smart" kids with little understand of how precious their heritage is."
1.) I felt that this quote was important in conveying the vast diaster Goldberg feels that Kozol's beliefs are contributing to the edcuation system.
"He [Kozol] says teachers should talk to their students about the architect of the Holocaust, Adolf Eichmann, whose 'own preperation for obedient behavior...was recieved in German public schools' ---which produced 'good Germans, or good citizens, as we in the United States would say.' "
1.) This is important in that it shows an example of Kozol's thinking.
2.) This is also important in that you get to see how Kozol thinks. He obviously uses the influence of other cultures (like Cuba as well). He also feels like the effect of "good thinking" isn't that important if he uses Eichmann as a example of a "good" student.
"All the book's model lessons aim to teach little children to withstand America's state-sponsored brainwashing and to open them up to the self evident truths of feminism, enviornmentalism, and the Left's account of history."
1.) This quote is important as it states Kozol's direct ideas and goals.
2.) This quote also stuck out to me for another reason. If Kozol is so anxious to have education be solely based on Liberal fact, is he not creating the same enviornment that education is already in? He would be closing off education to any other ideas, which is what he argues already exsists! A better idea would be to integrate liberal ideas into the exsisting form of eduction but still keep it open as to get a well rounded group of ideas and not just from one source.
Overall, this wasn't my favorite article to read. When it comes to politics, my interests drain a bit. Don't get me wrong--I'm interested in the upcoming election and the canidates but when it gets down to the "boring" politics, I just can't focus on it. Therefore, when this article started quoting Sol Stern, my focus went right out the window. I had to read this part over a few times to fully grasp what they were talking about.
On a different aspect, I thought Goldberg's writing style was easy enough to follow and the section was short enough where I could keep an interest and get through the article with little to no hassle (excluding the Stern quote).
Monday, September 8, 2008
Hey Girl Hey!
So.
My name is Alyson & I laugh a lot. I live on campus and am in my second year at RIC. I am an elementary ed major, focusing on special ed. I am also completely determined to graduate in four years and not a semester longer. As you might be able to tell by my blog title, I really like movies & all different kinds. I also like to swim, bake, read, and hang out with my friends. I'm really passionate about the things I love, which range from the Golden Girls to Chuck Norris to Todd English & i'm kind of a dork when it comes to history.
That pretty much sums it up!
=)
My name is Alyson & I laugh a lot. I live on campus and am in my second year at RIC. I am an elementary ed major, focusing on special ed. I am also completely determined to graduate in four years and not a semester longer. As you might be able to tell by my blog title, I really like movies & all different kinds. I also like to swim, bake, read, and hang out with my friends. I'm really passionate about the things I love, which range from the Golden Girls to Chuck Norris to Todd English & i'm kind of a dork when it comes to history.
That pretty much sums it up!
=)
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