Quotes

Literacy With Attitude

Author: Patrick Finn

1. "One fifth grade teacher said the students needed the basic simple skills, when asked "why?" she responded, "they're lazy, I hate to categorize them but they're lazy."

• This quote stood out to me because growing up in the city and going to public schools I always came across a couple teachers that thought it was "okay" to call me lazy, but in a joking manner, however it was not funny. I felt like at times it put me down especially when I was younger, because at times I really did not know the basics and I needed them to be taught to me in order to understand. Sometimes I had the teachers that would actually teach "the basics" to me and then I had the teachers that would believe that I was being lazy and did not want to learn. The teachers that called me "lazy", in my opinion they were the lazy ones because they did not want to take time out to teach me what I did not understand. 

    2.  "Just do your best. If they learn to add and subtract, that's a bonus. If not don't worry about it."

• This quote caught my attention because it was a shocking moment, a moment where I had to sit and say "WOW, do teachers really think like that?" Its was even more terrible because it was the principal who thought it was fine to say this to a teacher. The head of the school saying this is just ignorant. This quote somewhat upset me because teachers get a degree to teach students and possibly teach them to a point that it could help them in the real world. I know that I would never hear this coming from my old high school principal because she was a principal who worried more about her students than herself. More staff within school communities should be a positive role model like my old principal instead of bringing students down. 

    3.  "I had work assignments on the board when the students entered the classroom, and so there

         wasn't a moment when they didn't have anything to do."

• This quote stood out to me as well because I thought of when i was in high school and my teachers would put up "Do-Nows" on the board, which was an assignment that we had to do within the first 10 minutes of class. Looking back at this now, I feel like this was a good idea especially to get the class start  Instead of having students sitting and waiting for the teacher to be ready and take attendance  the students could be occupied with the "Do-Now" which would start the class discussion

I chose these three quotes to write my blog about because I felt like they all had a meaning and also related to my past experiences in school. One if the quotes I chose was a somewhat negative one, I especially chose that one because we are soon to be teachers and this would be one clear example of how we should NOT think when teaching our students  We shouldn't think of them as "lazy" or not try to teach the students with our best capability of teaching. We should be the teachers that care, and give it our all.

Talking Points: Did this story relate to anyone's experiences in school?

   

miscellaneous post

OBAMA RE-ELECTED

Author: Supporters/voters

OBAMA RE-ELECTED for PRESIDENT

       AT 7:00 my TV was turned to channel 10 for the 2012 Presidential election. So many emotions running through my mind at the time. All I wanted was to end the night knowing that Barack Obama was going to be my president for another four years. I had about five different sources available so I would know the correct electrical votes every minute and every time a state sent in their votes. At times I honestly thought Obama was not going to make it simply because he was down a lot of the time. However in a blink of the eye, Obama was in the lead and before i knew it I seen "OBAMA Re-Elected" His Victory speech was inspiring because I finial believe this country will have a chance to get back on track. The main though running through my head was knowing that if Romney won I most likely would of never returned to RIC next year. However I will be back, and will be graduating Obama is giving me that chance to succeed. I must have danced and yelled in joy for about 30 minutes because of how happy I was to see Obama Re-Elected. 

If you did not get a chance to see Obama's speech I uploaded the video below; check it out. 

Connections

Between Barack and a Hard Place

Author: Tim Wise

Separate and Unequal 

Author: Bob Herbert

       In 1954 the Supreme court declared a state laws establishing separate schools for black and white students was unconstitutional. Most of society believes that racism has ended however Tim Wise believes that it has not, and it is still around. Also Bob Herbert believes that educational institutions it is unequal to have all whites or all blacks in one school. Also how it is unequal to the faculty and students. However this problem did eventually come to an end because of the communities, lawyers, parents, and students coming together and having their voice heard. 

       After reading and listening to both of these issues I automatically saw the connection between Johnson and Wise. Johnson believes that the white man is unaware of their power and I feel like Wise also agrees with Johnson. Wise also feels like the white man should acknowledge his power and how he has the upper hand in society and most of all the situations they are involved in. Wise also explained and used President Obama as an example on how he had to show and prove himself more than the average white man would have to. "The luxury of obviousness."

       Also I found a connection between Kozol and Wise as well. Barack and a Hard Place connects exactly to the metaphor "a band-aid on a broken leg." In Kozol's story people were sent out to hand out condoms and clean needles so disease wouldn't spread more than what it was. However that was not fixing the issue they were still promoting sex and drugs. I felt like this related to Wise because Obama being elected president would bring an type of racism that deals with being intelligent and African Americans having to prove themselves to be just as smart as Obama. Wise wants to show that a regular person can also excel and also have the same opportunities and succeed in the same ways like Obama did. 

       The relationship between both of these issues is clearly racism. Wise feels like racism is still and issue even though we have an African American President. Herbert believes that it is unequal to have separated school systems because the issue with that is that it depicts racism. So overall I believe the big picture is racism.

Thinking Point: Is racism still and issue even though we have an African American President elected for TWO terms?  

Obama vs. Romney

Seniors & Social Security

Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney

“Obama: "To put us on solid ground, we should also find a bipartisan solution to strengthen Social Security for future generations. We must do it without putting at risk current retirees, the most vulnerable, or people with disabilities; without slashing benefits for future generations; and without subjecting Americans’ guaranteed retirement income to the whims of the stock market.”

“Romney: “We are going to slowly and gradually raise the retirement age for Social Security from the current 66 for full benefits. And we'll slow the growth rate in benefits for higher-income retirees. Tomorrow's seniors should have the freedom to choose between Medicare and a range of private plans [think the Ryan Plan]. And if these future seniors want a more expensive plan, then they will have to pay the additional cost.”

The quotes above; one from President Obama and one from Governor Romeny. As you can see I crossed Governor Romeny's quote out because I do not agree with it. I feel like his plan is unfair. Governor Romeny wants seniors who have worked all there lives to keep working past the age of 66. He feels as though the current retirement age is low and it should be raised "slowly and gradually". My question is WHY ? 66 is not old enough to finally relax after working all them years? Governor Romeny believes that these TWO simple steps will strengthen the current social security system.

• First, for future generations of seniors, Mitt believes that the retirement age should be slowly increased to account for increases in longevity.
• Second, for future generations of seniors, Mitt believes that benefits should continue to grow but that the growth rate should be lower for those with higher incomes.

President Obama believes that all seniors should be able to retire with dignity, not just a privileged few. The President is committed to protecting and strengthening Social Security. In addition to protecting and strengthening Social Security, President Obama will make it easier for Americans to save on their own for retirement. This should dramatically increase savings participation rates. I feel as though Obama has a better path for our seniors, he is not trying to change the age or growth rates for retires. 

Quotes

"In the service of what? the politics of service learning?" 

Author: -Kahne & Westheimer 

1.“Boyer endeavored to create ‘a new Carnegie unit,’ the requirement that all students take part in volunteer activities in either their school or community as a condition for graduation from high school” 

I feel as though this should be a part in graduating high school, you learn a lot from being a part of a service learning project. The misperceptions of going into a situation, judging the people before you meet them just because of where they come from wouldn't happen if you have an experience in a helping environment  Doing service learning puts you in situations that your helping people that are less fortunate than you, or need your help. 

2.Educators and legislators alike maintain that service learning can improve the community and invigorate the classroom, providing rich educational experiences for students at all levels of schooling. Service learning makes students active participants in service learning projects that aim to respond to the needs of the community while furthering the academic goals of the students” 

I chose this quote because I feel the same about the service learning experience. Service learning does provide an educational experience for everyone, the volunteer and whoever your working with. My experience through service learning has been good, and I would recommend anyone to do it. As a volunteer I help someone while furthering my academic skills to become a well rounded teacher. 

3."After they returned, the students' perspectives on these elementary school children had changed. They were 'surprised at the children's responsiveness and their attentiveness,' they found the children to be 'extremely polite and surprisingly friendly,' and they discovered that they 'listened well and had excellent behavior."

I chose this quote because this is a perfect example of people judging inner city middle class people without knowing the real situation. These students came out with a different view on the kids they wrongly misjudged. I mean I'm they changed their minds about what the kids are like, but they should go with an open mind, because they've never been in that situation before so the judgement shouldn't be there.

Talking point: Has your service learning made you think about this ?

Argument

Cinderella Ate My Daughter

Author: Peggy Orenstien

       Peggy Orenstein argues that the current "princess phase" is anything but natural, hyper-feminine and highly commercial form. Orenstein takes us on a journey of the princess industrial complex. In the text the author described a toy fair, and explained how all the merchandise for the young girls came in only one color, pink. Orenstein asks the sales rep, "Is all this pink really necessary?" "Only if you want to make money" he replied. The toy fair was one of the many journeys Orenstein take us on in her determination to break the princess products threatening to overwhelm her young daughter.

       At times during this chapter Orenstein confused me because she also argues with herself, questions her own assumptions, and as well has second thoughts. At times her uncertainty began to puzzle me.  Orenstein finds a psychology research showing that until as late as age 7, children are convinced that clothing, hairstyle, and choice of toys determine one’s sex. “It makes sense, then, that to ensure you will stay the sex you were born you’d adhere rigidly to the rules as you see them and hope for the best,” Orenstein. The author explains girls do not need to prove they are girls, and the princesses make them have to do this. 

       When Orenstein talks about the "princess phase" she brings up 'Bratz" dolls. The author explains how people view the "Bratz" dolls. They do not view them as " Princess-y, or Barbie-ish," this dolls are more about fashion, and girls with attitude. A way a princess should not act. “With their sultry expressions, thickly shadowed eyes and collagen-puffed moues, Bratz were tailor-made for the girl itching to distance herself from all things rose petal pink, Princess-y, or Barbie-ish."

       At the end of this if I could sum this whole story up I would say that Orenstein basically debated this issue with herself for parents to read. Simply showing how parents may think this is a "princess phase" and children grow out of it. However parents thoughts about whats best for their children will not change.

THINKING POINT: Who to blame? The Parents, The industry or both?

I also found this article about Princess movies teaching Bad Lessons, Check it out if you'd like.

Extended Comments

Unlearning the Myths that Bind Us

Author: Linda Christensen 

            This article was very exciting to read. As soon as the author started talking about cartoons, I automatically thought about my childhood cartoons. When I was younger I enjoyed watching shows such as Hey Arnold, Cat Dog, The Proud Family, Recess, Rugrats, Rocko's Modern Life, and RocketPower. The author explains how children cartoons as well as Disney movies that have hidden messages within the scenes. These unnoticed cartoon messages go way further than the uplifting characters in the movies we have all enjoy to watch.

          I chose Shannon Deblois blog the be the center of my writing post. I used her bold because I agree with her thoughts and points plus they also compare to mine as well. Shannon said "Young girls that watch Cinderella or Snow White believe at a young age that they need to be thin and pretty, marry their prince charming and be happily ever after." I completely agreed with his point because all the young ladies look up to these movies that portray things that just may not be realistic when the time comes. Who is to say that every women will get married to their "prince charming". However young girls believe this because of how the media portrays these views. 

          "We live in a world that is bombarded by messages telling is how to look and act. " This was another point that I came across while reading Shannon's blog. This is also a true point because everywhere we turn someone tries to influence us on how to dress, talk, walk, and live our life. This was the article on Shannon's post that explains about how their are subliminal messages within Disney Movies. 

Thinking Point: Is it alright for Disney movie directors and Cartoon directors to create shows the way they do?