In Service of What?

Reflection:

This text, made me reflect on the times that I have gone and done service learning in my community. There are so many opportunities in the community and through school to help others. I remember volunteering a lot in my community when I was younger for school and other extra-curriculars. I enjoyed doing different things, such as working at a food pantry. The people were some of the nicest I had ever met and so grateful for the food they received. I looked forward to going every week and seeing the people who came. It is so easy to be wrapped up in your own world, and be blind to the struggles that everyone faces. I agree that service learning should be a part of the curriculum, because it gives students an experience to reflect upon. Education is important, but without real world experience how are students to grow as people. 

The service learning that we are doing in this class is great way for us to branch out and get into the world of teaching.  I know that when I go into the classroom, everything we have talked about can be applied and its easier to visualize because we are actually in a school. The different projects that those kids did, were a way for them to connect with others, and we are doing the same by working with students. This class is one that has prepared me for the real world, more than most of my other ones. I think this is because we talk about controversial issues that we will have to face, and that will help us to be prepared. 

http://www.findyouthinfo.gov/youth-topics/service-learning/what-are-benefits-service-learning

The link I have given talks about the benefits of service learning for students. I think that service learning should be required for students in every school. The more we make connections, the more we will grow and learn. 

     

Unlearning the Myths the Bind Us 

Hyperlink: 

I really liked this article because I agree that people don't see the influence that the media has over them. We watch television and we accept  the images that we see as normal, but in fact they are destroying who we are. The media wants us to all think or act a certain way, and its sickening. I never really thought about how fairy tales and cartoons can have such a impact on children.  When I go back and watch these movies, I can see exactly what this text is talking about. The subliminal messages are all throughout books, movies, any form of media. The problem is, that growing up, we don't see the damage it causes. It is only when we are older, that we see how it affected us as children. Its sad that programs meant for children would be made to be racist, all about money,  or lacking diversity. We are taught to accept others for who they are, but even television isn't doing that. Although there are some disney princesses now, of different races and cultures. I think that the lack of diversity has made Disney think twice about the stereotypical princess. They actually have princesses who don't end up with a prince now, so the stereotypes of how women are portrayed are changing. Even though media is changing in small doses, it is still degrading and unrealistic. The worst thing to do is sugarcoat reality and brainwash the people, but that is what the media does. 

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/04/01/disney-princes-princesses-slaves-stereotypes/

The link I chose was about the gender stereotypes in Disney movies, and how they have changed over time. There are influences for girls that are more than just a dress and heels, but about being strong and fighting for what you believe in. The movie Mulan and Brave show these ideals, that a woman doesn't have to take on a traditional role to be successful or happy. The princes, are also not as macho as they used to be, which shows boys that being tough isn't the most important thing. 

Question:

How is anything supposed to change? We can't control the media, all we can do is make sure we educate ourselves and our future students about these stereotypes. Racism isn't going to end by students analyzing media. The media is always going to be presenting these ideas to the public. It is a sad thing to have to witness, but at least we can acknowledge it. 

Speaking the unspeakable in forbidden places

Quotes: 

"What is interesting to note, however, is the way in which these relations constituted and were constituted by social space; the ways in which the school corridors, in particular, were being recognised as public, mobile, child-inhabited and, therefore, dangerous spaces to talk about sexuality"

 (McGregor 2004).

This topic is tricky to talk about in schools, but it doesn't have to be. The methods in this text are helping to educate children in a way they can understand without giving to much detail. The fact that the teachers have to consider this topic of sexuality as dangerous in the classroom, shows that it needs to be talked about. Children should be able to talk about anything within reason, in the classroom. If it isn't discussed even a little bit, they won't be able to understand a situation concerning sexuality and then they won't know how to react to it. Informing the children that it is ok to talk about these things is a way for them to share their own thoughts and feelings.

"Arguments suggesting that LGBT teachers refrain from discussing their relationships within the school fail to acknowledge that children themselves might benefit from the openness of LGBT role models for a variety of reasons: because they may identify (or eventually identify) themselves as LGBT or just ‘different’, because they have gay or lesbian parents (Letts and Sears 1999; Kissen 2002) and because one of the duties of school is to prepare all children to live in a diverse society" (DePalma and Jennett 2007). 

I agree with these arguments about how a gay or lesbian teacher can be a role model for students who are LGBT. If these children don't see anyone in their situation or cannot talk to someone who understands, then how can they understand themselves? They might want to talk to someone, but they may be shy or embarrassed to say what they feel to their parents. If children don't learn a little about the real world while in school, they won't be prepared for situations that they may face in the future. The teachers may be afraid to come out to students, but they would feel more comfortable like Katie did. 

"As suggested, the session prompted a ‘meaningful’ discussion between one child and her mother that might not have happened otherwise."

If children can come home and discuss controversial topics with their parents that they would not have beforehand, then that is a good way for them to communicate. Learning about sexuality in school, makes it easier for them to relate and bring questions home to be answered, so that their parents don't have to explain something that they might not have felt comfortable doing. I think that it is better that it is taught in school, because they need to be taught about it someday, and if it isn't at home then it should be at school. 

http://www.publicschoolreview.com/articles/321



The link I have provided is an article about introducing the teaching of gay history in schools in California. There is controversy behind the bill, but it might be beneficial to students who identify as LGBT. They would learn about leaders who fought for gay and lesbian rights and that isn't an option that many students have. 

Question: How are students supposed to become educated and caring adults about controversial issues, if they are never informed throughout their education? The prejudice and ignorance that forms, is because people act and speak without being educated or educating themselves. If this topic was discussed more in schools, then it would be easier for children to acknowledge that it exists and understand it better. 

"Aria" by Richard Rodriguez 

Hyperlink: 

I could really relate to this text, because I have been taking language classes for a long time, because I want to be a Spanish teacher.  Often times, I have been so lost in what is going on in the classroom. because of the language barrier. It makes it much more difficult to learn the material. I can't even imagine what he felt, by not understanding a language that he had no prior knowledge of.  It has taken me a long time to adjust and become fluent, but I think that knowing more than one language makes you more well rounded and aware of different cultures and perspectives. The fact that he lost his fluency and ability to even think of spanish words is sad.  He lost a part of himself, that the can never get back. His native language was what comforted him when nothing else did. It reminded him of home, and then it was taken away because it was too "different". I wrote a paper about how the U.S should be encouraging bilingual education. It would benefit children very much, if they could obtain knowledge of many languages at a young age. Children are at the best age to learn a language, and if they already speak another one, then that should definitely be encouraged. The fact that the encouragement of different languages in school isn't happening, is a poor reflection on the education system. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I6Y0HAjLKYI

The link to the video I have provided, reminded me so much of this author in relation to the struggles that he faced trying to learn english. Moises in the video, has such a hard time learning but unfortunately he cannot be given the test in his own language. How are students expected to take a test when they don't even know what the words mean? It astounds me that these children cannot even be given any extra help. The child's mother and father did not speak English, so they couldn't even help  their son. The fact that they can't speak it, is not their fault, although many americans think that people from other countries and cultures need to assimilate right away. I have to disagree with this notion, it goes back to heritage and being proud of the culture you come from. No one should have to banish their native language from their lives, just because another one is more prominent in society. 

Question: Why aren't language programs being incoorperated into schools more now, when the demand for being bilingual is so high in this country? Some schools across the country are already adding these programs and that is great, but I think it needs to be stressed more in schools. Connecting globally is the key to success and understanding others, and that can be done through language.