Bins Post 3.5

 Post 3.5

Title: What to look for in a Classroom/ Introduction to Culturally Relevant Pedagogy  

Alfie Kohn

Reflection:

    Kohn emphasizes the importance of engaging students in meaningful and relevant learning experiences. He talks about the traditional practices like grading, standardized testing, and homework, arguing for alternatives that prioritize students to make their own decision without being controlled. He wants students to have a natural belonging motivation when it comes to education. He talks a lot about how teachers give out excessive or ineffective homework. On that topic it makes me think about how he is right, most teachers give out homework that won't benefit any students outside of that school environment, or homework that they will never use in the real world. It makes me think about how I really didn't use any of my homework from highschool and I really forgot most of the stuff I did. It relates to me because like Kohn there should be more meaningful, purposeful assignments that relate to the students in the class, stuff that's going on in the world, homework that can be used in the long run. 

Kohn provides lots of insights into effective teaching strategies and classroom management techniques that promote student engagement, collaboration, and critical thinking. He encourages educators to create classrooms that students can belong to and have a sense of community and where students are curious to learn more. This part he talks about relates to me because I had teachers in high school that made me feel like I belong and where it felt safe, nobody judges in that classroom. That was something I can relate to when he brought up that topic.

    After watching the video “Introduction to Culturally Relevant Pedagogy” I noticed that there are a lot of keywords that play along with culture. Culture has to do with world view, beliefs, values and language. Culture in school and outside of school settings make connections between what students know and what there is to be taught. There are cultural filters that don't match for different students with different backgrounds and when they are trying to learn it doesn't click for them. Instead of students adapting, it's a need for schools to adapt to the cultures students bring in. From this video I see that there's changes going around. It allows teachers to strive to become culturally competent by understanding their own cultural biases, prejudices, and assumptions. This self awareness for teachers all over and it also allows them to connect better with students and help support students from diverse backgrounds. It also builds strong relationships with their students. Just being able to take time to get to know their students personally and understand cultural backgrounds, experiences, and their interests.

Blog Post #3

 Amazing Grace by Jonathan Kozol 

Argument

I believe that the author Jonathan Kozol argues that children in the South Bronx, predominantly African American and Hispanics are trapped in a cycle of poverty. The author talks about it through the living conditions and opportunities available to these children compared to those in more wealthy neighborhoods.

I believe that his argument means these children are living in horrible conditions. The children need help emotionally and they lack essential resources every child should have access to. Kozol talks about how children attend overcrowded, underfunded schools, which are often lacking in essential resources like textbooks and qualified teachers. It just shows that the poor neighborhoods and schools need support and nobody really cares to give them the care they need.

One of the Author's main points is when he talks about violence in these neighborhoods and how violence impacts on children's lives. He describes how children often live in fear and are exposed to violence, both at home and in their communities. Violence is everywhere these children are at. There is a sense of no escape from it. The childrens have to endure and work with violence and it becomes normal at that point. Violence leads to hopelessness and it pushes children to go down the wrong path because of how the neighborhood and school doesn't have a pace of belonging and safety for them to learn and be themselves.

Jonathan Kozol wants society to recognize and address these problems. He is urging for the readers to confront these crises of allowing such conditions to still be the way they still are. He wants change, better neighborhoods, better schools and education,  people around to help those children in need. He wants everyone to join together to break the cycle of poverty not just in New York but all over the world.

Post #2

 The Silenced Dialogue

By: Lisa Delpit

Quotes

“Those with power are frequently least  aware of or least willing to acknowledge its existence. Those with less power are often most aware of its existence.”

The Author Lisa Delpit uses this quote and I believe it means those who hold positions of power or privilege may not always recognize the extent of their advantage, while those who lack power are acutely aware of their disadvantaged position. People in positions of power aren't aware of how much power they hold or have against those who have none. They may not always be fully conscious of their advantages. They may take their position for granted or view it as the norm, making it less visible to them. Some individuals in power may deny or resist acknowledging the existence of power imbalances. In a way the quote also means that the denial can be a defensive mechanism or a way to keep the way things are.

Its relevance to the reading is that Lisa talks a lot about the lack of acknowledging personal power and admitting participation in the culture of power and how it is distinctly uncomfortable to just admit they have more privilege. It also means that Acknowledging the existence of power imbalances is a great step toward fixing them and having a better society. 

“The rules of the culture of power are a reflection of the rules of the culture of those who have power.”

This quote means those in power often shape the culture and rules of the society or organization to their own advantage. Lisa uses this example of how children from middle class homes do better than those children from non middle class home because in class is for those who are of upper and middle class students. 

The quote also means that the rules and practices that are being placed upon are shaped by the values, perspectives, and interests of those who are already in power. It allows lots of groups to wield power, gain and control those powers to their own liking and will. Its relevance to the text is that Delpit said that power is used in education and the importance of recognizing and addressing power imbalances in educational settings. It means to respect all cultural diversity of students and to have more fairness in educational and outside of educational settings 

“ I want the same thing for everyone else's children as I want for mine.”

This quote means to ensure that all children, regardless of their race, socioeconomic status, or background, have access to the same opportunities and quality of education that one would want for their own children. It addresses educational inequalities and striving for a level where every child has the chance to reach their full potential. 

This quote is like the saying “treat those to how you want to be treated”. Whether you have kids or not,  you may have siblings, nieces or nephews so in a way it addresses all different relations. It addresses educational equity to treat those students the way you will treat your own, because you would definitely have a problem if your children, siblings, niece or nephew can’t have the same education opportunities of those students in their class. Its relevance to the text is that throughout the whole reading Lisa talks about the issues related to cultural diversity, equity, and education. She argues that educators need to be culturally aware of the backgrounds and experiences of their students, to value the cultural knowledge and the difference that students bring in the schools.

Reflection to share in class: Delpit argues that educators need to be more aware of cultural backgrounds and the cultural diversity that the students bring in. Value and treat all students equally, and have the same access to education. Acknowledging the existence of power imbalances is a great step toward fixing them and having a better society for all.