feedback for 2-24-09 class

Question:
So much research and theories when is it time for implementation? How can we overcome the obstacles and move from theory to practice?


Comment:
The discussion of improving urban youth’ educational outcome through their involvement in critical social skills is really a wonderful approach. As many might argue that the problem with youth’ education lay on the shoulders of the youth themselves, others might disagree and point out that teachers are the main reason behind the falling of students. i agree with the authors on the importance of involving students in the educational process as subjects not objects. In my opinion, teachers should be given more space to be able to serve their students and they should be encouraged to modifying their pedagogy of teaching to accommodate the students’ needs and abilities.


Connection:

I think it will always come down to how creative is the teacher. By being creative, teachers can inspire students’ senses and imagination. I truly believe that behind a great person there is a great teacher.

feedback on the 2-17-09 class

Social Action Project Ideas:
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For my social action project I am planning on helping one person. For this purpose the choice was made on helping a young lady who did not finish school at her country. Coming to USA from Afghanistan, Mona worked in many places to support her mom, her younger sister, and herself. Finally, after a lot of moving her manger at a department store, where she worked last, told her that she is not needed any more. I decided on finding Mona a place where she can study the English language for free. Mona will also need to have some help to find a job. For this reason, she will need to learn how to use the pc and some of its applications. At Fairfax adult education, Mona will attend classes twice weekly where she will learn secretarial duties through enrolling in certification program.
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Question:

I wonder with the crowded curriculum that keeps adding up with each grade level, how much time the kids will have to maintain their critical thinking? In another word: kids should be learning critical thinking but how can we guarantee that schools would create critical space for students in the future?

Comment:

When asked about the future and follow up of the kids, Dr. Vivian’s mentioned among other things a negative reaction from the teacher that was in charge of them the following year. It is frightening how much this attitude toward their way of thinking would affect them if not damage them.

Connection:

It is so important to teach kids How to tackle challenging situations. In every situation I was amazed how kids were able to think of ways that allowed them to solve their problems on their own. It is so powerful how kids can develop negotiation strategies at such early age. While reading I remembered one night when I was 8 years old, our house was full of people and noise. My mom put us to bed (regardless of all the noise and music) and went to sit with her guest. We lay on our beds my little sister and me for hours listening to the happy sounds outside of our bedroom. we decided that we need to send our mom a letter to tell her how bad it is for us going to bed while everyone is having fun. So with no lights in the room except form the lights coming form the living room we took a tissue and we started writing mom our plead to join the rest of the party. Thank you Dr. Vivian you took me back to the good old days----a long time ago.

feedback on class 2.10.09

Connection:
I really value the model Dr. Vivian introduced in this book. I truly enjoyed following the conversation on page 46 between the teacher and Gregory the 4 years old boy. It is so interesting how kids can become critical readers and listeners. I also liked how she chooses to make the link between the reading and some of the sensitive issues such as the issue of gender equity. In her own and lovely ways Dr. Vivian helped her children explore very important and sensitive issues. What I really enjoyed was her saying that questions were the ignition that famed her responses.
“These questions became discussion starter that helped me to develop other learning experiences." (Vasquez,57)

Question:
I was wondering (may be it is early in the book) if a follow up was done on the group of kids to see how they developed their critical thinking and how it helped them later in life.

A comment:
Being a teacher is an on going process of learning. The chapters showed this fact. I really believe that a great teacher will be willing to modify her teaching methods in order to provide her students with the best outcome.
I believe the strategies that were discussed in the chapters can also be very useful when dealing with adults’ education. Creating the space needed for adults is very important since with adults culture always play a big role.

fans-of-critical literacy