Talking Points # 5 Kahne and Westheimer

Kahne and Westheimer argue that it is important for students to use service learning as a method for understanding the critical and systematic analysis of social problems, rather than use service learning as a method for often self-gratifying community service. They feel as though this will give them a more thorough understanding of the problems and will put them in a better situation to resolve them, on a long-term basis.

• "much of the current discussion regarding service learning emphasizes charity, not change"
  

• "Mr Johnson's curriculum included only minimal attention to any systematic analysis of the ills his students were helping to alleviate"

An important difference between the two methods of service learnign included in the article is the difference between civic-duty and systematic analysis. Mr. Johnson is criticized here for not ensuring that his students understood the systematic problem that was causing the people to be in a place where they required civic duty from others. These systematic problems are huge in our country, and being 'systematic' ensures that they will continue until the 'systems' are changed or eliminated. People in need require help, but how they became to be in a place requiring need is often never explored or given consideration, when in reality, in the grand scheme of things, it is more important than their immediate need for charity.

• "The class discussed the growing economic disparity between rich and poor, the impact of homelessness on children, and the difficult balance between individual rights and collective responsibility"

In contrast, Ms. Adams class looked further into the problem. It is important for students to realize why things are the way they are. It is worth considering that many of the students have spawned from rich, middle to upper class, white, republican parents who are probably not only aware of the economic disparity that exists, but proud of the fact that they "work hard for their money and shouldnt have to give to to welfare families that probably blow it on drugs anyway". There is a major schism in our country on the issue of re-distribution of wealth. Many people dont understand that many people on the bottom of the socio-economic scale are there as a result of the economic and social systems that are in place and that have systematically neglected them their whole life.

This article was very informative and quite progressive. I enjoyed it alot. I thought it was very well written. It was clear and precise, and provided evidence and solid convincing arguments for all of its points. I think it was the most important article we, as pre-service teachers, have read so far. It is definitely my favorite.

Talking Points #4 Christensen

Christensen argues that media provided to children, specifically cartoons, literature, and television, perpetuate existing stereotypes and biases, in regard to race, sex and class. She instructs children and adults on how to identify, analyze and most importantly take action against this system.

• "The messages, or 'secret education', linked with the security of their homes, underscore the power these texts deliver. As Tatum's research suggests, the stereotypes and worldview embedded in teh stories become accepted knowledge"

Her idea of secret education is critical to her theory. She believes that children are being educated by the media sources that are revealed to them. If these media sources contain elements of bias, racism, and stereotypes, children will become privy to them. With this in mind, it is important for parents and adults to be aware of exactly what children are learning from the media. The consequences of perpetuating the harmful effects of the media have proven to be dangerous.

• "They accept the inequalities in power and exploitative economic relationships. Their acceptance teaches me how deep the roots of these myths are planted"

She is commenting on the deep-rooted myths that these children have accepted, in terms of who has power in our culture. She us upset with not only the fact that children are exposed to these myths, but that they have accepted them as reality. This is why it is important to be aware of these things early, so that children dont accept them as reality. It is important to realize that children's concept of reality is something that is constructed in their youth, and something that stays with them for their entire life.

• "Instead of leaving students full of bile, standing around with their hands on their hips, shaking their head about how bad the world is, I provided them the oppurtunity to make a difference"

This comment proves her passion for the children to take action. It is very common for people to identify things in the world that are wrong and unjust, but to actually take action is extremely important. It is important to teach children how to take action and what to take action against. I think that this aspect of her writing is the most important.

I enjoyed reading this article. It is well written and gets to the point. It guides you through her experience with her students. The article being written by a teacher gives it more validity. The article is inspiring when it shows the actual success that Christensen, and the students had. My only criticism of this article would be, as is the case, I have found, with many of these articles, is that it seems a bit outdated. Many of the examples that she used (duck tales, ninja turtles, etc.) are sources of media that children arent exposed to anymore. This doesnt negate, or take anythign away from her argument by any means. I simply would prefer more recent and applicable sources, as they would be more effective for us, as pre-service teachers. That being said, her theory is solid and informative, and she proves it substantially.

Miscellaneous Post

I would like to take a minute to remind people of the MLED (Middle School Endorsement) program here at RIC. I have found that it isn't talked about that much. Basically, if you are an elementary or secondary ED. major, you can add this endorsement, which allows you to teach middle school in addition to elem. or sec. It requires that you take 4 classes. When it comes to student teaching, you simply split your 14 weeks between your two majors.
This is a good program for a few reasons. First, many of you, like myself, probably are spending more time at RIC than you expected to, or would like to, so you mine as well add on more qualifications for yourself. Second, it isn't easy to get a job in RI as a teacher, this will make you more 'marketable', thus increasing your chances of getting a job. Third, the program is spearheaded by Dr. John Niska, who is essentially a middle school education guru. He is an implemental part of the National Association of Middle Level Ed. (not sure about the exact name of the association). He speaks at conferences all over the country. He teaches many of the classes in the program at RIC as well.
You don't need to be accepted in the FSED to take these classes either.
I would like to personally recommend any students to enter this program. I have taken MLED 310 and 320, both with Dr. Niska, and enjoyed both of them. Please ask me any questions you may have about this in class or whenever.

Talking Points #3 Carlson

Carlson argues that within the school system there is a schism between 'normal students', and GLBT students. He argues that it is the responsibility of the school and it's faculty to play a role in eliminating this schism and supporting the GLBT students.

• "These abuses get tolerated because gay teachers and students operate in an environment where they feel afraid to stand up for themselves, and because any discussion of gay people continues to be absent in the curriculum so that homophobia is not interrogated"

Gay teachers and students are a minority, they are outnumbered by a lot. This makes it hard to stand up for themselves. Hopefully in the future, as more and more people come out, this will begin to change. Also, it is the responsibility of non-gay students and teachers to stand up for those that are being discriminated against.

• "For the most part the institutions that make up the gay community are not open to adolescents, so that most gay youth continue to stay unattached and even unaware of the potential community of support"

Although there is a lot of progress being made in terms of support for adults, there needs to be more support for children and teenagers. This is where the school system can help. Teachers and faculty need to make it clear to students that they have a system of support. This is important for pre-service teachers to consider.

• "...a democratic multicultural education must become a dialogue in which all "voices" are heard and all "truths" are understood as partial and positioned"

This comment expresses Carlson's belief that we need to get rid of the idea of having one, shared belief. He thinks that we need to acknowledge the fact that everyone has a different view and different opinions. Rather than ignore that, we need to embrace it. This being done, we need to focus on "building relationships based on caring and equity". Personally, I strongly agree with this statement.


I enjoyed reading this article, although it was a little slow in the middle. My only criticism would be that some of his sources, quotes, research, etc. seemed to be a little old and outdated. Much of them are from the early 90's, or later. I think that there has been a significant amount of positive change and progress made on this issue since then. That being said, I completely agree with his ideas and hopes for the future. There is still alot of progress to be made.
Carlson's 'normal community' is very similar, if not the same as Delpit's 'culture of power'. Regardless of what type of discrimination or oppression or mistreatment you are learnign about, you will always find this common denominator, wether you refer to it as a culture of power or normal community, it is always there. It has been there since white people arrived in North America and began their long history of oppression, that continues still. There has been alot of progress, considering slavery, women's rights, etc. On a positive note, I believe that we are lucky to live in a demographic region where we advocate more progress. There are still areas of this country (south, mid-west), where the morals and values of people seem to be stuck in the past. For a multitude of reasons (religion, ignorance), many of these people are unwilling to adopt many of the new ideas and beliefs that we have.

Talking Points #2 - Rodriguez

Richard Rodriguez, in "Aria", argues that although it is important for children to appreciate their native language and continue to use it, in order for them to gain the type of identity that is necessary for them to enter the 'culture of power' in America, they need to also learn to speak English.

• "the families quiet was partly due to the fact that, as we children learned more and more English, we shared fewer and fewer words with our parents."

This quote is important because it highlights the conflict that children develop between school and home. It is frustrating for children to feel like they are progressing and learning a new language, then have to go home and be forced to give it up to communicate with their parents. This is a struggle that is extremely common right now because there still exists an entire generation of Hispanic men and women that don't speak fluent English, but raise children that do. It is hard to expect parents to learn English when they have survived in America without it for many years.

• That day, I moved very far from the disadvantaged child I had been only days earlier. The belief, the calming assurance that I belonged in public, had at last taken hold."

This quote has some positive tones. Basically he feels like he finally fits in. It is interesting to consider that a language barrier can create such a feeling in a child. Not speaking English made him feel like he shouldn't even be in public. It makes me think of Americans, when they are surrounded by Spanish speaking people. They can be so pompous as to still, even as the minority, feel like they are right, and the spanish speakers are wrong. I have seen situations like this many times, where the American refuses to try to speak Spanish, but rather raises his/her voice in an attempt to get them to understand his/her language. I am disgusted by people who yell English words at Spanish speaking people. You never find a Spanish speaking person raise his/her voice to an American out of frustration.

• "So they do not realize that while one suffers a diminished sense of private individuality by becoming assimilated into public society, such assimilation makes possible the achievement of public individuality"

This is a very important quote because it discusses the importance of assimilation. Basically he is saying that being an individual as part of public society is more important and beneficial than just being an individual who is not part of public society. Although acclimating is a hard thing to do, it is essential.

I enjoyed this article and found it easy to read. It is important for RIC students to understand the language issue with young students and education because of the huge population of Hispanic children in Providence.