I found this article interesting because it explores the other and less savory side of education. While going through all of the education courses here at EWU, I see alot of perfect scenario type instruction and learning techniques. We all know that the real world is not perfect and sometimes we have to deal with what limited resources we have to work with. It is easy to think that all schools across the US are treated fairly, but as this article points out, it just isn't the case. Surely its a question on alot of peoples minds how public education is created equal yet some schools are much better off financially.I think it is very sad that these urban schools get the shaft when it comes to finances while rich area schools are doing just fine. It really hits home when he points out that there aren't enough science books for kids to be able to take them home and they have to copy problems down onto their own paper in order to do them for homework while a rich area school not four miles away is getting a 5 million dollar stadium. I secretly hoped the stadium wouldn't be built in order to buy books for the urban school, but I knew that that is the sad truth about public education in the US. These poor urban schools seem like they are en endless repeating pattern where they keep spiraling into failure. Resources in these schools are obviously limited and it seems that no one but students seem to care. After all, it is their education and when they know what they are not getting, it will make at least some of them want to act.
I especially like the section in which they tried to relate literature with the actual students. While most students don't read on their own time, Students in the urban schools most definitely do not read on their own. Getting students to read and enjoy is going to be much more than just forcing reading on them. AS a teacher, I feel that is going to be my one biggest goal. I want to help students discover reading on their own. Of course books aren't for everyone and not everyone is going to be interested in reading. If we as teachers can successfully give students the tool so that they know how to use it and use it later in life, then I feel like we have won. This article does just that by finding material that relates to them. I totally agree that dated material isn't going to get anyone interested in reading. Books from the early American era have little in common with students today, and if we want to get them interested in reading then we shouldn't put dated books in front of them. We have to give them materials that relate to their culture if we want them to engage. Using the movie Stand and Deliver in conjunction with Native Son is an excellent example of getting students interested. While Native Son itself may be dated and unwanted by students, Stand and Deliver hits very close to home for students in urban schools. Using SaD is a genius way to get students into NS. Also, Edwards James Olmos is the shit. Getting students involved is the key to their education and this experiment taps into this idea, with seemingly good results.
While this is a great example and idea to get students interested, I feel that it wont be easy for all teachers to do. Its ideal and i hope to be able to relate material to get students excited about reading. Who knows, maybe it will work, maybe it wont. I know it will be alot of work to implement it. I really enjoyed this reading and agreed with everything they had to say. It really is a depressing topic when I think about how shafted these Urban schools are in the education department and it is going to be an endless downward spiral until we as teachers figure out a collective way to excite these students at learning.
No comments:
Post a Comment