Unlearning the Myths That Blind Us- Chirstensen (Hyperlinks)

After reading Unlearning the Myths That Blind Us by Linda Christensen I never really realized how much the cartoons and movies really affected young children. I really enjoyed all her thoughts and I thought she made a lot of valid points. I also like how she wanted her students to write down what they thought and felt about the issue. The questions she asks about what stereotypes each have and how each movie somehow they all connect and we never give it a second thought. As I was growing up much like everyone else I watched all these movies, Aladdin, Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Drafts and etc. But I never thought of them in this stereotypical way. Of course I thought all the princesses were so pretty and I wanted to be like them but I never bought the negative stereotypes as I grew up. (Disney Hidden Messages) Maybe it was the way my parents brought me up that also played a part. However I don’t think that these movies are bad. I would rather have my children watch fairy tales like the ones I mentioned then watch movies that has people with guns and killing. Yes I know that is one extreme to the next but there are things that could be worse. But now looking at all the movies I see the negative affects it can have on young children. For example all the ‘pretty’ girls are skinny and have handsome boyfriends while the ugly or fat step sister stays home and is alone. This tells young girls that beauty is a big part of society and if you’re prettier it makes you better than someone else. Also in TV shows like Leave it to Beaver it shows the stay at home mom that looks perfect, cooks, cleans and has dinner ready for her husband as he walks in the door. Yes that is not a bad image but it makes young girls feel that that is what they have to do or look like. (Effects of Media on Girls)
Like I mentioned before yes these movies have bad stereotypes and make children think certain things I think there are worse things. I think that parents just need to instill in the children the right images and morals. If they do this I believe they won’t have to worry about their children picking up the wrong stereotypes for others or themselves.

What do you think are better movies for young children to watch?

Dennis Carlson- Gayness, Multicultural Education and Community ( Extended Comment)

After reading Dennis Carlson’s Gayness, Multicultural Education and Community it open my eyes to how the school systems treats Gayness in the educational system.  I agree with what Carlson’s has to say and how it shouldn’t be such an issue if teachers are gay or lesbian. Also after reading Alicia’s post I agreed with her and her thoughts about the piece. I like how she said that Carlson “is not totally blaming this problem on just the school, but he feels that they play a huge role in the turbulence that surrounds us as early as our youth, and continues on through our lives.”  I think that is very true that the school should not keep Gayness hidden. If people were open more and this wasn’t such a hidden issue children wouldn’t be so afraid to come out and be there true self’s. What I think teachers should teach in school is that everyone should be themselves. And by not being open with Gayness in the schools it goes against what they are trying to teach children.

                Another thing I like in Alicia’s post was what the school does to hide the issue of Gayness “Carlson argues that there are three main ways that our schools contribute to the 'invisible presence' of homosexuality. 1-the erasure of gayness in the curriculum, 2-the "closeting" and "witch hunting" of gay teachers, 3-verbal and physical intimidation of gay teachers and students.” This to me is surprising especially in today’s day and age. Why are people trying to hide this, what is the big deal? Some of the most amazing teachers are gay so why does their relationship status matter. If we keep hiding this issue it will not be a good outcome for ourselves or the children we teach.

                I think that teachers should incorporate teaching about different people who are gay in their classroom. Yes some children might go home and ask their parents but another child may have two daddies at home and wonder why no one else does. By bringing it up in the class room he or she might not be afraid anymore to talk about he/she’s two daddies and know that it’s OK.

I am a straight female and have gay family members and friends and I do not look at them any differently than before and love just the same. I think the world needs diversity and would be boring without it.  Also I believe in school we learn about all different things and I believe Gayness should also be one and not be a hidden issue any longer.

  Do you think we should teach more about Gayness in schools?


Link-Gayness bullying leading to someone losing their life

Reflection- Aria by Richard Rodriguez

While reading Aria by Richard Rodriguez I was very familiar with the similar situation. Growing up Portuguese was my first language and we spoken it all the time and rarely spoke English at home. So when I attend kindergarten I didn’t know that much English. But this lead me to struggle that first year and when it came time to graduate kindergarten my parents chose to keep me back because I wasn’t reading and writing at a good level as a kindergartner should. So I can relate to Richard very much in this article and how he was afraid to speak in class and was very shy because I was the exact same way. And I’m sure that just like my parents they didn’t teach him English as a first language because they didn’t know it well and wanted him to learn it the proper way. My father came here when he was 9 years old and my mother was 16 years old. My father went to middle and high school but my mother didn’t and in Portugal they only had high school till the 4^th grade so her education level is not as high. My father speaks very good English but my mother’s English is broken and she has a heavy accent. She only took one English speaking course. My parents help me learn English just like Richards but it is very hard to learn a language that is not native and haven’t been speaking your whole life.

After awhile of speaking English at home I became very use too it just like Richard did. I remember telling my parents when they spoke in Portuguese “Stop speaking Portuguese you live in America!”  I never understood why they keep speaking in it but as I got older I realized it was just what they are use too and if I we’re to more to another country I would most likely speak English in my home. But I do think that it is important for children to speak English first or at least know it before they enter school. It is important because they won’t struggle as much , be shy or afraid, can speak to the other children and make more friends and just to learn better in the when they are young and in the future. But I do feel like it is important to learn a different language also. For me if I didn’t know Portuguese I wouldn’t be able to speak with my grandparents who do not know English. Still till this day my parents speak Portuguese at home and to me and my sisters and I don’t even realize they do it has become so second nature and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Does anyone feel like English shouldn’t be a child’s first language?

This shows a teacher teaching his students English by songs, speaking games and fun

Reflection

When reading Jonathan Kozol’s Amazing Grace I felt very sad the whole time. I never thought that that many kids were in poverty in Bronx, New York.  Only seven out of eight hundred kids didn’t not qualify for reduced lunches.  This number is so shocking to me. It is crazy to think that in our own country that this is going on.  When Jonathan met a father of four  when talking about the cold and sleeping in the winter he said “You just cover up…and hope you wake up the next morning”.  The thought of this makes me crazy how someone could be living like this and how much we take for granted every day.  This gentleman had a one month year old also and just bundled him up in a winter coat and gloves and put him in a sleeping bag with him. I could never imagine me doing this or that anyone had to do this, how is this even allowed? I remember in the summer when my air conditioner broke and how miserable I was but these people have cockroaches crawling on their walls. I think I would die if I ever had that happen to me, but for them they don’t know any better.

                Then Jonathan met this little boy named Cliffie. He was only seven years old and acted much older then he really was. Jonathan walked around town with him and he knew where everything was, where the bad and good places were to go. At seven years old my mother wouldn’t let me walk across the street alone never mind rooming around and where all these people have gotten shoot or where they meet to drug up. I know not everything is the same where I grew up in the little town of Tiverton but I didn’t think letting your child walk the streets of New York at seven was OK anywhere.

                All the stories in this article made me very sad and to know that this goes on so close to us. These little kids have to grow up so fast and their parents also have to go through hard times. Also after reading this it makes me want to move to New York or anywhere there is poverty like this and help these kids and their families. Not with only money but with my time. And yes it will not be an easy task but I willing to try. Also I think every little bit can help and I hope that one day I can help kids and their families like this.

What was everyone’s feeling of this article: sad, mad, happy?

Me :)

Hi, I'm Raquel & I'm a Sophomore. I live here in Providence. I love music and going to concerts & I'm very excited about becoming a teacher!