"Aria" by Richard Rodriquez

 Richard Rodriquez's writing provides insight into what was like living as an ESL (English as a Second Language) student and the difficulties and feelings he had with his experience.

Quote 1: “Without question, it would have pleased me to hear my teachers address me in Spanish when I entered the classroom (p1.)"

All children want their teacher to accept them for who they are and encourage their culture within the classroom. Something so simple as saying hello in the student's first language can make a huge difference to the child. It's the little things that your students will remember.

Quote 2: " 'Is it possible for you and your husband to encourage your children to practice their English when they are home?' Of course, my parents complied (p2.)"

This quote is from when the teachers asked Rodriquez's parents if they could speak more English at home to improve his English speaking and learning in general. Something so simple to the teachers became something so harmful to Rodriquez's life. He felt wrong to be using 'someone else's' language. He felt that it wasn't his to use. But, more so, he became disconnected from his culture and more importantly, to his family.

Quote 3: "We remained a loving family, but one greatly changed. No longer so close; no longer bound tight by the pleasing and troubling knowledge of our public separateness (p3.)"

Continuing from my analysis of quote two, Rodriquez expresses how this simple request affected his family. Yes, he still continued to have a loving family, however, he felt as though his family wasn't as close as they were before when using a different language than their first. Language is an important part of culture and it's shown how difficult it can make someone's life when it is unaccepted in a school setting.

Reflection: How would you be able to communicate with an ESL student without asking them to learn English?

Communicating With ESL Students

Literacy with an Attitude: Educating Working-Class Children in Their Own Self Interest by Patrick J. Finn

The writing "Literacy with an Attitude" by Patrick J. Finn explains the importance of literacy in students throughout all ages. He talks about the different types of literacy that is taught and the outcome of both types in the student's lives. 

Quote 1:  “My explanation of why literacy is not seen as dangerous among the working people and unemployed of the United States is that we have developed two kinds of education. First, there is empowering education, which leads to powerful literacy, the kind of literacy that leads to positions of power and authority. Second, there is domestication education, which leads to functional literacy, literacy that makes a person productive and dependable, but not troublesome (p1 of preface.)"

As talked about in my introduction, the author believes in two different types of education leading to different types of literacy. The empowering education style leads to powerful literacy, allowing for positions of power and authority. Then there is domestication education, which allows for functional literacy, making the learning productive and dependable. The first type, empowering education, can be seen as dangerous because it is all about power and authority. This shows students that the high importance in life is power and hierarchy. The second type, domestication education, shows students that there is more than just power in the world. It teaches students about other qualities like respectability, knowledgeability, competence, as well as being productive and dependable.

Quote 2: “So they could see what could be done to our students (p5.)"

This is when the teacher is talking about administrators showing visitors his classroom as his students excel. The author shows what students in the school could be like. He shows his students love and support which in turn shows the students engagement for their learning. If all teachers were to be like this, there would be huge improvement. However, it is very hard to find teachers who are this enthusiastic about their career. The more enthusiastic the teacher is the more enthusiastic the students will be about their own learning and education.

Quote 3: "Teachers made derogatory remarks regarding the students… Only twice did Anyon hear a teacher say ‘please’ to a student in an unsarcatic tone. She heard ‘shut up’ frequently (p11.)"

This section of the book reminded me of Kohn's reading, "What to Look for in the Classroom." Kohn's list of Good Signs is highlighted in this reading as there are different details in her school and grade level. There is a different dynamic in each and every school. It is important to be aware of this as a future educator to notice the details in each school. The dynamic of each school, classroom, grade level greatly affects each student's education.

Reflection: What have you noticed in your classroom and school site that clearly shows an impact in the students' education?

Classroom Dynamics for Enhanced Teaching and Learning

What to Look for in a Classroom by Alfie Kohn

 What to Look for in a Classroom by Alfie Kohn

In the chart, "What to Look for in a Classroom" by Alfie Kohn, the author focuses on writing about traits that classrooms hold that are about comfortability, warmth, and respectability. 

Quote 1: "Good Sign: Appealing atmosphere: a place where people would want to spend time." 

This good sign is important to the idea of comfortability in a classroom. Students should feel like they are in a safe environment that not only allows, but encourages them to learn. Students should feel that their classroom is their second home since they spend so much time there. 

Quote 2: "Good Sign: Information about, and personal mementos of, the people who spend time together in this classroom."

This good sign is important to the idea of warmth in a classroom. Teachers who post information like this about their students builds a sense of community between the students and even the staff. Students will be able to learn more about each other this way and understand their peers better. This goes the same for the teacher and any staff that frequently visit the classroom.

Quote 3: "Good Sign: Teacher is respectful, genuine, and warm." 

This good sign is important to the idea of respectability. One of the most important qualities of a teacher is respect, especially because students learn from the source. A teacher needs to show respectfulness for their students to show it. A common theme is to treat others the way they want to be treated. This is the same for teachers and students. Teachers need to show respect if they expect their students to respect them. 

Reflection: What other "Good Signs" do you believe are important in a classroom?

Promoting a Culture of Mutual Respect

Troublemakers in the Classroom

In my few times volunteering in the classroom, I have found a few troublemaker students. However, one student stands out. This student is a black female who is eight years old. She is tall, has dark, curly hair and brown eyes. Her desk is separated from everyone else in the class and is right in front of the teacher's desk. She is quiet and doesn't make a loud commotion. However, she is defiant and refuses to do her work, which causes interruptions when the teacher has to constantly tell her to do her work and tell her what the right choice she should be making is. She is defiant and never answers questions when any adult asks her something. 

This student is a so-called 'troublemaker,' but there is more depth to her rather than her troublemaking behavior.  The last time I was in the classroom, the student refused to do her workbook. The teacher had to check her work three separate times because she kept pretending to do her work and putting it away without actually doing it. This was a disruption to the class and the teacher could tell that I was wondering why this troublemaker was acting this way. The teacher informed me that she has an IEP. I immediately took that into consideration while thinking about her behavior. I put myself into the student's shoes. It must be extremely difficult to do any work when it is beyond the student's level. This student is the canary in the coal mine. She is warning us to listen to her. She is struggling in school and is begging for help in the form of misbehavior. It is unfortunate that she is seen as the 'troublemaker' in the class, when in reality she is just completely frustrated with her school work. 

Troublemakers by Shalaby

 Troublemakers by Shalaby

Quotes

1) “As an educator it is my job to insist on every child’s right to a classroom experience that daily honors her, reveres her smarts, engages her curiosities, and ensures her dignity.”(p1 of preface)

This is such an important mindset to have as a teacher. She is saying that all students deserve to have a good education and a teacher who preaches these ideas. This teacher wants only the best for her students and I completely agree with her. I will make sure to follow these ideas when I become an educator myself.

2) “I think of the children who make trouble at school as miners’ canaries. I want us to imagine their behaviors - which are admittedly disruptive, hypervisible, and problematic - as bother the loud sound of their suffering and a signal cry to the rest of us that there is poison in our shared air.” (p7 intro)

This is my favorite quote from the reading. The author explains that canaries were used by miners to warn them about polluted air where they were working. The birds would struggle and die first, warning the minors that there was dangerous air and that they needed to get out before they would inhale too much of the toxic air themselves. The author compares miners' canaries to the so-called 'troublemakers' in schools. These students are like warnings to society about our school system. Their loudness cannot be ignored. When they become louder it means that our need to listen is more important.

3) “The child who deviates, who refuses to behave like everybody else, may be telling us loudly, visibly, and memorably, that the arrangements of our schools are harmful to human beings. Something toxic is in the air, and these children refuse to inhale it. It is dangerous to exclude these children, to silence their warnings.” (p9 intro)

The author is saying that the child who misbehaves is the one we should be listening to. These types of children are the ones who are advocating for themselves and better schooling. They go against the grain and behave this way because they are trying to be seen and heard. It is important for teachers to know who their 'troublemaker' students are and listen to them clearly. We as educators need to have open ears for our 'troublemaker' students.

Reflection: How will you treat your 'troublemaker' students?

Canary In A Coalmine