Reading Response

After reading "How Homophobia Hurts Everyone" I have learned how homophobia can hurt one at any age. The author used a first or second grader as an example and I can not believe the words they would call him. They were calling him words like "sissy, queer, and fag". These are the terms we discussed the other day in class and I really understand now how someone can take a hit. I felt like it was important to know a few of the important types of homophobia to help understand this section better. The first one is personal homophobia which is like a negative type of impression (applies usually to heterosexuals). Another is interpersonal homophobia which could best be described by the author as transforming prejudice into its active component, an example would be name calling (Blumenfeld 269). Next is institutional homophobia this is when governments, schools, and businesses discriminate on sexual orientation or one's identity (Blumenfled 269). What I don't seem to understand is why people to continue to tell people who they are or how they are defined as ex:heterosexual, homosexual, transgender, etc. The next thing you know you are being harassed upon because they told what they are. Why don't they think before they speak?

Reading Response: Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is bound to happen where ever you are. It is something that we will never be able to get rid of, so we need to be prepared. One can be prepared by taking the advice, knowing how to deal with sexual harassment (who to approach), and by being alert. A concept that I strongly agree with the author is when he states that a major problem in school today is that kids are sexually harassed all of the time and they are scared to tell somebody. What they need to do is just tell an adult in the school (ex: teacher or administrator) or even parents. However, many do not and the problem continues leaving the victim feeling uncomfortable and miserable. On the other hand, if you are an adult and dealing with these problems you should take it up with the Manager immediately or tell the person right out JUST STOP! Another thing I agreed with the author was how often the words sexual harassment and flirting are used interchangeably. I have used these terms myself the wrong way. To sum it up, sexual harassment can't be prevented, but it can be stopped. Therefore, we need to be ready for it by having our words and explanations ready ahead of time to make sexual harassment come to a halt.

Service Learning#3

This past Wednesday was my third visit to service learning at Red Cedar. When I walked into class and was told that I was going to be assisting the teacher in a lesson I was thrilled. It was a science lesson on the different seasons of the year and how to record times of the sun rising and setting. My job was to draw the diagrams on the board and the teacher, Ms. Byrd-good would explain what season had the shortest days and the longest days of the year. After that, we went into detail about the other continents and how their season differs from ours. I found this to be fairly challenging for third graders to know because I did not learn this material until fifth grade, but about half class knew that Australia was always the opposite season of North America.
Following the lesson, I walked several students over to get their vision and hearing checked. They were just frantically freaking out that they were going to fail the test and be forced to wear glasses. I had never seen anything like it before. However, a shy child named Brandon from our class did fail the vision test and I had to escort him to the office so they could contact his parents. When the class finally joined together again it was time for recess, but today there was something new at recess in the gym called jump club, which was run by our teacher. This was optional for third and fourth grade students and about 25% out of the 120 showed up for the opening debut. First, I witnessed jump club for about ten minutes and then moved outside for the last ten minutes. When the bell rang to come back inside the ground was rather slick from a misty rain and a third grade student from our class named Javan slid on the pavement when coming in because he was running within five feet of the building. I was the first to see this horrifying fall. His knees were completely skinned and bloody. So, I walked him over to the clinic for treatment and later his mom picked him up. At first he was in tears, but as he left his spirits were much improved.
During my final few minutes at the third service learning, I talked with my teacher as the students were eating lunch(had my lunch duty off today)in the classroom about the most effective ways to teach third graders. She was telling me how important it is to reinforce things. Another effective thing I learned is how she likes to distribute sticky or post its notes for third graders, which is something that I just learned this year. Her following comment was that you cannot teach them everything. Therefore, let them do some of the work on their own. Which I found interesting because I always had thought the opposite of that statement. We also created an agenda for next week and made some realistic goals for a few students that are struggling in the class. She said that holding kids back was one of her worst fears and is going to everything she can do to prevent that from happening.
This concludes my third visit and now I actually feel like a real teacher with a purpose. I learned a few new things today including how important it is to reinforce things in which students are having trouble with. Another is how important and helpful post its really are.

Serive Learning#2

My second service learning session started off with me leading the pledge of allegiance. To me this was a great site to see that they still showed respect for our country. Even those who could not speak English still stood up and respected the flag. Something that has really disappeared in the last few years at schools throughout the United States. After the pledge, I tested half the class out in the hall(one at a time)to see if they knew their times tables 1-10(they called buddy numbers). If they did not know them instantly I would come back to the ones they missed and made sure they corrected themselves before they left. I also gave them a post it note to take home with them for example: study 5X7.
The class as a whole did very well. My next task, was to test the other half of the class(that had not been tested earlier) on states and capitals. This was a little more complicated, but the students were motivated to do better and managed to stride forward. After this, I led the class out to recess on a cloudy, cool, crisp day. While I was outside some of the older kids constantly wanted me to play basketball, but I refused and decided to talk to a student in our third grade class named Mohammad. We actually began talking about global warming, which he knew a little about and we both agreed that it does not seem to be that important of a topic right now in the world. Especially after seeing record lows last year in the winter and what seemed like a fairly mild summer. After the global warming discussion Mohammad, a very sophisticated eight year old, from Pakistan told me how hard the last year had been for him. He moved from Pakistan, where he knew everybody in his small town to a city where he knows nobody. Kind of like big fish, little pond in Pakistan to the current little fish big pond here. Furthermore, he stated that it has been very difficult to make friends over here. Surprisingly, the child spoke English very well. Besides that he said that kids are more attentive and better behaved in class over here than in Pakistan. This was my first time ever chatting with somebody from another country and I really understood this kid's feelings and current position. After chatting with Mohammad, I then talked to several other students in our class about bullying around the school. They said it has been very minimal, which made me ecstatic because I had a heck of a time with bullies in the early grades because I was always one whole year younger then the youngest student.
Following recess it was lunch time and I was back to work making sure the cutting in the lunch lines was terminated. After lunch, we dropped in the library for pictures. The library was small, but very tidy, along with being nicely furnished, and well-equipped with the latest technology like smart boards and new apple computers. This summed up by second visit and as left the school I continued to feel great about Red Cedar, the class, and myself as I looked forward to my third visit even more.

Media Analysis#2

http://www.studentplatinum.com/ (picture at top)
The ad that I chose to critically analyze is from a student credit card company website. The image shows a young and happy couple about to register for their credit card. They look white, middle class, and are probably used to seeing their parents charge everything on a credit card. Banks and credit card companies prey on unsuspecting and inexperienced students. Therefore, they will be more than happy to set a credit card up for you. They make it very easy to get started. All of this so, instead of one planning ahead accordingly for a purchase, they can have it now. Do they really understand how much interest they will be paying? Do they have jobs, so they can pay off the debt?
What people really do not understand is that credit cards are not cash. These cards must be paid back with big time interest. Many times the interests are written in small print and very difficult to understand. Especially for young people who do not realize how much they are charging. This is when they happy smiles start to fade and panic begins to set in when the large bills come in. By using both a boy and a girl in this picture it helps equalize their need. White middle class students may also have an easier time of securing credit because of where they live. On the other hand, minority students might have a lesser chance of securing a credit card, or their payment rates may be higher because their family does not have a high credit score. Everything is in the banks favor, they even know zip codes can indicate economic status.
After studying this well-constructed ad, I am interested to see if the number of young college students/people continue to apply for credit cards or if they will ever realize how dangerous they can be; therefore, the number sold tapers off. I am convinced now that a credit card is definitely not worth all the hassle. Especially if it traps you into debt and demolishes your credit score.

Service Learning Journal#1

On my first day, while I was walking over to Red Cedar Elementary, I did really not know what to expect of my first service learning session. I remembered on my previous trip to orientation that the school was very foreign. They had kids from over 20 different countries and to prove it, they had a flag for each country. A few kids spoke no English at all. When I finally arrived at my class I introduced myself first to the teacher Ms. Byrd-good and the teacher's aide Ms.Velasquez, who were both very pleasant people. Next, I introduced myself to the class as Mr. H. because it was too complicated for the twenty students to pronounce my last name. The class as a whole was about 70% American along with several African Americans, two Asians, and two Muslims.
While, I entered the classroom during reading time, I was absolutely shell-shocked of how quiet it was and I thought to myself what a wonderful learning environment. I had a flashback to third grade and I can clearly remember how challenging it was to concentrate because of the constant chatter in the class of 3o+ students. The thing that I found most impressive was for twenty students is that you had two teachers. Which means you could accomplish more in one day and if a student was having trouble they could get the extra attention that was required. What amazed me even me more was how students were able to make the transition from reading directly into math. This is something one would expect from fifth graders, but third graders! You could tell that the teacher was in complete control. I was assigned to go around and make sure every one was working independently and to help clarify any problems that they had. Very few questions were asked. Those that did ask questions were extremely well-mannered (raised hand and waited to be called upon). After that, it was time for recess so I decided to witness it. When we got out to the pavilion all of the swings were tangled up due to a teenage prank, so I helped the custodian untangle a few swings, which made the children very appreciative.
Following recess came lunch and I basically held the door open for half of the school. Once again everybody was saying thank you. In the lunch room, I made sure nobody was cutting and made small talk with a few students. They continually expressed to me that if I were to ever eat lunch at Red Cedar make sure and get the grilled chicken sandwich. This sums up my first service learning visit to Red Cedar Elementary, but as I was leaving I felt quite privileged to be part of the volunteering staff at a clean, well-kept, and up to date school. The more I thought about it Red Cedar did not seem like a school it seemed like heaven. Everything students could possibly want was there for them. From after care programs to clubs and activities to many recreational activities. Red Cedar has it all. This hyped me up for my next visit.

Reading Response on Sexism

Frm redin da artcles out of de book I lerned hw imptnt sexism rlly is and hw it affects our lives. I alwys loked at sexism as just male or female hving pwer or beng fvred. Wht alwys cam to my mnd was sexual harassment but there is alt mor thn tht. Acding to de athr it cn del with de wy pple drs and spek. I als lerned hw jkes rlly ply an imtant rle in sexism such as when pple del wth de media and even for jbs. I fnd it hrd to belve hw fr bck sexism dtes. Tody it is one of de the most imptant isues out tere it is rght up tere wth racism. Fr exple witout wmns rghts hw mch mor trble wld thy be in tday? Is tht sexism tht we hve nver hd a President before? Whn will ths chnge and whn wil it bcome les of a major hedline trhot de wrld?

RDSJ Reading Responses

In this article I learned that the best way to fight racism is to become friends with somebody of the opposite race of oneself. This makes lots of sense to me, but I find this rather challenging to go out and make friends with somebody of the opposite race of myself especially coming from an area where there were very few people of another race. The author also discusses race and gender and he considers those as just words which I agree with. An example that the author used and really helped me understand this section on privilege better was with the thirteen year old girl wanting to become a professional baseball player. I guess it really does not matter how amazing you are, but if you are not a man then the chances of you becoming a professional baseball player are slim to none because it is a man sport. The author's example helped me understand privilege better, but still has me a little confused. Does this mean that I am privilged to be white? Besides that I am also curious am I racist for being white and having no other raced friends?

This article explains the history of education throughout the lives of Latino's in America, beginning five centuries ago. It also shows us how and where education developed and succeeded, along with where it failed. Education in the Spanish-Mexican Era was mainly for the Indian population. They were taught literacy, music, and Spanish manners. They were even taught to forget and destroy their previous beliefs and religions. In the early nineteenth century the Spanish people saw literacy reach a necessity for motivating purposes. This is when education switched from focusing on children to now everyone. Money played a pivotal role why only a few schools were established. During this era Indians responded to education in many different ways ranging from harsh battles(Pueblos over the southwest), to refusing it and questioning their own identity, and then some just welcomed it.
Another era from 1890-1960 known as Latinos and the Expansion of American Education, was one of the most important in Latino history. This was due to the fact that education was opened up for any gender, race, sex, and age. This helped influence a change in the Latino's life of diversity and opened new doors in the twentieth century for them. However, many Latinos still lacked power and were living well below the middle class. Latino schoolchildren were faced with a rather week curriculum in elementary and secondary school. Spanish was even discontinued in schools so they could just focus on English, but many Latinos were placed in slow learning groups leading to many dropouts as they progressed age wise (could not keep up with competition). The few that did not dropout were put into non academic and vocational courses due to the test scores. Overall Latino students did poorly, but a few achieved success in the academics.
Another important time period known as Latino Education in the Contemporary Period refers from 1960 to today. In the 1960's increased resources and academic courses were provided to the lower academic schools which really helped out Latinos by improving their graduation rates and helped by pushing a greater amount of Latinos into college than ever before. A problem for Latinos was inequality. They tried to get policies established for them by going after the federal, state, and local agencies. Latinos were trying to eliminate any discrimination against themselves at school so they could have a better education situation and become more acknowledged. After this they attempted by throwing lawsuits at the school of segregation for where they placed a designated classes for the"educationally mentally retarded".
In the end this article shows us how Latinos used education beginning in the sixteenth century. Those who started with education first were rather privileged and had an advantage. On the other hand, those who received it in the later centuries had trouble adapting to it and had to play catch up because many were slow learners. Overall, education brightened and influenced the lives of few Latinos, the majority of those succeeding are happening today. When will Latinos become more of a factor in succeeding in education? Will it be anytime soon?