three readings- 6/27

Of the three readings, I had the strongest reaction to the Wikipedia article and the article entitled "Silencing Teachers in an Era of Scripted Reading."

The first article, "The Greatest Art for the Littlest Readers," struck me more of a PR piece than anything else. That said, the quote by Yvonne Pollack in the third paragraph reminded me of my experience watching my fifth graders read to local preschoolers. As my students slowly pass over the words, the preschoolers sit beside, transfixed by the plot they're hearing and the pictures they're seeing. This must be the primary step to developing an awareness of (and attachment to) character, setting and plot. In essence, an illustrator of a children's book has the more important role in reaching the intended audience.

The Wikipedia article reinforced concepts about literacy vs. power that I was aware of, but never stopped to truly consider. In social studies, we teach that in ancient civilizations it is only the wealthy boys who can attend school to become scribes and ultimately become either religious or ruling figures. This coincides with the chart displayed that developing countries (where often women continue to be repressed) are the areas that are generally less literate, as it is, most likely, only the affluent citizens of the countries that are taught to read. Everyone else has to tend to the farm/house. Hey, it's easier to control the angry masses if they can't think for themselves! Similarly, the history of reading in our country is quite disturbing, specifically that slaves were kept from reading and when it came to suffrage, only literate citizens could vote. It all brings new meaning to "Knowledge is power." Repression is harder to do if the repressed are educated.

This all brings me to the last article, "Silencing Teachers in an Era of Scripted Reading." What struck me was not that the most devoted teachers who were already successful before Open Court were penalized because of their advocacy for their students. I have seen many times in my own school that the needs of the administrators drastically out weigh the needs of the students (which makes me want to puke!) What really got to me, however, was that the differentiation in the administering of Open Court between schools was ultimately a means to further repress a group of poor immigrants. The fact that the schools catering to the middle/upper class kids were allowed enrichment to the regimented Open Court curriculum to me mirrors the inequality in education present during segregation.

Hello my name is...

Hello Montclair Read 500 Students! I am very excited to be continuing my education in your company:) Some things about me... I am getting married in March in Key West Florida, so while navigating this course, I'll be picking flowers, registering and basically losing my mind amid never ending details. On top of that, I am teaching summer school. I am a humanities teacher in a little charter school, where i deposit all of my livelihood. I love it, but charter schools have a long way to go (or maybe it's just mine).