RES 5535: Race, Class, and Gender in Literacy Research (summer 2009)

The Noll article had me confused as to the similarities and differences between Lakota and Dakota Indians. I didn't know if, while they were both Sioux, if there are different cultures/language of Sioux -- much like the term "Asian" is broad and then you define them more when you label people of Asian descent and begin to define them as Hmong, Vietnamese, or Chinese: I wondered if Sioux was a broader term used to describe a group of Native Americans. I have not had as much experience with American Indian students as I have had with students from other backgrounds and this was something that peaked my curiosity.

Both children in Noll's article are very proud of their culture and are seen at and participate in cultural events.Daniel's teachers recognize his intelligence, while they are frustrated his scatteredness and the fact that he doesn't seem to care whether or not he turns in the work. He will write stories but he seems to edit them as he tells them. He becomes discouraged if his work is not singled out by teachers. Daniel seems to be torn, while proud of his heritage he also wishes he could blend in more with the white world.

Zonnie on the other hand would rather work on her poetry than spend time with friends. At an age that has most children seeking to break away from their families, Zonnie still enjoys spending time with her family and is close to them. Like many of the children I teach, Zonnie's father has spent much of her life in prison and other family members have helped her mother raise her.

While Daniel still is very active in different cultural groups, Zonnie has started t break away in ways like no longer taking part in a traditional dance group.Both children have been the victims of racism in their lives - both in school and out of school. While Daniel becomes discouraged by the lack of teacher response to work, Zonnie feels more free to express herself.

Both children in Noll's article have families who support them and their education. The families of both children have been part of supporting their literacy. Daniel and Zonnie come from families who are very active in the cultural community. Both children have experienced racism and have written about the racism they experienced.

As educators it is important to acknowledge our students' experiences, even if they make us squirm. We can make it possible for them to feel free in their wirting while still acknowledging their work. We have all had students like Daniel, and we know getting tehm to turn in work is half the battle. We need to make sure that those children feel rewarded so that they will want to turn in the work on a more regialr basis.

At the same time we have all had students who, like Zonne, can get lost in the crowd because theya re quiet. They do what is expected and are more "middle of the road" -- not trouble makers and not the top students.

Henry's article focusing on girls of African Caribbean descent was of major interest of me as I have had and do have students who come from that area of the world. All children must be given the freedom to explore their literacy through writing. Teachers must be aware of dialect and of native languages. Sometimes in wiritng the native language and English meld and a kind of new language is created. This happenes when children are speaking as well as writing.

At one point, as a 4th grade teacher, I had a student who moved to HIckory from Brooklyn. TH epoor thing spent the first six weeks asking me, with my very southern accent, to repeat everything. Children coming from one of the African Caribbean will have this type of experience also.

Journal writing is a more free way for children to express themselves. In my class children have journals. If they are writing something they do not want me to read, they fold over the pages they do not want me to read. If they do not trust me to keep my word, the can staple the pages in question. They can not do this every day, as I do respond to each child's journal at least once a week.

When a child comes to the United States not only must they learn the langauage -- both social and academic -- but they must also learn what social norms and how to navigate their way through these norms. It is difficult for me to imagine being far from home, in a strange country surrounded by a strange language being spoken to people who do not look like me or dress like me or eat the foods I like. All of that then being thrown in to school and expected to speak, write, and read in a langauge I was only beginning to learn and do it formally.

Caroline Walker