Societal views of different races, genders and cultures can often shape the way in which teachers educate their students. In the Henry article these assumptions are demonstrated with the perceptions of the Caribbean teen girls. In the classroom when they are presented with forms of literacy that are not as applicable to them, they struggle with the material or become disengaged. However when they are given opportunities to integrate their outside social language and world into their literacy instruction numerous gains for the students occurred. Through this use of instruction that incorporated their sex, race and cultural principles their self-concepts were able to develop and flourish within the classroom through literacy. The use of drama, current events, discussions, and self-reflection allowed these young ladies to find a level of comfort and trust in the school setting that they had not experienced prior to this study. This comfort and trust allowed the girls to find and be able to express their inner voice in a school setting.
In the Staples article the same social misconceptions affected how the young black males shaped their literacy learning. These boys removed themselves and their true personal identities and replaced them with the typical expectations set for them by society. In the eyes of those in the world around them and to these boys the educational system had failed them. They lacked engagement again because of the literacy practices that were used in their classrooms at school. In order to reach these students basic literacy instruction was not sufficient. Different types of media and text were used to motivate the students instead of the sole use of the expected literature. These and other unconventional methods to their system were used and the students also had more input into the choices that affected their literacy instruction such as the methods of learning and selections used in the program. These methods allowed the boys to develop a sense of pride in the construction of their literacy instruction along with their own self-confidence through this engagement.
These articles helped me examine my own thoughts and opinions that I have formed towards my students. I am more aware of biases that I have created not by demonstration of my student’s personalities and educational experiences but by societal expectations. The importance of reaching into a child’s self-being and concept to draw out their passion for learning is necessary despite their own race, culture, or gender. It may take closer examination of the processes and methods that their literacy instruction is being presented in and finely evaluated for the best needs of the student instead of set by subjective views and opinions. Overall, a student must feel that they are accepted as being a unique individual before they can truly engage themselves in literacy learning.
Nikki Leggins
Comments (1)
I agree with you that society has had a small role in twisting my thoughts to have certain expectations for my students. Looking at this past year, I really struggled with my African American boys. They were my target group of boys to help improve their reading and writing skills. I really tried to focus on what they liked and use that as a tool in their literacy development. I learned one boy loved Michael Jackson and I used that as a tool for him to write lyrics and poems with. He danced "Billie Jean" for our talent show and gave a quick speech to our class about the dance. I felt like I was using his interests to help him, but found myself frustrated with the other boys who had no interest in much besides video games that were not appropriate, and had no interest in putting in efforts of any kind for anything. I tried so many tactics with them and still felt like a failure with them at the end of the year. These were the boys that needed more of my time after school to boost confidence and their attitudes. There are so many kids that need that boost of recognition, and I agree it is necessary to engage them in order to increase their literacy skills. But I also feel that of course we cannot do it by ourselves. And that is where I was left hanging this year, with no support. And I know that is something we all deal with. The level of dedication on our part outways the dedication at home. One of the many struggles as a teacher! But we keep on going because we love our kids and what we do!
Posted by Abby Boughton | June 15, 2010 7:41 PM
Posted on June 15, 2010 19:41