I will admit that I’ve been “handled” by the media. I feel like my skin is wrinkling as we speak and I need Garnier’s eye lift serum quick. I never really thought about how the old Disney movies are all about the damsel in distress being saved by a prince. The princesses all are beautiful and in perfect proportion. They don’t have much to worry about but being beautiful. It never bothered me when I was little because I didn’t know any better and it still doesn’t really bother me that the main characters are gorgeous, but it’s very sad to know the truth that an ugly character will never be the hero or princess. I have to say I always wanted to look like Jasmine. Mulan would be the exception to the damsel in distress rule and maybe some others that were not just looking for a prince. Most of the movies main characters are white. They just now came up with the first black princess in The Princess and the Frog. I loved it and I cried. It’s about time!
I don’t necessarily agree with this author’s use of material for school literacy. I think kids have enough trouble as it is without knowing what cartoons are really like. I mean I didn’t know when I was little and I’m glad no one told me or I would never like cartoons or myself. I think it may be counterproductive for students although this teacher said she thinks she helped them make a difference. Maybe some did become advocates for equal rights for women and minorities, but I think some sensitive girls or boys may get discouraged. This could only be used with older children and even then I am skeptical. It’s a great way to involve multiple genres of literature like animation, movies, film strips, etc, but the content is serious and could cause complications for some students.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
3 reads...all good
First of all, I want to congratulate everyone who did a MGRP. I truly loved everyone’s presentation and gained so much knowledge from each topic.
Opinion on Evans
I understand where Evans is coming from in her piece, but if we transform our teaching to all digital we will have some serious problems. The Evans article made it sound like all teachers must incorporate technology now, because that’s what interests the children. I believe technology is important, but traditional teaching without any use of technology is just as important. Some students still can’t afford computers let alone internet. So homework online including computer games may not work for students of low-income families. Evans reveals that children play video games and watch TV, rather than have make-believe play outside. I have a problem with this. Too much technology means not moving the body; therefore, leads to health problems including obesity. Also many games are individual, so when does the student learn to work with others? I do believe computer games should be censored first as well as videos and music that will be used in the classroom for certain activities. I plan on using technology in my classroom, but want my children on their own to choose a book rather than a computer game when given a choice on an activity.
Opinions on Hill
I believe that the photostory project could be beneficial to most students in upper elementary grades even though it seems complex. I would have to explore it more on my own first, but it might be a great way to teach multiple genres of literacy. It may be like a digital MGRP!
Opinions on Igoa
The reading was very interesting and sad to me. I never really thought about what it would be like to move to another country and have to learn their language at a young age in a school very different than the one I’m used to. I don’t know how they do it. It’s amazing. The teacher talking about how to work with immigrant children obviously is a phenomenal educator based on the progress these particular children made throughout the school year. This text was more about how to teach immigrants to overcome culture shock and immerse themselves in the American way of literacy. However, I think we were suppose to focus on the film strips since that’s what we will be working on next class. I’ve never made a film strip and don’t know much about it, but Igoa made it clear that film strip making really helps immigrant children open up. I’m looking forward to are introduction to this type of technology.
Opinion on Evans
I understand where Evans is coming from in her piece, but if we transform our teaching to all digital we will have some serious problems. The Evans article made it sound like all teachers must incorporate technology now, because that’s what interests the children. I believe technology is important, but traditional teaching without any use of technology is just as important. Some students still can’t afford computers let alone internet. So homework online including computer games may not work for students of low-income families. Evans reveals that children play video games and watch TV, rather than have make-believe play outside. I have a problem with this. Too much technology means not moving the body; therefore, leads to health problems including obesity. Also many games are individual, so when does the student learn to work with others? I do believe computer games should be censored first as well as videos and music that will be used in the classroom for certain activities. I plan on using technology in my classroom, but want my children on their own to choose a book rather than a computer game when given a choice on an activity.
Opinions on Hill
I believe that the photostory project could be beneficial to most students in upper elementary grades even though it seems complex. I would have to explore it more on my own first, but it might be a great way to teach multiple genres of literacy. It may be like a digital MGRP!
Opinions on Igoa
The reading was very interesting and sad to me. I never really thought about what it would be like to move to another country and have to learn their language at a young age in a school very different than the one I’m used to. I don’t know how they do it. It’s amazing. The teacher talking about how to work with immigrant children obviously is a phenomenal educator based on the progress these particular children made throughout the school year. This text was more about how to teach immigrants to overcome culture shock and immerse themselves in the American way of literacy. However, I think we were suppose to focus on the film strips since that’s what we will be working on next class. I’ve never made a film strip and don’t know much about it, but Igoa made it clear that film strip making really helps immigrant children open up. I’m looking forward to are introduction to this type of technology.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
MGRP Reflection
I learned that writing a paper can be fun when you know you have other options. Having a choice in anything is the best. No one really likes being controlled, or told what to do. I love the freedom that the MGRP gives students. It is especially important to allow children to do what they need to read and write even if they aren't doing the traditional reading from a literature text book. Young students have energy, energy I wish I had. A MGRP allows for this energy to be used in a beneficial manner.
I have to tell you all that I found this task difficult and stressful because there are so many genres to choose from. It's choosing that's hard, but also a blessing, because once I had a plan the rest was smooth sailing. I think in the future there will be some things I will do differently, such as making a list of genres to choose from instead of having too much freedom in a small amount of time. I also think I would like to study the genres more before I use them. I loved that we practiced with poetry and newspaper article writing. That helped me figure out my strengths. However, I didn't learn how to make a comic or explore script writing further before I made my own.
As for future teaching, I will absolutely use the MGRP in my classroom whether it's kindergarten or 6th grade. Can you imagine a kindergarten MGRP. The pieces may include finger painting, clay molding, dressing up, and a drawing. It's a great place to start allowing kids to explore their talents!
I have to tell you all that I found this task difficult and stressful because there are so many genres to choose from. It's choosing that's hard, but also a blessing, because once I had a plan the rest was smooth sailing. I think in the future there will be some things I will do differently, such as making a list of genres to choose from instead of having too much freedom in a small amount of time. I also think I would like to study the genres more before I use them. I loved that we practiced with poetry and newspaper article writing. That helped me figure out my strengths. However, I didn't learn how to make a comic or explore script writing further before I made my own.
As for future teaching, I will absolutely use the MGRP in my classroom whether it's kindergarten or 6th grade. Can you imagine a kindergarten MGRP. The pieces may include finger painting, clay molding, dressing up, and a drawing. It's a great place to start allowing kids to explore their talents!
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