Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Rodriguez/August Blog--Connections/Questions

I think the two readings from Rogriguez and August share some common themes. While they both focus on different concepts, the underlying message stayed apparent to me. The idea of "silence" or when kids are afraid to say what they are thinking for fear of being judged. I think this is an area to be examined.

In the Rodriguez article, we read of a student from a bilingual (mostly Spanish speaking) family who attended a school where the English language was treated most highly. He was expected to speak only English at school and soon his parents were even asked to do the same in their home to ensure the best learning for this child. In requesting that their household become an English-only one was appaling to me. This child, who felt so comfortable at home "in his own skin" was asked to give up his culture, his very sense of being. This young student retreated to "silence." He may have spoken words, but he was silenced for all that he stood for, for all that his family represented. Families should not have to give up their heritage, but embrace the culture from which they came. This is what makes America the diverse place it is. There is no other country that shares the differences that ours does and we must foster and be proud of what we stand for! Asking a child to steer away from his comfort zone in order to conform to a school society is unfair. When a child becomes "silent" or is unable to express their emotions or feelings, we must take a closer look and examine the causes of these "silences." This child had no where to turn for comfort. His home was no longer a safe haven and he was forced into "silence." He retreated and was forced to conform to the norm. This is unacceptable. As an educator, I find it amazing to listen to bilingual children. They truly have an upperhand in our current society. Translators are always needed and children should be able to acquire the English language while also preserving the heritage and culture from which they came.

Now, in the same sense, the August dissertation focused on Cody's "silence" in the classroom, despite Zeke's multiple attempts to get him to speak. It seemed Cody was an active participant in his classroom, except when it came to fully disclosing that he had two moms. Cody would also be forced in to "silence" all because he did not want to openly share about his home situation, having two lesbian mothers. He subconsciously knew that the societal norm was a mommy and a daddy, it seemed. And because of this "normed" situation, he did not care to share about his family. Rather than accept Cody's "shyness" as he termed it, Zeke prodded and pryed but it took Cody a long time to say the words "two moms." Maybe Zeke's forceful, or designed dialogicality, attempt to create a teachable moment for his classmates, shouldn't have been what he, as a teacher, was to be focused on. Maybe Zeke should have interpreted and further examined Cody's "silence." I think there could have been other instances or ways that Zeke could have addressed Cody's not wanting to discuss his family life with the entire class.

This notion of "silence" has so many underlying meanings. As educators, we must look in to the causes for this "silence" and do whatever we can to create opportunities to break the silence.

How can we get children to talk without feeling pressured?

What tools can we use to create a risk-taking, comfortable learning environment for each and every student?

Is designed dialogicality the best way to be certain that these teachable moments happen? Or is there something special about the dynamic nature of children's conversations?

Will children talk and make themselves heard if they truly want to be heard?

How can we model the importance of diversity in all that we do in the classroom and out?

I used to think I had the answers to all of these questions, but then when I read the articles we have over this summer session, I feel that there is such a huge discrepancy in what I thought actually happened in schools. There is so much for me to learn and that is what will keep it interesting.

No comments:

Post a Comment