One of the most effective means of social control that I have seen used in a school is our system of marks. We give a mark for various things such as being off task (OT), responsibility (R), talking (T), gum (G), and many more. The students get special rewards such as an ice cream party every six weeks that they may attend if they have had less than three marks. They are also able to lose a mark if they receive a good job card. Good job cards are given out if a student is caught helping another student, turning in money that was found, or anything that shows they are trying to be a good citizen. Our principal is very stern, yet all of the students cling to her because she is also a shining light to them - they respect her. It is wild but they really respond to the mark system :).
As far as the articles go, I would first to say that the ESL teacher’s board has a lot of useful information. As with any board that anyone can post to, you have to watch for your occasional nut, but from what I have seen it appears to be very beneficial. I am a little weary about commenting on the Melting Pot link, mainly because I think that has a lot to do with political views. BUT, I would like to say that my main goal is to help the children that are here to become productive members of society – which leads me to the final article :).
When I first started reading the article “Toward a Centrist Curriculum: Two Kinds of Multiculturalism in Elementary Schools,” I was unsure of where he was going. After reading the essays of immigrant teenagers I was confused as to why some of them held so much resentment for not having experienced their “own culture.” Hirsch said that cosmopolitanism is a friend to diversity - that kind of reaffirmed what I was feeling, but afraid to say. After I thought about his ideas it does make sense that we need social fairness, but I do feel strongly that each person is unique and deserves to know their heritage.
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Wow, do I feel silly! I did not see the ‘article’ for Multiculturalism in the Curriculum. I was smart enough to scroll down to see the links after I opened them on the ESL Teacher’s Board, just not bright enough to see the article :o). It was not until I started reading others blogs that I realized I had missed something!! Anyways, here are my thoughts. Waxler’s ideas really resonated well with me. I think that his way of teaching multiculturalism in the school is the most beneficial for all of the students. I love the ideas he gave for providing a MC education. I guess the only problem I have is the idea that teachers should move a way from the textbook. Moving away from the textbook is too far to the left, maybe we could refine the textbooks :).
ReplyDeleteMore discussion needed with regard to the readings.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, schools do serve political, social, and economic purposes with regard to curriculum implementation. With that in mind, sometimes your political views influence a lot of happenings within the school system especially with regard to cultural issues such as ESL/ELLs.
ReplyDelete