H.w- 50

Gatto-

Boredom. Gatto talks about boredom being everywhere in his world. He goes on to say that indeed even the school teachers were every bit as bored as the students. But then who is to blame for the boredom if we blame them and they blame us. He tells the story of how he was "cured of boredom" A story in which his grandfather told him his boredom was his own fault with no one else to blame. "Do we really need school?" he clarifies that he means the forced schooling, not education. He goes on to question this structure he says : Is this "twelve year deadly routine" really necessary? His answer pretty much connects to boredom, he says, "Well schooled kids have a low threshold for boredom" Also "urge them to to take on serious matter."


I thought Gatto's idea's were interesting. He was in no way saying no to education , but he wasn't saying that the way it is right now is probably the best. What he means by that is the whole structure of what we learn and the amount of time we spend. I guess we can say that he is kinda against it. His idea of schooling and boredom go hand in hand. Boredom comes from not enjoying the way schooling works. Not enjoying the structure that we are forced to go through for a long period of time. So, in order to stop being bored we must figure out a way to enjoy the education, to actually want to learn. I agree with this thought. Wouldn't school be that much better if everyday we are walking in and knew that what we were gonna learn was going to be enjoyable? But then again, is that all it takes? "curing" boredom?




Delpit-


Here we are introduced to Distar lessons. Pretty much it is a way of teaching that focuses on "higher education level critical thinking skill." She goes on to talk about how this way of teaching only helps people who know these skills to exhibit the skills, and those who don't end up "needing remedial instruction." Her idea is that students must be taught the codes necessary to "participate fully in the American life." She goes on to say that the appropriate education for poor children should be consulted with adults from their own culture. She proposes five aspects of power , that is a complex theme.


I don't agree with the whole Distar lesson. I think its a way to make students who "aren't " for any reason able to prior learn these schools feel as though they aren't to the level of others. Its sorta a way to discriminate the "bad" students from the "good." I'm not sure the way its done is the best. Then again we need to keep in mind the fact that maybe some of these students are in need of extra help, or are not yet to the level of others for a and b reasons. Going into the codes she believes necessary , who knows what the codes truly should be? What if her ideas of these skills and codes don't work for everyone , just a certain amount of students. How do we know that, that way is truly, genuinely the right way to start ones education.


Mr.Fanning-


Liberal arts schools was one of the topics Mr. Fanning came in and started taking about. He went over what some people have said and thought about liberal arts schools and what his own opinion is. He also talked about the way schools are resembling the structure of S.OF. , even though "we've being doing it that way for years." Fanning also told s what he believed a perfect education was...¨constantly learning, throught out your whole life, and meeting class goals that are set, BUT having your own goals in mind and meeting those as well.¨ He stated that before school was a way to get ahead , now we have this mentality of we HAVE to go, so we do.

I though what Mr. Fanning had said about what a perfect education is was interesting.

The fact of learning your whole life is sorta intimidating, but when we think about it we learn any way, almost everyday we learn something new. Also the ides of setting our own goals and meeting them is something very important, and that we should and need to do. Its a way of knowing and figuring out what we are capable of and keep going from there. Over all Fannings ideas were things i haave heard before but i can tell he really believes in.

Freire-










*I am not done with this post as you can see, i will be finishing up by tonight , i just wanted to post some work to show that i have been working on it*

H.W 49

My class film was not finished, so i wil be discussing the film Class A put togeather. For my class film though i will say that i did not contribut much . The days of filming i was either late or absent , and the one day i was there, not much went on. Selected characters were acting and it seemed to take alot to make that part of the film as the director wanted it to end up. The film for my class was not supposed to be the typical teacher saves student situation, but on the other hand how the student saves the teacher. My class decided to make a situation in which the teacher is in a bad situation and the student comes in and helps them see through their ways. The ending was supposed to be one in which the student made an impact on someone they truly cared about, the teacher who was ultimatly going in the wrong path.

I guess a message we can get from the film my class was preparing is that not only teachers have the power to change someone, or something. We kind of always have this idea that teachers are these great people who are there to help us and show us the right way, we students are never on the right path, we need this guidance and help from the teachers, but thats not always true. Its true that usually when thinking of school we think of these wise teachers passing on the knowledge they have gained to these poor lost kids, but thats not always the case. Students can teach the teacher so much more aswell. Students can also have the power to help a teacher, be their savior. The tone went from a bad to a good one, we see the teacher at his low, only to end up being helped and get to be the good person they know he can be.

Our film wanted to switch the roles of the teacher and student, following with that after seeing the film class A put togeather you can see the different idea they wanted to show us. Pretty much that not in every case a teacher will be our savior , that in many cases there is just no hope and the teacher will give up. We can also say that the wanted to show just how much what we are being taught really matters. We see the student question what the teacher is saying and at the end we see the teacher lash out on them, calling them out for what they ¨truly are.¨

With that being said we automatically see the contradictions from their class film and the films we have seen in class. The films in class show how patient the teacher is, how not even their personal lives can stop them from helping these (once again) poor unfortunate kids. They are so determined to help them out that they will stop at nothing. While in the film we see that the teacher at the beggining seems to try to enjoy his class but at the end just cant take it anymore and gives up . In this class film the teacher isnt being taken serious, he isnt inspiring anyone, he isnt changing or helping anyone, hes just there. We see at the end that even him lashing out on the students isnt important, they go on to what they were doing previosly.

Salvation and education just seem to go hand in hand. Teachers are teachers to change kids, to open doors, to be able to feel like they are making some sort of difference in the crazy society we live in. We support teachers, we always say that in order to be a teacher you must love that job, you must enjoy it and wake up and be hapy to go out and do it, kind off like we see in the films in class.

Extra Credit Opportunity- The Class

While watching the movie I realized how much more realistic this was, the situations put forth were a bit more releatable, unlike the other movies in which the teachers main priority are the students. I mean the other movies gave out these great ideas of how good some teachers are , how dedicated, and how they can really make a change. This movie on the other hand showed us a different side, in which the teacher was a bit more "real."

When it comes to the situation with Souleymane I think we have all been in a class with someone like that. Someone who sits there seeming not to have a care about the class, makes jokes, starts arguing with the teacher and ends up arguing with the students, insults are thrown, words are said, someone ends up leaving the class. Many times, actually almost all the time situations such as these are resolved by simply kicking the student out, such as one of the teacher states in the movie when speaking of how she handles the situation with Souleymane, SOF does this. Whenever a student acts up security is called, they are asked to leave, the problem is "resolved." I'm not sure if this is the right way to handle it, but if not what could work? It kinda goes with that mentality if you don't see it then there is no problem, as long as the student isn't there to distrupt the class, then everything is fine. Difference to the film, SOF doesn't seem to follow up on these small incidents, they are let go, until it gets out of hand of course, but it seemed as though the school in the movie takes a bit more action, not alot more, but there is something. They have meetings discussing the students , choose weather to warn them or deliberate expulsions. Maybe that is something we should work on, fixing the problem not ignoring it unless its happening right in front of our eyes. It may seem like a simple disruption isn't much during math class, science class, history class, or any class but the safest thing to do is look into it, pay attention to it, follow it.

When Souleymane was sitting with his mom and the teachers I couldnt help to think about what I would do in the situation, the first thing that went through my head was whether expulsion was an option, replaying what had happened in my head i wasn't sure, sure he got out of hand, but it wasn't ALL his fault. With that being said, i don't think not ONE single person can be held responsible for what had happened. The finger should not have been pointed only to Souleymane, he was just the bubble that had enough and burst. Mr. Marin wasn't a great teacher compared to what we have seen in the other films, but he wasn't someone who just gave up on the students either, as we saw when Souleymane did a good job in his self portrait. Mr. Marin contributed to the problem, calling the girls "bitches" having problems with the students, being many times "disrespectful" but again, he is not completably responsible. It was like a domino effect, sure you push the first one, but they all fall and hit the others. then again, Mr. Marin did do wrong in not adding what he had done, he sorta "sold him out" by making it as though the whole problem was Souleymane, when it wasnt.

At the age of 14- 15 its hard to say they have to be morally responsible for their own actions, sure thats the way it should be but that doesnt mean its the way its going to be. With the excuse of them being "children" we can say no, they are not yet completly responsible for their actions and choices , but they are responsible for some of it. They should think more into outcomes of what they do , how it will affect them and others, but what 14-15 year old sits there and does this, very few. Thats why its so complicated , I for one cant say yes or no to this question , im in the middle of it all. Now is the teacher responsible for finding a solution? Again the logical is yes he is, when a teacher becomes a teacher he shouldnt only teach, he should be there to help, atleast in their classroom. With that being said sometimes teachers don't know what to do, if they are trying and the student isn't colaborating then theres point, nothing will change. It takes two to tango, corny but i think many of us , students and teachers, shoud keep this in our heads. How can we point fingers if we make faults? How can we ask for change when we arent trying to do anything ourselves? Its something we need to think about.

Over all i really enjoyed the film , I liked the realistic feel, the fact that i could relate, and how it made me think about the situation shown.

H.w 48- Treatment for Savior/Teacher Movie

The movie starts off with the music , loud "hard" music. The rebel is walking around, with a huge posse behind him. Hes making not so funny statements , but they still laugh along. The girls have adoring eyes, the guys casually glare, yet they still stand there and follow him into the classroom. They sit crowded around him, unimportant conversation is going on, no one really cares. The week before the last teacher ran out, she couldn't handle them, it was funny, it seemed like no one could, no one was on their level, no one got them.
On the other room a guy is meeting with the principle, discussing his first day, the principle warns him, they aren't a easy bunch, he thinks he can handle them, they stare at each other, the principle with a worried look, the teacher with smile, he thinks he can conquer the world.
Back in the classroom, They wondered if they were gonna have another free period, but suddenly the door opens, its the principle, hes not important no one pays attention. He has some sort of ¨important¨announcement , suddenly this guy walks in. Hes kinda odd looking, hes smiling, dressed in clothes as thought trying to show hes different, he definitely looks different. The principle introduces him, looks at him with pity then walks away shaking his head. The teacher has no idea whats coming for him, but they do.
He tries to get a word across, not gonna work , hes blabbering , blah blah blah, no one hears a thing, no one pays attention.Hes loosing the battle he doesn't know what to do. The rebel walks out he doesn't care , the rest follow, the teacher sits there, now what? He sits there hand in his hair, he cant achieve it, he knows it, he puts his head down, he has given up.

H.W 47-Class Film Preperation

List of ideas-

*-Of course there has to be a ¨bad boy¨ or the rebel, the one who just isnt giving into what the ¨savior¨ is trying to show. IDK why , but it seems to me like this should be a guy, the cool laid back type.

* -The student who secretly wants to find out why this ¨savior¨ is trying so damn hard. The one who is interested in what they have to teach.

- The students who follow the rebel, the savior wont get through to them , no matter how hard they try, they must get to the rebel first.

- I guess our film should focuse on the typical classroom scene,where the teacher tries to get their attention, fails, brings up some weird topic that will catch them, then they pay attention only for the teacher to fail in the end once again.

-OR we can do a different scene. In which the students are habing problems
(fight scene or such) where the teacher comes and ¨saves the day¨only in their eyes, to end up feeling rejected by the students.

*- Something key has to be the words that are said by the students and the teacher. There has to be that sarcasm from the student, showing they dont care, and the remarks from the teacher must be strong, riddely almost, something that sorta confuses them but pulls dem in as well.

- Also we can make the film sorta mocking the teacher/savior situation. Not so sure how.

The thoughts with the star by them are the most important because they will make the film that much more powerful. Having that one person who does not believe in the teacher is key beacause it shows the difficulties of both the teachers ans students. The teacher for trying to get to them and the student for just not being able to let go off what they have seen, lived and have been raised to believe and be like. Also the student who secretly very curious about the teacher is important because it shows us hope, once again hope for both teacher and student.

H.w 46- Research and Writting

¨What are My Rights?"

Chapter 2- You and School

So since my topic focuses on the the difference in the school system and the ways of schools in both here (me now) and in Ecuador (when my mom was young)I chose the questions in this chapter that seem to relate a bit more. They are -

Do I have to go to school?

This is the first question asked in this chapter. This seemed important to me because though we ask ourselves this questions many times through out the week we dont really know the answer. Pretty much the first sentence answers the questions ¨By law, all U.S. children are required to go to school¨ (Bummer huh? -_-) We go on to find out that depending on the state in which you live in , the minimum age to start school may differ. They also state tho that children five to six years of age are requiered to attend first grade . Theres different options of schooling and attendance, such as: home schooling, charter schools etc. We are allowed to choose where we want to go to school but going is a must. An important fact is that before starting school we must meet the requierements of immunization.

When it comes to my topic on the difference in the schoool systems in the U.S and Ecuador I already see a difference. Though school is techniqually requiered in Ecuador , if you do not attend you are not doing anything wrong, you are in no trouble whatsoever. Though many kids want to go to school (usually in the poorer parts) sometimes they just cant go. They must help their families and go out to work at young ages. Due to poverty many people cant afford going to school , the cost of the uniforms (requiered up until grade 6 and now maybe even beyond) books and many other supplies are just too much for some. Also, schools in Ecuador are almost all ¨Catholic Schools type¨ From first to sixth grade you are requiered to go to these schools that reflect catholic schools , wear uniform , and usually its same sex. Once out you may transfer to a same sex school.

Its weird though, because something most people take for granted such as education, other people might never experience and want to.

Do i have to obey my teacher ? and Do i have complete freedom of expression at school?

These two actually seemed to relate to me. First in the questions Do i have to obey my teacher? What i got was that sorta you do lol. They have the right to ¨discipline¨you for breaking any rules that are set , they have the right to suspend and expell you , but not anything crazy like give you a criminal record. what i didnt know was that corporal punishment may be allowed as long as its not excessive, and physical discipline is not prohibited by the Constitution. It ios though against the law to insult and abuse a teacher, the state ¨because of there special position in the community , teachers are given extra protection by the law." The second questions answer starts of ¨Noone whether a juvenile or adult has complete freedom of expression¨Kinda sums the whole passage up.

In Ecuador you MUST obey your teacher while in school at all times. No if ands or buts. Teachers there are to be respected and listened to, if not you will get punished. Teachers have the right to punish you in the way they see right, such as hitting hands with rulers, pulling ears, yelling, or seperating from anyone. Its harsher there, you pretty much have no say in anything that disagrees with what the teacher is trying to get you to say , do , or even be. When it comes to your freedom of expression, in school you dont normally have any , IF its against what the school believes, yo u will just end up being a rebel.

I find it ionteresting how discipline here and there differ. Here a simple detention can be given for someone talking back to a teacher in a rude manner, while in Ecuador you can get your hands hit with a ruler about 5 times just for seeming disrespectful.

* Im not done yet, i will try to add more in the next day or two*