Preston's Poem

Falling Water

A man named Frank Lloyd Wright
A dreamer and a visionary
An architect he was
Who created inspiring designs
A man who was before his time
Where his designs came to life
Brick by brick, rock by rock, glass by glass they began a perfect fit
His designs were like masterpieces

Falling waters sitting high on a bluff
Higher than the clouds above
Terrace and balconies, oh what a view
Waterfalls so high it was like you could touch the sky
Natures surroundings were so serene
The peacefulness in the nature were so calm
The sounds of running streams and waterfalls become one
Falling waters was an architects dream

Sam's Journal 10 Post

  What struck me as the most important was the difference in the quality of education between the poor school districts and the wealthy ones. There were both positive impacts and negative impacts of facilities in this film. The children from the wealthy school districts seem to be happy overall in their schools. The majority of them also seem to have set goals and a direction or path that they are following. Unlike the children from the wealthy districts, the children from the poor schools are exactly opposite. Their demeanor overall is unhappy and they seem to be lost in their sights for their future. The sense that the schools do not care about them creates a feeling of not caring about education. I guess you could say that they feel as if they are on their own without support from anyone. The fact that these kids are tied to one district depending on where they live gives you a great sense of unfairness. The unequal resources divided up between districts is a hard pill to swallow. Jonathan Kozol informs us, "These school districts get their money from property taxes. Therefore the wealthier neighborhoods have wealthier schools." As Americans this does not seem right.
 
  My overall opinions of the faculties here at OSUM are excellent. It has great resources available for tutoring and small class sizes effective for learning. The technology available at this campus as far as general education courses go, is up to par. I am excited about the new building that has been approved for science and engineering classes. The ability to be able to finish college here in Marion would be a great benefit for me.I have absolutely no time to join any clubs here on campus, but would enjoy a fishing club if I had the opportunity. I also wouldn't mind attending some of the seminars here on campus if I had the time to do so.

Film response BreAnna Baer

     The thing that struck me as the most important is the schools that are just falling down literally. The schools were throughout the whole film, the children were impacted tremendously by the filth and destruction of the school, they were ashamed to walk into the building or even sit in the classrooms. The quote that had struck me that is what I truly believe in, "We are a bunch of flowers growing in a garbage can." was said by a teacher in one of the poorer schools. these children walked into the classroom and still learned and some blossomed and became amazing students, some dropped out they didn't feel the need to go to school. Could you walk into a falling apart school and feel good, or that the school district cared about you and your education? I know I couldn't!
       OSU-Marion is a good campus, it is my first year as a college student so i do not really know what it is to other colleges but it is small and easy to get around. I do not see any actual weaknesses in the campus. The strengths are that the professors actually get to know your name which a benefit for it being a smaller campus but it puts everyone on a more personal level which for me helps me feel more secure and easier to learn. I still have not really became active in any of the events on campus, I know I would like to.I would like to try and start using the library as a study ground, and also become of the outdoor club and do some fun activities. I just want to become more involved in my campus next year and the rest after that.
   

Amanda's film response-- Journal 10

Part One:
My overall response to the film was shock to the fact that there were so many schools that were still running on coal within Ohio. I know that myself would have a bad time considering my asthma. The dust alone from coal would probably be enough to work up an attack let alone having to be in the building for more than an hour would must likely make me go to the hospital.

The impact was with the kids themselves, I thought. The kids that were in the classrooms with ceilings with holes and rain water dripping down on their desks and floors were not very happy. They seemed like Zombies walking through the hallways not wanting to go. In class, you could see the disconnect of the kids bodies were there but their minds were off elsewhere not learning adding on the fact that their books and materials that they had available were either non existent or so far out of date it made it almost impossible for focus to be maintained. Some of the schools had so many budget cuts that Art and music were taken away. Teachers were having to get materials for their class out of their own pocket.  One of the kids commented on the state of the school as "That building is falling down." Another said " Why should I care? when its obvious that no one else does."

On the other side of the fence the kids whose parents were more able to invest into their community and schools the kids seemed happy to be there, state of the art technology at their fingertips in every classroom if not every other classroom.  Afternoon activities like track and music were in full supply. Teachers seemed to be having materials provided for them out of the school budget vs. paying for everything themselves.  One of the comments that I caught on to was that "Extracurricular activities can and do make a difference in everyday life."

Part Two:
I will start with the weakness of the Marion campus, which is really the lack of security on campus after nightfall. I know that the security officer that is here now is retired. I am appreciative that he is giving up his time to be here, but at some point he has to go home. It worries me a little because there is still classes going on at night. This campus is one of the remote campuses that I have been too, while crime maybe low here, I am used to having that sense of security being around corner if something happens in order to feel secure.

I think a strength of the campus is resources to get what you need done. be it a knowledgeable advisors, professors who actually have a master's degree and having  the real life experience to back up what they are talking about to the ever helpful Math Lab that has been a enormous help to me and working with my schedule to help me get through my math.

I will be honest and say that I have not taken advantage of the clubs or events as my work schedule just conflicts with most of the activities. I would not mind, in the future participating in a book club or even volley ball. Just depends on the when.

Journal 10- Colin Visconti

In this film, I was shock to see not only how many schools in the nation, but how many of them in Ohio that were in such rough shape. While watching this film, I couldnt help but to notice how nasty and gross the insides of the schools were. Shools like that would affect my abilities to lean and desire to go to school, and they have. It was quite ironic to see the schools in the video, because the elementary school I attended in 5th and 6th grade was just as bad, if not worse, than some of those schools. I remember how hard it was to hold focus and keep the desire to attend school. this showed with my acedemic progress, for it was the wrost two years of my acedemic history. I wasnt long after i left that we built a new k-12 building, that i attend my last 2 years, and they knocked the old Iberia elementry school building down. Just a little fun fact for you; the building was so old that ten years after it was built, President Warren G. Harding attended college there for the following 3 years.


OSUM is actually one of the most convienient and nicer campuses that i have seen. though a regional campus, with the configuration of the buildings and the pond OSUM doesnt feel like a regional campus. if there is a building or resource that i feel i dont use enough, it would be the library. for some reason i never go there, or feel the need to go there. but other than that i would say i use all the other resources and facilities consistantly.

Journal 10

What struck me as most important was how bad of condition the schools in Ohio. Also, that I had never knew any school in Ohio was in that bad of condition. The schools showed in the video did not have adequate space for the number of students they had. They didn’t have the proper restroom facilities and children were made to walk outside to another building if they need the restroom. The ceilings were leaking on the children during class. There were holes in the walls and ceilings and the paint was falling off. Some of the schools still heated with coal. This was a problem for students with allergies or just in general not healthy. Not only were the facilities themselves were in bad condition, but there was not much in them. The teachers supplied their own equipment and school supplies so their class could do projects and learn. Some of the high school children that graduated had never used a computer.

 I had never thought of it from the students perspective which is they were thinking that if no one cares to fix the school that we attend then how do they feel about us? Even the staff felt this and had to deal with the unfit facilities.  A teachers would tell her students, “We are flowers growing in a garbage can.” While another man stated that we spend more money on cat food than we do textbooks.

 

There are many positive features to the OSU Marion campus. Some of them are clubs and activities that are available e to students. They range from multicultural clubs to sports clubs. I feel a weakness of the campus is that not all of the clubs and organization are advertised well. I have not taken advantage of any of the clubs or organization that are available, but I wouldn’t mind trying something like a sport or an organization that helps out charities.

Journal 10 film response- Lacie

The film in my eyes was actually pretty sad. It's sad to look at how many schools in Ohio are crumbling down compared to the ones that are up and running with pools, gyms, art classes, music rooms, cafeterias and much more. The ones that are crumbling should be closed down with all of the health violations but then where would the students learn? I don't think it's right that some children have never used crayons or clue and have to walk through puddles in the hallway just to go to class. It's unfair that students have to study with other students playing basketball right in front of them, no peace and quiet. Not to mention the band room is under the gym floor hearing nothing but stomping. Every subject should have its own room where they can do what they need to do with no interruptions. Both types of schools greatly impact the students. The crumbling school impacts their students negatively, yes they get an education but is it really the best education they can receive? no. They nicer schools impact their students positively because they are getting a wider education. They have so much more supplies and computer to get the best education they possibly can not to mention the atmosphere is fantastic so they really have nothing to worry about. "Just a bunch of flowers growing in a garbage can" was the quote that hit me the hardest. Those children have so much potential and they are definitely trying their best to get the best education possible but it's much harder when the school they learn in is a dump.

The OSUM campus is really a great facility and i'm proud to be apart of it. The atmosphere is nice and now that the campus is tobacco free it's even better! It could use a little work as in the gamers could possibly get their own room because they take up a lot of space in the student center and they are really loud when people are trying to get their work done. The furniture could be updated because frankly i think they are getting to be a little grungy but looking at what most people have it's hard to complain about something that is irrelevant! Strengths are tobacco free campus, great staff and a clean and great standing building. Weaknesses are students who litter on the campus like hello there is a trash can in every direction that you look! Also i love the vending machine and all but there are no healthy choices for on the go snacks! We need a small cafeteria that offers healthier choices please.. Sometimes there are bee problems in Morrill Hall and the furniture is a little gross but our campus is a lot nicer than most places.. One of the features that i haven't used that i would like to use is the workout facility.

Journal 10

The film that we watched in class was about how the state of Ohio was shown that most of the schools in Ohio way different with eachother. One thing that really stuck with me was that how the schools looked in the low income neighborhoods. The high income schools looked great, they were built new and had a lot of new additions in the school, while the low income schools were not looking so great. They had holes in the roof and when it would rain the rain would make puddles in the hallways and so the kids were walking in water and also the built alone was falling apart. They had coal warmers and no lunchroom or gym. It was just not a good place to send your kids. The impact of facilities I saw was that most of the poor schools were inner public schools and were the "trouble is" and the nice and new schools were where the new stores and businesess where and they were getting money from them to make this new school and while the poor ones didnt have this money they had to do what they could do and get the best out what they got. They all got education but the new schools had computers and stuff that would make their education more advanced compared to the poor schools who didnt have this. A direct qoute from the film that stuck with me was that "most kids drop out as soon as they turn 18" and I thought that this was big because the kids that said this were from the low income schools.

Ohio State Marion is a small campus but has good education, we have some nice buildings "library" that are up to date and we also have buildings that need some work. The strengths here are great teachers and the technology that we have. A weakness that I think we have is that we dont have many groups or clubs here, less interaction with students. The one opportunity that we have that I have not done yet was the writing help, I just havent gone to it and I think that it would help a lot if I did. I believe that if we made dorms for the students that the school would start to be bigger and have more things to do rather then having kids drive and leaving after two years, make this like a big college and make the college life great. A club that I want and will join is the soccer club that I have made, but I would like to see more clubs or sports here, we dont have any sports teams here anymore and we need to change that. I would like to see other clubs too not just sports, it could be a german or religious club it doesnt matter we just need some more clubs around OSUM.

From Mike Lohre: Secondary source Exercise

 Secondary sources are those we find outside the primary classroom sources (textbooks used in class and personal experience) of Kozol and Cisneros.

Here are some secondary sources outside of our class texts that I've incorporated into the class this semester.  The whole point of research is to help us gather different and insightful knowledge related to our class themes, so that we can have a deeper and more diverse understanding of our topics.  The only way to do this is to find multiple points of view that are credibile and interesting.

Now it's your turn.  In class today, Wednesday, I want you to go out and try to find a good seconardary source that helps you better understand one of the two factors you will focus on in Essay Two.

Once you find the source, write about it and describe it in the Comments section here.  Tell us how this source might help you in your essay, and then provide a link to this source at the end of your Comment.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/04/and-dont-help-your-kids-with-their-homework/358636/

http://www.ted.com/talks/salman_khan_let_s_use_video_to_reinvent_education

Looking at rebuttals and alternative views is crucial to getting a broad view of an issue.

Here's a teacher who thinks the Khan Academy is NOT the whole answer!

http://theassailedteacher.com/2012/02/09/putting-it-all-on-the-table-about-the-khan-academy/

OLDER LINKS FROM PAST SOURCES
http://www.ted.com/talks/stephen_ritz_a_teacher_growing_green_in_the_south_bronx

http://www.hobartshakespeareans.org/

http://www.amazon.com/The-Hobart-Shakespeareans-Rafe-Esquith/dp/B000CRR3GA

http://www.amazon.com/There-Are-Shortcuts-Rafe-Esquith/dp/1400030838/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396277234&sr=1-1&keywords=there+are+no+shortcuts

Reflection

I learned that children are our future and need to be taken care of. Regardless of the neighborhood they are from or what race they are. They are all different and brilliant kids who want to be seen as equal no matter where they come from or what they have seen. If the effort is put in while they are young they will become great people who do the same for others. I gained perspective about my own education while growing up and noticed that while better off my school had some of the same problems as P.S. 30 and others. Such as not having enough learning materials for every student, and some teachers who do not hold there positions long. I had witnessed some hire up people in the education system that influenced my school. The big one I remember was the debate over a new track and football field but lose of teachers and learning materials.

I think all of the notes could stand out, because they allow you to see the numbers and other references that make it more than just a story about children. The one the stood out to me was note 215,216 on page 359. It states that New York spends $8,200.00 per pupil with special education at P.S. 30. While only $5,200 is spent on regular classroom students. The same year other schools spent $18,000.00 and $20,000.00 on the schools. It relates to the chapter with Benjamin who is swept under the rug and viewed as a problematic child. Though with more resources could have not been held back. Also the size of the classrooms and differences in money that the local Mott Haven schools get, which is much less than schools in wealthier neighborhoods.   

Amanda's Reflection. Journal 9.

I thought the book was good. The strength and courage that the kids display in this story is amazing. These kids not only have to deal with their surroundings and walk through their neighborhood on guard in case someone shoots someone or someone lurking in the shadows trying to get your money.
       The kids get to go home to either drug dealers, drug addicts, a hard working single parent or grandparent, who may or may be home to greet them or to put food on the table if there is little to no money to but it with. With a lot of these kids one of their parents, sisters, and brothers is in  prison and yet these kids are watching what their siblings did and while they may not completely understand what is happening they are still taking in the little bit of their surroundings and pushing themselves to be better and making something of themselves so that they have a better future.
       I felt that the kids were probably the best part of the story because of how different they are from one another, but they do not let that hinder them while they are around each other. The kids showed us you can put any difference aside and be able to open your heart to any one and make them laugh or just to be there in comfort.

The most interesting facet of the Notes section was within chapter 20  was the use of Ritalin. I remember growing up and hearing about how my younger brother was as suggested to be put on Ritalin because he would loose interest in the class at a drop of an hat. All I knew then was that my parents were completely against the use of the drug. It would make the teacher furious with them because of the little control they had on my brother. On page 268 the big shock was the fact that this drug is dispensed with little supervision and as strong as this drug is it surprises me that the pharmacist would allow such a drug to be dispensed so freely as if it were candy.

Colin- journal 9

Through the jouney with  Kozol in Ordinary Resurections, i was able to develope a great deal of respect. Though I respect Kozol, this is not the respect I am talking about. seeming silly, i have developed the up most respect for the children in this book.

After being walked through thier dayly lives, and seeing what these children deal with every day, ive realized that my life is luxirous. The sad part is they have no choice but to be surrouinded by the drugs, gang violence, the poverty, and disease. then they have to find the will and the determination to make the best of it or to better theirs lives the best they can. then as the book goes on you learn everything about every child, and you can see how innocent these children are.then there is the moving part, thier role models.

some of these children dont even have the strucre at home that they should have. from the drugs to the poverty, the corruption of these childrens parents are a large part of there expected fall into that society. But then there are people like Mther Martha and the teachers at p.s. 30 who love and care about theses children and thier futures. they dont just teach them or watch them for the time that they are there, they get in voloved and help navigate them in the right direction. and in respect it all.

in the notes section, i found the part under Chapter 12, on pages 352 and 353 there was alot of info involving the citys prisons and other things involving poverty stricken people. i also like the note section under chapter 20 on page 363 about the use of ritalin.    

Sam's Journal Nine

After reading the book Ordinary Resurrections there were many things that stuck out in my mind. The One thing that stands out the most is, without the help from a few select individuals in the Mott Haven District, these children would have an even slimmer chance of finishing school and becoming model citizens. The dreams that these normal kids have are kept alive by a few people. These people give guidance and and fight to protect the children. Miss Katrice, Mother Martha, and Miss Rosa are a few of these individuals fighting to give these kids a chance to fulfill their dreams. The majority of the society seems to turn their heads to the consistent problems in Mott Haven and act as if it is a lost cause.
 The Note that stood out the most to me was on pg. 360 (217) Morris High School Statistics. Out of 1,196 students that start school in the ninth grade, only 66 end up receiving diplomas. That statistic shows how the neighborhood these kids live in swallows their dreams. They need more people like the ones mentioned above to help change the culture in the area and help these children succeed.

Journal 9: Reflections on Ordinary Resurrections BreAnna Baer

     I learned something in this book that means a lot to me and that is that there are people, children or not, that have a short end of stick most of the time. The children in Mott Haven have been through a lot, but they still get up everyday and go to school with a smile on their faces. I also gained how society looks down on this neighborhood thinking these children are never going to go anywhere in life besides grow up and be trouble for others around them. I thought growing up my education was okay, there were moments where I thought it was awesome then there were moments I thought it was the most awful education ever, but after reading this book and then comparing it to my experiences I was the lucky one. Education is the most important thing to have and to offer children. Growing up as a child, I was always influenced to get a good education from my parents and somewhat felt it from society, these children have the support from their parents to go but when it comes to society they probably care less. With me saying that, there are many reasons to explain it, they put all the incinerators in that neighborhood, no decent schools. The neighborhood can debate it all the way and nothing will get changed.
      After reviewing the notes section there were many that struck me. I chose one that stands its point when it comes to the education for the children of Mott Haven. Note on chapter 15. "There is a direct connection between uncertified teachers, minority neighborhoods, and schools with low scores" (Jones, 357) "all black and Hispanic neighborhoods, all with 25 to 30 percent uncertified  teachers" (Jones, 357). This just summarizes why the students are not getting an education, and how they are sending uncertified teachers to teach them and not helping the children succeed.

Journal 9 Preston

We just got done reading Ordinary Resurrections by Jonathan Kozol and things that I learned about that meant the most to me while reading this novel was, how religous this book is, I mean it's about life and the kids and amazing people but they talk about God and religon alot in this book and for some reason it stuck with me. Another thing that stuck with me was the amazing people that he is around like, Mother Martha and the kids. He talks and show's us how they live and act they are normal people and he goes and follows them around and is just there. The perspective of my own education that I gained from this was that we need education and great teachers in our lives, to tell us what is right and wrong. I believe that if there is a great teacher at your school then I think the kids will learn alot more and they will focus and want to be there so that is good for teachers and kids and ect.

The note that stood out the most to me was on page 353 and what stood out was the fact that 5,173 kids in that city were being held in detention at one point in their life when they were between the ages of seven and fifteen and that is pretty crazy to see, I like to see the facts and what he means when he talks about this in the chapter. Another note that stood out was on page 344 where he tells us that children in local public schools have the lowest chance of admissions to the city college entrance, and that just shows that they are not giving the kids a chance they might assume that they are trouble makers and all but Kozol is showing us the bright side of these kids and that is great.

Journal 9- Lacie

The thing that I learned was the hope that these children give to the adults. Kozol's parents starting getting worse at the end of the book and his dad at one point thought that Kozol was his brother. Kozol knew he wouldn't be around for long but he would always pray for more years to come with them. I feel that the adults got through life a little easier knowing that they had the kids to make them happy, to brighten up their day. They just wanted to give the children a good eduacation and a good life and they did their very best. If my teachers put in as much effort as the ones in the book then myself and other students i went ot school with would be better off. They didn't take the time ti sit there and explain to us what we didn't understand they just kept lecturing to us to the point we had no idea what was going on. They would then blame us for not knwoing because we "weren't paying attention". No you just dont know how to explain it to us or don't take the time to help us understand. The teacher is a big influence in our education today because we need them to teach us the things we don't already know.

The note that stood out to me in the back of the book was the note that states: "Teenagers who come back to help as tutors. One is the boy described in chapter 16 under the pseudonym of Benjamin. Now doing well at secondary school outside the Bronx, he has become a skillful and empathetic mentor to the younger children." This comes as a huge shock to me because Benjamin was the boy who couldn't sit still and wasn't really on the right path to achieve greatness. Also not many people get to leave the Bronx and he has left and become successful and has not forgotten where he came from because he came back to tutor.

Journal 9 Ashley Corwin

An important factor that I thought should be take out of this book is the care for the children. Kozol tells you the past the children have had and shows you that they still laugh and make the best of things. I gained insight of my own education by knowing more about Mott Haven and the south Bronx. I have watched shows that show crime scenes in the neighborhood, but I never saw the good groups of people such as the staff at St.Ann's or the teachers some of the children had. It shows a person that no matter where they are from, there are good people everywhere. Also this book shows the reader the connection that the adults have with the children.

A note from the back of the book that stood out to me was the note about how Kozol's conversation with the children begin. He says that on some occasions, children ask in advance if we can focus on a subject of immediate concern or one we've talked about before. This note was from chapter ten. In this chapter Kozol explains that in some cases he does not know what the children are going to tell him, and sometimes he has to push the children towards an answer. It depends on the child and their mood on what they are going to tell you. Sometimes kids will randomly come up to him and tell him something he wasn't expecting to hear. The decision is up to the children.

Journal 9

What I learned that means the most to me from this book is just to appreciate the little things that we take for granted. These kids come from a horrible neighborhood and a lot of us take for granted the fact that we're safe every night and don't have to worry about just walking down the street or whatever. We all have the chance to go to college and had good schools, for the most part, to go to. These kids don't have that, but they can go to college it's just a lot more rare and a lot harder for them to get there. For us, it's drilled into our heads from the beginning that we need to go to college.

The note that stood out to me was one from chapter 8 and it talks about how the mothers have protested the medical incinerator, some of the buildings that the children live in and how they are active in the education work now. All this relates back to how the children have asthma and how they don't live in the best conditions. The stereotypes about the mothers not taking any action or being worthless, is proved wrong by this note. Some of the mothers are stepping up, taking action and doing what they think is right for their children, which is great to read about!

Journal 8 Colin Visconti

In chapter 21 " Imaginary Music" I feel the underlining theme was to always find the joy in life no matter what the situation is. I also feel the way Kozol hits on this, is to never grow up all the way and when the time is right let the inner kid out.
As the chapter goes on, the children face a hard situation because they cannot afford the music equipment and things to have a music lesson in Mrs. Gambles class. therefore Mrs. Gamble made up for it by using  imaginary instruments and teaching them the correct technique for certain instruments. though silly, Mrs. Gamble knew how to make it fun and productive.  

In high school I feel that a lot of kids my age and younger than me were always held back because school was too boring and there was not enough interest to keep them busy. there was always something else on there minds and the never wanted to focus on the task at hand. in my opinion that was not entirely their fault. The teachers and instructors could have done a lot to make things more interesting and keep the interests of the students.

Amanda’s response to Chapter 21 “Imaginary Music”. Journal 8.

I felt there was several main themes of the chapter, but the one that I particularly enjoyed is when you become an adult, one should never forget the child side of you, as you never know when it may come in handy.

At the school P.S 28 where the poverty level of the classroom truly shows through the building and the classrooms themselves. A lot of the kids in Mrs. Gamble’s class would not have been able to afford an instrument let alone corresponding music lessons to understand the basics of how to play.  

 Mrs. Gamble provided the very basics of how to hold an imaginary flute properly in order to gain the kids attention to ensure that she had their undivided attention as all the kids in the room had to look at her for the finger placement that she had on her air flute.

It was just to break up the dullness of the lesson and to give the kids a brief reprieve she did a short dance in front of a room of third graders and the principal of the school with no qualms about how she looked. In that moment it was only for the kids to laugh at the same time being focused. I thought that was unique and fun way to bring music into the classroom even if you don’t have the instrument or instruction. Kozol commented about Mrs. Gamble on page 227 “She also showed herself to be a woman who was not too overly “mature,” or too “professional,” to show the happiness she felt at making magic music for the children with a magic, and imaginary flute.”

I would say one of the biggest influence that kept students from learning in high school I felt, was the amount of homework.  Most of the kids from my class were either from single parent homes or they had both parents who were working two jobs to keep everything balanced.

 Unfortunately a lot of kids just did not get the help that they needed as my high school there was not an after school program going on that provided additional help. We had study hall, but 9 times out of ten it was staffed by our gym teacher who was not very proficient in some subjects like math.  The teachers did make homework a large part of our grade in order to ensure we did the homework. So, that left a lot kids in the predicament of having to copy someone else’s work. Which was also problematic in many ways as the kids would leave just left enough time to copy off someone else to turn in the work and not read the assignment given.

While the main responsibility does resided with the student to get the work done.  The teachers and the administration I feel would have to work together in not only making a balance in the homework in order for the kids to have enough time to get their help but to bring back the after school program. I know with budgets cuts that the school board faces every year. The program could a free program hosted by graduated high school students, college students, even retired veterans or retired teachers get together maybe twice a week ( a Saturday meet up would be great) and just be available to high school students during a certain time of the day. For the students have the incentive tie in with community service hours. For the retirees would probably look at as something to do to get out of the house and to stay sharp on their knowledge.

Sam's Journal 8 The Right Attitude

In Chapter 22, Kozol has some reflections on past teaching experiences. He mentions that he has lost some of his fire to engage in intellectual arguments. This loss of motivation is due to the declining health of his parents.
 His father is in a nursing home and suffering from Alzheimer's. While a patient at the nursing home, his father still enjoys playing the part of a doctor. Self diagnoses of his own mental state and a thorough lectures of what is actually happening are part of his daily repertoire. While visiting with his father, Kozol listens as the conversation takes them back to the days of his father going to school. Kozol is intrigued by the experiences that his father was able to enjoy. His father grew up in South Boston. He grew up poor, much like the children from Mott Haven. Still he was able to go to college at Harvard and eventually travel to Europe and meet specialist in psychology. This journey ultimately helped him to make the decision to give up law school against his mothers wishes and further his schooling in the Harvard Medical School.
 Although it was not easy for his father to accomplish these task, it seems even harder for the children of Mott Haven. Kozol explains how he wanted the children he knew to have this opportunity, "I wanted them to have the richness and the thoroughness of education that my father had received, but I also wished they could know some of the freedom and intellectual capaciousness that he had known but which he had to struggle to achieve: the courage he had found to turn his back on expectations and adult determinations and the relentlessness of mind that that could permit him to risk everything by giving up law because his longings drew him all at once in an entirely new direction" ( Kozol 289).  
 To me the theme of the chapter was, the right attitude, and I think that this quote illustrates this theme.

 The biggest influence on keeping kids from learning for me would be lack of interest. If it is not interesting to a young kid, others will probably not be interested either. Making spitballs and joking around with the other kids in class was much more interesting to me than to listen to a boring lecture of protons and neutrons. Siting in the back of the class room with upper class men that had previously failed biology was way more fun than the subject itself. I also think that when you are forced to do something. You do not put forth the same effort that you would if you chose to do something. Let's not forget that you are in the stage of adolescence and for many, being cool is more important than being a strait A student.

Journal 8

I thought the main idea of chapter 21 “Imaginary Music,” was how the children were happy. This then lead to the adults around them having the same happy and childlike feelings. The chapter title “Imaginary Music,” to me felt like a reflection of the new third grade teacher April Gamble. She had taught in one of the best school in New York, and brought some of the skills she had learned back to P.S.  28. This is displayed in the story when the children get out of hand and the teach puts her arm up as to be playing a flute and children follow along. Not only was she able to make the unwanted behavior stop, but she was able to make it fun. She was not afraid to be childlike and enjoy what she was doing with the children. I feel like this theme followed through the whole chapter with adults seeing the children have fun and remembering what it feels like to be a child enjoying themselves. My favorite quote in the chapter was while Jonathan was watching the children play in the sprinkler outside by the garden. He says “They remind me of intoxicated elves.” I can see all of the children happy to be outside and playing in the water running without a care.

In my experience the biggest learning factor that kept was from learning was how I was being taught. I was never able to learn well from a teacher standing in front of me and saying read these pages and do the lesson, and there will be a test on Friday. I also felt like they were not very helpful in teaching the material. Sure, they would answer a question, but I was so hard to retain the information I had read in class and went home and try to study from it. I think this kept me from learning by limiting my time and not having hands on experiences. An example would be if I read the math chapter or science chapter I was assigned in class I then would have a short time to make notes and try to remember what I read for when I went home. All through high school I only had two teachers that would do activities on the material we were supposed to learn. Not only did I not have to sit in silence and stress about if my notes were right, but I did better on the test. I think it is not one person’s fault. The school said we did not have enough money to allow each kid to take a textbook home. I feel even if I was able to have a book not having to instruction on what I was learning was what stopped me from doing my best. I feel that the teachers who do get kids involved and try to make learning fun should keep records of how students do and pass it on. I think almost all students would improve.

 

Journal 8- Lacie

In chapter 21 "imaginary music" i think the main theme was "create your own happiness or to never give up". It was a hot day in May and the children would run through the sprinkler to get cooled off and then go back into class to learn. "it seems they get almost more fun from this than from more organized exertions that take place at public pools where chlorine and perhaps a hint of adolescent danger fill the air." page 273. These children make their own happiness and that what makes the adults happy. They find happiness watching the little ones. When Mrs. Gamble taught her class with imaginary flutes and they "played along" as if they were blowing into a flute too, teaches the children to never give up. Just because they didn't have actual flutes doesn't mean they couldn't pretend and be just as happy.

The biggest factor from keeping students from learning from my experience was other students. Other students can be a big distraction in certain situations. Maybe the boy you like sits right in front of you and you can't help but to think about him while staring at the back of his head. Or the class clown just played another prank on the teacher and the whole class laughs. Some times you sit there in class and think about other things that you find way more important like your plans this upcoming weekend because the topic you're learning about is so boring you can't focus. Some kids sleep in class because they couldn't sleep the night before. The only way to keep students focused is to have teaching techniques to keep them interested. Play a game that helps you learn as well as being entertaining and fun. Give them breaks to socialize with their friends so that they don't do it while you're teaching. Allow them to work with partners and do not just stand at the front of the class and lecture the entire time. Watch movies and take them on field trips, hands on learning is the best learning, odds are i will learn more. Also the parents have a lot to do with it, make sure your children get a good nights sleep, make them eat before they go to school and help them where help is needed. The main responsibility is within the students themselves because they have to be willing to learn.

Response to Imaginary Music

I think the theme behind this chapter is that you're never to old to play with children or children's games, but there is also a line that you have to remember so they don't lose respect for you. I think this is the theme because in the chapter Kozol talks about how the teachers sometimes join the children in games they are playing, but have to remember that they can't do it all the time or the children will stop viewing them as an authority figure. The teacher Mrs. Gamble does a really good job at balancing this line. The way that really showed she knew how to do this but was in control too was "Then the teacher started humming softly - then she briefly thrilled a melody in her soprano voice - and some of the children started trilling their own voices too, and suddenly I understood: It was an orchestra, and they were the flute section! In their hands were imaginary flutes. Their little fingers played the notes and when the teacher bent her head as if she were so deeply stirred by the echanted music she was hearing that she had to tilt her body in response, the children bent their bodies too." Kozol notices she does a really good job at balancing this line too.

I think the biggest influence on keeping students from learning are the teachers. The teachers are the people that we look to to make learning interesting for us, and if they don't do that a lot of students lose interest quickly. I had a teacher in high school that was a complete monotone for math who always lectured then let us work on homework. It was the same routine everyday and I already struggled in math, so I wouldn't even go to him to ask questions. I would go to another teacher who I liked as a math teacher more for questions. If he would've been more hands on or even spoke in different tones, he probably would've been able to keep my attention better, instead of losing it completely. I like a class where I don't know what I'm going to do exactly every time I walk into the class. I had teachers in high school that did this and I did really well in their class. I think the responsibility for this resides in the teacher and the student. I should've went to him instead of another teacher for help, but he also should've made learning a little more interesting than what he did.

Preston's Journal 8 response

The chapter that I chose was chapter 22, I picked this one because it talks about his career and path that he took in his life and he goes on and talks bout his father and mother being there and having his father becoming a doctor and also having his father be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. And that really hurt Kozol because a direct quote he said in this chapter that stuck out was "I felt a lot of anger at myself for all the opportunities id missed to spend unhurried time with them". That can show his anger towards himself because someday s he wishes that he doesn't spend all of his time with the kids and more time with his parents because he is going to lose them. He talked about his father loosing his memory and not remembering things and you could tell that it was bothering Kozol and it was making him want to leave the kids and go be with his parents. The main theme I thought it was talking about what was take what you have now and go with it, he also talks about career changes and he says do what you want to do and don't let other people tell you what you should do.

An experience factor that was the biggest influence on keeping students from learning was me, I was that kids who never paid attention was always dicking off and getting in trouble. I didn't take school serious. I was always talking and getting kids from not learning. This kept the kids from learning because I was bothering them and interruption the class and getting everybody of the topic. I could tell that people were listening in class and I could start to talk them and get them from from focusing because I was saying jokes and doing things that would get most people yelled at, but I couldn't sit there and learn and to me it was boring i didn't want to be there and I hated it. But I solve the problem because I knew that I was almost done with school and I knew that I wanted to graduate and go to college so I focused in school, I payed attention and learned and by doing that I graduated with a 3.0 GPA and made me realize that school wasn't a joke and that I needed to take it more serious because my future depended on it. I think that teachers should do a better job or get the kids more involved, I know kids that couldn't sit there and just write down notes, they got to be involved get their interest and let them learn things they are interested in.

Journal 8: Chapter 22 "A Rich and Varied Life" BreAnna

       I felt that Chapter 22 was a very important chapter. The main topic of the chapter was the education and the future education for the children. The chapter also touches base of Kozol's past education. my favorite quote from the chapter is when Kozol is speaking of how parents want best life for their children. They want a healthy lifestyle and education for them. "We owe it to these children not to let the doors be closed before they're even old enough to know how many rooms there are, how many other doors there are beyond the one or two that they can see"(292). This quote not only goes for the children in Mott Haven but the children around the globe. Children are valued, they are the next generation that can make a change and maybe correct the mistakes the generation up probably made.
       There are a few factors that influence the learning of others, you have the class clown, or the teacher.  The class clown is the loud one that has to get attention at every moment and has to distract the teacher. Punishments will result in extreme measures and time goes by and wasted. When it comes to the teacher, they may go to quickly in their teachings or will not explain even more when one child is struggling on the topic. I say this from first hand. It was science class in middle school, I would review a topic over and over and could not grasp it so I went to the teacher and I remember being told "We went over it in class more than once, you should understand!" needless to say when it came to the topic on the test my mind was not finding that file to answer those questions. The solution to the problem is everybody, if the teacher does not want to take the time to help their student shame on them. If the parents do not want to look up solutions or call the school to help correct the situation shame on them. The students need to speak up and look somewhere else for the answer, like I should of done. The administrators should be more involved in the classrooms, when the principle came and did those teacher evaluations its not hard to put up a front. They should ask the students how the class is going and how is their teacher this semester. The main responsibility is throughout, I cannot pin point it. It is a system and all the wheels need to turn smoothly for the system to flow.

Ashley's Journal 8 on Chapter 21 response

I would have to say the main purpose of this chapter was the importance of the childrens education. Also another theme was the signifincance of happiness the adults would feel while watching the students. Some times the adults would play with the children, such as letting them push them on the swing. Kozol states " They do not know the satisfaction that we take in watching them. Their only work right now is play. Our only work right now is taking pleasure at the sight of them". I found this quote to be my favorite because it shows that the adults do enoy being around the kids and that it is not a chore to have to watch them. It actually makes the adults feel young again themselves. There were also two teachers in this chapter that had a big part on the childrens education. They would make unique ways to help the children learn. Mrs. Gamble would raise her hands and play an imaginary trumpet to get the childrens attention, while the other teacher would sound very disappointed and sad if the students were talking while he was trying to teach, and they would be silent the rest of the class because they did not want to see him sad.

A big factor that influenced kids in my high school from learning were the class clowns. They would always be doing something when either the teacher was talking, or making noises while the students were trying to do their work. This made it diffecult to focus in class and get the homework done. I would say a way that this could be fixed is to either disipline thos kids and send the to the office every time it happens so they do not think they can get away with their behavior, or having them in classes in which include talking and participation. This way the student can get out some of the energy they may be having. This problem could be centered on parents. The kid may not be able to get their energy out at home, so when they are school they don't know how to handle themselves.

Journal 7: Write a response to this Ted Talk in the Comments section

http://www.ted.com/talks/stephen_ritz_a_teacher_growing_green_in_the_south_bronx

Bronx educator Stephen Ritz

Use your notes from the film and  responsd to the film:

Requirement: Use one direct quote from the film somewhere in your response.

IDEAS to get your response started:

What struck you the most?

What is well done or effective in this pedagogy?

What might be a weakness of this pedagogy?

How might the students in Mott Haven or at schools like Hobart Elementary in L.A. benefit from this style of teaching?

Did you have hands-on learning in school?  How did it affect you?

What did you learn about food or food production in school?  Is this important?

Etc.  Just share your own ideas and best reflections on the TED talk! 

Response to The Hobart Shakespearians

My response to the film was that it made me feel hopeful. It gives children, who have no expectations set for them, goals to work toward and keeps them hardworking. The way Rafe teaches provides so much encouragement for these kids that they begin to see themselves in a different light. They believe they can succeed and do amazing things in their lives.

The two methods I thought were the most effective where choosing books that they can relate to because some of the struggles hit close to home and how when the children were in trouble he didn't just yell at them. He actually talked to them like adults and respected them while he did that.

The direct quote I liked was when Rafe was talking to them on the last day of class and told them "You are fabulous and don't ever let anyone tell you differently". I liked this because it encourages them to keep working hard and to be themselves at the same time. It gives them the confidence to not let what anyone says effect them.

My goal for the end of 2014 is to work harder in college, pull off better grades and not get so overwhelmed. Where I've been out of school for 2 almost 3 years getting back into the habit of things is hard and I've got overwhelmed so I want to do better.

Amanda's response to The Hobart Shakespearians

The ten year old Leon and Any Lee were the two that stuck out to me the most. Leon stuck out to me because she wanted to play Ofelia in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.  I remember reading Hamlet and I knew that while Ofelia is not as central character as Hamlet, she has just as many issues that she has to work through in order to survive in that society. Amy stuck out because she was a Tao Kwon Do Champion and was intrigued by the money system that was instilled within the class to understand how currency moves around in the world and she recognized that this game could be applied to the real world vs just within the classroom.

The two methods pedagogical approaches that seemed the most effective to me where the Discipline and the incorporation of fun days were there was no formal class. The discipline approach was different from when I went to school. Most cases if the teacher caught one of us cheating, they would take the test or paper that was being used and throw it away but not before t informing the entire class of who was cheating and make said person or party write a note to their parents saying what they did and why.  I would have preferred the teacher to have pulled us aside quietly. While there is no shortcuts in life, it’s still humiliating for about a week before it’s forgotten.

At times it’s hard for me to voice my thoughts, so one of my goals for 2014 is to become more proficient with asking questions in subjects that I am not very strong in like math. In most cases I sort of understand it while in class and just think that when I get home it will make even more sense. Which is not the case 98% of time.

Sam's Blog on The Hobart Shakespearians

 This film made me think about many things. The one thing that stood out the most was the teachers idea that he was teaching these children not only for today, but for the rest of their lives. The teacher whose name is Rafe, accomplishes this by setting high expectations for his students and a lot of hard work. Rafe uses the recurring theme, to be nice and work hard. Not only does he preach this, he also practices it. He sets the example for the kids to follow, and eventually all the kids end up following his example. He calls this feat a a numbers game. The few kids that are not initially interested, find themselves alone and want to be apart of the class and fall into line. This achievement of having all of the kids involved, showed me that great thing are possible when a class is functioning as a team. This is when real learning can take place.

  Rafe uses two methods that pedagogy that I found were encouraging. He uses the money system as way of rewarding the children for  their hard work and doing their job. He also uses this system as a way of punishment for not doing their work. I like this method because it goes along with his idea of having influence on the children in the future. This method of showing hard work pays off can stay with these children forever. The other method that that Rafe uses is no tolerance for bad behavior. He has a banner in his class that reads, "There are no shortcuts." He stresses to the children that when they cheat, they are only cheating themselves. This is another life lesson that can go with these children long after they leave his class. However, he does not just preach to these children about right or wrong. Nor does he only reward or punish them for their work. He has fun with the class, he recognizes there potential and even more important, he helps the kids recognize their own potential. As the class leaves at the end of the year, he leaves them with this line, "This is the beginning, not the end." I liked this quote because it shows the kids that they are just starting their journey and to keep the ball rolling.

  My goal for 2014, is to be less selfish with the very limited free time that I have. Between college and working full time, I do not have much quality time with my family. There are many things that I like to do for fun, but my family is much more important. I should spend every second I can manage with them      
   

The Hobart Shakespearians

The Hobart Shakespearians film made me think about how children learn and what they are capable of when given the right role model or teacher. These children whose first language was not English, and lived in a neighborhood full of violence learned vital life skills and strong educational lessons as well. They were given the proper tools and teachings to be more than a statistic of a bad neighborhood and exceeded everyone’s expectations. The film made me feel inspired that if you find the right ideas and work hard that you can be better than the “average” person people think you are.

I thought that taking to children out into real life activities instead of reading them from books was a big impact. They did not only learn what they needed to, but for most they will remember leaving home and going someplace special to learn about something new. I also thought that playing games with the children helped them learn. It got them excited about getting the answer correct. They were more engaged in the lesson and would probably remember what they had learned better than just reading it. A quote I liked from the film was

“You have to be the person you want the kids to be,”

 Rafe worked hard to keep the kids interested and learning, in return they worked hard as well. This did not only stop at the classroom but also in the way the children behaved in the real world away from school. They were polite and understanding. When they didn’t understand something he took the time no matter how long to make sure that they understood it. Even if they had done something wrong he didn’t embarrass them or punish them in a way that be little them, he simply treated them like adults with respect. They all had picked up this good character trait that he was teaching them, and hopefully carry it throughout their life.

My goal for 2014 is to keep my grades up and have all of my student loans paid off in full by the next fall semester.