I always kinda sucked at this kinda stuff. But I am excited and looking more forward to this then anything we've been doing. I'll be fun :)
*One idea we seem to bring up in my class is basically switching rolls. In a lot of the films we see its the teacher "saving" the students. But we wanna see the students save the teacher.
*I think i'd be cool to figure out whether we want this to work or not, meaning does the teacher get "saved" or does he just end up failing.
*I'd be cool if the teacher had some type of problem, I see this in movies all the time. Like the main character is a lonely soul, or he has a drug problem, or or or he has trouble at home. Some cheesey thing like that.
*I don't quite know what kinda tone I would think the movie would be but it always depends on my mood so that doesn't really help at all. Its 2am right now and I'm feeling kinda mellow, sleepy, and my eyes sting so I'd probably want the movie to have that type of mellow and sleepy hollow tone to it just cause that is how I'm feeling write this post at the moment. If I was in a happy mood I'd probably want it to have more of a comic feel to the movie. Something like Superbad but probably more PG would be fun.
*So in every movie there is always some climax or some big conflict that happens just as everything seems to be going well. Like just as soon as the teacher or the students seem to be finding peace and are all getting along, something comes in to totally shoot it down to rock bottom where the characters are tested to see if they can climb back up, reviving themselves once more.
*We should also maybe follow that trope of the badass rebel kid, but maybe are movie the kid would be seen more of someone who pushes the teacher and challenges him where the teacher realizes he can teach more then just what the books tell him/her.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
HW 46
So I ended up giving up on finding a book and just somewhat read Catcher in the Rye. I wasn't really excited to read this in the first place and was not excited trying to get my way through it either. It was kind of boring to be a seemed a little bit unrealistic but maybe that what the book seemed to be like. But to be honest I did not finish the book because for some reason it annoyed me and I roll through what I did read.
To make a short summary the book was about a guy named Holden who is kind of an exaggerated failure kid who goes to some school known as Pency.Im not really sure where that is but I think it is somewhere around New York because he travels there later on. Hes one of those kids who generally seem to not give a crap about school. He seems to judge everyone and get annoyed at everyone a lot. There is a whole bunch of what seems to be like teenager drama around the beginning of the story like whether his roommate had sex with some girl he likes, Jane. After having a fight with his roommate he decides to quit school and go to New York.
In New York he stays at some Hotel. In the Hotel he watches people outside his window that he can see in other rooms and they do really unusual things like cross dressing and doing weird sexual things. He calls some girl that he wants to get to have sex with him and gets annoyed and just hangs up. I didn't really get the point to this part of book but I guess its maybe to show more of Holden's character.
Later on after going out and being foolish and then going back to the Hotel he ends up hiring a prostitute that the elevator operator at the Hotel suggests for him. As the prostitute Sunny starts to prepare herself for sex Holden begings to kind of hesitate I guess and starts to just talk to her. He ends up making excuses so he does not have to have sex and offers to pay her anyways for her services. She tries to convince him but he resists and she just gets annoyed and goes to Marice to try to get Holden to pay more money. Marice beats him up and the prostitute takes 5 dollars. And this is where I kinda left off at.
This book seems over exaggerated. Its as if its saying if you do bad in school and drop out you'll become like this kid, sad, kinda rude, and being beat up by some prostitute's pimp. It shows a lot of the experiences of what being a student is like although it kinda seems a little over exaggerated to me.
To make a short summary the book was about a guy named Holden who is kind of an exaggerated failure kid who goes to some school known as Pency.Im not really sure where that is but I think it is somewhere around New York because he travels there later on. Hes one of those kids who generally seem to not give a crap about school. He seems to judge everyone and get annoyed at everyone a lot. There is a whole bunch of what seems to be like teenager drama around the beginning of the story like whether his roommate had sex with some girl he likes, Jane. After having a fight with his roommate he decides to quit school and go to New York.
In New York he stays at some Hotel. In the Hotel he watches people outside his window that he can see in other rooms and they do really unusual things like cross dressing and doing weird sexual things. He calls some girl that he wants to get to have sex with him and gets annoyed and just hangs up. I didn't really get the point to this part of book but I guess its maybe to show more of Holden's character.
Later on after going out and being foolish and then going back to the Hotel he ends up hiring a prostitute that the elevator operator at the Hotel suggests for him. As the prostitute Sunny starts to prepare herself for sex Holden begings to kind of hesitate I guess and starts to just talk to her. He ends up making excuses so he does not have to have sex and offers to pay her anyways for her services. She tries to convince him but he resists and she just gets annoyed and goes to Marice to try to get Holden to pay more money. Marice beats him up and the prostitute takes 5 dollars. And this is where I kinda left off at.
This book seems over exaggerated. Its as if its saying if you do bad in school and drop out you'll become like this kid, sad, kinda rude, and being beat up by some prostitute's pimp. It shows a lot of the experiences of what being a student is like although it kinda seems a little over exaggerated to me.
HW 45
I read part of what I could for E. D. Hirsch’s Curriculum for Democracy. Besides from being kinda a time line of what Hirsch did. Hirsch theory is the idea that in order to have full advantage of something such as reading an article or a book we must have full knowledge and facts first. Students need to have more common knowledge first then they would be able to progress and be better thinkers. He is against the fact that students should teach themselves, students should be taught more of the facts and have more knowledge on subjects like the history, science, etc. It basically talks about how Hirsch idea of having knowledge is better. For example is when the writer asked a bunch of kids about the civil war and in return the children has no clue what he was speaking of or what the civil war really was despite being in what was known be be one of the best schools. When complaining the school shot back saying "Our kids don’t need to learn about the Civil War. What they are learning at P.S. 87 is how to learn about the Civil War." I guess in Hirsch perspective he would say that the kids couldn't learn HOW to learn about the Civil war without knowing what it is in the first place.
In the Faculty Shack reading which talks a lot about the list of principles which includes main points like learning to use your mind well, depth of coverage, basically that kids should be taught the skills on how to learn better rather then just be given facts and information. Sizer first researched about what was insufficient in schools it seemed before figure out the main principles for teaching students. Although many agreed with the fact that "students need to learn how to use their minds well" it seems that the outcome is what he described as "machine that they designed and operated" that was supposedly suppose to achieve this but in reality it doesn't. Which in result is why the principles were created.
At first I figure that Sizer's idea is what I agreed with most. I definetly think that students need to be taught skills to learn think logically and have the skills to actually learn better. This is something that I think I was always taught being in SOF. Although after thinking about it a lot I also kinda agree with Hirsch's theory too. Mainly because in many classes, especially social studies I tend to find my self unaware of what the teacher is talking about at times. The fact that I lack so much knowledge really puts me at a disadvantage or being able to learn or do things without actually bullshitting it sometimes. Or sometimes I just find myself doing it the way I see. Kinda like monkey see monkey do. This is definitely negative for me because it actually makes me feel stupid at times sadly. I feel dump or not as "educated" as other students who can practically say a whole time line accurately of a certain time period or something. I kind of wish I was taught more knowledge on certain subjects, that way the teachers can then teach us skills on learning and guiding us with everything else. I'm not agree with just telling us what to do and students just doing it or waiting for the answer which in most cases is like that in many classes. But some common knowledge could have probably definitely help me a lot, especially in feeling less stupid in my time in school.
In the Faculty Shack reading which talks a lot about the list of principles which includes main points like learning to use your mind well, depth of coverage, basically that kids should be taught the skills on how to learn better rather then just be given facts and information. Sizer first researched about what was insufficient in schools it seemed before figure out the main principles for teaching students. Although many agreed with the fact that "students need to learn how to use their minds well" it seems that the outcome is what he described as "machine that they designed and operated" that was supposedly suppose to achieve this but in reality it doesn't. Which in result is why the principles were created.
At first I figure that Sizer's idea is what I agreed with most. I definetly think that students need to be taught skills to learn think logically and have the skills to actually learn better. This is something that I think I was always taught being in SOF. Although after thinking about it a lot I also kinda agree with Hirsch's theory too. Mainly because in many classes, especially social studies I tend to find my self unaware of what the teacher is talking about at times. The fact that I lack so much knowledge really puts me at a disadvantage or being able to learn or do things without actually bullshitting it sometimes. Or sometimes I just find myself doing it the way I see. Kinda like monkey see monkey do. This is definitely negative for me because it actually makes me feel stupid at times sadly. I feel dump or not as "educated" as other students who can practically say a whole time line accurately of a certain time period or something. I kind of wish I was taught more knowledge on certain subjects, that way the teachers can then teach us skills on learning and guiding us with everything else. I'm not agree with just telling us what to do and students just doing it or waiting for the answer which in most cases is like that in many classes. But some common knowledge could have probably definitely help me a lot, especially in feeling less stupid in my time in school.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
44 Expectations
Its interesting that Obama's speech starts out with telling everyone his own personal difficulties with school. The fact that he had to be personal taught by his mother at 4am in the morning feeling tired and miserable. I am sure most of us, well from my perspective, I have the opportunity to go to school and I do not have to be forced to get up at 4am in the morning although 6:30am is bad enough. It seems like he is trying to manipulate us to think "well you think you have it bad, when I was younger..." to feel "appreciative" what education we have.
He also uses the whole idea of being responsible and how nothing else would matter, the teacher's responsibilities, governments responsibilities, or your parents would not matter unless YOU took responsibilities. It is put in our heads all the time how we have to be responsible for our own education. He makes us feel "special", how we are good enough to be someone important in the world like curing cancer but not unless we do our work in school. After the responsibility part of his speech he then blends it into helping United States. How we can help United States by maybe curing aids and junk. But to be honest, what are the chances that everyone is going to be some great researching to cure cancer and be the president of the USA just by doing that lab report in chemistry class.
In the Liberal Arts article, I understand where its coming from with how school and certain liberal arts classes teach us skills. I the worksheets or problems and junk we are given in class do help our problem solving skills, critical thinking, analysis, etc. Its the fact that the way we have to approach in learning these skills I think really unmotivated kids. In my opinion, I feel like I've learned most of the skills the best to my abilities only because I am bored. I know I am sure I can improve certain skills but feeling unmotivated or feeling like I am running a obstacle course over and over again (taking that metaphor from Andy) makes me feel tired. I know the tricks, when to jump, when to crawl, but it just gets repetitive and unmotivated.
Also being diverse is definitely not a problem for me, coming from the fact that I live in New York city and I come from a very diverse public school. And its great that Gettysburg students students can travel abroad to experience other cultural living but I doubt many public schools in New York can afford to do that if we can't even afford cups in the cafeteria for the shitty canned fruits. Why do we have to be taught later how on to "translate what they have learned into a potential career direction" when we should have the option to just get started on learning how to start the path into a potential career. I'm tired of being told that finding correlations in math has a lot to do with business companies. Why can't we just learn about business companies, how to start our own business and then about correlations instead (that's if I wanted a business career).
The License plate says "I was a high school drop out."
He also uses the whole idea of being responsible and how nothing else would matter, the teacher's responsibilities, governments responsibilities, or your parents would not matter unless YOU took responsibilities. It is put in our heads all the time how we have to be responsible for our own education. He makes us feel "special", how we are good enough to be someone important in the world like curing cancer but not unless we do our work in school. After the responsibility part of his speech he then blends it into helping United States. How we can help United States by maybe curing aids and junk. But to be honest, what are the chances that everyone is going to be some great researching to cure cancer and be the president of the USA just by doing that lab report in chemistry class.
In the Liberal Arts article, I understand where its coming from with how school and certain liberal arts classes teach us skills. I the worksheets or problems and junk we are given in class do help our problem solving skills, critical thinking, analysis, etc. Its the fact that the way we have to approach in learning these skills I think really unmotivated kids. In my opinion, I feel like I've learned most of the skills the best to my abilities only because I am bored. I know I am sure I can improve certain skills but feeling unmotivated or feeling like I am running a obstacle course over and over again (taking that metaphor from Andy) makes me feel tired. I know the tricks, when to jump, when to crawl, but it just gets repetitive and unmotivated.
Also being diverse is definitely not a problem for me, coming from the fact that I live in New York city and I come from a very diverse public school. And its great that Gettysburg students students can travel abroad to experience other cultural living but I doubt many public schools in New York can afford to do that if we can't even afford cups in the cafeteria for the shitty canned fruits. Why do we have to be taught later how on to "translate what they have learned into a potential career direction" when we should have the option to just get started on learning how to start the path into a potential career. I'm tired of being told that finding correlations in math has a lot to do with business companies. Why can't we just learn about business companies, how to start our own business and then about correlations instead (that's if I wanted a business career).
The License plate says "I was a high school drop out."
Thursday, March 4, 2010
42 Significance
I think the main ideas I want to focus on with this school topic is basically the school curriculum. Why it was created the way it is with math, science, english, and history and the basic classes that are needed to be taken in high school. And with the interviews, other student's views, and personal views of what can be replaced or added on to the classes we already have. What are some things that should be taught or what would be primarily more helpful then what we are already learning. I mean what is the real point behind learning the quadratic functions formula or the formula to find the gravitational pull of a free falling object?
I feel this is kind of personal to me because I get really tired of sitting in class, day dreaming, always wondering why exactly I need to learn certain things or why I need to be in school the long amount of time that is needed in order to move on to college. At times I feel so unmotivated and disembodied mainly because I know that most of what we are being taught is not significant. And when we ask how of what we are being taught relates to the real world we are told some BS explanation.
My boyfriend is in college and he takes radiology classes because he wants to be a radiologist. Besides from his major classes he is allowed to pick as many elective classes as he want. He has taken Italian, French, Piano, Philosophy. At times I get jealous because I would love to learn things that actually interest me as well as classes that teach me about a career I want to pursue. Plus there are many things I need help me that would benefit my daily life, my self esteem, etc. For example, I would love to learn how to better my reading skills. Although we have english classes, Kinory seems to be teaching us the colors of the rainbows more then he does how to improve your reading skills (but that my opinion of course).
Also, my family is not the ideal family. I would love to have a class on how to keep a good relationships with family members or just how to have a good relationship with anybody. Just so I do not inherit to selfish traits my family does so that I can have a better family (if I do) in the future, or at least have good bonds with people I like instead struggling, trying to figure out how to not have a awkward conversation with someone I am not necessarily comfortable or know very well.
I would like to also maybe have a class or someone teach me how to manage my money or how to get a part time job because for some reason that seems to be more difficult for me than all my friends. I am how hard is it to get a minimum wage job? Apparently I am not doing something right if it is so difficult for me. Sure we have Internship classes and we go over how to do a resume over and over again in internship class but it feels more like we are told how to do things in classes but are not taught and taken through the process or what to expect.
Besides from me I figure it would be good if there were classes on helping kids get out of the ghetto or to teach them how to not end up homeless. Helping kids choose the right path or notice that there is another path to take. What to expect in the future as we get old. I am sure I am not the only kid who can use a class on something that would benefit them as a individual.
Sorry for ranting...
I feel this is kind of personal to me because I get really tired of sitting in class, day dreaming, always wondering why exactly I need to learn certain things or why I need to be in school the long amount of time that is needed in order to move on to college. At times I feel so unmotivated and disembodied mainly because I know that most of what we are being taught is not significant. And when we ask how of what we are being taught relates to the real world we are told some BS explanation.
My boyfriend is in college and he takes radiology classes because he wants to be a radiologist. Besides from his major classes he is allowed to pick as many elective classes as he want. He has taken Italian, French, Piano, Philosophy. At times I get jealous because I would love to learn things that actually interest me as well as classes that teach me about a career I want to pursue. Plus there are many things I need help me that would benefit my daily life, my self esteem, etc. For example, I would love to learn how to better my reading skills. Although we have english classes, Kinory seems to be teaching us the colors of the rainbows more then he does how to improve your reading skills (but that my opinion of course).
Also, my family is not the ideal family. I would love to have a class on how to keep a good relationships with family members or just how to have a good relationship with anybody. Just so I do not inherit to selfish traits my family does so that I can have a better family (if I do) in the future, or at least have good bonds with people I like instead struggling, trying to figure out how to not have a awkward conversation with someone I am not necessarily comfortable or know very well.
I would like to also maybe have a class or someone teach me how to manage my money or how to get a part time job because for some reason that seems to be more difficult for me than all my friends. I am how hard is it to get a minimum wage job? Apparently I am not doing something right if it is so difficult for me. Sure we have Internship classes and we go over how to do a resume over and over again in internship class but it feels more like we are told how to do things in classes but are not taught and taken through the process or what to expect.
Besides from me I figure it would be good if there were classes on helping kids get out of the ghetto or to teach them how to not end up homeless. Helping kids choose the right path or notice that there is another path to take. What to expect in the future as we get old. I am sure I am not the only kid who can use a class on something that would benefit them as a individual.
Sorry for ranting...
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