Chapter5 & 6:- Jon 2.16.08

Community activism is an important part of anybody's life. They should learn to be active, understand how to find a voice within their community, comprehend differing points of view, and think critically about various sujects. Tackling social ills could be an incredible problem solving activity that boosts confidence and identity. I can see Cowhey's perspective; she wants to be a positive change agent in her community, and she is using her students as the lightning rod. Is my perception on Mrs. Cowhey wrong? Is she using her students to achieve an agenda? Her agenda. Is it the responsibility of the educator to become a political activitst through a school? It is a slippery slope we teach on. We are required by the state to teach certain curriculum standards; they provide the textbooks from which we teach; ultimately having a strong hold on controlling the political voice and rhetoric heard in early childhood classrooms all across Georgia. How much wiggle room does a teacher have? Where is the line? How far is too far? I think Cowhey in some cases has pushed over that edge.

I disagree with indoctrinating students with social political view points either by the state or by the teacher, but if you are forced to teach a state adopted curriculum that is slanted one way, then I would have to balance it out with the other point of view, which is what Mary Cowhey does, but does she go too far? I want to teach students how to think, not what to think.

Jen

Chapter 5:

Jon I am agreeing with you a little bit about Cowhey's agenda.  Is she making her students be political activists and think like political activists because that is who she is--"We teach who we are"?

I agree with her concepts of community, peace, dialog, conversation, listening, and connecting.  These are all important skills in becoming a critical thinker.  But some of her stories in this chapter were a little too much for the grade she was teaching-I think.  It is important to teaching critical thinking in the classroom but I keep going back to when is the appropriate time to teach some of it--I still wonder if my students really notice the biases going on racially in the world--is it too early to bring it up to this intense level as Cowhey?

It reminds me of one of the stories in Chapter 7 --It was about bringing up violence with 5 year olds and how it can cast a dark shadow etc.  It mentions these assertions might hold up if these young children did not already suffer from exposure to violence but if the students are exposed to vilolence every day and it would be irresponsible to not mention it...

I like the idea of using The Peace Book by Todd Parr--I am looking forward to using that book in my room--I think this book is an appropriate level to begin...

The book is definitely making me think critically....

Chapter 6:

 I also wonder how much time she needs to spend on her curriculum or is she spending time on the topics that are in the curriculum.  I wonder what extremes you can take to be considered teaching through activism.  Does it always have to be political? This chapter made me think of a time a few years agao when I was teaching 3rd grade. One of my students was in a very bad 4 wheeler accident and was in a coma and severe brain injury.  We as a class decided we wanted to do something for him.  We had a popcorn sale and a staff car wash.  The students made signs for these events and we gathered extra hoses, soap etc.  for the car wash.  I know this isn't a very political topic but I do believe my students learned alot about sympathy, support, and community during these fundraising efforts.  I see her point in wanting to get the students really involved in the topic but she does take it to extremes --not saying that is bad.  Her kids had some rally great causes and efforts to be proud of!  I also see how you are connecting teaching through these efforts as well--creating critical thinkers, writers, readers, and listeners.

I have a little boy in my class with cancer right now and I have been really trying to think how I could get my kindergarteners involved in helping someway --popcorn/bake sale?  But they are young and I am not sure how to start this ...  It would teach my students alot...

PS--I have always wanted to get rid of our cafeteria styrofoam trays--that drives me nuts! so much trash! :) 

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