PLEASE HELP!
higuys!
I have recently found out that one of my fellow classmates lost her entire house in New Jersey due to Hurricane Sandy. My other classmates and I are trying to raise any donations that we can to help her out. If anyone is interested please let me know. Anything helps! Thank You!!!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
OBAMA VS. ROMNEY
I have tried to do my best to keep up with this Presidential debate, especially since this will be the first time I will get to vote for President!
I couldn't really find one specific issue that really stood out to me, so I decided to share this website that really gets down to the main points of each candids' opinion.
It's awesome check it out!
But I'll list a few just because :)
ABORTION & BIRTH CONTROL
OBAMA: Supports abortion rights. Health care law requires contraceptives to be available for free for women enrolled in workplace health plans.
ROMNEY: Opposes abortion rights. Previously supported them. Says state law should guide abortion rights, and Roe v. Wade should be reversed by a future Supreme Court ruling. Said he would end federal aid to Planned Parenthood.
WAR
OBAMA: Ended the Iraq war, increased U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan then began drawing down the force with a plan to have all out by the end of 2014. Approved U.S. air power in NATO-led campaign that helped Libyan opposition topple government. Major cuts coming in the size of the Army and Marine Corps as part of agreement with congressional Republicans to cut $487 billion in military spending over a decade.
ROMNEY: Endorses 2014 end to U.S. combat in Afghanistan, subject to conditions at the time. Would increase strength of armed forces, including number of troops and warships, adding almost $100 billion to the Pentagon budget in 2016.
IMMIGRATION
OBAMA: Issued directive in June that immigrants brought illegally to the United States as children be exempted from deportation and granted work permits if they apply. Took the temporary step after failing to deliver on promised immigration overhaul, with the defeat of legislation that would have created a path to citizenship for young illegal immigrants enrolled in college or enlisted in the armed forces. Says he is still committed to it. Government has deported a record number of illegal immigrants under Obama.
ROMNEY: Favors U.S.-Mexico border fence, opposes education benefits to illegal immigrants. Opposes offering legal status to illegal immigrants who attend college, but would do so for those who serve in the armed forces. Establish an immigration-status verification system for employers and punish them if they hire non-citizens who do not prove their legal status. Would end immigration caps for spouses and minor children of legal immigrants.
EDUCATION
OBAMA: Has approved waivers freeing states from the most onerous requirements of the Bush-era No Child Left Behind law. "Race to the Top" competition has rewarded winning states with billions of dollars for pursuing education policies Obama supports.
ROMNEY: Supported the federal accountability standards of No Child Left Behind law. Has said the student testing, charter-school incentives and teacher evaluation standards of Obama's "Race to the Top" competition "make sense" although the federal government should have less control of education.
GAY RIGHTS
OBAMA: Supports legal recognition of same-sex marriage, a matter decided by states. Opposed that recognition in 2008 presidential campaign, and in 2004 Senate campaign, while supporting the extension of legal rights and benefits to same-sex couples in civil unions. Achieved repeal of the military ban on openly gay members. Has not achieved repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages and affirms the right of states to refuse to recognize such marriages. Administration has ceased defending the law in court but it remains on the books.
ROMNEY: Opposes legal recognition of same-sex marriage and says it should be banned with a constitutional amendment, not left to states. "Marriage is not an activity that goes on within the walls of a state." Also opposes civil unions "if they are identical to marriage other than by name," but says states should be left to decide what rights and benefits should be allowed under those unions. Says certain domestic partnership benefits —largely unspecified — as well as hospital visitation rights are appropriate but "others are not." Says he would not seek to restore the ban on openly gay military members.
I couldn't really find one specific issue that really stood out to me, so I decided to share this website that really gets down to the main points of each candids' opinion.
It's awesome check it out!
But I'll list a few just because :)
ABORTION & BIRTH CONTROL
OBAMA: Supports abortion rights. Health care law requires contraceptives to be available for free for women enrolled in workplace health plans.
ROMNEY: Opposes abortion rights. Previously supported them. Says state law should guide abortion rights, and Roe v. Wade should be reversed by a future Supreme Court ruling. Said he would end federal aid to Planned Parenthood.
WAR
OBAMA: Ended the Iraq war, increased U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan then began drawing down the force with a plan to have all out by the end of 2014. Approved U.S. air power in NATO-led campaign that helped Libyan opposition topple government. Major cuts coming in the size of the Army and Marine Corps as part of agreement with congressional Republicans to cut $487 billion in military spending over a decade.
ROMNEY: Endorses 2014 end to U.S. combat in Afghanistan, subject to conditions at the time. Would increase strength of armed forces, including number of troops and warships, adding almost $100 billion to the Pentagon budget in 2016.
IMMIGRATION
OBAMA: Issued directive in June that immigrants brought illegally to the United States as children be exempted from deportation and granted work permits if they apply. Took the temporary step after failing to deliver on promised immigration overhaul, with the defeat of legislation that would have created a path to citizenship for young illegal immigrants enrolled in college or enlisted in the armed forces. Says he is still committed to it. Government has deported a record number of illegal immigrants under Obama.
ROMNEY: Favors U.S.-Mexico border fence, opposes education benefits to illegal immigrants. Opposes offering legal status to illegal immigrants who attend college, but would do so for those who serve in the armed forces. Establish an immigration-status verification system for employers and punish them if they hire non-citizens who do not prove their legal status. Would end immigration caps for spouses and minor children of legal immigrants.
EDUCATION
OBAMA: Has approved waivers freeing states from the most onerous requirements of the Bush-era No Child Left Behind law. "Race to the Top" competition has rewarded winning states with billions of dollars for pursuing education policies Obama supports.
ROMNEY: Supported the federal accountability standards of No Child Left Behind law. Has said the student testing, charter-school incentives and teacher evaluation standards of Obama's "Race to the Top" competition "make sense" although the federal government should have less control of education.
GAY RIGHTS
OBAMA: Supports legal recognition of same-sex marriage, a matter decided by states. Opposed that recognition in 2008 presidential campaign, and in 2004 Senate campaign, while supporting the extension of legal rights and benefits to same-sex couples in civil unions. Achieved repeal of the military ban on openly gay members. Has not achieved repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages and affirms the right of states to refuse to recognize such marriages. Administration has ceased defending the law in court but it remains on the books.
ROMNEY: Opposes legal recognition of same-sex marriage and says it should be banned with a constitutional amendment, not left to states. "Marriage is not an activity that goes on within the walls of a state." Also opposes civil unions "if they are identical to marriage other than by name," but says states should be left to decide what rights and benefits should be allowed under those unions. Says certain domestic partnership benefits —largely unspecified — as well as hospital visitation rights are appropriate but "others are not." Says he would not seek to restore the ban on openly gay military members.
Kahne and Westheimer - Quotes
"To be critical thinkers, students must be able
to consider arguments that justify conclusions that conflict with
their own predispositions and self-interest."
--This is something that everyone should keep in mind when becoming educators. The only way you can keep the attention of your students is to teach and discuss things that spark their interest and get them thinking. This is definetly something I have come to realize during my own service learning experiences.
"Educators and legislators alike maintain that service learning can improve the community and invigorate the classroom, providing rich educational experiences for students at all levels of schooling."
--Being a student in the service learning program, I completely agree with this statement. I believe that this opportunity of being able to go into the class even before having a degree of any sort and get to work with young students couldn't be anymore perfect. Not only is it a great experience for me and my fellow students but its also good for the students I'm working with; they get to work with someone besides their teacher and not only see me as another teacher, but also a "friend" of some sort in the classroom.
"The experiential and interpersonal components of service learning activities can achieve the first crucial step toward diminishing the sense of "otherness" that often separates students-particularly privileged students-from those in need"
--This is talking about how there should be more opportunities for others to do something like student learning. If there were more there would be more acceptance for students.
--This is something that everyone should keep in mind when becoming educators. The only way you can keep the attention of your students is to teach and discuss things that spark their interest and get them thinking. This is definetly something I have come to realize during my own service learning experiences.
"Educators and legislators alike maintain that service learning can improve the community and invigorate the classroom, providing rich educational experiences for students at all levels of schooling."
--Being a student in the service learning program, I completely agree with this statement. I believe that this opportunity of being able to go into the class even before having a degree of any sort and get to work with young students couldn't be anymore perfect. Not only is it a great experience for me and my fellow students but its also good for the students I'm working with; they get to work with someone besides their teacher and not only see me as another teacher, but also a "friend" of some sort in the classroom.
"The experiential and interpersonal components of service learning activities can achieve the first crucial step toward diminishing the sense of "otherness" that often separates students-particularly privileged students-from those in need"
--This is talking about how there should be more opportunities for others to do something like student learning. If there were more there would be more acceptance for students.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
OHNO! Cinderella Ate My Daughter
Arguement:
In Cinderella Ate My Daughter, the author Peggy Orienstien argues that both young boys and girls are influenced by the toys that they are surrounded by. She continues to argue about how girls feel that they must be, look, and act a certain way because of their influences. Peggy goes on and states how Disney, Nickelodeon and different toy industries influence young girls and boys. She talks about how these young kids see the characters in tv living there life without a flaw of any sort, but thats not how the real world really works.
She goes on and talked about the influence Barbie has had on young girls over the years of her existence. I know that when I was a little girl I was always playing with Barbie dolls. I used to imagine my life just as perfect has hers with this big shot career and a very handsome husband. As I got older I realized life does not work the way I thought, and in order to get what I want, I have to work extremely hard for it.
This also goes hand in hand with the Disney Princesses. The lessons given in those movies are that all you have to do is sit and wait, and if you wait long enough your prince will come knocking at your door. Yes these movies are great for young girls to watch because of its happy ending, but it is giving them the complete wrong aspect on life.
Here's an article I found that coincides with Orienstiens arguement!
The negative effects of Disney on children
In Cinderella Ate My Daughter, the author Peggy Orienstien argues that both young boys and girls are influenced by the toys that they are surrounded by. She continues to argue about how girls feel that they must be, look, and act a certain way because of their influences. Peggy goes on and states how Disney, Nickelodeon and different toy industries influence young girls and boys. She talks about how these young kids see the characters in tv living there life without a flaw of any sort, but thats not how the real world really works.
She goes on and talked about the influence Barbie has had on young girls over the years of her existence. I know that when I was a little girl I was always playing with Barbie dolls. I used to imagine my life just as perfect has hers with this big shot career and a very handsome husband. As I got older I realized life does not work the way I thought, and in order to get what I want, I have to work extremely hard for it.
This also goes hand in hand with the Disney Princesses. The lessons given in those movies are that all you have to do is sit and wait, and if you wait long enough your prince will come knocking at your door. Yes these movies are great for young girls to watch because of its happy ending, but it is giving them the complete wrong aspect on life.
Here's an article I found that coincides with Orienstiens arguement!
The negative effects of Disney on children
Monday, October 8, 2012
Unlearning the Myths that Bind Us
#1: Many students don't want to believe that they have been manipulated by children's media or advertising. No one wants to admit that they've been 'handled' by the media." (Christensen, 128)
I was able to really connect with this quote. Being a girl that grew up with Disney Princesses and other cartoons, I can say that I wasn't the slightest bit influenced by them but I would be lying. Growing up i always dreamed of my prince charming showing up at my door because that was what I was showed in everything i watched and what i thought was supposed to happen. Christensen explains that children need to know at a certain time that these stories are stories.
#2: "I want my students to question this accepted knowledge and the secret education delivered by cartoons as well as by the traditional literacy canon. Because children's movies and literature are short and visual, my students and I can critique them together." (Christensen, 127)
I feel very strongly about this quote because I am currently a student who questions this knowledge and I have questions about it. Because I will be an educator one day, I hope that my students will have the same kind of strong feelings about this or something relate able and ask the questions and do anything to find the answer to them. I've learned the only way your going to learn is if you wonder and question things. that is a message I hope to teach my students one day.
#3: "Both of these tales leave young women with two myths: Happiness means getting a man, and transformation from wretched conditions can be achieved through consumption- in their case, through new clothes and a new hairstyle" (Christensen 133).
This quote really stuck out to me while reading. I completely agree with the authors statement because it is 100% true. A great deal of children's movies are portraying that the only way to happiness is to be with a man and taking his money. One lesson that I learned growing up is that no women needs a man to keep their own in this world. I am on my way in life so that I am able to live on my own, without the help of a man by my side. All young women should have this same outlook on life because there was a day where women didn't have all of the same freedoms and opportunities as man did. We need to take advantage of what our past female leaders did for us show the world we are just as independent as men.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Talking Points #3: Tools and Tips for Education
GLSEN
(Connections)
Before this assignment, I never knew this site existed like
this online. Yes I was surprised about it but I feel it is completely necessary
for new or becoming educators such as myself to be aware of these issues and to
always have a backup plan just in case a problem dealing with gay, lesbian, or
straight issues comes up in our own classrooms.
I took a look at “The Educators Guide to LGBT Pride” part of
this website. Here it talks about celebrating LHBT pride month one day in June
before the end of the school year. This is so no matter what you are you are
able to show it off and be proud of it. I feel that this is a great idea
because there seems to be a holiday for a great deal of things in this country.
I like the fact that this will give everyone a chance to celebrate themselves
and others all together.
While I do agree with this method, I do think it would be a
little challenging in an elementary classroom where I plan on starting my
education process. At that age you’re still in the “confused” stage of what you
are and where you think you belong. So I think if this was to be done, it
should be at least with the other middle school kids if not start on the high
school level.
While reading this, I thought about “Aria” by Rodriguez. In
that article he talks about losing himself and his culture when going to school
because he felt that he wasn’t able to be himself. Even though he wasn’t
dealing with being gay, lesbian, or straight, he was still dealing with
something that made him feel as though he was an outsider to everyone else in
the classroom. This could always be related to “Teaching Multilingual Children”
by Collier. She talks about the features teachers “should” use when dealing
with students who don’t speak English as a first language at home. Here she
makes it seems that those who don’t know English are the outsiders compared to
everyone else in the room, and that shouldn’t be the case. Yes they are
different, but the one thing that all of the kids in the desks have in common
is that they are all my students. And because of that, no matter what language
they speak, color they are, or sex they want to be with, they are still my
students and should be treated as such.
Along with this site, I also found another site that coincides with this. It has another article that talks about teachers accepting homosexual students, and i felt it was very informational.
Talking Points #2: “Aria” and “Teaching Multilingual Children”
“Aria” By Richard Rodriguez (Quotes)
This article was a very easy read for me. Rodriguez really reached me in the fact that I had sympathy for him for what he had to deal with during his time in school. School is supposed to be a fun place to learn and meet new people. But for him it was a place were he felt uncomfortable and left out.
Rodriguez came from a Spanish-speaking family. In this article, he talks about how when he was in elementary school, he was told he had no choice but to learn English like everyone else, and was told he must forget hat he knew about Spanish. I agreed with the fact that he needed to learn English so he would be able to communicate with the other English-speaking students, but to forget about Spanish completely was just a bit much. "The old Spanish words I had used earlier-mama and papa-I couldn't use anymore. They would have been too painful reminders of how much had changed in my life." This quote really stuck out to me. I really disliked the fact that he felt as though he couldn't use the words he was used to anymore. It hurt me even more that he was so young going through all of this and that jut makes it even worse.
Something else Rodriguez said was "At last, seven years old, I came to believe what had been technically true since my birth: I was an American Citizen." When I thought about this I wondered why this was present to him beforehand. I feel as though he should always know we is, was and always will be an American citizen. I feel like he thought this because he didn't do the same things at home as other students because he was Spanish. But part of being an American citizen is knowing that everyone is different but still part of one.
Something that really bothered me was when he said, "Fortunately, my teachers were unsentimental about their responsibility. What they understood was that i needed to speak a public language." This didn't really make sense to me. He's making it sound like its a good thing that his teachers weren't completely aware of the situation he was really in. The thing is is that they should have been aware of this situation, and they should have done everything in their power to help him feel as equal as possible. If I was his teacher I know I would have.
I took some time to look online about different situations such at Rodriguez' and I found a site that gives strategies about those kinds of situations.
Click here if you'd like to take a look. :)
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