Identity

I suppose that when I read what the topic for these readings was, I expected something a bit different. I'm not exactly sure what though. I thought that chapter 16 was outdated and didn't apply much to the formation of identity, at least my version of identity formation. The article about the black women was a weak argument until the very end. I thought there was a lot of fluff, and the author didn't really make any kind of argument until the end. I thought that the article about the difference in schools in the Chicago area was very interesting, and that it highlights the need for an overall educational reform. I understand that the students in Mountain view are afforded more benefits because of the area they live. Schools are funded through property tax. Perhaps this article is a prime example for a change that is needed to make the educational system more equitable.

project post

UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I'm stuck. Maybe just going in the wrong direction. Our topic is "What resources are available to help troubled youth, build self esteem, etc" not exactly, but that's the gist of it.

I wanted to focus on "alternatives" but I don't know if I'm doing this project right or not. I'm finding a lot of information & statistics for Milwaukee schools, but I don't know if I'm doing a good enough job tying it in to our topic.

I think alternative schools / programs are great to help students who are considered at risk succeed. But I don't know how to spin it so it's a resource for the teacher. I know that placing students in the alternative programs reduces behavior problems in the class room. I know that teaching in the alternative schools is beneficial for the teacher because of smaller class sizes, and the benefits of helping at risk kids. But is this enough for the assignment?

Plus I really have no clue where my group members are at with their projects. I'm frustrated, over worked, and over tired. Maybe it'll make more sense after some sleep

Middle schools

I'm not surprised there is so much attention given to the middle schools. Paraphrasing page 164-165, middle school students deal with body growth, hygiene, become sexually aware, develop social skills for the opposite sex, changes in belonging to a peer group, become more independent from their parents, try to discover their own identity, have issues fitting in, become critical of adults, and begin thinking about adults. These are extremely important years in a persons life.

Students in this age group need the guidance and support of their parents and school staff to become aware and informed on the proper way to act and present themselves. I Imagine that this isn't made any easier by the negative stereotype that teenagers receive in the media (as we learned in last weeks readings).

I did find it interesting to note that the "recommendations for transforming middle school learners" should be our goal, as teachers for ALL students. I also find it interesting to note that the goals based on the Carnegie Corporation are very similar to the goals of the Social Studies programs.

To sum it up, I guess what I am saying is that it seems that when these children need us most, they are often overlooked and ignored