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Critical Pedagogy in an Urban High School English Classroom

I came across an interesting quote the other day. I can't phrase it verbatim but it went along these lines.... White Privilege is your history being a part of the core curriculum while mine is being taught as an elective. Even at the college level, ethnic authors aren't introduced into the curriculum like white authors are. We talked in our discussion last week about the freedom of education and how education gives the student the ability to defend themselves, gives them the power to not depend on others to express their ideas, wants, and/or desires.

We do not want to limit, constrain, or control actions or thoughts.

I loved the idea of coupling the study of film, newspapers, magazines and music with the study of novels, poems, and plays. They all influence each other and it is great to see what one artist takes and adapts from the other.

I also enjoyed the thoughts on discussion and how it is needed now more than ever. We are often prepared in the classroom to takes tests but we aren't given much of a voice. By giving your students a voice, and ability to dissect a thought or idea in a way that they can relate to develops their ability to truly understand a subject than just memorizing does. Communication is such a large part of our lives and it should defiantly be something that is introduced, practiced, and honed.

This is reminder for me to look back at pages 15+ of the packet. A lot of stories about how thoughts early introduced come into play.

I was lucky enough to attend a school that did just fine. There are times where I would look at where the money is going and think it would be more beneficial elsewhere, but we all had books and sewage clear halls. That is a blessing in it's own. I think that this packet was helpful as a reminder that our own experiences don't equate to all experiences and that we should continue to strive to be aware of the world and learn and grow with it.

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