Week 4 reading blog
The reading for this week is as follows:Supporting student reading and writing
Hammons, Jane. (2001). Bigger than Michael Jordan. High Plains Literary Review XVI (2&3), 138-152.
Hull, G. & Rose, M. (1990). “The wooden shack place”: The logic of an unconventional reading. College Composition and Communication 4, 3: 287-298.
Ambe, E.B. (2007). Inviting reluctant adolescent readers into the literacy club: Some comprehension strategies to tutor individuals or small groups of reluctant readers. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, (50), 8, 632-639.
Meeting students halfway
Moll, L., Amanti, C., Neff, D., & Gonzalez, N. (1992). Funds of knowledge for teaching: Using a qualitative approach to connect homes and classrooms. Theory Into Practice, (31), 2, 132-141.
Morrell, E. & Duncan-Andrade, J. (2004). What they do learn in school: Hip-hop as a bridge to canonical poetry (247-272). In J. Mahiri (Ed.), What they don’t learn in school: Literacy in the lives of urban youth. New York: Peter Lang.
TINA CHEN- Jeremiah's Section
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read the piece, I thought that it would be a story about how Ms. Hammons possibly influenced and transformed the lives of a group of boys and introduced them to a world that was bigger than and beyond the constraints of what the image or the idea of Michael Jordan could offer these boys from Richmond. But after getting to the end, I would have to say I was left with a little disappointment and possibly even some cynicism. Though Ms. Hammons was able to get Jarod to look at the T-Rex skeleton display, and recognize that it was in fact “Bigger than Michael Jordan,” this is just a small moment and probably trivial memory in young Jarod’s life. Jarod, along with many other students were taught and raised with different forms of literacy, a way to carry themselves at school, and a way to hold their ground when they’re wandering the streets of Richmond. With all the crime, violence, drugs, absent parents, and other negative influences these kids may have in their lives, people like Ms. Hammons and other volunteers who may come and go, are not actually making that impact or influence that they initially hoped for when they began their service. I think the takeaway is that, you have to try your best and hope for the best. In the time that you are present in their lives, try to make a lasting impact, instill in them values that will lead to a better future, and hope that your guidance and words resonate throughout the rest of their adolescence. Especially in elementary school, this is when students are the most easily influenced and affected by their surroundings, what they need most is stability. Though we all have other obligations, I think for Jarod, and even his younger brother Gavon, they need consistency, and a person who will be in their lives for the long run. In a way this inspires even more to hopefully make that difference in kids that I work with at SMDP, I want to develop relationships that last with them.