Hispanic Research

After tuesdays lecture, we were given a percentage rate of students with hispanic backgrounds that dropout of schools. Reasons for this is possibly because of low-income families, family responsibilities, or etc. Also, the attendance of hispanics in Detroit area is high, but the graduation rate is extremely low. I got to ask though, how is bringing in hispanic literature going to help students with hispanic backgrounds stay in school, let alone get better grades in an English Lit. class? I don't really see how lit. books get students better grades, from the statistics that I read, it seem that there is more outside influence that has students droping out, or not going to college. Maybe we should be focusing on how to counteract those outside influences and keeping students in schools, and actually graduate from school.

Expanding the Circle

Good article that really explains in-depth about how the curriculum in the schools can be negative for some students, and how the teachers aren't being blamed. I don't think that students of other cultures should be left behind while the other cultural students are flying by with passing grades. Its our jobs to make sure that all students are passing the classes and etc. You can think about some literature books that might be useful in teaching, learning and helping students with different cultural backgrounds. You can try to find an use hispanic, native, japanese, or etc. to better teach culture in classes, and have a better connection with you cultural students. All you really need t do as a teacher is open you mind and actually use you brain and think 'what could help?' Give it a try, you might surprise yourself. And if you can't think with you brain, then ask others; no shame in asking others. And if you can't do that then why are you wasting your time trying to be a teacher, get out of here and think.

Hispanic Experience

Have I ever really had an hispanic experience where I have actually interacted with someone with a different culture? I would say no, here in Kalamazoo, or at my home town in Lapeer. We had people with families that looked hispanic, but they never talked with a accent, in a different langauge, eat tacos (just kinding), or anything that linked them to a different culture. And if others of different cultures did, in Lapeer they were one of us (meaning we don't see any differences between culture. In Lapeer, they were one of us, a person, family, talks, eats, sleeps, and etc. The only difference we saw, or acknowledged in Lapeer was class rank, political, geek, jock, cheerleader, the girl people never wanted to call again (just joking, lol...or am I), and etc. Taco Bell sure as heck aint a hispanic place, or Que Dobas that I've been to. They're white as heck in there. If you guys know of any hispanic places that actually have a an actual hispanic culture, then please let me know and I go there t see myself.

Culturally Diverse Classroom

Hey, what ya know good? I got to say that this is a pretty good guidebook that I think teachers really need to read when they are struggling with handling and teaching ESL Students. I think that a teacher really needs to get involved and not push away their ESL students because thats kind of the wrong thing to do. Teachers aren't suppose to ignore students just because the teacher can't stand the student. Its our job to help all of the students in our classrooms, even if that means helping out the annoying students that disturb the classroom. If a teacher is having problems communicating with any ESL student, get someone who can help you communicate better between you, the teacher, and the ESL student. If you need an interpretor then ask the principal to allow you to bring an interpretor who can definitly help teacher have better communication with their ESL teachers. If you can't get an interpretor, then learn the students language then. We live in a country with more Hispanics in this country than any other culture with a different language. Learn the language if you need better communication between you and your ESL student. If you don't want to learn the how to have a better communication and understanding with your ESL students then don't become a teacher (and if you already are, quit then and quit wasting time in the classroom then.) Do ESL students need full attention in the classroom, its impossible because you need to help all the students in your classroom. But, you should take the time to get to know your students, ESL students included. I don't think that ESL students need full-time support because they feel segregated in schools, because there are other students, white, black, asian, native, indian, and etc. that feel segregated in schools. I know because I use to be one of those segregated students in school, and there were other students just like me. I just wish that teachers took an interest in us back in school and not toss us away like trash when we had problems with homework, school and other students, sports and etc. You, the teacher, can't just focus on hispanic students, you need to focus on all students of ever color. I know that this is a blog about hispanic, but I felt like I should just say something. Overall, great guidebook that can really help teachers think of ways to have better understadings and communication between them, the teacher, and their students.