Social Context Post #6
What do we say when we hear the word “Faggot”
By: Lenore Gordon

This article is really short, to the point and it brings up some very relevant discussion about name-calling. This article focuses on the use of derogatory terms aimed at homosexuals. The author begins the article by giving some examples of school children that are ridiculed in school because of their sexual orientation. Along with the vivid description of how it is affecting these young people the author also talks about cruel games that are played and the origins of the words some students use against other students. It is quite disturbing to read what is going on in some schools yet I guess kids can be cruel. I agree with the author in the way she deals with the situation when she hears derogatory terms, I think that she handles it well and I can assume that the students get the point.
I think that this article can be applied to all name-calling. No matter why it is being done, students need to understand that it is not acceptable. It is heart breaking to know that some of the names can stick with a person for a lifetime. I know that when I was in school I was called names and I called names and it is not a pretty place, it hurts to be called names and it feels horrible to call someone else names as well. Why do kids do it? Why do adults do it? It seems so pointless! Anyways I think what she says in the end is a great point, students need to be taught to not only defend their rights but they need to defend the rights of others.

Social Context Post #5

Education Is Our Right

I went to go see the play last night Education is Our Right. I found the play to be very informative and I was also glad to be there for the Friday “Talk” back. This was held after the play and all the characters and the director were present so we could ask questions and talk about the issues.

The play took the theme of spirits past, present and future. Showing the Minister of Indian Affairs the harm that he was doing by trying to implement the cap on tuition. I liked the dialogue that went on between the characters and found that it was very moving. The content of this play was highly charged and with a new conservative government back in, the issue may come up again. I found that I learned a lot about the feelings of the people in this play, and I feel like I have a better understanding of how Aboriginal people may feel, although I know that I will never truly get it. I am amazed at how much the general public does not know, and how we are just not taught these issues in school.

I think the cast and the director did a great job, and I am really glad that I went to see this play. I am amazed at the strength of the Aboriginal people and hope that in my teaching one day I can encourage and build up young kids whose families have been torn down for so long, maybe one day I can help instead of hurt. Stand up for your rights!

Social context Post # 4

Boob Tube and Children's Brain Drain
By: Don Oldenburg

Dan Oldenburg writes this article dealing with the effects of the TV on the development of children's brains. In the introduction Oldenburg states that the average child will watch 22,000 hours of TV when they graduate from high school, that is twice the amount spent in the classroom. Oldenburg also states that the amount of study that goes into this epidemic is not nearly enough to gain any real insight into the problems at hand. Oldenburg continues his argument by stating some f the facts from the limited research that has been done, he also states his opinion on this problem and brings the focus into the hands of the parents, the most important people in the lives of children must step up and do something.

Now I am a bit bias about this article, that may be because my husband and I have chosen not to have a TV in our house. This being said I can agree to what Oldenburg is leaning to in this article, TV is something that is not really beneficial to our society so why are we making it seem like it is? One of the main reasons why we do not have a TV is because it eats up so much of our time. If you do not have one that is a non issue and there is more time for other things like reading or going outside.

There was an add that merely Shoes put out that I found quite interesting:

The weather channel, the Nature channel, the Outdoor channel.... Is our TV trying to tell us something?

Get Outside!!

I think that if more people took this seriously our society would not have the problems that we have today.

I do not know what will happen when we have kids... I don't know if there will be too much pressure to get a TV or if my views will change, but from where I stand now, I feel like I would be better off never having another black box enter my house.

I know that there are some good things about having a TV, like watching the news and such... Although how much of that is reality??... Anyways I think that there are other ways to get news, we listen to a lot of CBC and also read the paper, so there are ways to stay up on what is happening.

It scares me to think that some of the items talked about in the article may be true, what are we doing to the next generation? How can this be ok? When is there more research going to be done?

I guess I have more questions than answers...

Social Context Post #3

Why Kids Need Violent Entertainment
By: Gerald Jones

Gerald Jones writes a provocative article about the need for violence in entertainment for young children. When I first read the title of this article I thought that I was not going to like it very much, or even agree with anything Jones would have to say. But I stand corrected and found what he had to say at least somewhat valid.

Jones begins the article by reliving what his childhood was like and how violent comics helped him to become who he is today. Jones states that the need for violent entertainment is really just a vehicle in which children can steer the feelings of rage and powerlessness. It is a place where aggression can be let out and where children can escape.

I thought that this was a reasonable claim and then began to wonder how much of this violence became a reality. Jones also spoke to this and stated that he was not arguing that violence was completely harmless and that in some rare cases it does help to create real violence, but the numbers are in favour for those who it helps. I tend to question this statement and I wouldn’t mind seeing some concrete facts, I am sure there is a study somewhere that has tired to measure this.

When reading this I always come back to what I friend of mine said to me once, she has two boys, who are always playing war. Anyways we were talking about this one day and she said that even if she never gave her boys toy guns to play with, they would find another way to make some resemblance of one, the most common is built right into us, how many times have you seen young kids use their hand as a gun?

So maybe Jones is right, maybe this need to release feelings of rage are so strong that violent entertainment is just the right place. I am still out on this one, I guess it is just one of those grey areas for me.

Social Context post #2

The Expulsion of Teen Magazines In and Out of Schools
By: Sheila Manohar

Sheila Manohar writes the article titled "The Expulsion of Teen Magazines In and Out of Schools." Manohar suggests rather banning the material altogether, why not use the material to create opportunities to help young women think critically.

Manohar begins the article by opening the discussion regarding teen consumerism and
teen marketing, it is astonishing to read some of the statistics that are listed. Manohar moves from the direction of teen consumerism into girls and magazines and offers the statistics as to which magazine is the most popular and what the content is in these magazines. As one can imagine half of the magazine is advisements and the other half is mainly beauty and self help articles that promise unrealistic outcomes.

Most girls reading the magazines stated that they read these articles because it tells them things that they do not learn anywhere else, things about boys, image, womanhood and sex. Many of which have a horrible impact on the reader and provides the girls with a unrealistic view of themselves and the society in which we live. Manohar states that no ifs and or buts about it girls like to read these magazines and that it that.

When discussing the next topic of in school solutions, Manohar takes a critical stance in regard to what suspending the magazines in school might actually do. She explains that the girls will find a way to read these magazines either way, and why not in the schools where teachers have a valuable role to teach the girls how to think critically about what kinds of messages that are being sent through the magazines instead of an outright ban, which in most cases will make the girls even more curious to read them anyway.

Manohar concludes that it is not our job to state if the magazines are in fact bad or good but that it is our job to teach the girls how to think critically about media and the influences that it has on our lives. In addressing these issues we may even have a chance to help boost the girls self-esteem, self-image, and create dialogue that relates to the issues that teens are facing on a daily basis. Manohar provides the reader first with the facts and then she offers ways in which teachers and parents can engage in conversation with girls about the things that they are reading, rather than banning the material we can foster critical thinking and better judgmentnt.

I agree with Manohar. I believe that if these magazines are banned then we are participating in censorship, which can be detrimental to the girls and the school system. I also believe that we have to foster critical thinking and this provides a great avenue. There are so many ways that you can use this material and have it for the good. I also think that it is important to talk about these issues because it is their reality and we have a job to meet our students where there are at and in their culture.

And above all that, when I was a teen I read these magazines all the time and I think I turned out just fine! (Well I guess that is a bit subjective!!

Social Context: Post #1

What is the Schools Hidden Curriculum Teaching your Child?
By: Ruby Ausbrooks, Ed. D. (Reprinted from www.parentingteens.com/curriculum.shtml)

In this article Ruby Ausbrooks defines and articulates what the hidden curriculum is within the school system. The article is brief and very easy to read and comprehend. Ausbrooks begins the article by introducing the reader to what she calls the “hidden Curriculum” noting that all schools have one, and that every student is affected by one.

Ausbrooks states that not all experiences linked to the hidden curriculum are inherently bad, she points out that depending on the school the hidden curriculum can either aid or hinder the students. Ausbrooks goes on to explain that the hidden curriculum is essentially the implicit messages that the school sends out, or as she puts it, the learning environment of the school. When the hidden curriculum is at its best, Ausbrooks states that the implications are very beneficial for the school community, promoting good self esteem, emotional growth, and the opportunity for new discovery and exploration.

Unfortunately the hidden curriculum all to often stifles the students rather than helping them. Ausbrooks gives many examples of this happening in many schools around the country, from gender stereotypes, to the intolerance that each student has a unique style of learning. Ausbrooks warns parents that every school is sending out a message, she also give parents clues as to how to figure out what these messages may be.

One of the practical ways to find out what a schools hidden curriculum may be is to simply see what is on display in the front foyer. What is the school honouring? What does the school see worthy to be shown for all to see? Is it student artwork? Is it a large obtrusive trophy case? Is it science fair awards? Is it the honours list? All of these, Ausbrooks states, will help parents identify what a particular schools hidden curriculum might be.

Ausbrooks concludes the article by first asking who is in charge at school, and then she leaves parents with a action plan that will hopefully help parents first of all become aware of the hidden curriculum and secondly help change the hidden curriculum for the better.

I think that this subject is a very important one to address and I believe that Ausbrooks has done a good job at bringing light to this potential problem. As an Art major I know what it is like to go to a school where the focus and the hidden curriculum is based on academics and athletics alone. I know what it can do to a student who in turn may feel that their field of discipline is not important or even valid.

I ended up leaving the school that I spent eleven years in because of this problem and finished my grade twelve year in a fine art school. This move had a huge impact on my life, not only in my future career choice, but because art was finally accepted as something important and integral to life, I finally fit in with other students and teachers who felt the same about art and respected it like I do.

I am glad that parents are encouraged to become more involved in the school, but I am not sure how much of a change that will make in the hidden curriculum. I believe that the teachers and the administration have a huge role to play in changing the learning environment. It is our job to inspire the students to recognize the importance of what they are doing whether it is academic, athletics, the fine arts or even community projects.

The change needs to come within, we have to stop accepting the way that things have always been and push for a change, a change where we accept all students where they are at, and accept all in school and extracurricular activity as equal. Only then will the hidden curriculum be one that encourages and accepts all students and creates an environment that fosters life long learning.