I read early and get to post first...And I have a placement now!!!!

Well since I did my reading early I guess I will make a few comments on some things that jumped out to me in this chapter.

First I want to start with p.132 where the teacher was expressing her frustrations on problems in her class with her students. And I like the way Ladson-Billings addresses the issue. She did not agree that the teacher was correct or even valid for making that point. She however, retaliated with more questions? For instance, how do you know that the parents dont care maybe they work two jobs and bus their child to school? I think that questions like these are valid and they are sometimes overlooked by teachers. Like, when homework is assigned and the same child does not bring his or hers everyday single day but you know through classwork they are capable of it, it may not be that they are lazy or do not care. They may not have the resources to do that homework. That's why I think it is a good thing to give out the sheet to turn the homework in on.


Next was the parent in the meeting. I didn't know how to respond to this exactly. Like, I understand that when people want things done then they speak out about it and I am glad he did but I just question the way he did it. And if there really wasn't any funding, did that parent care enough to find funding? Also, when the issue was not pertaining to education directly but sports that made a lot of questions come to my mind. I guess since in my county sports is everything and that is where all the little money we got went, then I didn't take that too well that they were so upset over a sports program. I mean I like sports and other after-school activities too but school should always remain first.

Another thing in this chapter that stuck out to me was the story of the little black boy who was the only in his class. His teacher was hard on him for a reason and although the mother didn't like it she understood it. And I am glad that she did it. True it could have a negative turn out but I think for the most part it is effective. If blacks and other minorities want to make it in this world then they have to work harder because whites dont hold as high of standards for us. That is evident in SAT scores, etc, etc, etc. I think that more teachers should recognize this and do something about it. Also, more parents should take heed to it and not come down on the teachers like they are intentially being mean to their child.


Well thats all I am going to say. I know I was slacking last week but this week I'm going out with a bang.

O yea I have a placement now but I won't start til Thursday!!!