Gavin FNED

 This week we watched a video of someone reading a children's book. There were different points this person was trying to make like it is okay to be who you are and to always be yourself. I think it was a good kind of switch up of a teacher reading in their own home. Most teachers do this in a classroom or office but this person reading in their own home makes it kind of easier to connect with them. I also think this video can be appealing to children because of the teachers tone of voice. They use a tone of voice that is calm and appealing to young students.  This book that this teacher is reading introduces young readers to the concept of gender identity, explaining that some people are boys, some are girls, some are both, neither, or somewhere in between.   It aims to provide children and parents with the vocabulary to discuss gender identity with sensitivity. 

After watching the Ted Talk "How A Sanctuary for Self-Expression Can Change Lives" I think this video can be inprirational to many different kids around the world. It can inspire them to just be themselves. I think it can also be helpful to parents struggling to help their child find themselves. 

 ​ "Eliminating Ableism in Education" is an article by Thomas Hehir,  Hehir defines ableism as "the devaluation of disability" leading to societal attitudes that uncritically prefer, for example, walking over rolling, speaking over signing, reading print over Braille, spelling independently over using a spell-check, and socializing with nondisabled peers over disabled peers.  Hehir talks about how ableist practices have historically affected the education of deaf students, students who are blind or visually impaired, and students with learning disabilities, particularly dyslexia.   He argues that these ableist assumptions not only reinforce existing prejudices but may also contribute to lower educational attainment and employment levels among disabled individuals.  ​Thomas Hehir’s  “ Eliminating Ableism in Education ”  also argues education systems often unconsciously devalue students with disabilities by enforcing norms that prioritize typical ways of...

 In  " Aria "  Rodriguez explores his personal experiences with language, identity, and assimilation as a Mexican-American child growing up in the U.S.  Rodriguez describes how Spanish was the language of intimacy and family in his home. When he began school, he struggled with English, feeling alienated and disconnected from the public world. His parents were encouraged to speak English at home, which led to a gradual loss of Spanish in his household. Learning English gave Rodriguez access to mainstream American society but also distanced him from his cultural roots. He reflects on how becoming fluent in English meant losing a sense of closeness with his parents, as they were less comfortable in English. He argues that assimilation is necessary for success in the public world, even though it comes at a personal cost. He emphasizes that learning English gave him confidence and opportunities, but also led to feelings of isolation from his working-class Mexican heritage...

  Literacy with an Attitude: Educating Working-Class Children in Their Own Self-Interest by Patrick Finn explores the role of literacy in social class structures and education. Finn argues that traditional schooling often reinforces existing class divisions by providing different types of literacy instruction to students based on their socioeconomic backgrounds. Finn builds on the work of educator Paulo Freire and other critical pedagogy theorists, advocating for an educational approach that equips working-class students with the tools to challenge social inequality rather than simply accept their assigned societal roles. Patrick Finn’s Literacy with an Attitude is a critical examination of how literacy and education perpetuate social class divisions. He draws on personal experiences as a teacher, academic research, and the foundational ideas of critical pedagogy and especially the work of Paulo Freire to argue that education can either reinforce social inequalities or empower wo...

 My first thoughts on the classroom were that it is very organized. She had a spot for everything you could think of and it was labled and neat. I feel like having good orginization skills as an educator is important. You do not want to lose things wether it is papers or anything else you might need. I also think her room was very preparded for her students. She had everything they could ever need in the classroom. For example, she had penciles ready for the students if they every needed one. She also said that they do not need to ask for one they could just go grab one and not interupt her or the class.  In her video she was vey upbeat and excited to give a tour of her classroom. You could definatly tell that she enjoys her job and she enjoys all the little things in her classroom. That includes the posters on the walss, how she orginizes her things, and having students work on the walls as well. I also liked how she has a wall dedicated to her family. It helps the students c...