After much searching and frustration, I have finally picked the one blog topic that I think will stay the course: reading instruction. First, I chose “boarding schools” because I am interested in the setup and want to teach at one. But the only articles that came up were about why those types of schools are better and why more people are choosing them-nothing to do with literature. Next, I chose “multicultural education” or teaching of cultures, but I only came up with censorship related articles. More fundamental than that topic is how to go about reading or engage students in reading. Although our class and text book are already concerned with this area, I hope I will be able to find more articles relating to the findings we discuss in class or alternative options and views. I think this will be especially helpful to me right now because I am a reading tutor at an elementary school and work with students who are just learning how to read. The feeds I have subscribed to are BBC World News-Education, New York Times-Education, Department of Education, Google and Yahoo! feeds for “reading education”, and I Speak of Dreams and Librarian blogs.The article below is still my original one and starts to give an idea why I am interested in this type of schooling; it would allow me to be a positive “role model for a confused generation.” I would like to have a positive influence on my students, not only in the realm of education, but in their everyday behavior. By following my example and seeing that someone can have fun and be outgoing without using alcohol or other substances, maybe they could see an alternative and change.Heads must be ‘role models for a confused generation’
6 responses so far ↓
Adam Love // January 18, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Katie,
I myself am interested in this topic as well. I however am not actually pursuing this topic, i am instead doing a different one. However, I do understand why you choose this topic. I myself over the last few years had invisioned (sp?) myself teaching at a boarding school (or a private school) simply because of the ability to connect with the students. Perhaps if you are further interested in this topic you may have seen some of these movies: The Emperors Club, Dead Poets Society, or Mona Lisa Smile? They are all pretty good though personally, i think Dead Poets is the best… Anyways… Looks like an interesting blog!
-Adam
Kristen // January 18, 2007 at 7:09 pm
I love your topic! I have a sister who is a senior in high school and she LOVES a series of books about girls in ritzy boarding schools (I think they’re called It Girls or Gossip Girls?), so I think your topic is very interesting and applicable! The pros and cons of boarding schools would be especially interesting, whether teaching at one or attending one!
hpiette // January 19, 2007 at 4:12 am
Hello Katie!
I think that your topic is really interesting and “outside of the box” as they say. I also think that relating our schools to international schools would also be fascinating because often comparing the educational systems between other countries is common but not considered so closely.
It is also true that boarding schools are very common in England. Often, you hear about how younger children are living the first parts of their education away from home as opposed to having that place to fall back on when things are difficult. My family, well my grandfather and back were from England and I believe I even have a picture of him in his boarding school outfit.
I also think that by writing about the emotional connections that occur between teacher and students in these settings would also be interesting because you don’t often hear about that aspect when discussing boarding schools. Not many decide to teach at a boarding school, at least not that I know of so I give you props for setting those goals for yourself.
I look forward to seeing what you have to say as well as the different articles you find on the subject.
gvsulaker // January 21, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Katie,
Very nice topic indeed. Boarding school experiences are very well represented in both canonical (e.g. Lord of the Flies) and YA texts (e.g. Harry Potter). Here’s hoping you’ll keep making connections to our course, perhaps by comparing these literary representations to reality.
Your blog looks very sharp, and it includes most of the required components. Be sure to add a complete class blogroll.
Good works so far.
mcgoverj // February 1, 2007 at 4:29 am
Katie: Not to reiterate what everyone else has already said, but, “Interesting topic!” I haven’t heard of anyone pursuing a job in teaching at a boarding school, at least from other students in my other classes. I think it takes a lot of courage to be willing to leave home. Of course Harry Potter had a good reason to want to leave home, but I mean even as a teacher. I know that probably would not be an opportunity that I would want, but it sounds amazing for those up to the adventure! I am sure there must be boarding schools in the United States, do you know if there are any around here? You mentioned that teachers can connect more with students at a boarding school. In my opinion, there is not really an excuse for teachers in public schools not to connect with their students. If you think about it, they are together for seven waking hours, five days a week, four weeks a month for like nine months! Of course there are recesses, lunch, specialty classes, holiday break, spring break, weekends, and after school, and summer, but I think public teachers get plenty of time to “connect” with their students. Also, you mentioned that teaching in a boarding school would give you an opportunity to be a role model for a “confused generation.” What exactly makes this generation so confused? I am not criticizing you, and I know that you are just quoting the article, but I was just curious to what that meant. Overall, I feel this generation pretty much has an advantage over the last few, of which I would consider more confused than this generation. Children as young as fourth graders in Kentwood Public Schools are encouraged to attend the college and career night with the high schoolers, to start planning their future. Planning their future! When I think about the future, I think about whether or not I am going to be able to visit my grandparents on Friday, and my ten year old brother has to decide which college would be best for him and his major. I feel like I am more confused!
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