The literacy home pack assignment has been an interesting one. On the one hand, it is a very practical application of all the knowledge I’ve gained in my higher educational pursuits. It is a good authentic assessment of what I’ve learned while at Cortland, and at Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) before. On the other hand, it is an extremely time consuming endeavor that is as expensive as it is exhausting. I have learned and applied much in making my own literacy pack, but I still wonder if seasoned teachers would be able to take this on.
Creating the literacy pack allowed me to explore and evaluate differentiation as it relates to teaching at an entirely new level. Although I had learned about and even used the term before, it always seemed like a small afterthought add-on to a lesson, something that might be nice to include. Now I understand how vitally important this concept is and how much it needs to be included in any classroom plan. I am a big supporter of Gardener’s Multiple Intelligences and the idea that children can, and do, learn in an amazingly wide variety of ways. Using differentiation in this assignment gave me a new tool to engage many different learners and I am glad I had the experience.
However, this pack has also take over much of my time in the last few weeks, and I am dubious that a certified teacher would have this amount of time available, especially considering that most have families. My father, a retired elementary teacher with 35 years experience, seemed to agree with me and often questioned if I was do “extra” work. I wasn’t.
The literacy take-home pack is a great tool, and every educator should make at least one to learn their intricacies. Making 10, however, is not feasible for any teacher and mass-marketed packs should be welcomed in school systems. I am glad I had the chance to make one, and I will definitely take what I learned into my own classroom.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Caveman Vs. Caveman
During a class lecture on Neandertals, I became interested in the comparisons between beings in the genus Homo of that time, and the stereotypical caveman seen today. From what I have researched, the stereotypical Geico caveman is a great exaggeration of reality.
In one article, which I have linked to below, the author discusses how Neandertalensis often created sturdy and very functional brush shelters to use as homes. Caves are a rare geologic formation, and would not have been prevalent enough to house an entire species. This article blames bad press for perpetuating a false image.
Another article discusses why stereotypical cavemen are always Caucasian. The explanation seems to be that Cro-Magnon, from which our stereotypical caveman also grew, evolved in Europe, where a dark skin pigment was not necessary. Also, many early humans used caves for temporary shelter, blocking the sun, and artificially (as opposed to naturally) protected their skin. So, the idea that cavemen were white or light skinned is not a misconception at all.
Finally, a humorous history of bathrooms claims that Neandertals used eroded boulders with sizable indentations as sinks or wash basisns. If this is true, it is just more evidence how evolved the early human brain was, and that the jump to modern human was not a big one at all.
Caveman Shelters
Caveman Race
In one article, which I have linked to below, the author discusses how Neandertalensis often created sturdy and very functional brush shelters to use as homes. Caves are a rare geologic formation, and would not have been prevalent enough to house an entire species. This article blames bad press for perpetuating a false image.
Another article discusses why stereotypical cavemen are always Caucasian. The explanation seems to be that Cro-Magnon, from which our stereotypical caveman also grew, evolved in Europe, where a dark skin pigment was not necessary. Also, many early humans used caves for temporary shelter, blocking the sun, and artificially (as opposed to naturally) protected their skin. So, the idea that cavemen were white or light skinned is not a misconception at all.
Finally, a humorous history of bathrooms claims that Neandertals used eroded boulders with sizable indentations as sinks or wash basisns. If this is true, it is just more evidence how evolved the early human brain was, and that the jump to modern human was not a big one at all.
Caveman Shelters
Caveman Race
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
A Different Kind of Silent Movie
On Saturday April 10th, I attended the movie “Black Sands” with friends from my ASL class. The movie was completely signed, had subtitles, but offered no sound. This was the third Deaf event I have attended, and it was significantly different from the other two. Like any movie, small groups of people came to the event together and seemed to stay with those they came with. When I have gone to Deaf Chats at Panera Bread, the “hosts” are expecting people to show up and people are eager to see friends who may arrive separately. This may seem like a small difference, but it actually made it harder for me and my friends to fully interact with the Deaf community.
Despite these difficulties, I did have the chance to converse with a few Deaf individuals. I asked about their work and lives, and they asked about my school, teachers, and general life as well. At first, I was nervous about having a full and natural conversation in ASL, but I soon fell into a pattern and felt at ease. I enjoyed meeting new people, and overall had fun at the event.
One unique aspect I especially enjoyed was seeing the TTY and Video Phone display. I talked with another Deaf person at the table about the technology, and how far we have come. It truly is amazing to think about the current state of technology when the original inventor of the phone, Alexander Graham Bell, was so against the Deaf community and the use of ASL. Bell was instrumental in the “No-ASL” policy in many American schools, and I have often wondered if the telephone was just another way to shun this particular sector of the American population.
I am very glad that Deaf individuals are now respected in this country and can have a fully equal approach to life as every other American. I am glad I had the opportunity and the suggestion to attend this event, and hope to participate in more in the future.
Despite these difficulties, I did have the chance to converse with a few Deaf individuals. I asked about their work and lives, and they asked about my school, teachers, and general life as well. At first, I was nervous about having a full and natural conversation in ASL, but I soon fell into a pattern and felt at ease. I enjoyed meeting new people, and overall had fun at the event.
One unique aspect I especially enjoyed was seeing the TTY and Video Phone display. I talked with another Deaf person at the table about the technology, and how far we have come. It truly is amazing to think about the current state of technology when the original inventor of the phone, Alexander Graham Bell, was so against the Deaf community and the use of ASL. Bell was instrumental in the “No-ASL” policy in many American schools, and I have often wondered if the telephone was just another way to shun this particular sector of the American population.
I am very glad that Deaf individuals are now respected in this country and can have a fully equal approach to life as every other American. I am glad I had the opportunity and the suggestion to attend this event, and hope to participate in more in the future.
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