EDCI 747 with Barbara
This past week in EDCI 747 we focused on Grammar and learned about the "Stations" technique. As well, Chris gave us a mini lesson on poetry (my least favorite part of English). I honestly don't know how he did it, but he managed to make poetry a little more fun for me. I think it had to do with the activity he made us take part in. He split us into groups and gave each of us a line from a particular poem; as a group we had to put the poem back together. While this could be disastrous and hilarious at the same time, both groups managed to put the poems back together. The interactive nature of the activity created an atmosphere of "fun-learning." If that makes sense. :)
Also this week, a different Chris gave us a little mini lesson on novels and the implications of their covers. The activity he chose was great. He divided the class into groups and gave each group a piece of paper with two covers on it (five different covers total) and had us come up with words and phrases that described the covers. The titles and authors were left blank so we literally had to judge a book by it's cover. We shared our ideas and found out that the five covers he gave out were actually all the same book. Interestingly there was only a small amount of overlap between the phrases and descriptions and when it was revealed that the covers were all the same book we were shocked. Moral of the lesson: don't judge a book by it's cover.
My mini lesson takes place on Thursday - I've very nervous and I'm sure you'll find a blog post about it soon.
EDCI 373 with Dawn
I haven't talked about EDCI 373 before because I feel weird and awkward talking about it. However, if I'm to believe that we are all entitled to our opinions then I guess a blog is a great way to voice that opinion. EDCI 373 is the new required Indigenous Education class. Our teacher, Dawn Smith, is Indigenous and so far she's been great. We've had discussions based on readings, we've had guest speakers and we even had the resident elder, Joyce Underwood, come in and welcome us by singing and dancing - it was awesome. It has honestly been a real privilege learning about the different cultures within the Indigenous community. That being said, there's something that leaves me unsettled about the class - don't get me wrong - I like the class and the readings - I just feel that the discussions we do have in class don't stretch as far as they could...does anyone feel the same way? I feel that we could be learning more. Perhaps I'm simply confused about what we're supposed to be learning. Are we supposed to be learning about the different cultures just to learn about the different cultures? Or are we supposed to be learning how to teach the subject of Indigenous Education in our Social Studies classes and address all of the controversial issues that surround Indigenous Peoples?
The next few statements are probably going to cause some people to get defensive and uncomfortable and/or angry, and I don't mean any disrespect and I don't mean to make you feel that way, but I feel like I need to address the issue. I feel that because we are mostly a "white" and "uneducated" (and I use those terms loosely - please don't be offended) group and we do not want to offend anyone, that our discussions are lacking. They do not address the controversial issues that are out there. They do not look at the racism within Canada or the world - and please don't be naive and think that racism doesn't exist in Canada because you'd be wrong. Maybe our class just hasn't gotten that far yet. We haven't discussed how to deal with issues like the integration of Indigenous students into the public school system and the bullying and racism that may go on in our own schools. We haven't discussed the possible segregation that may happen because young people are not as sensitive or understanding and welcoming as we are. I don't think we are voicing any concerns or making bold comments or voicing opinions that may be considered controversial, insensitive, or "wrong" because we're afraid to "ruffle some feathers." I could keep going, but I think I've said enough and I'll end by saying I'm sorry if I offended anyone it was not my intention at all - Forgive me? I just felt like someone needed to say it.
I think that's a lot of information for now....If anyone as any incite or can help me understand better or simply want to vent, comment away!
Until next time,
LC
We talked a bit about our first nations studies class and I agree.... I don't feel like we are quite getting enough out of the class that we could be. I don't feel any better (less nervous) about teaching indigenous students or dealing with issues that may arise with trying to integrate indigenous students in to our public school system.
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