Chapters 1 and 2 in “Literacy with an Attitude” by Patrick J Finn, introduce Finn’s argument that recognizing, and incorporating students' cultural backgrounds into their education, empowers students to be successful. Chapter 1 discusses how society often views certain groups as inferior due to their language or cultural background. Finn argues that these views can impact educational opportunities for these students. This reminds me a bit of Delpit’s “The Silenced Dialogue” and the importance of respecting and valuing students’ cultures to be an effective teacher. Both Delpit and Finn express the importance of incorporating students’ culture into learning and literacy.
At the end of the chapter, I liked Finn’s comments about the “hard-bitten” teacher. The idea is that teachers who are out there “in the trenches” aren’t willing to take advice from those teachers, academics, and, professionals who are not struggling with them in the daily grind. On some level, we can all identify with this feeling. We have all had the infuriating moment when someone gives you advice without ever experiencing your struggle.
In Chapter 2, Finn discusses Jean Anyon’s research on teaching and learning in schools based on socioeconomic class. Finn goes on to discuss how teaching literacy in schools is often based on teaching only the necessary skills that the students will require to maintain, not improve their status in society. Finn believes that if we teach only the skills of reading and writing, without taking into consideration money, race, and power, we are doing a disservice to the students by not teaching to their full potential. I found Chapter 2 to be very interesting. The idea that our education system is set up to teach literacy in a way that keeps people within their social class is a lot to wrap your head around.
At the end of the chapter, I liked Finn’s comments about the “hard-bitten” teacher. The idea is that teachers who are out there “in the trenches” aren’t willing to take advice from those teachers, academics, and, professionals who are not struggling with them in the daily grind. On some level, we can all identify with this feeling. We have all had the infuriating moment when someone gives you advice without ever experiencing your struggle.
In Chapter 2, Finn discusses Jean Anyon’s research on teaching and learning in schools based on socioeconomic class. Finn goes on to discuss how teaching literacy in schools is often based on teaching only the necessary skills that the students will require to maintain, not improve their status in society. Finn believes that if we teach only the skills of reading and writing, without taking into consideration money, race, and power, we are doing a disservice to the students by not teaching to their full potential. I found Chapter 2 to be very interesting. The idea that our education system is set up to teach literacy in a way that keeps people within their social class is a lot to wrap your head around.
Social Class in The Classroom Study about having students raise their hands in class.
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