Where I am, and Where I Want to Go
In my inquiry project I want to explore the idea of art and literature in the classroom that reflects my students. I want to make sure my student’s education is reflected back at them instead of just being told what to learn. It is my hope to create a classroom in which my students are seeing themselves in their education and taking part in their educational experience. I know how important it is for students to see themselves in their own education. There have been studies that show just how important it is to create a classroom curriculum that includes funds of knowledge and the student’s experiences and cultures. This way of teaching not only creates a classroom that is socially just, but also creates a setting where students are free to be themselves and learn based on their knowledge and experience. I would like to figure out how to do this. How do I, as a teacher, create a classroom based on so many different influences as well as conform to the testing and structure set forth by the education system we currently have in the United States. I want to know how to create a classroom that is respectful of my student’s funds of knowledge while still making sure they are learning everything they need to fit into the discourses and systems that are currently in place.
Information on Funds of Knowledge:
Culturally Relevant Texts:
Just Mercy by: Bryan Stevenson
Warriors Don't Cry By: Melba Pattillo Beals
While these texts are geared towards High Schoolers, there are many more out there to study. In my first post I posted a link to a blog that has a lot of information on culturally relevant literature for all ages as well as teaching resources. These two books are just a couple of examples of what is out there for teachers resource wise.
Thank you, Kathryn. Your goal of drawing on students' funds of knowledge in their learning will create the atmosphere where "students are free to be themselves and learn based on their knowledge and experience. You will figure this out each day as you take your leads from the students you teach! Use their stories as the content and context for learning and writing and reading!
ReplyDeleteYou may be interested in this article I wrote about an oral history project drawing from content of students' family stories as the context for writing.
https://ger.mercy.edu/index.php/ger/article/view/153
Appreciatively,
Frances