The Academic and Social Value of Ethnic Studies
By: Christine E. Sleeter
Argument: This author Sleeter argues that ethnic studies should be in the curriculum for schools. Various races are misrepresented in the school curriculum or generally in society (black history often reduced for slavery, Latinos depicted as labor, etc.) These are all important to learn about, but there is more to the culture than those grueling events. With many interviews he found that most white students believe everyone is equal where blacks do not. They may assume racism does not happen anymore because it is not as extreme as the school ONLY teaches it to be. Right now racism is an oppression led by ignorance or lack of education. He provides evidence from studies that suggest when students, specifically non-white, learn about different cultures including their own they are more likely to be engaged in school. He points out when white bias remains in the system, students have to rely on other sources to learn about the history of their ethnicity. He provided a study where a black students find school more engaging when immersed in ethnic studies. Likely because they can connect their traditions, heritage, and beliefs to what they are learning about.
Reflection: Being able to connect the experiences in your life to what you are learning in school can make learning more engaging, exciting, and memorable. Senior year, I took a psychology course and that was the first time I felt I could apply what I learned to real life. Milgram's experiment, demonstrating humans' desire to obey authority, was one I will never forget because of the experiences it reminds me of in my own life.
From a teacher's perspective I think it would be useful to take a topic applicable to real life experiences. It can make the class more fun and engaging. In seventh grade, my teacher sang (xyxy1122), having a spin on the cheer song “extra extra read all about it.” A few years later not I did not remember how to find the slope between two points and then that song popped into my head. Overall, I think students benefit from engaging learning when it pertains to real life experiences.
Adding the idea of real life experiences would make the children much more engaged!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree using songs and different ways to connect students ti their life allows students to become more engaged and like school more.
ReplyDeleteGreat points. I've had similar positive experiences in class when my real life experiences were reflected in my education. It definitely kept me more engaged.
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