Entry #4

I have observed dual existence on several occasions. I think as Educators, this is something we see quite often, especially at the beginning of the school year. At this time, students are most comfortable sitting by other children that look and talk like they do. Not because they want to remain segregated, but because they're nervous and they may not know anyone. As an ESL teacher, I have gone into some of my students regular ed classrooms, where all the ESL students were grouped together and the students who did not receive ESL were together. When I noticed this, I was absolutely appalled. When there is "dual existence" in a classroom setting, teachers need to do everything they can to diffuse the situation. Incorporate group projects and group the students together, by not allowing the students to choose their own groups cuts down on dual existence. Providing the class with ice breaker activities also allows the students to get to know each other and work with one another. The most important thing a teacher can establish in the classroom is a sense of community. When every student in the class fee;s apart of the environment dual existence should not be an issue!

Entry #3 Chapter 6 & 7

Considering the conditions of immigration, I think Hector Seeman's case is the worst. Often times we see people blessed with tremendous talent beyond measures that sit back and wait for the world to notice them. A quote by Richard Nixon sums it up best "A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits". Just because he never received the recognition he felt he deserved, Hector Seeman gave up on his dreams. He quit when things didn't go his way, eventually ruining his own career. Had he kept on, he could have gone on to accomplish goals beyond his dreams, but insteasd he chose to close himself off and push the people closest to him away. Speaking from experience, I think one of the worst things you could possibly do is not follow your dream and to give up. As a young girl and teenager my whole world was cheering and dancing and my ultimate goal was to be a college cheerleader. I cheered for several competition squads and one particular year I was picked as an "alternate" and I quit after that. For many years I regretted that decison and had to live asking myself "what if".

Velvet Paintings

Velvet painting is basically when a painter uses dark velvet in place of paper or a canvas and paints colors on it. The dark background allows the colors to stand out and shine brightly. This particular form of painting became popular in the early to mid 1900's in Mexico and was introduced to Americans in the 60's by Doyle Harden. Like today, many people were trying to survive the economic crisis and looking for work. Finding a decent paying job was/is a sturggle so people had to use the resources they had to make a living for themselves or their families. Like many velvet painters, Americans that have been effected by the fall in the economy are doing the best they can and trying to find trades that will help make them money. More people are trying to save money by growing their own crops and trading with friends and other family members. Some people are making clothes for their families just to stay "above water". I think it's funny how in the book it said that the nude paintings sold quickly and Walgreens ordered all nude paintings...wwe say now that sex sells and it's crazy how it did as well even back in the 50's, and 60's.
If I had an Ell student that was ridiculed for sharing this particular family tradition with the class, I would try to make them feel as proud as I possibly could. Talking to my class about being sensitive to everyone's ideas and stories would be the first step to addressing the issue of "making fun". I would inform my class that we are all from different backgrounds and we need to listen and respect everyone; just because someone might not do things they way another family does, doesn't mean it's wrong on stupid. Everyone should be proud of who they are and should be able to tell each other about their family traditions and if they don't understand why people may do the things they do, it's my job as the teacher to explain to them why the best of my ability.

Ummm?????

Hello all, I am Courtney and I teach ESL at Eakin Primary in Shelbyville, TN. I just completed my first year of teaching and absolutely loved it. I was soooooo against this whole blogging and promised my bf that I would never get into it... Well until now that is. I have NO idea what I'm doing but hopefully it's what required lol! OMG I can't believe I'm blogging... I can't wait to see what comes of it. Ummmmm is this like Twitter????