Mon+3-5

How else can schools be structured to explore power relationships among language and culture?

Before Class:

1.) Please explore the [|National Association for Bilingual Education's] website.

Think about these questions while you explore.


 * What are your connections or disconnection to bilingual education?
 * What do you know about bilingual or dual language schools?
 * Why would people be adamantly against any form of bilingual education?

2.) Read the following articles from the two newsletters that NABE publishes. I encourage you at least skim both newsletters. I know it looks like a lot of reading, but all of the articles are short, but very informative.




 * Read the article, "Poverty is the Problem that Must be Solved: Our Schools are Not Broken" written by Stephen Krashen.
 * What do you think about his claim?
 * Can more libraries help?
 * What if we really did quit funding testing and poured money into books, technology, and field trips?


 * Read, "Revitalizing Indigenous Language Using Picture Books."
 * What does indigenous language mean?
 * How could you use some of their recommended strategies in your classroom?
 * Can you connect these practices to a critical pedagogy?


 * Read, "Tapping into the Funds of Knowledge of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students and Families."
 * It is common to hear teachers and schools say, "We want parents to reinforce at home what we're doing at school." I think that the concept of Funds of Knowledge reverses this, instead we should say, "We're going to reinforce at school what you're doing home." What do you think about this?
 * What do you think about this: "Teachers should also be aware that the parents themselves may not be completely aware that these experiences can and in fact are valuable." Why would people come to think their own knowledge and way of living is wrong, dumb, or somehow less important that another's way of living? In our society, whose way of living is seen a smart, good, and better? Whose way of living is seen as bad, in need of correction, or dumb?


 * Read, "Understanding Misconceptions to Provide Effective Bilingual Education."
 * What is translanguaging and codeswitching? Why do people do it? Do you translanguage?
 * What are the three misconceptions often held by educators when educating English Language Learners? Do you agree? Do you understand what they mean? How can you challenge these misconceptions in your pedagogy?

During Class:

1.) Active Grouping Strategies Be prepared to move around the room discussing the readings.

2.) Bilingual Education v. English Only or Monolingual Education Continuum.

3.) Book Sharing