Written Response #1

The theme or notion that resonated with me throughout the readings and the novel was the division of social class--and how each level affords an individual a very diverse level of "education", and "literacy". I suppose I have spent most of my life identifying with the"American" perspective found in Stuckey's article-that I have been living in a virtually classless society, one where the prevailing attitude is "you reap what you sow" (If you work hard enough, you will get what you deserve). Although I was aware that there were basically three divisions of class in society (high, middle, and low--and some in between), I naively thought that this was more a "problem" of the "past"- (a system that was more reflective of the feudal system). Being able to hear the prevailing perspectives of "literacy and eduation" from each "class division" (as clearly defined in Finn's novel especially), it has enabled me to be more aware of where I am coming from (in understanding from which division my own values and ethics are originating from). Hearing about the "imbalances" made me infuriated.
As I was reading both the articles and the various chapters in the book, I had to stop from time to time to ask myself where I felt my teaching style "fit in". I would have to say that I was shocked to discover that my teaching style is a reflection of most of the levels identified in the articles--this is in keeping with mixture of levels in my own background. As I heard examples of thoughts and values from the different levels, it astonished me that I could literally "hear myself"(my own voice) in most of them.
Now that I have been able to identify with most of the levels, I have made it a goal/objective to gear my instruction and teaching methods towards the perspective (whenever possible) that is more in keeping with the "elitist" camp so that I can provide my students with more of what they need to succeed in the future. That being said, I also have become more sensitive to thinking about how to bridge the gap for the students in my class that are not coming prepared to deal with this kind of explicit language instruction" (as identified in Finn's novel) to assist them in becoming more sucessful and active participants--more engaged in their learning.