LIteracy with and Attitude by Patrick Finn: Extended Comments

As I started to read the Preface of Literacy with an Attitude by Patrick Finn, I was confused and stunned at the same time.  This reading really confused me in so many ways that I did not like it that much. What I got from this reading was that is was forced on the working-class families and their kids and how they learn and taught.  I would like to use Marisa Blog as extended comments in this blog.

Marisa states in the first quotes that she posted which was: “The working-class children were learning to follow directions and do mechanical work, low-paying work, but at the same time they were learning to resist authority in ways sanctioned by their community. The middle class children were learning to follow orders and do the mental work that keeps society producing and running smoothly. They were learning that if they cooperated they would have the rewards that well-paid, middle-class work that makes possible outside the workplace (20)” that this reminded her of the “separate but equal” discussion that we had last week.  I agree with her 100%.  Families that are in better areas get better schooling and families in lower income areas do not get a good solid education.  The kids are still in school trying to get a education (equal) but they are getting different education based on the income of their family (separate). 

I also like when Marisa pointed out this point in her blog saying “This also reminds me of Delpit because working-class students are not taught the codes of power in their classroom, and do not understand why they are doing the work they are assigned. On the other hand, middle-class students typically understand that if they do their work and succeed in school, they will get a good job and do better financially in life”. As I was reading I noticed many Delpit moments that most of this kids need to learn to become great educators and great citizens as they get older.  It crazy how both sides can be separate but equal.

I thought it was interesting how the author brought in the saying and asking kids “what is knowledge”?  I found that the answers from the different students were interesting and I found it interesting that there were so many varied answers.  Everyone has their own option about this answer but these kids need to learn about their creativity and that is what some schools are missing out on.

Points to Share:

I don’t understand why all these authors talk about the problems in the schools but don’t try to fix the problem.  I would like to see what they can do to make both the schools equal.