Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Our YA Literature Experiences

The Giver, Lois Lowry

Night, Elie Wiesel

The Book Thief, Markus Zusak

Sold, Patricia McCormick

Locomotion, Jacqueline Woodson

Breaking Through, Francisco Jimenez (study guide)

Uncle, J.P. Martin

Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, Judy Blume

Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston

Story of a Girl
, Sara Zarr

The Loud Silence of Francine Green
, Karen Cushman

Small Steps
, Louis Sachar

Tamar, Mal Peet

The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan

Gossamer, Lois Lowry

Heaven, Angela Johnson

Flight, Sherman Alexie

Inexcusable, Chris Lynch

Friday, November 7, 2008

Academic and Intellectual Freedom in the Classroom

How the survey played out:

1) I remain quiet in class discussions because I am concerned that my ideas and beliefs may be different than those of my teacher/professor and that such a difference will negatively impact my grade.

Never (8) Rarely (21) Occasionally (20) Often (7) Always

2) When I talk in class discussions, I express ideas and beliefs that are similar to the teacher/professor’s even though the ideas and beliefs are not necessarily my ideas and beliefs because I am concerned that my ideas and beliefs may be different than those of my teacher/professor and that such a difference will negatively impact my grade.

Never (14) Rarely (25) Occasionally (13) Often (4) Always

3) On written test/exams, I express ideas and beliefs that are similar to the teacher/professor’s even though the ideas and beliefs are not necessarily my ideas and beliefs because I am concerned that my ideas and beliefs may be different than those of my teacher/professor and that such a difference will negatively impact my grade.

Never (8) Rarely (14) Occasionally (18) Often (11) Always (5)

4) My teachers/professors are aware of their own assumptions and biases, and they make serious efforts not to allow their ideas and beliefs to impact negatively how they grade their students.

Never Rarely (7) Occasionally (19) Often (25) Always (4)

5) Most students express (orally and in writing) primarily what they believe teachers/professors want to hear/read instead of saying or writing ideas and comments that may contradict the teacher/professor because students fear differences of opinion negatively impact students’ grades.

Never Rarely (2) Occasionally (18) Often (34) Always (2)

6) I am more likely to change my views by what my peers believe or say than what my teachers/professors believe or say.

Never (4) Rarely (17) Occasionally (17) Often (16) Always (2)