Discussion questions for 7/26 (dana)

Delpit:
1. According to some of the people in Delpit's writing, white people have stopped "hearing" black people's message. How could we as teachers "hear" our students' stories and validate their experiences?
2. On page 30, 2nd paragraph, Delpit quotes, "Rather, I suggest that schools must provide these children the content that other families from a different cultural orientation provide at home. this does not mean separating children according to family backgroun, but instead ensuring that each classroom incorporate strategies appropriate for all the children in its confines." What are some practical strategies that we could use? How can we provide a cultural awareness or allow full participation from students, teachers and even families? (Make connection to Lareau's reading).
3. What are your thoughts on being direct or indirect to students who come from working/middle-class background? Should you change the way you speak to these students depending on their background?
4. What are your thoughts on forcing change from 'top down' and teaching students the codes of power? What are those codes? What types of message do we relay to the students?


Lareau
1. Since research shows that both parents care, should we emphasize more importance on students getting involved? Especially in high school, how can we get the students to be motivated to care about their education? How can we get them to be the bridge between teachers and parents?
2. Having frequent events seem to be a great way to incorporate community activity. What's a good balance - how often should it really be? What's realistic? Is it realisitc?
3. Lareau says, 'Although working-class and middle-class parents share a desire for their children's education success... social location leads them to construct different pathways for realizing that sucess..." What type of resources could we provide to even out the cultural/social captial that exists? Is there a way we could construct a different pathway other than what already exists?


Newkirk
1. Newkirk seems to indicate throughout his writing that boys are a certain way because of their "nature" and therefore, we need to recognize those attributes and read deeper into their writing. What would be some attributes in females? Are these considered stereotypes or acutal truth?
2. Is being a male part of cultural or social capital?