Google Doc for 11/5

In class on Tuesday, we will be discussing the context and content of the Brown v. Board of Education decision handed down by the Supreme Court in 1954.

Click here to access the GOOGLE DOC we will all be writing together…

Just in case:
Volume 2
Volume 3

"Readings" on Brown v. Board of Education

The readings for this week are not exactly readings, but things to check out online. This week marks a shift in the syllabus. Up until this point, we have been reading about broad theories about diversity and difference including the Culture of Power and issues of White Privilege. Now we are going to start to look at historical moments where these topics came into view in our schools.

Our topic this week is about Brown vs. Board of Education (1954), the historical supreme court decision that made the segregation of public schools unconstitutional.


You have FOUR tasks for this week:

1) I want you to explore this website to give you some background on Brown v. Board of Education. We will be using this in class to build a Google Doc reference sheet together, so take a lot of notes so that you feel well prepared to teach others about this court case.

2) Then I want you to watch these two videos that highlight the work of Tim Wise, author of "Between Barack and a Hard Place." Take notes while you watch so that you can refer to specific quote in your blog post and in class. What does Wise have to do with Brown v. Board of Education?





4) Read this very short article from March 2011 New York Times.
How do the issues that Bob Herbert raises shape how you think about Brown v. Board of Education?

3) Now blog about it.
What is the relationship between the historical issues you see in the website on Brown v. Board of Education and the contemporary issues of race that Bob Herbert and Tim Wise raise here?

Leave comments if you have any questions...
LB :)

Midterm Assignments

Per the syllabus, your Midterm is due next week on Thursday, Oct. 24. 

If you turn in these two assignments (see below), you will get an "A" for 5% of your course grade.  If you do not turn in these assignments, or if you turn them in late, you will get a ZERO for 5% of your course grade.  You need a B- or better to apply to the FSEHD.  This assignment can take your grade from a 78% (C+) to an 83% (B-), a significant bump!  Similarly, it can drop your grade from an 83% to a 78%, essentially requiring you to retake the class.  Please take this assignment seriously.

Next Thursday:

1)  You must bring in a sealed, plain white envelop with your Midterm Letter inside. (I handed out the letter assignment in class on Thursday, Oct. 17.)

2) You must share your Blog Log with me by Sunday, Oct 20 at midnight.  First, make sure that your document is up to date.  Carefully self assess each blog you have written and give yourself a score in each column.  Then, open your Blog Log and click the blue SHARE button in the corner.

Then, where it says INVITE people, type my email address:  lbogad@ric.edu.  This will allow me access to view your document.

Promising Practices

It's time to register!!

Click here to sign up for the conference on Saturday, Nov. 2nd.

(See me if you don't have access to a credit card to use for registration...)

Readings for October 15/17

Here are the two texts for next week:

Kohl, I Won't Learn from You

Kohn, 5 Reasons to Stop Saying Good Job

Link to the reading for October 8th

Here is a link to August, Safe Spaces.

I also sent you the PDF to your RIC email account.

Have a good weekend!

LB :)

Some resources we talked about in class

DonorsChoose.org
Website for teacher to solicit donations for classroom projects

Teacher Recycling Center
low- or no-cost materials that allow you to provide virtually limitless creative opportunities for your students or group members