Transformational Writing Ideas !!!!

For Project #3 Transformational Writing, I truly believe there are many topics and issues that can be addressed. As we had the opportunity to meet in class, one of the topics that seemed to be so interesting was that of different nonprofit organizations in Chicago, that are often overlooked or have little to no promotion or media coverage. The nonprofit organizations we specifically talked about were those that help people trying to recover from substance abuse or maybe even those that help women against domestic violence. I thought these topics were amazing to touch on because it is something that dramatically impacts a large number if not all Chicago communities in one way or another. At the same time very often these helpful organizations don’t get any type of promotion to help their name and issues out there. I think it wouldn’t hurt them to have students promote their organization. With this in mind, I think it would be nice to perhaps do video interviews on personal stories, brochures and fliers that could help them be more known around Chicago. All of these potential ideas I think would largely benefit these great groups, while we make an attempt to frame them in a different view. Based on the group roles we discussed in class, I found it funny that having everyone in a group take on the same role, will take the group nowhere. But rather, we all have to fill up a role, to make this project a successful one. I do admit to being more of a supporter, but if it is needed I am willing to adjust and take on any role necessary to get task completed and on time. I do consider myself more of a supporter, but I believe that throughout time I have been a little bit of all, I just tend to lean more towards being a supporter in any group scenario. I like the idea behind this project because it will be a way to get out our own ideas and actually help frame and aid a local group or organization in Chicago.

Group Work :)

Working in groups is something that I believe most people dread. Yet it’s surprising, if we really think about it, we have had to and will have to continue to work with others throughout all our lives. Throughout elementary and high school, working in groups, was something I really disliked. Personally because I thought a lot of people didn’t put emphasis into the project, and I would be stuck doing a majority of the work. This may also be because I am the kind of person who, likes to work with others, yet I don’t like to depend on others for my grade or assessment. It may sound harsh, but I like to know that the project or assignment that I did, was done to my best potential and that the grade that I got was based on my own work. But now that I have had to work in groups in college, things are different. During my English 102 class, we did have to work in groups, but what I liked was that even though it was a group project, we each had to ultimately turn in our own work. Our group was used in such a way for feedback, or questions and support for sources for our research project.  Working in groups is beneficial because we know we have each other if we have doubts about our own work, or any questions. Also working with groups allows for more ideas to be brought up. If we all cooperate and put effort into our project, the end result should be rewarding. Based on the handout it’s interesting to see how it points out that each group goes through a four step process to a final outcome. What I found the most interesting is the idea of the different roles that each person can play throughout a group. Especially that ultimately we all take on more than one role. I look forward to working in groups for this last and final project.

"La Casita"

Whittier Dual Language School : "La Casita"- Images of "La Casita", to show how strongly parents and students feel about CPS decision to demolish "La Casita". "La Casita" is used for community events and after school programs. CPS, agreed to use the money for demolition for renovations of "La Casita", but now the agreement is in the air. Whittier Dual Language School does not have a library of its own, and uses its field house to house its small amount of books. "La Casita" is a crucial part of this community and a great resource for the success of students.

Wikipedia Draft :)

Whittier Dual Language School

“Nurturing the seeds of dual language, cultivating success”

Contents

·         Location

o   Transportation

·         Mission

·         Vision

·         School Director

·         History

·         Students/ Staff

·         Programs

o   Grade Level

·         Controversy- Field House

o   La Casita

o   Decision

o   Update

Location

Whittier Dual Language School is located in the Lower West side community of Pilsen. Whittier is on 1900 West 23rd Street, Chicago, IL 60608-4289.

Transportation: To arrive at Whittier Elementary school or into the Pilsen community, one can easily take the CTA Pink Line which is 54^th/Cermak to Loop on the ‘L’. One can get off at the Damen stop and walk a few blocks to arrive at 23^rd street to Whittier Dual Language School.

Mission

In collaboration with students, parents, the World Language Magnet Cluster Program and Extended Community Program, Whittier Dual Language School will provide an academic program what will challenge each student to achieve academic excellence with bi-literate competence in all content areas.  Whittier is committed to providing a climate that fosters positive self-esteem, cross-cultural attitudes, individual dignity, cooperation and excellence.

Vision

Whittier Dual Language School will prepare students for success in high school and beyond.  Through an emphasis on literacy in English and Spanish, mathematics, science, social studies, the integration of technology, the arts and physical activities with higher order thinking skills, our students will develop the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and values to become critical thinkers and productive members of their community.

History

Whittier Dual Language School is named after the known poet John Greenleaf Whittier, born on December 17, 1807 in the Whittier Homestead located in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Mr. Whittier is widely famous for his poetry such as “Snow Bound” released in 1866. He is recognized joining and advocating for the abolitionist cause. He got schooling at Haverhill Academy and through a teacher became interested in poetry. He then became an editor for a Boston and Hartford newspapers. He also had an association with the Atlantic Monthly Magazine form 1857 until his death.  John is also known for his aid in the creation of the Republican party. Even after his death on September 7, 1892, Whittier’s poetry work continued to grow popular, especially that related to the anti-slavery movement.

Students/ Staff

Annotated Bibliography Draft?

Annotated Bibliography

Olmedo, Irma M. "Blending Borders of Language and Culture: Schooling in La Villita." Journal of Latinos

& Education 8.1 (2009): 22-37. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

This is an academic article from the Journal of Latinos and Education by Irma M. Olmedo that focuses and examines the education of the Chicago Mexican community, La Villita. La Villita along with the Pilsen community is largely composed of Hispanics. Like many communities around the United States La Villita is a victim of the creation of a border from racism and urban segregation in housing and schooling as the article emphasizes. The education system in La Villita relies a lot on the bilingual education program, taking into consideration that a majority of the schools in la Villita are composed of Mexican American students. This specific article examined La Frontera elementary school to see how kids are being taught to blend both their languages and cultures. In order for this to happen as the article states, is not an easy task, there has to be trust and commitment in all parties to ensure the success of the children. As the article suggest, the children are aware of the importance of knowing both languages not only for their own benefit but for their families as well.

                This article definitely brings out the importance of a bilingual education in communities like La Villita and Pilsen. These communities rely immensely on the resources necessary in the education system to make students successful in a society where segregation in schools is common. Based on this study from a Hispanic majority school, the credibility of it is in my opinion high; they have the authority to put their opinion out there. To state the significance of ESL education for communities like Pilsen that requires a higher need of attention for the success of its schools. Where often communities like Pilsen t considered a part of the poorest part of the city, is overlooked when the distribution of resources is done.

Source 2:

Zehr, Mary Ann. "Bilingual Mandate Challenges Chicago's Public Preschools." Education Week 30.13

(2010): 1-19. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

This article is very interesting to look into, as I realize that is puts great importance on how recently Chicago Public Schools will now require that all preschools to offer bilingual education to students. As the article declares by July 2014 all preschool teachers with ELLS in their classrooms must be endorsed with bilingual education or ESL. The article then expresses its concern with the low number of bilingual teachers eligible to begin to endorse this program. With such a limited number of teachers with a bilingual education, the challenge to implement this into the Chicago Public Schools will become twice as hard. But foreseeing the problems to come, Head Start programs and other community organizations have already began to put this order to play, showing that it is possible to begin to offer ESL even at a young age.

The authority held by this article to me is somewhat high, especially due to the many facts that it includes regarding the numbers and regulations for the implementation of this program all throughout the Chicago community schools. It is important to acknowledge that the implementation of ESL at a really young age is beneficial to students who will continue their education in schools like the Pilsen community where bilingual education is essential to succeed. The challenges that the program will run into are minimal, if in the long run it will be the students themselves who will see the results, once they are funneled through the Chicago education system.

               

What is left to say?!

From Chapter 1 of Curious Researcher, "Developing a Working Knowledge", I absolutely see the numerous topics one can take on when researching and if you are truly interested, how that can affect your writing overall. If we choose a topic that we absolutely hate and have no desire to research, the process as a whole will be a failure because we are already being tortured with something we hate. Based on the fact that our class assignment is to research a community, neighborhood, or group in Chicago, I have chosen to look more deeply into the community of Pilsen. I am personally not very familiar with the community overall because I am from the suburbs and have limited knowledge on Pilsen as whole. What interested me the most was its strong Mexican American culture, when i visited. I truly think that the most important issue to look into is the education children receive in a community like Pilsen that is a majority minority community. Are the ways in which children are educated different to how a white community neighborhood would be taught? That is why the group of people that intrigue me the most in Pilsen are the children, the Mexican American children, living in a community, where perhaps English may be their second language. Does Pilsen offer ESL classes for children who speak Spanish or any other language as their first language? What type of resources are these children offered to enhance their education? The places that draw my attention the most in Pilsen are the places as simple as the playgrounds, or the recreation centers, the art museums, restaurants, cart vendors, schools. How do all these locations come together to sustain their culture? or what kind of stereotypes is Pilsen even known for? Like i said i am not an expert on Pilsen, because I am not originally from there, but how do children or parents deal with gangs, or violence that occurs in the community?  I think all these groups of people have some kind of impact, big or small on Pilsen, and the people residing there. The two or three main questions that I would be interested in really knowing from Pilsen, would involve the children, education, and violence in the Pilsen community. Being Mexican American, I find it very useful to know how a group that I am a part of is educated and how that impacts our future? Does that have anything to do with the low number of Hispanics in college? All of these issues impact a community and are often overlooked, like in the Wikipedia entries that focus on transportation to Pilsen or the history, and don't focus on the issues of today.

Thats all? !!!! :o

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_West_Side,_Chicago

As I browse and read through the Wikipedia entry about Pilsen on the World Wide Web, it is kind of interesting and sad at the same time to see how simplistic its description is. I admit the main points and attraction places of Pilsen are discussed, yet they oversee important aspect about Pilsen. The entry mentions Pilsen’s history and why it is that today it is known as a mainly Mexican American community. I personally think that the way Pilsen is framed today has little to do with how it used to be mainly inhibited by Czech immigrants. As the entry mentions it was not until the 1970’s that Pilsen became more and more populated by Mexican Americans. They also briefly mention the education system that Pilsen has, its schools, yet I think it definitely dismisses the kind of education kids in this neighborhood receive especially being a majority minority community. I think it is important to look more into the kind of education that children receive in this context, just as Jean Anyon argues with her article “Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work”. Each community and social class receives a different type of education that impacts the way students will view and think about writing and reading. How these kids are taught will impact their own view on reading and writing later on. The other main thing that I thought was definitely overlooked by the entry was that of more detail on Pilsen culture as a community. What makes Pilsen a close community, what they have to offer, the food and entertainment. I also didn’t see anywhere in the entry anything about the hard working cart vendors in Pilsens most transited streets. I believe they are a big part of what makes Pilsen unique and worth visiting. They without a doubt add on to the culture and vibe that one gets when visiting and walking through the streets of Pilsen. These are the things that most stood out to me in regards to Pilsen’s Wikipedia entry. Just as an example, there was more information on the transportation to Pilsen than the delicious restaurants or Mexican museum. In order to write my own Wikipedia entry I think it will be necessary to incorporate all of Pilsen’s attractions and facts that many often overlook.