Blog 3

I found that both of these articles were very interesting to read. Growing up in school I was never really taught about the hardships that these Native American Indians had really gone through. I thought Zinn’s article had a lot of sentiment and emotion, he was very forward and flat out told of the struggles, and massacres that these Indians really had gone through. He told of the harshness and brutal ways these people were treated, he did not beat around the bush rather painted a vivid picture of the hardships these Indians went through to fight for equality. Throughout my life I had believed that Christopher Columbus was this good guy would found America; little did I realize he wasn’t that great of a man. I thought the National Museum of the American Indian was a lot subtler in their descriptions of what went on, but I feel that is necessary and more appropriate for a high school text. It was a lot less disturbing and easier to read then Zinn’s article, even though they were talking about the same thing. This was interesting considering the historiography was factual in both readings, but Zinn went about it with a much more brutal description which would be more appropriate for older readers. I thought the National Museum of the American Indian was a very important read for high school students…it brings up a lot of good points and has good facts that are important for students to learn.

Letter of Thomas L. McKenny

Native Americans: Deculturalization, schooling, and Globalization.

I am going to choose the character of Thomas L. McKenny.

For many years I have been trying to culturally transform the schooling of Native Americans. I feel that the creation of tribal school systems operated by white missionary teacher would culturally transform Native Americans in one generation. I strongly feel that this is the key. I have been trying to pass the Civilization Fund Act and have succeeded, this act will provide money to help support schools amoung Indian tribes. A downfall to my efforts to support this act is, I have negelected to consider that some tribal members may resent this attempt for cultural transformation. My hopes in introducting this act is that Native American children will be instructed in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Through my efforts the government has agreed to provide $10,000 dollars to be used to fund the formation of these schools. I feel it is necessary that these indian schools be distributed thought the country, were it will be equal for all children to be instructed in reading, writing and arithmetic, mechanics and the arts. I hope my efforts will aid in the improvment of deculturazation and assist in the development of these Indian children.
Thomas L. McKenny

I thought this was a very interesting reading and beneficial to me in learning how education got brought up into some cultures such as Native Americans.

Solidarity, courage and heart

Solidarity, courage and heart: what teacher educators can learn from a new generation of teachers. By Sonia Nieto


At first I really didn't like this article, I thought it was kinda boring but as I read more I really felt the author brought up some really good points and questions about how to improve both teacher education and classroom practices. I liked when she said " good teachers make the single greatest difference in promoting or deterring student achievement" I feel this is so true. If a teacher is boring and does not really respect their students why would the students want to learn more. But if the teacher is respectful and encourages the students to learn by providing them with fun hands on activities they are more likely to be willing to learn more.

I really liked some of the personal stories that she wrote in the paper. I always feel more inspired when I read something that happened in real life. I think hearing personal stories are more influentinal in learning to become a good teacher, because its not going to be a walk in the park, and problems will arise and its nice to see how others may go about dealing with situations. I also liked in the paper that she was not trying to say that this is the correct way to teach and that everyone should follow what she says...she was just giving ideas. I liked the checklist she posted at the end about what she thought were good things that schools should consider to make a more diverse environment and how it could better student learning with intergration.