Literacy with an Attitude- Finn

Compare and contrast Finn v.s Shalaby

Shalaby's Troublemakers and Patrick Finn's Literacy with an Attitude examine how societal attitudes of students from underprivileged backgrounds contribute to educational inequalities, though from distinct perspectives. In Shalaby's Troublemakers, the author looks at how young children, especially African American students, are branded as "problems" in the classroom, which results in harsh disciplinary measures that worsen exclusion rather than promote growth and understanding. Shalaby emphasizes the human cost of these designations by highlighting how adult views of deviance eclipse children's innate potential and need for nurture. She argues for compassionate teaching methods that accept kids for who they are, understanding that actions classified as "trouble" are frequently the result of systemic neglect and a lack of support rather than personal failings on the part of the kids.  

In contrast, Finn's Literacy with an Attitude concentrates on the structural factors that influence literacy instruction, particularly how working-class children, are excluded from the empowering education that equips them to confront social power systems. Finn bases his argument on the fact that distinct forms of literacy instruction to children are placed on their social position in traditional schooling, which frequently maintains class divisions. While working-class kids learn "functional" literacy, which prepares them to obey directions and fill submissive roles in the workforce, middle-class and upper-class students learn "rich" literacy educations that encourage critical thinking and agency. Finn promotes "literacy with an attitude" as his stance.  

Both writings criticize how schools perpetuate social hierarchies rather than attempting to equal the playing field. Shalaby concentrates on the psychological and personal effects of being called a "troublemaker" when still a child. At the same time, Finn examines the more institutional relationship between education and class that perpetuates inequity. Taken as a whole, they offer a thorough analysis of how school expectations that are both intellectual and behavioral restrict the potential of underprivileged students. They advocate for innovative methods that view education as a tool for liberation rather than control.





Comments

  1. AlanaOctober 22, 2024 at 1:32 PM

    I also related Literacy With an Attitude to Shalaby and how the working-class school teachers saying, "do it this way or it's wrong" negatively impacts students especially considering Shalabys stance of how we need to listen and encourage instead of shut down.

    ReplyDelete
  2. CatherineOctober 22, 2024 at 1:51 PM

    I enjoyed this comparison! It is so important to connect our readings together so we can become better educators. Both readings critique the environments in school today, but focus on different aspects. It was really interesting to read your comparison between the two, and the videos are a great touch!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Olivia HarrisOctober 22, 2024 at 2:43 PM

    I really liked how you compared "Literacy with an Attitude" to "Troublemakers." I also liked that you emphasized how both readings talk about how the education system perpetuates social hierarchies rather than trying to give all students equal opportunities to thrive in their education.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nicole NunesOctober 27, 2024 at 5:56 PM

    Hi Michelina! I enjoyed reading your reflection this week! You bring up a great point in your contrast how Shalaby focuses on the psychological effects of being a "troublemaker", while Finn focuses on the institutional effects of one's social class. As people, we have multiple parts of our identities that work together to form us, and the systems that we are part of do the same. It is important to recognize that it is not just the education system as an institution that effects us, but our own personal challenges, too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Raine BeausoleilDecember 11, 2024 at 8:59 AM

    I liked your comparisons and videos you chose!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hehir- Toward Ending Ableism in Education

Image
       Toward Ending Ableism in Education by Patrick Hehir promotes a change in the way educational systems see and assist students with impairments. According to Hehir, ableism, "The prejudice or discrimination against people with disabilities.", is pervasive in educational institutions and frequently restricts students' potential and possibilities. He stresses how crucial it is to value the variety of learning styles and make educational settings more inclusive. According to Hehir, teachers can establish fair learning opportunities that emphasize individuals' strengths rather than their weaknesses by identifying and eliminating ableist behaviors. This will allow every student to succeed academically and socially.     I can strongly relate my High School experience with Hehir's passage, as the students with disabilities in my high school were placed in classrooms with regular learning plans, catered to students without disability. These classes moved at a...
Read more

Alan Johnson and S.C.W.A.A.M.P

Image
Privilege, Power, and Difference ~ Alan Johnson   Blog #1 Michelina Irons         In the book  Privilege, Power, and Difference   written by Alan Johnson, he applies that he has written this book for one reason, and it was to represent all of the injustices and unnecessary suffering. Johnson argues that everyone is apart of the problem of injustice as nobody will ever be the same and everyone has their own faiths and beliefs. His book argues that if we uses our differences we will be able to take the injustice we caused and work with it to create a better framework with less injustice for ourselves and our peers. In his Introduction, Johnson states " As a white, male, heterosexual , middle-class professional , I know about such feelings from my own life. But as a sociologist , I also know that it's possible to understand the world and myself in relation to it in ways that get past the defensive feelings and give us all a common ground from wh...
Read more

They, She, He easy as ABC- Matthew Sg and Maya Christina Gonzalez

Image
 Maya and Matthew's children's book They, She, He: Easy as ABC is a wonderful resource since it presents gender diversity to young readers in an approachable and developmentally appropriate manner. The book fosters an inclusive knowledge of identity from a young age by guiding youngsters through many names, pronouns, and ways that people might identify themselves using the alphabet format. The book normalizes a range of gender expressions and teaches kids that using pronouns is a sign of respect for everyone by showcasing varied identities alongside amiable illustrations. As children come into contact with people who have varied identities and experiences, the book also helps them understand that pronouns aren't just the conventional "he" and "she" categories.     As an educator, I think it is so important to discuss and have open arms gender and sexuality discussion. When I was in middle school, we learned about sexuality and gender, and how everyone is...
Read more