literature selection
- As you have worked on this week’s assignment, what have you discovered or uncovered about yourself in relation to literature selection, particularly any biases you may have?
This week’s assignment has been eye-opening for me. It made me face a side of me that I had never explored before, and which regards me being prejudiced against certain types of literature. From this week’s assignment, I realized that I only focus on the literature that I have positive memories of. In a recent assignment, I noted that my favorite childhood stories include the Big Bad Wolf and the Little Red Riding Hood. These stories taught me that children should always respect their parents. I went ahead to say that I would encourage my students to always look for books that interest them. As such, I am biased against works of literature that I do not find interesting. As a scholar, I am supposed to provide the most objective information I can access to my audiences, whether from my past or research. I have a mandate to open the children’s world by encouraging them to find their way as far as literature is concerned. I would be failing in my responsibility as an educator if I only encourage my students to read stories that interest them.
At the same time, I have realized that I am biased against non-fiction literature. I prefer to read fiction works. This is because I enjoy immersing myself in worlds where imagination is not limited in any way. Additionally, I find non-fiction literature very boring since it deals with real-life events. As an educator, I have a responsibility to introduce my students to both fiction and non-fiction stories. Each of these genres of literature serves an important purpose. While children need to be entertained, they also deserve to be educated as well. However, when I am not a fan of non-fiction literature, I may end up not giving this genre adequate attention in the classroom. This may disadvantage my students in their future academic endeavors. Also, I may end up passing my prejudice towards certain works of literature to my students.
- Are there topics or issues you feel are too controversial to address in the classroom? How do you approach those topics in consideration of planning?
Topics become controversial when learners have competing interests and values (Yale University, n. d.). As such, students may strongly disagree about actions, statements or assertions that are central to certain subjects. One of the topics that I would find controversial to address in the classroom relates to politics. I expect the children to be as divided about various political topics as ordinary American adults. For instance, even small children understand their parent’s ideas regarding various political issues such as immigration. As such, they are likely to engage in unhealthy discussions in the classroom if they are presented with certain political topics. Additionally, I would find it very hard to discuss religious topics in the classroom. Through socialization, children learn that their religious beliefs are more valid than those of other groups. As such, even small children are likely to defend their religious beliefs in the classroom strongly.
One of the ways through which I can approach controversial topics in the classroom is engaging in academic detachment. Teachers should discuss controversial topics from a detached point of view (Yale University, n. d.). When planning to discuss religious or political topics, I can conduct thorough research on the different perspectives that exist on these subjects. I will present all these perspectives and allow my students to choose the point of view each of them supports or think is more valid. Additionally, a teacher should moderate strong emotions and negative thinking in one’s students and oneself. Students’ behavior is influenced, to some extent, by their experiences of their teachers’ conduct when exploring certain issues (Yale University, n. d.). At the same time, I would find a way of moderating the discussion regarding specific controversial topics. Certain discussions are likely to get out of control, considering the strong emotional attachments people have towards the topics in question.