write a response
Education Readings: “Golden Lines,” Reflection, Connection
Due: Monday, October 7, 2019
1. Before reading the assigned pieces, please do a 8-10 minute free-write in which you reflect upon your time as a student within whatever educational system (or systems) you have experienced thus far. Some questions that might prompt your thinking:
· Do you enjoy being in school? What do you like about school? What do you dislike? Was there a shift in your attitude toward school at some point in your educational career? If so, what caused this shift?
· Have you had teachers or classes that stand out in your mind as particularly inspiring, challenging, or relevant? Have you had classes or teachers who stand out as particularly dull, easy, or irrelevant?
· Did you feel like you’ve been encouraged to think creatively and take risks during your time as a student? Do you feel like your education has helped to prepare you to successfully navigate life outside of school?
· Do you think the public education system serves all students equally? Why or why not?
· Having gone through at least twelve years of schooling thus far, what are your feelings about the educational system? Are there specific things you would like to see changed? Are there specific things that you believe work well?
Again, these questions are simply meant to prompt your thinking. Don’t feel you have to address all of them. Pick the one that sparks a response and use that as your springboard. Please write for at least 8 minutes without stopping. This can be handwritten or typed, whichever you prefer.
2. Please read and annotate the following readings:
· “The Joy of Learning.” This is the preface to a book by Edward B. Burger called, Making Up Your Mind: Thinking Effectively through Creative Puzzle-Solving. You will be reading the preface and the first two chapters of his book. They’re very short, so don’t worry!
· “Claiming an Education,” Adrienne Rich. It’s important to consider that this essay was originally a speech given to students at Douglass College, an all-female institution, in 1977. Look over the questions in the “What Do You Think” section at the end of the essay. You don’t have to answer them in writing, but think about them because they might offer an interesting point of entry into our class discussion on Monday.
· “Only Connect…,” William Cronon. This is an essay that was published in an academic journal in 1998.
When I say “read and annotate,” I mean that I want you to actively engage with the text. Highlight or underline sentences or passages that stand out to you – the “golden lines,” I like to call them. These are the bits of text that strike a chord with you for one reason or another – sometimes it’s because you can relate on a personal level, or because the writing is particularly good or the idea is particularly well stated, or because you don’t fully understand or agree with what the author is saying, or because you feel like that line perfectly captures the main idea of the piece. After reading each piece jot down 2-3 questions or comments you have in response. You can write these directly on the readings.
3. After reading all three, write a 1-2 page response in which you reflect upon all three readings, my syllabus, our class discussion today, the UNST video (I’m hoping I have time to show it in class, if not disregard). What are your thoughts about the ideas these writers have on education? Are you noticing connections between these pieces, recurring ideas or themes? What have you taken away from these readings? What thoughts have you had in response? Please type this response.
We will be discussing these readings in class on Wednesday, so please bring all three with you, along with your typed response and your opening reflection.
So to recap, here’s what’s due next Monday:
· Education reflection (done before reading)
· Highlighted and annotated readings, with 2-3 questions written on each