Seniors, 03.30.2012
This coming week you will need to find two more web 2.0 videos and link them to your blog.
Please Note: You must use three different websites for your three video postings.
This is another component of your research and you will need to explore further than one website.
Spend some time viewing these sites to assist you in your research.
National Public Radio
Ted Talks
Top Documentary Films
By Monday you need to have viewed at least one of your videos and included an in-depth annotation.
Remember: Each annotation must have 1) Summary 2) Evaluation - citing bias 3) Research - how the information is changing or assisting your research direction.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
CHECKPOINTS
#1 Fri. March 9 -Topic Questionnaire
#2 Mon. March 12 -Full text book choice (Either Fiction or Nonfiction)
#3 Wed. March 14 -Five Scholarly articles
#4 Tues. March 27 - Annotations due _____/50
#5 Tues. March 27 - Running Thesis is posted on Blog ___/10
#6 Fri. March 30 - Web 2.0 #1 due with Citation ____/5
TED TALKS
#7 Mon. April 2 - Annotation for Web 2.0 #1 ____/10
#8 Wed. April 4 - Updated Thesis ____/5
#9 Thur. April 5 - Citation for Full Text due ____/5
#2 Mon. March 12 -Full text book choice (Either Fiction or Nonfiction)
#3 Wed. March 14 -Five Scholarly articles
#4 Tues. March 27 - Annotations due _____/50
#5 Tues. March 27 - Running Thesis is posted on Blog ___/10
#6 Fri. March 30 - Web 2.0 #1 due with Citation ____/5
TED TALKS
#7 Mon. April 2 - Annotation for Web 2.0 #1 ____/10
#8 Wed. April 4 - Updated Thesis ____/5
#9 Thur. April 5 - Citation for Full Text due ____/5
Friday, March 16, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Annotated Bibliography
Scholarly Articles Due March 26
1)
Helsel, Deborah G.Mochel, MarilynBauer, Robert. "Shamans In A Hmong American Community." Journal Of Alternative & Complementary Medicine 10.6 (2004): 933-938. Alt HealthWatch. Web. 9 Feb. 2012.
This article discusses concerns regarding how Hmong culture colides with American culture, specificically dealing with Hmong spiritual leaders who are called "Shamans" and the American medical way of life. It talks about how Shamans in America often feel disrespected when practicing in Hmong communities in the U.S.
While I think the article is obviously bringing to light problems that occur as a result of cultural clashes. The conclusion that this article that is supposed to be supportive and in favor of Hmong Shamans ends up deciding that Shamans are good, but they are more like a Santa Claus for Christians. I do not think that Shamans would find the conclusion respectful or positive. While the author obviously cannot claim that Shamans have healing power, I think it would be more important for the author to discuss the need for psychological and emotional healing that Shamans can provide.
I think this article can help me in research in a small way. I have decided after research that I am planning to hone in my research to Hmong Americans in Wisconsin, specifically in public schools. So while bringing attention to culture clashes and the disconnect Hmong students feel from their grandparents and families, I do not think the article will assist me in researching Hmong students.
2)
RIFFEL, BRENT E. "Hmong America: Reconstructing Community In Diaspora." Arkansas Historical Quarterly 70.2 (2011): 212-214. History Reference Center. Web. 9 Feb. 2012.
This article discusses the Hmong immigrant's journey to the U.S.
3)
Lee, MoosungMadyun, Na'im. "School Racial Composition And Academic Achievement: The Case Of Hmong LEP Students In The USA." Educational Studies (03055698) 34.4 (2008): 319-331. Professional Development Collection. Web. 9 Mar. 2012.
This article discusses the U.S. Public school system and how it still is unable to close the acheivement gap between various ethnic and racial student groups. It mainly focuses on Hmong immigrants as it discusses disadvantages these students face over immigrants who had more of a choice to come to the U.S. The Hmong immigrants came because they really had no other choice and their own land had been ravaged by the Loation government.
This article is interesting but I feel like it points out obvious issues. Of course students who come to a new school and have to learn a new language are at an obvious disadvantage. The article also brings to light the information that statistically Hmong immigrants are among the poorest of immigrants to the U.S. What the article does not discuss is the reason for this poverty.
I think this article does help me with my research because I am realizing more and more how little we know about Hmong culture. As I read articles discussing Hmong immigrants as data to be processed, it bothers me because I feel like this is the same approach we take with students we do not necessarily understand in the classroom. If we analyze our students as if they were data instead of human beings with a story to explain a behavior, we will continually lose our students in academics and relationally.
4)
Vang, Christopher T. "Hmong-American Students Still Face Multiple Challenges In Public Schools." Multicultural Education 13.1 (2005): 27-35. Education Research Complete. Web. 9 Mar. 2012.
This article addresses the academic and social challenges facing Hmong-American students in public schools across the Nation. This article discusses the language and cultural barriers between Hmong-American students and their educators. It points out the lack of Hmong interpreters in the schools as well as an overall sense of ignorance on the educators’ part in regards to Hmong-American culture in and out of the classroom.
While this article is hopeful it fails to offer real advice to educators in regards to solutions. I was incredibly bothered by one section of the article that names abuse, mistreatment, and neglect in the home, as main deterrents to Hmong-American success. The article seems to turn on itself in a way in that it tries to be two-sided and offer blame for disparages in Hmong-American student academic achievement, when what it should be doing is merely informing readers of cultural differences and offering suggestions on how to create a learning environment that fosters growth for all students.
This article will be helpful for my research simply because it provides me with new ideas of how educators and non-Hmong individuals may view students in their classrooms. But I also feel that an article from 2005 is probably not going to serve as my main source in terms of information I want to use as recent and relevant information.
5)
Walsh, James. "St. Paul's Hmong school creates a culture of success: Hmong Academy is helping students succeed with rigor -- and a lot of individual attention." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) 17 June 2008: Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 9 Mar. 2012.
This article is about a grade school that was started in 2004 and is run by Christianna Hang. Hmong Academy was specifically founded in response to a growing need for a K-12 school where Hmong students could learn in an environment that would focus on Hmong culture and values while providing a place for students to grow academically.
While reading through this article I wondered if the school was only for Hmong students and if so, if that is viewed as a problem to outsiders. One of the teachers at the schools talks about how she continually saw Hmong and minority students falling through the cracks in public schools. The only bias or critique I might consider is to question in which schools she has seen this happen. I wonder what studies have been done and if the school size determines how many minority students are falling behind. I have also observed minority students, in the few schools I have had experience in, being ignored and written off. Yet I question if having a segregated school is really the right answer.
I think this helps my research because the article is bringing up important questions for me to consider at this early stage. I realize I need to consider the achievement gap and if Hmong students have been specifically studied in this category. I also need to research segregated schools and if education is moving towards that again.
Nonfiction Text Due April 5
Yang, Kao Kalia. The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir. Minneapolis: Coffee House, 2008. Print.
Fictional Text
1)
Helsel, Deborah G.Mochel, MarilynBauer, Robert. "Shamans In A Hmong American Community." Journal Of Alternative & Complementary Medicine 10.6 (2004): 933-938. Alt HealthWatch. Web. 9 Feb. 2012.
This article discusses concerns regarding how Hmong culture colides with American culture, specificically dealing with Hmong spiritual leaders who are called "Shamans" and the American medical way of life. It talks about how Shamans in America often feel disrespected when practicing in Hmong communities in the U.S.
While I think the article is obviously bringing to light problems that occur as a result of cultural clashes. The conclusion that this article that is supposed to be supportive and in favor of Hmong Shamans ends up deciding that Shamans are good, but they are more like a Santa Claus for Christians. I do not think that Shamans would find the conclusion respectful or positive. While the author obviously cannot claim that Shamans have healing power, I think it would be more important for the author to discuss the need for psychological and emotional healing that Shamans can provide.
I think this article can help me in research in a small way. I have decided after research that I am planning to hone in my research to Hmong Americans in Wisconsin, specifically in public schools. So while bringing attention to culture clashes and the disconnect Hmong students feel from their grandparents and families, I do not think the article will assist me in researching Hmong students.
2)
RIFFEL, BRENT E. "Hmong America: Reconstructing Community In Diaspora." Arkansas Historical Quarterly 70.2 (2011): 212-214. History Reference Center. Web. 9 Feb. 2012.
This article discusses the Hmong immigrant's journey to the U.S.
3)
Lee, MoosungMadyun, Na'im. "School Racial Composition And Academic Achievement: The Case Of Hmong LEP Students In The USA." Educational Studies (03055698) 34.4 (2008): 319-331. Professional Development Collection. Web. 9 Mar. 2012.
This article discusses the U.S. Public school system and how it still is unable to close the acheivement gap between various ethnic and racial student groups. It mainly focuses on Hmong immigrants as it discusses disadvantages these students face over immigrants who had more of a choice to come to the U.S. The Hmong immigrants came because they really had no other choice and their own land had been ravaged by the Loation government.
This article is interesting but I feel like it points out obvious issues. Of course students who come to a new school and have to learn a new language are at an obvious disadvantage. The article also brings to light the information that statistically Hmong immigrants are among the poorest of immigrants to the U.S. What the article does not discuss is the reason for this poverty.
I think this article does help me with my research because I am realizing more and more how little we know about Hmong culture. As I read articles discussing Hmong immigrants as data to be processed, it bothers me because I feel like this is the same approach we take with students we do not necessarily understand in the classroom. If we analyze our students as if they were data instead of human beings with a story to explain a behavior, we will continually lose our students in academics and relationally.
4)
Vang, Christopher T. "Hmong-American Students Still Face Multiple Challenges In Public Schools." Multicultural Education 13.1 (2005): 27-35. Education Research Complete. Web. 9 Mar. 2012.
This article addresses the academic and social challenges facing Hmong-American students in public schools across the Nation. This article discusses the language and cultural barriers between Hmong-American students and their educators. It points out the lack of Hmong interpreters in the schools as well as an overall sense of ignorance on the educators’ part in regards to Hmong-American culture in and out of the classroom.
While this article is hopeful it fails to offer real advice to educators in regards to solutions. I was incredibly bothered by one section of the article that names abuse, mistreatment, and neglect in the home, as main deterrents to Hmong-American success. The article seems to turn on itself in a way in that it tries to be two-sided and offer blame for disparages in Hmong-American student academic achievement, when what it should be doing is merely informing readers of cultural differences and offering suggestions on how to create a learning environment that fosters growth for all students.
This article will be helpful for my research simply because it provides me with new ideas of how educators and non-Hmong individuals may view students in their classrooms. But I also feel that an article from 2005 is probably not going to serve as my main source in terms of information I want to use as recent and relevant information.
5)
Walsh, James. "St. Paul's Hmong school creates a culture of success: Hmong Academy is helping students succeed with rigor -- and a lot of individual attention." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) 17 June 2008: Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 9 Mar. 2012.
This article is about a grade school that was started in 2004 and is run by Christianna Hang. Hmong Academy was specifically founded in response to a growing need for a K-12 school where Hmong students could learn in an environment that would focus on Hmong culture and values while providing a place for students to grow academically.
While reading through this article I wondered if the school was only for Hmong students and if so, if that is viewed as a problem to outsiders. One of the teachers at the schools talks about how she continually saw Hmong and minority students falling through the cracks in public schools. The only bias or critique I might consider is to question in which schools she has seen this happen. I wonder what studies have been done and if the school size determines how many minority students are falling behind. I have also observed minority students, in the few schools I have had experience in, being ignored and written off. Yet I question if having a segregated school is really the right answer.
I think this helps my research because the article is bringing up important questions for me to consider at this early stage. I realize I need to consider the achievement gap and if Hmong students have been specifically studied in this category. I also need to research segregated schools and if education is moving towards that again.
Nonfiction Text Due April 5
Yang, Kao Kalia. The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir. Minneapolis: Coffee House, 2008. Print.
Fictional Text
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Articles
Looking for Scholarly Articles
p. 4 Research Component Checkpoint #3 DUE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14
Directions:
Go to MHS home page
MHS Library Resources
Research Databases – Alphabetical list
Select a database that works for your topic
o Ex. Gale: All databases
o Type in a keyword and select All Cross-searchable products
o Browse the articles
Select one and email it to self
Remember to have it emailed in APA format
Be sure to print your articles so you can highlight important points and read through them at home.
o Ex. Select Baderlink
Type in a key word search OR
Click on Database List in the green row and choose from a list of sources that would be relevant to your topic.
Be sure to 1) Email the article to yourself in APA format 2) Print article for further reading 3) Record usable article information in your packet.
** You will need to have at least five articles printed and cited by Wednesday, March 14, 2012
p. 4 Research Component Checkpoint #3 DUE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14
Directions:
Go to MHS home page
MHS Library Resources
Research Databases – Alphabetical list
Select a database that works for your topic
o Ex. Gale: All databases
o Type in a keyword and select All Cross-searchable products
o Browse the articles
Select one and email it to self
Remember to have it emailed in APA format
Be sure to print your articles so you can highlight important points and read through them at home.
o Ex. Select Baderlink
Type in a key word search OR
Click on Database List in the green row and choose from a list of sources that would be relevant to your topic.
Be sure to 1) Email the article to yourself in APA format 2) Print article for further reading 3) Record usable article information in your packet.
** You will need to have at least five articles printed and cited by Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Check Point #1 Due: Friday, March 9, 2012
Topic Questionnaire:
Topic: The Secret War
What problem is this topic addressing? Conflict and immigration
Introduction to your topic – brief overview
My topic is about the Secret War in Laos. I will be asking why it happened, who it happened to, and what the effects this war had/has on Hmongs and Americans today.
Importance of your topic- why is it important? What makes it interesting? How is it applicable to readers?
This topic is important to me because I have had interactions and friendships with Hmong immigrants and I know very little or nothing about their recent past. It is an interesting topic because I know so little about it and feel like a lot of people are in the same boat.I think this topic is applicable to readers because so little has been written/ communicated about the Hmong people and Eau Claire has a strong Hmong community base.
Why you chose this topic- why is it significant to me?
I would like to learn more about Hmong culture and traditions as I am sure I will continue to have Hmong friends/students/etc. I have considered getting a ELL licensure, and auditing a Hmong language class at the University. I have had Hmong students and witnessed situations where there were culture clashes between teachers and Hmong students that could have been learning experiences rather than conflict.
Those affected by your topic- who would be opposed
Well so far, I’m guessing the U.S. is going to look pretty bad based on the fact that we are calling the bombing of Laos a Secret War. Which leads me to believe that some people may be incredibly offended by my musings regarding that issue. There is also a school of thought held by so many EuroAmericans that immigrants should lose their own culture, language, etc if they are choosing to live here. This is something I have very strong opinions about and I could see those opinions offending people who think America should only have one language/God/etc…Resource Ideas: (This topic should be important to you. Did you watch a film, documentary or T.V. show that you might want to post on your blog? Have you read a book, article, etc. that made you want to research more? Is there someone in your life that has had an experience that relates to this topic who you could interview and record on your blog?) Include these ideas here:
Book, documentary, film, person, article, etc.
As a teacher I have had Hmong students and witnessed cultural clashes between students and teachers. That experience could be a potential resource for my creative text and also for my self reflection piece. I had one professor who has worked closely with Hmong middle and high school students who has been a resource to me in the past. There is a Hmong community center downtown where I think I will be able to find someone to interview. I recently picked up the book "The Latehomecomer" by Kao Kalia Vang that I plan to read for my non-fiction piece.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
I had a tough time figuring out a topic for this project. I have never had a blog or a website and I spent so much energy trying to get the technical side of things together. My topic is going to be about assimilation.
as·sim·i·la·tion
4. Sociology . the merging of cultural traits from previously distinct cultural groups, not involving biological amalgamation.
a·mal·ga·mate
1. to mix or merge so as to make a combination; blend; unite; combine: to amalgamate two companies.
2. Metallurgy . to mix or alloy (a metal) with mercury. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/amalgamate
When I first started reading, and actually enjoying it, I was mainly interested in books about slavery and people escaping to the North. I then became obsessed with stories about Native American's and how Europeans came to what we now call home and destroyed their homes.
I don't know why these were the books I chose to read or why topics like this interested me so much. Maybe part of the reason was that I have always been drawn to human interests stories. Why else would I want to be a teacher?
When I went to tech college in La Crosse, I tutored a woman who was Hmong. She had several children and she would make me authentic Hmong dishes and bring them to our meetings where I would help her with homework. I think Kaying was the first Hmong person I had ever met. I grew up in a tiny town in Wisconsin, we had two Black students and we thought that was pretty good for 1400 people in the town.
I went to Hmong New Year with Kaying and her family and I got to know her over the year I continued to live in La Crosse. She talked about her children and how they were learning English and how easy she felt it was for them compared to her. She also had not worked on computers before so as we talked and I ate the food she brought me we also did all our online homework together in the tech library. I guess I never thought much about it. I enjoyed getting to know her and finding out about her life as I do with any person I get to know. I never really wondered what life might be like for her in terms of the culture shock. I never thought about her kids in school and their first day. I think about my first day of High School as a senior and how terrified I was, and I knew the language everyone was speaking.
I didn't start thinking about Kaying again until my second year of college in Eau Claire. I took a "Foundations of Education" class for my teaching degree.
I also became a Peer Diversity Educator http://www.uwec.edu/housing/Organizations/PDE/
That's when I started learning about White priveledge.
I have always kind of felt sorry for myself. My family is not wealthy. We grew up very modestly. I remember eating rice and beans for almost every meal one month because it was the cheapest meal we could have that was the most balanced in terms of whole grains and proteins.
The first pair of pants I owned that were brand spanking new was when I was 16. I took on a waitressing job at the local cafe at age 14, my brother and I had a paper route when we were 11. We worked hard and finally one day when I wasn't filling up our parents one working vehicle with gas and bringing home groceries for the family, I purchased my first pair of brand new jeans. They were L.E.I. and they were really tight flares. I felt so good wearing them and so guilty for spending $35 on a pair of pants. It mattered so much to me back then. Fitting in, oh my god, I wanted to fit in sooo bad. I wanted friends. I was also homeschooled...blurg! I have always loved people, I can't live without people. But when I was younger, up until my senior year, I was at home during the day with my mom and little brother. I don't know how I didn't loose my mind...maybe I did a little.
So, it wasn't really all that bad. Everything is true but I am conveying it in that "woe is me" tone I feel sometimes. But what I'm really trying to say is, take my fear of being the weird awkward "HOMESCHOOLER," on my first day of public school as a senior and times it by God knows how much.
Anyway, White Priviledge:
#'s 15, 17, and 18 for some reason get to me the most.
Anyway, this eventually comes full circle to why I am picking assimilation as my topic.
When I was student teaching at a middle school in Eau Claire I had a class hour with six or so 8th grade Hmong students in a room of about 30. Most of my students took a while to warm up to me but I remember it felt like it took longer for my Hmong students. One day I remember watching one of those students walking down the hallway and a teacher said hello to him. He did not look up but he smiled and said "hi" very quietly. The teacher did not notice his smile or his quiet greeting. He simply said, once the student was out of earshot, "What a bad attitude."
This really bothered me. I couldn't handle that the teacher thought this kid was a bad kid when maybe he wasn't at all. Maybe he wasn't doing his homework because he didn't understand the instructions. Imagine trying to motivate yourself to do homework....yeah, it sucks...then imagine trying to figure out your homework in a different language. Forget that crap.
SO, I talked to a professor I had at college who was into Hmong studies and I asked her about that little interaction between teacher and student. Apparently, in Hmong culture, it is a huge sign of respect to not look your elders. In fact, it is a sign of incredible disrespect to look an elder in the eye. To look an elder or person of authority in the eye in traditional Hmong culture is like blatantly saying, "I will not listen to you, I do not respect you as my authority figure, etc." Also, in America there is all this crap about challenging authority, being your own person, listen to your heart not what society tells you. In Hmong culture, (From my understanding) there is an emphasis on family, community, respect, working as a group or a unit and respecting authority.
So that teacher was wrong and not only did he lose out by feeling like that kid was being disrespectful, but that student also missed out because God knows how much understanding was given to him the next time he needed extra help on an assignment.
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