What's this blog about?

I teach several courses under the broad topic of "Multicultural Education," prioritizing social justice issues of access, power/privilege, & narrowing the academic achievement gap. I am a person of color and I almost always have a white co-teacher. We include topics, such as: racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, ethnocentrism, deculturalization, transforming curriculum, etc. This is a place where I post information that we teach; lesson plans for activities; and resources we use and/or which are shared with me by my adult students.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Mneumonics & Raps

Larry Bell’s UNRAAVEL For Math
Underline the questions
Now predict what you think you need to do to solve the problem
Read the word problem
Are the important words circled? (especially clue words)
Apply the step(s) you chose to solve the problem
Verify the answer (is it reasonable: does it make sense?)
Eliminate wrong answers
Let the answer stay or rework the problem

Larry Bell’s UNRAAVEL For Reading
Underline the title
Now predict the passage (in one sentence)
Run through and number the paragraphs
Are you reading the questions?
Are the important words circled? (Write down their meanings.)
Venture through the passage
Eliminate wrong answers in multiple choice.
Let the questions be answered (Write the paragraph number where you found the answers.)

“Cultivating the Trust of Black Parents” by Beverly Tatum
Teachers listening to the concerns of parents
Representation of all -environment, conversations, curriculum
Understanding potential for bias
Sensitivity toward parent distrust
Talking openly and truthfully

“Teaching and Transcending Basic Skills” by Amanda Taylor
Temporary and targeted
Readiness
Assessment and acceleration
Needed to
Scaffold
Critical thinking
Expectations high!
Necessary to
Demonstrate intellectual ability

“Confronting the Racism of Low Expectations” by Julie Landsman
New way of thinking
Ongoing dialogue
Intelligence refined
Do something
Immerse in other cultures
Open and safe environment
Tell them they can do it
Success for all

Grammar Rap by Chike Akua: (This came up in the small group on Engagement)
Good communication skills are essential.
The power of the word will make you influential.

We need to know the eight parts of speech.
Master the language; go as high as you can reach.

A noun is a person place or thing;
An idea in my mind that makes me dream.

A verb is a word that always shows action;
Like divide, multiply, and do subtraction.

An adjective always describes a noun,
Like a big, red truck you can drive around.

An adverb usually end in –ly;
Clearly a verb is what it modifies.

A pronoun takes the place of a noun;
Like when she, he and they walk around.

Conjunctions connect phrases, clauses and words;
And, but, or, nor and yet haven’t you heard?

Here’s a word that’s definitely on a mission,
Let me give you some examples of a preposition:
In, on, from, to and around:
During, after, up and even down.

Now we need to learn about interjections,
A word with enthusiasm, lots of expression
Like: Stop! Go! Wait! Yes! And No!
Wow! Great! Awesome! Uh-oh!

Now that you know the eight parts of speech,
Master the language, go as high as you can reach!