Green Schools Don't Make the Grade

I was actually surprised after reading this article. I would have thought that green schools would be more cost efficient, but based on research it is not making any difference in cost. In fact, the cost for green schools is a little bit higher. There also is not a lot of difference in students' performance in schools. I think that if every school puts a little effort into "being green" it can make a difference. At my school we aren't really a green school but we do try to do little things. We always turn lights off when we're not using them, unplug appliances we're not using, recycling, etc. It's not much but we are trying to show our students that these are things they should do everywhere, all of the time.

Multiculturalism

I think that all three articles make a lot of sense. I think that multiculturalism should be taught all throughout the curriculum and not in different sections. It needs to blend in with everything because our world is changing and changing fast. The school I teach at is not very diverse. Majority of the students and teachers here are Caucasian. I do think that the teachers here do try to teach them about diverse situations, but I think a lot of students will learn more just by being with diverse people. I think that a lot of the students here do not get that. Every student at this school is treated fairly and with respect and we hope that they will do the same for each other!

Making room for Diversity

I think that in some ways these articles are so true, but they also give me a bad feeling. There are many people today that feel that the dominating white race will not be dominating anymore and are not happy about it. When the article talks about the book, "The Brigade" it makes me realize how scary people can be to make a point. People need to realize that our world is changing and it may not be the way they want it to be.
In the other articles, they are saying that since our world is changing so rapidly in terms of diversity, that history should be taught differently to accomodate the needs of other races. I think that history is history and you cannot change the past. Everyone needs to learn what has happened even if it is hard to hear. We can learn from our past and do better.

Religion in Education

Both views are dealing with controversy of two different religions in education. In the Religion and Schools article it starts off by telling how an atheist wanted to get rid of the moment of silence observed in schools. I am a christian and personally I think it is wrong. I know there are other people who have different opinions and I respect that, but I think that having a moment of silence does not mean that everone HAS to pray. It can be observed in each individual student's own way. They want to take it completely out of schools because they do not believe in it. Well, what about those that do believe in having a moment of silence? Should we not get a say so?
In the Library of Congress Artifact article it states how two students were not allowed to not say a pledge to the American flag in school. Personally, I think everyone should say the pledge because this is their country and they should be respectful. On the other hand, I also think that it was how they observed their own religion. If they have a real excuse not to say the pledge then they should not have to. Let the ones that want to say it say it and the ones that can't because of their religion don't.

NEW to blogging!

So, I am completely new to this blogging thing and hope that I am not making a fool out of myself. I am also starting my first class in my Ed.S program. Pray for me!!!