Promising Practices Continued..

Connections to readings:

1. Kozol: I think the events have to do somewhat with Kozol, because public schools in NYC are losing gym, and after school funding because they can't afford it. It's like in Mott Haven where the people had their lights cut off, or no hot water during the winter. Mott Haven was the place where everything was taking away from them, they had no funds for anything. I believe that because NYC has some of the worst schools there taking away gym, recess and after school programs, while leaving these kids with no where to put there excess energy. Instead of this helping them, it works against them and makes them work worse than they would if they had these activities. In Mott Haven, if these people had the resources needed to get better and succeed they would, and they wouldn't live in those bad conditions.

 2. Delpit: I chose Delpit as a connection because the people behind "the culture of power" realize that these kids are losing there privileges to have things they should have while in school. They have the ability to do something but don't. Delpit says 

"Those with power are frequently least aware of- or at least willing to acknowledge - its existence. Those with less power are often most aware of its existence." 

The people who notice that taking away gym, after school programs and recess from a child have no power to change it. Of course, they can boycott it and fight for it, but the ones behind the "culture of power" are the ones who will choose if it changes or not at the end of the day. Those that have the power to contribute and change these things to help kids should step up and notice that they have not only the power but the ability to make a difference.

Promising Practices had much to do with the stuff we talk about in class, issues were brought up that we've been talking about for months. The subject of our readings was the main talks of the conference, and thats our students. I know my workshops were about movement, but I read and heard about many of the other workshops that the class attended and they also were about important things that we should be aware of. Promising Practices was a privilege to attend.