Blogging Around

Response to MollycAcademy's post:

(Post discussed writing and how using one's own voice can make a profound difference.  Simply writing with certain words and with a certain structure because "it sounds better" is a good technique when trying to convey your ideas.)

I really like the idea that some classes encourage writing with one’s own voice, rather than using the generic “student voice.”  It’s good to see that you earned a better grade when writing how you really felt and with the voice you would really use if talking to the reader.  This makes me think that I don’t have to satisfy every essay to a rubric, but rather to my own satisfaction, in terms of content and tone. 

I see this as a new approach many of us can try to take when writing, to not attempt to fit in any sort of mold, but be willing to take risks with sentence structure and word choice and see how it pays off in the end.  With these ideas in mind, I find myself more willing to write like I speak, while also writing sentences with pauses that mean something.  I’m excited to continue writing the way I think by documenting my thought process on paper.

Response to ryanbacademy's post:

(Post discussed the flaws of standardized testing, saying they are not an accurate method for getting into college or determining "intelligence.")

I agree that one test cannot determine who you are as a student and essentially how “smart” you are.  I think it is a shame that students are taught to be very concerned about their SAT and ACT scores, because the knowledge in these tests cannot possibly show everything a student has learned throughout their four years of high school.  The many influential books you have read or the captivating science papers you have written will most likely not be represented in the scores that are sent to colleges, but are important factors which shaped your high school learning.

I agree that standardized tests can be an unfair determinant of one’s intelligence, as someone may be sick or upset during the test.  Because it is an option to take the test again, I don’t think this is a major flaw of standardized tests.  One can feel sick or upset during any type of evaluation, so this flaw is not specific to standardized tests.

The point you brought up about how schools use class time to instruct students on how to take tests which matter for the school’s funding, but not for tests which determine a student’s future, is very interesting.  Perhaps schools really don’t care about how students are doing on tests which don’t have a direct affect on the school.  Or maybe schools hope for students to take the tests and receive a score based on what they already know, not what the school has taught them about taking such a test.

Connection: The Kite Runner and its Popularity

A good portion of the books we read in high school are by authors which most of us haven’t heard of.  Books with titles that haven’t crossed our paths.  This is precisely what makes The Kite Runner different from the majority of books found in a high school classroom.

Not only does the content differ from what most of us are used to, the way it has been received by the public is different as well.  The best way to explain this is through example.  To begin with, I found this book on one of the shelves in my house, meaning it was good enough for my mom to buy, and not rent from the library.  And let me tell you, this is a rare occurrence and it means a lot.  The Kite Runner is one of those books that a lot of people are familiar with, even if they haven’t read it.  It can start a conversation immediately, and from my experience, these conversations are whole heartedly filled with praise.  I was in the car with my friend, her sister, and her mom and we were talking about school and books.  I mentioned that we were reading The Kite Runner in English class, and this was immediately followed by sighs of “Oh what a great book,” and other forms of unanimous praise.

It’s hard to know what type of book will arouse such a reaction but I think the emotions in the story make it unforgettable.  Khaled Hosseini takes us on a journey filled with love, admiration, guilt, fear, and liberation that is unlike most other experiences I have had with books.  I think the praise and acknowledgement it repeatedly receives is completely justified.

A good book usually has great writing, but it needs more than that.  It needs an interesting and captivating plotline, and on the same level, a great setting.  The Kite Runner brings you to Afghanistan and for many people, this book is the first time their paths have crossed with such a place.  The story is a powerful way to introduce the audience to another culture and another people.    

Best of the Week: Form is Content

How can a discussion about the same topic, between the same group of people have a different outcome depending only on the way the teacher begins the discussion?  The answer: form is content.  If a teacher stands at the front of the classroom at the podium, good posture, notes in hand, the discussion will undoubtedly differ from that which would occur if the teacher were slouched in a comfy chair in the corner.  The role in which the teacher chooses to play in a classroom setting can dramatically affect the ideas which are discussed.

The first teacher situation described might make students less willing to participate, feeling more like they are being lectured.  Outspoken students may not be hindered by the teacher’s stance, but it would probably quiet most others.  An idea which may not be fully formed, but could be developed through class discussion may be passed up because a student is too nervous to share, as the teacher is in “lecture mode.”  If the teacher finds himself in the second situation, I imagine more hands in the air, feeling less pressure to say something brilliant, but rather open to sharing any thoughts that come to mind. 

This isn’t to say that a teacher should always find himself in the background of the discussion, but rather that this way of being should not be ruled out.  Sometimes a discussion where everyone is an observer is a good way to get people thinking individually before they are influenced by the opinions of those around them.  This type of form would affect the thoughts that leave the classroom with the students. 

My teacher instructed us to try to switch roles during class, meaning that the lively participators try acting more as observers, while the observers try to share their ideas more than they normally would.  This is also a form which affected the content of our discussions.  For example, I normally take an observer-like role in class, but this forced me to share the thoughts going around in my head.  It caused me to think more and ultimately brought new ideas into my head, and therefore into the classroom discussion.  It is definitely a way of acting which I will take with me and try again in the future.

Carry it Forward: The Kite Runner

It is the emotions in The Kite Runner which will always resonate with me and will influence my decisions in the future.  The image of Amir standing by while his friend Hassan is being raped is extremely emotional and will no doubt affect my future actions.  The pain this causes Amir so many years later will not be a part of my future because I am lucky enough to have been able to know what consequences such a choice can have.  Amir loses himself when watching this scene, he cannot move, he cannot do what is right.  It’s hard to say what I would have done if I were Amir because we will never know.  I don’t imagine I will ever be in his position, but I do imagine I will be faced with a similar decision; to stand up for what I believe in…or run.

Although most will never be faced with the same dilemma Amir found himself in, I think it’s fair to say that it is easy to find forms of humiliation in the hallways of our school.  Whether we mean to or not, students are made fun of everyday and experience pain similar to Hassan’s.  As much pain as the Hassan’s of the world may feel, it is nothing compared to what the Amir’s of the world should feel.  The ultimate punishment for Amir is the way his father treats him when he comes home with Hassan, having witnessed the most scarring event of his life.  This is the worst punishment which Amir could receive.  His father is proud of him, welcomes him with open arms.  His father finally has a winner for a son, and Amir digs himself deeper into a web of lies by accepting the praise.  Amir is haunted by these moments everyday in his adult life.  He can do nothing to rid himself of his guilt. 

I don’t plan to be an Amir.  If faced with a tough decision, I want to make the right choice and help the person in need, doing what is right, regardless of the consequences.  I realize this is much easier said than done and that is why it is something I will have to work for.  I see myself standing up for someone being made fun of in the classroom.  I see myself defending someone being teased in the halls.  If I can accomplish such goals which do not seem life changing now, once they carry into my future, I will know I have succeeded.