Expectations

Describing his childhood reading experiences, Tatum wrote, "I became more inclined to read literature that helped me understand America's perception of who I was and what I was expected to become. I began to change my self-definition." Literature that changes the way a person defines himself must be powerful indeed.

As a teacher, I must make it my goal to help my students encounter literature that helps students perceive not just where they are but also where they can be. In fact, I can adapt several texts I already use to fit with the concept of self-definition. For example, "Thank You, Ma'am" by Langston Hughes would provide an opportunity to discuss stereotypes, expectations (what you expect for yourself vs. what others expect from/for you), and changes to a person's "self-definition."

Snaps / Props to my student!!!

I haven't decided which chapter to relate this to, but one of my students read a two page paper in front of the entire student body. This is a student who would not read a paragraph in our classroom.

I just wanted to toot his horn!

Quote from Article 1

Respond to this quote:

"Thus, we hoped to shift the teacher paradigm from 'If I can change the students, they can improve,' to 'The students can improve, and therefore I must change.'"

p. 46 from "Building on Success: Changing Our Practice to Better Serve African American Students" by Pirette McKamey

Terms to Consider 2: Equity

Much of what we will read together and separately this semester addresses issues of equity in education on a broad scale and in the classroom on a small scale. What does this term, equity, mean to you?

Term to Consider: In Turmoil

Alfred Tatum, author of the text we will be reading, uses the term Black Males in Turmoil to refer to the specific type of student he is referencing. What does this term mean to you? How would you define a student who is in turmoil vs. a student who is not?

Welcome

Thank you for spending your very valuable time with us this semester, participating in some thinking, reading, viewing, and responding about your own work with African American male students in the classroom.

I eagerly anticipate our time together and invite you to share something here already in answer to this question:

Why have you chosen to join this group and what do you hope to gain from our time together?

I look forward to reading what you have to say!