0018: Students question the validity of their civics classes (#occupyedu #sschat)
Is partial teaching brainwashing? Does the vanilla version of history and economics out students get in most classrooms pave the way for political apathy and victimization in the future?
I had a wonderful one-on-one discussion that began with the question: “Is the US the greatest country in the world?” The question was never answered, but questions were generated. We started with the issue of poverty. Which undoubted affects education and human well being. She pointed out the widespread poverty in our area and how segregated it is. We discussed the lack of healthcare available to most people. Even her mother who has had several jobs in a hospital. Taxation was discussed which led us to discussion of the #occupy protesters in the Memphis area and those on the news. She questioned their mistreatment by authorities. Which led to discussion of blind following though education and authoritarianism. The discussion went to many places and she asked questions, as did I. We disagreed and we learned. I wish this sort of time could be the norm in all my classes. Tomorrow it’ll be back to piano lessons, but today was a necessary digression.
By the way, this student is not at all of the ruling class. And I don’t teach at a school where privileged is in anyone’s vocabulary. Kids are genius’. When we allow them to be.
Notes
-
imsooappalled reblogged this from educatedtodeath
-
diana2345d likes this
-
educatedtodeath posted this
