Avendano,+Laura

=Assignment #1 = =Bio = I am originally from California. I studied there and got my teaching credential as a bilingual teacher. I worked in San Diego public schools for 3 years, fresh out of my credential program. Being that I love to travel (and to be honest, I wasn't loving my first years of teaching), in 2007 I took a leave of absence and moved to Barcelona, Spain. In the afternoons and evenings I taught English classes in an academy to children, teens and adults.

My first year in Barcelona was tough, at the same time it was exciting and rewarding. I decided to extend my stay and began working at Benjamin Franklin International School as an associate teacher/aide to some amazing experienced teachers. Once I felt I had enough experience, I was given my own classroom, once again, as a lead teacher. I have now worked in classrooms from Nursery all the way through to 4th grade (except 3rd grade). I am now more settled and have stayed as a 1st grade teacher for 3 years. This age group is one of my favorites!

Although I do think of changing scenery and moving to another European city, it is hard to leave a city like beautiful Barcelona! It has so much to offer.

When I am not with my lovely 1st graders, I enjoy exercise, zumba classes, Spanish tapas, fashion, languages, theater!

=**Conflict Resolution/Peaceable Schools**=

I think a course in Conflict Resolution/Peaceable schools should be about showing administrators, teachers and anyone who's job is working in a school, how to solve conflicts as quickly and peacefully as possible. Conflicts happen each day at schools some more serious than others but they occur, and keeping a culture with peace and harmony is the most important thing to do in order for great learning to happen. Schools are establishments with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. This brings a lot of beauty and richness to a school community but it can also cause tension and problems. It is necessary for schools to be prepared with set norms and procedures to prevent conflicts. Conflicts can be between teachers, between students and teachers, between teachers and parents or between students. All of these conflicts cause unpleasant working environments, decrease student learning and motivation. Everyone at a school needs to work together as a community to keep a peaceable climate.

At an early age children are explicitly taught at school to share with others and to be kind and gentle. They are taught to use their words when they are upset and apologize to others when they have done something wrong. The focus in the younger years is more the social/emotional than the academics. As kids get older, schools, parents, society push more on the academics and the social/emotional is not taught. Children still need explicit teaching about how to deal with their emotions and how to solve daily conflicts with friends and those around them. I think a peaceable school means bringing the social/emotional part of teaching into the classrooms. And as teachers show their students how to be good citizens in the community, it becomes a reminder to them on how to treat their colleagues and those people that surround them each day.

1. How to begin building a peaceable climate 2. How to get the whole school community (parents, students and staff) involved 3. A deep explanation of a peaceable school program 4. How do we get the time in the school day to focus on conflict/resolution 5. Best methods to solve conflicts

=** Assignment # 2 **=

=** American History X **=

 In the movie,  American History X, the role of nurture plays a big part in the lives of the two main characters, to the extent where it overtakes the role of nature. According to nature these boys, Derrick and Danny seem to have inherited typical personality traits that could have led them to become average, respectable beings rather than natural born racists and in the case of Derrick a natural born murderer. What shapes these boys are their surroundings, the influences of their teachers, mentors, and community.  During the early years of any average child, the biggest influences are family and school community. In the film we don’t get to know the boys as children, yet we do see Derrick while he is in high school and his father is still alive. From the short scene, we can see that they are a middle class family living in a nice home. The mother and father are married and they sit down at the dinner table with their children to have their meals.

 In this scene, Derrick is doing his homework and reading the Black literature assigned to him by his African American teacher, Dr. Sweeney. Derrick expresses his interest in the class and shows admiration for his teacher who is very knowledgeable. Although, the father in this scene expresses some racist views, it shows that Derrick comes from a very typical, standard family unit. By the stunned face Danny shows when his father is making his point about Blacks, it makes the viewer believe that this may have been the first time Derrick and Danny hear these types of comments coming from their father. In conclusion, at this point in the boys’ lives, the positive nature of their surroundings seem to be directing the boys into a path of studies, university and acceptance and friendship towards minorities.

Once Derrick is out of school and his father has died, that sense of community has shifted, changed and possibly is all together broken. Derrick seeks out a new community. Cameron, the leader of the Neo-Nazi Skinheads movement, becomes his mentor. He teachers Derrick to hate minorities and fills his head with lots of racist garbage. Derrick meets lots of young men and women that share this same hatred and Derrick begins to commit crimes against minorities in the neighborhood. Derrick is deeply impacted by the skinhead movement and feels empowered by the movement. He is able to commit a brutal murder that leads him to prison. Again, his community is broken.

A great mentor in the life of Derrick is his former teacher, now school principal, Dr. Sweeney. Sweeney never gives up on Derrick. He sees that Derrick has potential and he knows the good nature of the boy. While others have lost hope in Derrick, like Mr. Murray, Danny’s teacher and mother’s Jewish dinner guest, Sweeney believes Derrick can unlearn to hate. He knows that Derrick’s father is gone and Derrick’s mother is not in a position that can guide Derrick back to a more righteous path.

While Derrick is in prison, Dr. Sweeney, reaches out to Derrick in hopes of changing his thoughts and behaviors. Dr. Sweeney helps Derrick get through the rest of his time in prison. He brings him books to read and fills his mind with thoughts that are not hate and violence. He talks to Derrick about his younger brother, Danny, who is going down the same path as Derrick.  Sweeney encourages him to make a difference once he gets out of prison.



Derrick finds therapy in his conversations with Sweeney and in the literature he reads. He becomes much of a loner in prison and begins a friendship with a black inmate. Once out of prison he is a changed man. He gets home to his mother and sister who never agreed with Derek’s behavior and political views, yet were never strong enough to make any real difference in his actions. He shows them a gentler side to him. He then talks to Danny and convinces him that the direction he was leading him towards was not the best way. Although Danny is confused at first he is willing to make the changes.

Sweeney is successful in altering his mentees thoughts and behavior. It shows the power nurture plays in the lives of people. Communities and people’s surroundings can induce new behaviors but can also redirect and alter behaviors that have already been taught. Sweeney shows that even in the worst cases, mentors can make a difference.

=Assignment #3 =

If Hank were to come into my classroom community, he would observe the following key elements in the creation of a peaceable school: mutual respect, cooperation, responsibility, safety and trust. In order to promote peace in the classroom community and establish these elements, there must be good communication and clear expectations from the teacher. The teacher is the model for all of these essential elements.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">During the first weeks of school, I work with the children to set up rules and guidelines for our classroom community. The children are always a part of the process. We talk about what is tolerated in the classroom. For example, we tolerate having different ideas, different likes and dislikes and we celebrate our differences. A great book that I read to them on this topic is called **__Elmer__** by David Mckee. The story is about an elephant who is not your typical grey colored elephant instead, he has many colors and designs. The other grey colored elephants love Elmer for being different! We discuss the importance of embracing our differences.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The things we do not tolerate are bad language, teasing, bullying and violence. We have class discussions about what teasing and bullying looks like. I read to them stories about bullies and we share out ideas on what they can do if they are being bullied or if someone they know is being bullied. During our class meetings we role play scenarios where they can practice being brave and confronting a bully or telling a teacher about a bully.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like class rules to have a positive tone. I like the students to concentrate on what they are striving for as an individual and as community. The rules are posted up on the wall as Be Kind, Be Helpful, Do Your Best, and Be Yourself. These are the rules and the expectations for the children and myself.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Each member of our community has the responsibility of caring for their environment. In the classroom, students take care of their supplies, books and learning tools. They make sure the classroom is organized and clean. Each space they use in the school, such as the lunch room and the patio area, is looked after and cleaned. Each week the children are assigned specific jobs. The job chart is posted on the wall so that the children can carry out their responsibilities. Each job, whether it be supplies helper, snack helper, energy saver, recycle manager, is just as important as the next. If a job is not done then the entire community is affected.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Class meeting are essential ways to build community and promote peace. Each morning, as children come in, we do a greeting activity. I model that when we greet there is eye contact, a smile and we use the other person’s name. Students learn the value of greeting one another and it gives all community members a feeling of belonging and appreciation.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> In all communities, conflicts arise. Class meetings can be used for discussing any problems or issues that come up within a community. As the teacher I am the mediator. I make sure the established norms are in place. The children are the negotiators. Each community member has a chance to talk if they would like while the others listen. They find solutions to their conflicts in order to restore peace and each member feels the safety and the trust within the community.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> It is a great start to what Oscar Arias speaks of in his speech, “Let peace be taught as a value.”

=**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Assignment #4 **=

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The rate of homicide violence must have gone down in the last 800 years due a variety of reasons one being, the growth rate of police that patrol the streets and make arrests. Another would have to do with the advances in science and technology which allow homicides to be thoroughly investigated and solved. It is much harder to commit a violent crime and just disappear without being traced. People think more about the long term consequences they will face if they commit a violent crime. Also, if we refer back to the Violence Perception Quiz, it proves that arrests have gone up and more violent crimes are solved now than 30 years ago. If such change has been made in 30 years then the change in 800 years must be even more significant.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Education also has a lot to do with the decrease in violent crimes. America has been trying to be more accepting of its citizens and considerate to each one’s thoughts and feelings. We are teaching acceptance of religion, color, gender, ethnicity, and sex. Teaching compassion, understanding and tolerance for others is a direct impact to the decrease in homicide rates.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am guilty of overestimating violence in the United States along with most of my colleagues. I asked for colleagues and myself to take the quiz, 3 out of 5 of us believed that the United States is in a period of extreme violence and 4 out of 5 of us believed it was a false statement, that the homicide rate in the western word has been steadily decreasing. We were all pleasantly surprised by the results of the quiz.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">We all have very similar ideas about the United States and the crime rate. It is what we watch on the news and read in the papers. We are constantly hearing and reading about violent crimes happening in the U.S. However, we are never given statistics or articles to read that show there has actually been a decrease in homicides.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think this lesson is to show us what no one else shows us! It is to open our eyes to what is actually happening with violent crimes in the United States. The police are making their arrests, solving crimes and doing their jobs. As educators, it is important to do our jobs and teach our students acceptance and tolerance for others so that the amount of violence can continue to decrease.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">What you think about using torture or other "enhanced" interrogation techniques? **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I found the video to be very interesting. It is not the first time I hear of waterboarding. It seems to be appearing more and more on TV shows and movies, where people use this type of interrogation to get the information they need. In the movies, waterboarding seems to be an effective way of reaching that goal. The person being waterboarded always breaks and gives up information in order for the torture to stop. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">It looks like an awful act on the TV screen. I can't even imagine in a real life setting.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the video the man behind the mask does not consider waterboarding as a type of torture. He says that waterboarding "invokes an existing fear of drowning," but it is not considered torture. I do not agree with him. Although there is no blood involved in waterboarding, it does cause physical pain and mental trauma. It is most definitely torture. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">These "enhanced" interrogation techniques are not the answer to solving conflicts and obtaining information. Unfortunately they are only adding to more violence in the world.

=**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Assignment #5 **= <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Amygdala is the hijacking of the brain, that causes emotional explosions. It takes over logic. I have watched a stranger on the street get hijacked by their Amygdala.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">One day, I was walking down the street in Barcelona, on my way home. A older man was crossing the street. There didn't seem to be any cars coming so he crossed even when it was a red light for pedestrians. Suddenly, a motorist made a quick right turn into the street where the man was crossing. The motorist quickly swerved to avoid the man. He was successful, however, as a result the motorist lost control of his motorbike and fell. The motor bike lay on top of the young man who seemed to be in about his twenty's. It looked like the young man could be seriously hurt because of the fall and the speed in which he was going. However, the young man sprung up, off the street. He went straight towards the older man yelling and screaming at him. He began pushing him and cussing at him. He was full of anger and adrenaline.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The motorist was so full of rage. He was clearly acting based on his emotions. In just a matter of seconds he must have felt a range of different emotions. The strongest being fear. Fear of dying. Then anger for this man who made a mistake which could have cost a life. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Witnesses and those around him stayed calm. The old man also stayed calm. I think this was the best decision being that the young man was running solely on emotions.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The ambulances then came and I continued home.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">This incident was the first to pop into my head when reading about the hijacking of the brain. It fits the description perfectly. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have been deeply impacted by the video, //Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are//. While watching the video, I felt that Amy Cuddy was talking directly to me. There have been many times in my life where I have felt powerless. I have felt like I don’t belong because I am not smart enough or capable. It is a terrible feeling and a terrible way to pass through life with these negative thoughts about oneself. Luckily, with age, maturity and experience I have become a more confident person. However, I still find myself in situations where I feel like that powerless person again.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have heard that our mind can do amazing things. If we think positively then our outlook on life is brighter and we become happier people and that causes a change in our bodies. However, Amy Cuddy taught me that our bodies can actually change our minds. It is a fascinating new idea!

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am inspired to practice a powerful pose daily. It will help my communication with the parents of my students, who can be intimidating at times. Most parents are very kind and respectful, however, I feel that each year there are a few parents that are quite intimidating. In general, the parents at the school I work at, are wealthy people that have positions of power. There nonverbal expressions are intimidating and cause me stress.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The power pose will help me during Back to School Night and conferences with parents. These are the times in the school year that I feel very stressed. I hope to make those tiny tweaks in my nonverbal expressions that will then lead to big changes. I will fake it until I become it. I want to be more assertive, optimistic and a risk taker. According to Amy Cuddy and the studies she has made, these are the strategies I need to take to become more powerful and happier with myself. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think this is a video that should be watched in high schools and universities. It would have a positive impact on the youth of today especially for young woman that are still feeling powerless in a male dominated world.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Assignment #6 **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Part A **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Conflict is a disagreement between two or more parties where each perceive a threat to their well-being and are triggered by strong emotions. Conflicts can be verbal and/or physical. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Conflict Resolution is being able to control strong emotions, stay calm and be non-defensive. It means getting rid of ambiguity, listening to others and finding ways in which all parties feel understood, nurtured and supported while finding a compromise.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">A few years ago when I went back home to California to visit my mom and her husband. We were on our way to have lunch It was day time and all three of us were in the car. My step dad was driving. We were in a residential area of the city and driving at the speed limit. Suddenly, we got rear ended. My step dad became furious. He started cussing. He pulled over and got out of the car, heated, slamming the door behind him and yelling. I can only imagine how the driver must have been frightened having to face my step dad seeing how upset he was. The driver did come out and was apologetic. They exchanged information and the conflict did not escalate.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Being that my step dad is usually such a jolly guy, it seemed like he had changed to someone completely different. He doesn’t tend to be a man that uses foul language, but his emotions were taking over. He was allowing himself to be "hijacked" by his Amygdala.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Luckily the man that rear ended us was calm and apologetic which allowed my step dad to calm himself. If the man had come out also showing anger and frustration then the conflict could have escalated hindering conflict.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The involvement of emotions and the Amygdala do hinder conflict. In order for conflict resolution to happen individuals must stay calm and control strong emotions. Emotional intelligence plays a big part in conflict resolution.

=**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Part B **= <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am not a person that swears very often, yet I was never in a sorority. When I do swear it tends to be when I am angry or I am physically hurt. For example I stub my toe on the sofa or I fall down some slipper steps. Letting out a few swear words allows me to get rid of some of that pain and/or anger. It allows me to relieve stress and tension which I tend to hold onto quite a bit. It is interesting to hear studies actually proving that it can be okay and actually healthy to use swear words from time to time.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">This week I happen to be watching a show on TV that proved how swearing increases pain tolerance. They got six people to put their fingers on a mouse trap and three of them were allowed to use swear words while the others were not allowed. The ones that were allowed to use the swear words were able to tolerate the pain longer than those who did not. It proves to be a good coping mechanism for pain. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I don't think I will swear more often than before but at least now I don't need to feel bad or embarrassed about it when I do!

=<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Assignment #7 =
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">"I" Messages **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**(Colleague)** When you are continuously late to watch the students in patio, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> the responsibility lies on me. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I feel upset that I don't have as much time to prep for my next class as you do.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**(Husband)** When you help out with dinner, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have less work to do. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I feel happy to have a partner I can count on!

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**(Mother)**When you send me a birthday card each year, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I can see that you are thinking of me even though we are far apart. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am grateful to have such a thoughtful mother.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**(Dear Abby: correction)** When you invade my privacy by going through my personal things, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I lose trust in you. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I feel frustrated because I want to be your friend but I can't if you do not respect my privacy.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**(Dear Abby: positive response)** When you make an effort to respect my privacy, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I feel more comfortable inviting you over to my house. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I feel happy that we are able to continue with this friendship.

=<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Assignment #8 = =<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">My Contract =

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I, //X students name//, agree to the following terms:

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">1. I will start and complete my Math work during the time frame given by the teacher. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Student is to complete the 1st side of the problem set page 5 out of 5 times per week. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Student is to finish both sides of the problem set page 3 out of the 5 times per week.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">These are my goals: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Threshold: **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">2. I will turn in neat work with legible numbers and free of scribbles and marks. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Student is to turn in clean work 4 out of 5 times per week.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Threshold: **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">1. I will be able to work with a friend of my choosing once a week to complete the Math assignment. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">2. Once a week my Math assignment will be shortened to allow for Math games with a buddy.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">These are my rewards if I meet my goals: **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">1. I will have to finish my Math work while others have free time. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">2. A meeting with parents and the principal will be set up.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">These are my consequences if I do not meet my goals: **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">My contract will be reviewed in a month. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Signatures: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Student _ Date _ Teacher Date _ Parent_ Date _ Parent_ Date ___ **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">This 1st grade student of mine is very capable. I have seen him on occasions work hard and keep focus on Math tasks. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think keeping his internal motivation alive is key to having him succeed in the classroom. My focus is in Math because that is where he struggles most and where I, as a teacher, struggle with him to keep him motivated and eager to learn. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think that the advantage of having parents involved and part of the contract is that it is a group effort. Parents become aware that their child is not meeting expectations and that actions need to be made to make progress. It is important the student is aware that there is constant communication between parents and teachers. Their is a link between home life and school life and he can't slack off at school and not have consequences at home. Most importantly, he needs to feel the support and encouragement of parents and teachers. Everyone needs to be on the same team to help the child grow and meet grade level expectations. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The disadvantages of having parents involved with these contracts is when they do not follow through with their role at home. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">If there is a divide between parents and teachers then the student can get the wrong message and the contract does not have any power. Parents often time can become defensive or make up excuses for their children. If this is the case it becomes more difficult to help the student and reach a goal. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Behavior contracts tend to include rewards and consequences depending if the student meets or does not meet his/her goal. This is considered to be external motivation and as I read in the article, //Giving Students What They Need//, teachers should stay away from external motivation and lean towards internal motivation. Therefore, the rewards in a contract should be carefully thought out and go along with Choice Theory Management also discussed in the same article. The rewards in the behavior contract for my student allow him some freedom to choose a partner and choose his seating. Also, his rewards involve some fun by allowing him to choose a Math game which he can play with a partner of his choice. The rewards are not material like a special treat, candy or cookie. They are not stickers, pencils or toys. They are actually rewards where he is still learning and enhancing his intrinsic motivation.

=<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Assignment #9 =

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">According to the personality profile test, I am considered a Learned Expert. However, I disagree. The next in line is Practical Manager and I think that fits my personality and learning styles a bit more. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I do not consider myself a Learned expert because although I enjoy reading I do not think of myself as a "book worm." I enjoy adventures and taking part in them much more than just reading about them. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">My father and my husband have the personality type of a Learned Expert. Therefore, I do like to surround myself by these intellectual types because they are fascinating and I learn a lot from them, but it is not who I am. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am more practical. I like to have things planned. I like to know what to expect ahead of time. I need a quiet study area where there are no distractions. I am sensitive to sounds. While I am studying I can not have music playing and the sound of clocks drive me insane. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am not as organized as mentioned in the description of Practical Manager. I would like to be able to maintain a tidy desk or bedroom, but it is hard to keep everything in its place during the week when there is so much work and not much time. However, when it does get too messy I feel like my life is falling apart or like I am losing control of it. I need to organize everything in order to start again. It makes me feel less stressed. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am very good at organizing cupboards, pantries and closets. I am also great at packing suitcases by making each piece fit just right in a neat and orderly way. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">As I mentioned, I tend to lean towards being a Practical Manager, yet my scores on this personality test were all split up quite evenly which means that I can identify in some way with each of these 4 types.

=<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Assignment #10 = =**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">1. The role of nurture by the families of the two main characters, Derrick and Homer. **=

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Both boys come from a traditional nuclear family with a stay-at-home mother, a working father and siblings. Both of the boys’ fathers seem to be hard working men that provide for their family. Derrick’s father before his death is a firefighter while Homer’s dad has a high position in the coal mine. Both men have an important role in the community and are highly respected. These men also have a dominant personality with very distinctive views which they would like to pass on to their boys as these boys turn into men.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The scene at the dinner table with Derrick’s father was an eye opener, as he shares his opposition towards the Black literature that Derrick is bringing home, assigned by his black professor, Mr. Sweeney. Derrick’s father asks,” Do you have to trade in the Great Books for Black books?” and he tells Derrick “not to swallow whole” what his black teacher is telling him. He goes on to talk about his dislike for affirmative action. He explains how due to affirmative action two black firemen where hired even though they were not the best and now he has to put his life at risk by working with these men.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Derrick is in high school at this time and is very impressionable. This seems to be his first time hearing these ideas from his father and because he respects and admires him, he takes in what his father tells him.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Homer is also in high school and his father has his mindset that Homer will also become a coal miner just like him. Homer does not have the athletic ability of his older brother that is getting a university scholarship for playing football and therefore, in the small mining community, if a boy does not get a scholarship then he is destined to work in the mine. Homer loves his dad and wants to make him proud, however, he does not have the same dream of becoming a coal miner. He wants to get out of the small town of Coalwood.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">2. The role of the mother in the development of each of the two main characters, Derrick and Homer. **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The mothers in both films are good women that love their children. They both have less dominant personalities than their spouses and put up with a lot of nonsense.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Once Derrick’s father dies, Derrick begins to change his views and learns racism quickly. Derrick’s mother suddenly loses Derrick to the skinheads and a neo-Nazi movement. Although, her thinking is more progressive and does not teach Derrick to hate minorities the influences around him are stronger than his mother’s influence. She has a heavy load to deal with being a widow and having Derrick’s three younger siblings to raise.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">In desperation, she throws Derrick out of the house after the horrible dinner scene with Mr. Murray, Danny’s teacher, who happens to be Jewish. Derrick insults Mr. Murray and tells him he is not welcome at their home. This is where Derrick’s mom realizes that she has lost her son and she cannot have this type of negative influence around her and her other children. At this point, she has no other options than to make him leave. Otherwise, he will bring them all down.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Homer’s mother is quite passive throughout the movie. Homer’s father is set on having his son follow his footsteps as a coal miner. He forbids him to continue making rockets near the coal mine and does not take Homer’s dream seriously of wanting to be more than a coal miner.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Homer’s mother is always nearby listening, but doesn’t confront her husband. It isn’t until the end of the movie where Homer really needs their help and cooperation that Homer’s mother confronts her husband and even threatens to leave him if he doesn’t come through for their son.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the case of Homer’s mother, she had the support of her husband. She knew she could use her power to persuade him to help their son. Unfortunately, Derrick’s mother no longer had the support of her husband and Derrick went through the wrong path.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">3. The role of teacher Murray in Derrick’s life and the role of Miss Reilly in Homer’s life. **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mr. Murray did not have a positive impact on Derrick’s life. After the scene mentioned above Mr. Murray is not very optimistic in that change can happen for Derrick and Danny. He feels that those boys are lost to the Neo-Nazi movement and cannot be reformed.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">On the other hand in the movie, October Sky, Miss Reilly, the science teacher, has a positive influence on Homer. After the launch of Sputnik by the Soviet’s, Homer becomes interested in rockets and makes it his hobby to start building his own rockets. Ms. Reilly motivates him and encourages him, while other close family members think Homer is crazy and wasting his time. She sees his potential and knows that he can reach his dream of one day leaving the mining town and doing something else with his life. She becomes upset with Homer when he drops out of school to work in the mine. Homer feels her disappointment and later apologizes for letting her down. Fortunately, Homer gets back on track and continues focusing on his rockets and wins the National Science Fair in Indianapolis, Indiana. When Homer gets back from Indianapolis, he has many people to go and thank for their support and Ms. Reilly is one of those people he goes to thank personally for the role she plays in his success.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">4. The role of the two principals in the lives of Derrick and Homer. **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dr. Sweeney, the principal in American History X plays a powerful role in Derrick’s life. Dr. Sweeney has his eyes on the two brothers Danny and Derrick from the beginning of the film. He is waiting for the moment where he can take Derrick under his wings and guide him through a different path. He know that in order to help Danny he must reach out to Derrick, the older brother. Dr. Sweeney seems to know Derrick well because Derrick had been Sweeney’s student when Derrick was in high school. We know Sweeney had a positive impact on Derrick back then when Sweeney was teaching literature at the school and although Derrick changed dramatically in a matter of a short time, Sweeney has faith that Derrick can unlearn this hatred towards blacks and other minorities. Dr. Sweeney’s opportunity to reach out to Derrick comes when Derrick is in prison and Sweeney is able to inspire within Derrick a new attitude and a new way of seeing the world.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The principal, Mr. Turner, in October Sky does not have such a powerful impact on Homer as Dr. Sweeney did with Derrick. The principal does not inspire a new passion or even support Homer’s passion for rockets at the beginning of the film. He doesn’t show support for Homer until after Homer has proved that it wasn’t one of his rockets that started the forest fire. Then, Mr. Turner acknowledges Homer’s potential and sends him off to the National competition.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">5.The role of community in the lives of Derrick and Homer. **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Derrick and Homer come from very different environments. Derrick comes from a big city where there is lack of community while Homer is living in a small mining town where everyone know each other and there is a sense of community.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The definition of community in the dictionary states: the condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common; a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">In Homer’s case, the community set their lives around the mine. The men went to work in the mine. They were colleagues and they had to trust each other and look out for one another. The women all had their husbands working together and their children at the local school.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Homer first has the support of his teacher and a few good friends that help him build the rockets. Then a few men from the community help him build the first few rockets. Slowly, more and more people from the community come to watch Homer’s rockets take off. And when Homer is at the National Science Fair and his rocket is stolen he reaches out to the community and the community works together to help him make a new one. Homer would not have had the same success if the community had not been there to help him.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Derrick’s reality was very different. Living in a large city there are people of different backgrounds, cultures, religions, ethnicities. It is much harder building a community with so much diversity. People have a hard time finding those common interests or simply are not interested in looking for commonalities between them and their neighbors.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">When Derrick was in high school his community is the school and his family was a part of that community.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Once Derrick’s father dies and he finished high school he loses that sense of community. He has to find it somewhere and he finds community with in the Neo-Nazi/skinheads. Once he goes to prison he realizes that the skin heads are not really there for him. He is betrayed by the skinheads inside the prison and finds that he enjoys the company of a black inmate that he works with doing the laundry. He also finds support from Dr. Sweeney also a black man. Once he is out of prison he turns to his family and believes that is his best support system. That is who he can trust and love.

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