Character Analysis: Christensen

Author Name

Background/Bio/Style

Argument/Passage

2nd Author Name

2nd Author Response

Ladson-Billings

Teacher, professor, and a researcher educated in segregated elementary school in West Philadelphia.
Her style is characterized by own experiences, examples, and a focus on the needs of African American students.

“The notion of “cultural relevance” moves beyond other aspects of student and school culture. Thus culturally relevant teaching uses student culture in order to maintain it and to transcend the negative effects of the dominant culture. The negative effects are brought about, for example, by not seeing one’s history, culture, or background represented in the textbook or curriculum or by seeing that history, culture, or background distorted” (Ladson-Billings p.19)

Christensen

Great points there. The dominant culture as you put it has had negative effects on children’s perception of reality. Children's movies and books, for example, teach children to accept a stereotypical view of the society. In teaching students, I encourage a critique of the inequality and hierarchy in culture.

Danforth

Received training in inclusive education. His style is formal augmented by support from studies and personal experiences.

The goal of the democratic society is to create communities of equality and social support so that the free expression and full development of the individuality of each citizen is paramount concern. The task of the individual person in the democracy is to contribute his or her unique talents and effort to the daily interactions and activities that support the community of freedom and equality” (Danforth, 82)

hooks

Salute Danforth. The points you have raised are true. Although we are far from attaining a democratic society due to the values and assumptions advanced by the privileged class, I believe it is important that we focus on creating an environment where one easily contributes his or her unique talents. If we create in classrooms learning communities that where everyone is recognized and heard, I believe we can move closer to a democratic society.

Christensen

Brought up believing in myths and was influenced by stereotypes. Her style is characterized by passion and use of experience and examples to break stereotypes.

“To help Justine and other classmates dismantle those old values and reconstruct more just ones, I have two goals when we study children’s culture: first, to critique portrayals of hierarchy and inequality; second, to enlist students in imagining a better world, characterized by respect and equality” (Christensen, p.066)

Kliewer

I concur with your strategies to dismantle old values that have continued told our society back. I believe your critique of portrayals of hierarchy and inequality in children’s culture can help students bring real experiences on the cultural table. My experience with students with down syndrome shows that the meanings of the...