Cultural Snapshot

1.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qb4Xtgz31o

 2. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSTywVwZCjw

3. 

4. A majority of Republicans in a new poll support Trump's proposal to bar Muslims from entering the US

• Mark Abadi
 

• Dec. 14, 2015, 10:10 PM 

When Donald Trump called for a "total and complete shutdown" of allowing Muslims to enter the US last week, he was quickly condemned by several of his opponents in the Republican primary and top officials within the party.

As it turns out, a majority of Republicans surveyed in an ABC News/Washington Post poll support Trump's proposal. The poll's results were released Monday.

Despite widespread sympathy for Muslims among the American population as a whole, 59% of Republicans who were polled said they supported a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country, while 30% called such a ban the "wrong thing to do."

Meanwhile, just 15% of Democrats and 38% of independents who were polled supported the proposal.

The poll also suggested that 59% of Americans think Muslims in the US experience unjustified discrimination and 54% of Americans believe mainstream Islam is a peaceful religion, while 28% say it encourages violence.

Harrison Jacobs/Business Ins

Negative views of Islam, strong concerns about terrorism and illegal immigration, and a belief that Muslims do not experience discrimination in the US all translate to support for Trump, ABC News pollster Gary Langer said in a press release.

"Backing for the plan is especially high among those looking for a political outsider — another Trump strength, built upon his willingness to express controversial sentiments," he said.

The results coincide with Trump's 13-point surge in a Monmouth University poll of Republican and Republican-leaning voters, also released Monday.

"It has become abundantly clear that Trump is giving his supporters exactly what they want, even if what he says causes the GOP leadership and many Republican voters to cringe," pollster Patrick Murray said in a statement.

5. 

The message that all these artifacts seem to convey is the violence of the Muslim religion. When google imaging Muslims in America, artifacts #1 and #5 came up. Both of these artifacts portray a violent stereotype of the Muslim religion as a whole. Artifact #2, the prank video, shows a man running around in a traditional thawb throwing packages into peoples cars and running away. This prank is playing to the fear of our population especially with recent shootings from extreme groups such as ISIS. That same fear is further conveyed by the recent proposal by a presidential candidate: Donald Trump. Though many may find his statements ridiculous and outright racist there is a great population of republicans backing him up. The Daily show clip pokes fun a the stereotypes that the United States are making against the Muslim religion as a whole. This kind of humor, though diffuses some of the stereotypes made against the religion, exposes the sad stereotypes and fears of the general population. 

The message of all Muslims being terrorists will isolate the child in the classroom. Especially on the area where there is less diversity in general. Assuming that my classroom will be in Utah, which is a heavy White dominant population and an even heavier Mormon dominant population a lot of isolation will be going on for that child. It is important to be aware as a teacher, these students. To expose her own students to different perspectives and thoughts and ideas. To create an environment for every student to feel welcome and excited about learning. Though some students will bring back the conversations they hear at home, or the stereotypes they see in the media, the kids need to enjoy an environment of free learning and exploring.
In schools currently there is a separation of religion and state. Yet there are accommodations that can be made for prayer for instance. Also because of media I know a lot of sheltered children would be fearful of their classmates so educating my students about different islamic beliefs would distill the fear and help the islamic student thrive in an atmosphere where they felt they could be themself and not be ashamed.

Imagined Classroom

As nerdy as this sounds I've been imagining what my classroom might look like since I was little. While everyone else was playing barbies or mario cart I was busy playing teacher. This is what I'd imagine it all looking like when I finally graduate and have a classroom of my own. 

   

Five images of a classroom

http://www.green-technology.org/green_technology_magazine/dublin/

1)    The windows open up the classroom. Though it makes the kids susceptible to distractions it allows sunlight which will brighten the classroom and the kids won't have a feeling of entrapment. I like the way the desks are set up because it makes the room look organized and instead of a group of chairs people just have to integrate ideas one on one. I believe in seating arrangements just for times sake but I think that the double seats will allow kids to get out of their comfort zones and perspectives without isolating them into a completely new zone. 

http://anime-fan-211.deviantart.com/art/Historical-figures-painted-on-classroom-cupboard-337739198

2)    I love these clipart stickers about history. I think definitely if they are throughout my classroom the students will be excited about knowing these characters. What would be really cool is as units switch so do the clip art wallpaper. Posters might also play a part but I just liked how these weren't too distracting! I would want to include great woman figures of history. Also any mis-represented figures that aren't seen here. (In fact those are just awlful people. I didn't notice that.)  I would want the students to feel that they could identify with the people on the walls of history. That they were capable of being great! 

https://www.pinterest.com/chrisjtina/teaching-secondary-history/  

3)    I like the idea of a display board of what our main topics will be in the unit. I can have separate board displays for both geography and for history! Again while I am required to teach according to a core and a unit test I can still have characters and visuals that were great in history. If language is a barrier for my students than I know visuals will definitely help them. Especially if they're a learner like me visuals in a different country and pictures always helped me learn contextually what was happening. 

4)    I love that storage unit in the back! It allows for bookshelves and that late work/missing assignment center that I talk about later on. I don’t think that the white boards on the sides are being used wisely however. That looks like a waste of space. But those cabinets 
Organization is important especially if I have students of all different backgrounds and different personal issues or situations. Good planning and organization will allow the environment to be one of safety and progressive learning.  
https://modernizemountsihighschool.wordpress.com/snapshots-of-the-present-and-future/

5) I like the display board. I would give myself more whiteboard space (not blackboard). But I like the map and the different projects of the students being displayed. Even for high school students I think it’s important to celebrate student’s work. I would be sensitive however to not assign extravagant projects outside of the classroom without providing resources. I wouldn't want a child that has a hard home life to feel less adequate because of my display of other children. 

https://visualsonline.cancer.gov/details.cfm?imageid=2200

1.   Surrounding in the classroom: My classroom’s desks are strategically placed according to the needs of the students, especially those that have IEP’s. I like the idea that the walls will be enticing to the eye yet not exactly to distract students but at least artifacts, quotes, pictures that will ignite excitement about the subject. Resources would probably include a missing homework/ late homework desk. There’s a whiteboard of course, that has all the lesson objectives written up and possibly their warm-up. There’s a projector that can show my slideshows or videos. During the lessons I can use all of these resources. I like the thought of students teaching also so there’s plenty of whiteboard space. 
2.      I honestly can’t imagine myself staying in Utah to teach so my classroom is very diverse. I also don’t expect that I’ll start off teaching AP so there’ll be all types of learners. Backgrounds from everywhere. This includes impoverish background, mixed families, minorities, different religions and much more. Their interests are various as well. From sports to school to video games, they’re kids and I can’t imagine any place in the world where their interests won’t differ by individual. During the lesson all will be engaged because I would have taken into account their different learning styles and the school district didn’t stick 40 desks in my classroom instead I’m teaching only 25 students per period. This allows for me to teach to their needs. I understand that not all kids will be interested in the subject but I’ll provide opportunities for each student to express what they’ve learned.
3.    My classroom policies aren’t insulting to the student’s intelligence. They are expected to come and learn; if they can’t comply then they explain it with their parents why they are failing my class and therefore their future. I start very strict with respect as an emphasis but understanding and feeling and constantly validating success. My homework policy is late work is accepted but docked a percentage. I am very willing to work with students on an individual level and by keeping up with my grading and check-ups I can help my students pass my classes even if they've given up for various family issues. I know that my class isn't the most important thing in the world but I do realize the different lessons I could be teaching these kids to become the best citizens/humans they can be. 
4.     I will teach Geography and History. I wouldn’t mind student government. The topic specifically that day would be Vietnam War. I would have chosen this topic because it is part of the core curriculum and my department chair told us this week was Vietnam week so that my class and another History class could go to a local exhibit being held for war veterans for Vietnam War. The main thing I want students to understand from this lesson is the core but my personal wish for them to learn is the causes of the Vietnam War. With my topic of history I can address different issues that I see in the community that connects. There are many ways that these lessons can connect to my students. 
5.     I’m teaching the lesson. I’m involved in the lecture, in the class discussion; I am walking around during the group project and the individual assessments. I am constantly answering questions and posing questions to distracted or confused kids. 
6.    The students are learning during the lesson. They are engaged and those that aren’t I’m talking to them while I’m going around the classroom. I am constantly asking the kids questions to ignite discussion. I am showing them my eagerness for their sake and learning. If there are children that don't understand the requirements of the activity or assignment, I am clarifying. I am observing their interactions with other students. I am thinking of which kids would be good in a group project together. 
7.      I will asses by doing an assessment after every lesson to see where they’re at. These assessments will vary from a paragraph summary to a mini quiz to a group project. Each assessment will be a reflection of what they’ve learned and will help me accommodate further to their needs.