Cultural Snapshot

The Single Story of LGBT Members

1) Mormons Protest Faith's LGBT Policy 

 Link: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/11/15/hundreds-mormons-protest-faith-lgbt-policy.html 

Associated Press. "Hundreds of Mormons Protest Faith's LGBT Policy." Fox News. Fox News Network, 14 Nov. 2015. Web. 7 Apr. 2016. <http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/11/15/ 
     hundreds-mormons-protest-faith-lgbt-policy.html>. 

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints changed it's policy on LGBT in reference to the ordinances that can be obtained by children that have LGBT parents.
• There was a large mass of Mormons who protested this policy and have resigned their church membership. 
• The messages that are being sent about this cultural group are a bit conflicting. Many of the protesters identify as part of the Mormon faith but resign their membership because of one church policy. The message of this group is that they choose love. They do not support the LDS church because the policy to not allow children of LGBT parents to participate in baptism until age 18. Their message is that this policy does not support the teachings of Jesus Christ - to love one another. 
• This message could impact how a child from this cultural group is viewed and treated in the classroom by creating a lot of assumptions about the child. Others might assume the child supports gay marriage and is anti-Mormon. The child might be seen as an outcast among Mormons but a hero in the LGBT community.   

2) Same Love

Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, and Mary Lambert. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Same Love Featuring Mary Lambert. YouTube. YouTube, LLC, 7 Sept. 2012. Web. 24 Jan. 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50V0QRlxafM>.

•  Same Love by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert 
• This song is about the struggle of being gay in today's world. There is a lot of focus on being gay is not a choice you get to make, it's a predisposition. It's not something that can be cured. 
• There are a few references to everyone being God's children and the Bible. Yes, many religions believe that being gay is a sin, but God commanded us to love one another as he loves us. We are all His children no matter what our sexual orientation or gender is.   
• The main message of this song is that there are stereotypes, judgments, and opinions about people who identify as gay, but "we have to change us, whatever God you believe in, we come from the same one" because at the end of the day we're all human. The message is equality for all because every human being deserves to be treated with respect.   

3) Modern Family

Laneia. "Modern Family’s Gay Kiss, More Lip Service, Postmodern Literature, Tao Lin." Entertainment Weekly 23 Sept. 2010: n. pag. Print.

• Modern Family is a television show that portrays the "modern family" of the 21st century. 
• The two men on the front cover of Entertainment Weekly are Mitch and Cam, a gay couple who raise a child together. 
• The message that is portrayed is gay relationships are being more common in the modern day family. It is now normal to have a brother or son come out and admit they are attracted to men then enter into a romantic relationship shortly after. Some of the reasoning for more people coming out about their sexual orientation is because it is so publicized as normal that the negative stigma among the younger generation has done a complete 180. Being an LGBT member is embraced among the younger generation and in modern day families now. 
• Overall, the message here is there has been a shift in what is considered a modern day family. Before this shift families were traditional -- husband and wife -- but that is not the case in today's world anymore. Now, families are very diverse and include gay parents and adopted children. The general populations' view of what is considered  a modern family has shifted. 

4) Ellen DeGeneres 

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ellen-slams-mississippis-anti-lgbt-law-in-powerful-monologue_us_57065b49e4b053766188c9b6 

DeGeneres, Ellen. Ellen DeGeneres Speaks out about Mississippi. Ellen Tube. Telepictures Productions Inc., 7 Apr. 2016. Web. 7 Apr. 2016.
 <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ 
     ellen-slams-mississippis-anti-lgbt-law-in-powerful-monologue_us_57065b49e4b053766 
     188c9b6>. 

Ellen Degeneres' Monologue - Mississippi's Anti-LGBT LawIn Mississippi, Anti-LGBT laws were
 passed stating that religion freedom allows LGpeople to be denied marriage, adoption, foster care 
services, employment, and decline to rent or sell them property.
The message from Mississippi is very conflicting and also brings up issues of civil rights. The supreme 
court ruled that same sex marriage is legal across the country along with rights that every human has as 
a result of living in America. 
Freedom of religion protects denying marriage to same sex couples if the church does not support gay marriage, 
but civil rights such as employment, renting and selling property, adoption, and foster services should not be 
denied to a person because of their attraction to the same sex as their own. When Ellen commented on this issue 
she was very disappointed at the law that went into effect. She personally has been fired from employment 
because she identified as gay. She says hate less and love more. 
If I have a student that is part of the cultural group that is supportive of the Mississippi law then people may 
view the student as a person who does not believe in equality for everyone. This could be problematic because 
if a student does not believe in equality then other negative assumptions may be made. If I have a student that identifies 
with Ellen they may be viewed as a supporter of gay rights or equality for all. 

5) Catholic Couple Provides Safe House for LGBT Youth 

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/07/opinions/franken-weingarten-lgbt-protection/

Franken, Al, and Randi Weingarten. "What Congress Must Do for LGBT Kids." CNN. Cable News Network, 7 July 2015. Web. 7 Apr. 2016. 

<http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/07/opinions/franken-weingarten-lgbt-protection/>.  

This Catholic couple has been taking in homeless LGBT youth for 6 years. Their purpose is to create

a safe house for them because many LGBT youth end up homeless after coming out to their parents. 

Homeless LGBT youth is a huge problem across the nation that needs to be addressed. 

The message the couple has is that LGBT youth want to feel accepted and loved. They should not be 

kicked out of their house because of their sexual orientation. The couple also states that LGBT people 

should not be denied the right to have access to the same services that heterosexual people do. 

If I had students that identified as LGBT I would want to assure them that they have a safe place in my 

classroom even when they do not have a safe place at home. I would also encourage them to talk to 

me about issues that have arisen at home so, I can work with them and the situation to the best of my 

ability. 

 [The message among these artifacts is that LGBT members want equality. They want to be treated the same as someone who identifies as straight, only likes one gender, or does not have gender confusion. LGBT members do not want to be discriminated against; they want to be respected. This message can impact how a child from this cultural group is viewed and treated in the classroom because this might be the single story a teacher hears but it might not be the single story that applies to that student. A teacher can have the perception that a student who is an LGBT member might want equality but in reality maybe they want to be treated as different in some way. With the view of LGBT members wanting equality it can lead to more positive interactions with students who identify with LGBT. Students might feel safer knowing that a teacher is not going to treat them differently or attack them for being different. It is important for teachers to examine how cultural groups are represented in the media, curriculum, and policy because it can affect how a student views themselves. Students are heavily impacted by the media and their thoughts, feelings, and attitudes can be affected by what the media identifies as the latest social norm.]

 

Imagined Classroom

#1 Five images (you can take them or they can come from the Internet [provide proper credit]). These images should reflect, in some way, what you imagine your classroom will look like once you are a teacher. Please annotate your images by providing a description of the image and how it relates to your future classroom.

This is a sample picture of how I would set up desks in my classroom, in a semicircle. I prefer this set up for a classroom because I can visibly see all the students and what they are working on. I also like this desk formation because it allows for open discussion. I want to create a classroom setting where my students can share their ideas and opinions. 

Students seated in circles. International and National plus Schools, Indonesia. Twenty Ten Theme, n.d. Web. 7 Jan. 2016. <https://gjismyp.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/classroom-desk-arrangements-rows-clusters-or-u-shape/>.

This is a question box. It is one of my favorite aspects of a health classroom because students can anonmyously ask any question they want. In health we cover a variety of topics that students have questions about but do not necessarily feel comfortable asking in front of the entire class so, a question box is a great solution. Students can submit questions about any of the topics discussed in class such as mental and emotional health, tobacco and alcohol, sexuality, safety, nutrition, etc. 

Recker, Brian. "Health & Fitness Question Box." Mr. Recker's Blog. Google, 20 Nov. 2011. Web. 7 Jan. 2016. <http://mrrecker.blogspot.com/2011/11/health-fitness-question-box.html>.

This is an example of one of the posters I might have in my classroom. I want to have a variety of health promotion posters in my classroom as a reminder to students of healthy habits and behaviors. This is an anti-bullying poster which is addressed in the mental and emotional health unit. Bullying is one of many issues that can arise among adolescents. 

www.nobullying.com. "7 Types of Bullying Online." NoBullying.com. NOBULLYING.COM, 2015. Web. 7 Jan. 2016. <http://nobullying.com/what-is-cyberbullying/>.  

This is a personal library of health related books. I want to have a similar library in my classroom. I want to have a classroom library where students can read books about topics they are interested in and can enhance their learning. This library in the photo is generally geared toward nutrition but I would like to expand my classroom library to any subjects taught during class such as tobacco and alcohol, sexuality, mental and emotional healthy, safety, disease prevention, etc. 

Ding, Sara. Juicing/health book collection. Juicing for Health. Juicing for Health, 2015. Web. 7 Jan. 2016. <http://juicing-for-health.com/books-i-read.html>.

This is a combination of a dry erase board and a projector screen. I want both of these items for my classroom. I want the dry erase board mainly to write down announcements for class. I want the projector screen for power point presentations in class. Both of these tools are useful for presenting information in class.

Wall Mount Systems for Your Classroom, Boardroom or Custom Application. Track Technology Systems, Inc. Healey Visual Inc., 2016. Web. 7 Jan. 2016. <http://www.healeyvisual.com/interactive-whiteboards/diversitrack/>.

#2 Imagine the surrounding in your classroom. What does the room look like? What resources are available for students? How are the resources used during the lesson?

• My classroom is at a public high school. When you walk in the door there is a dry erase board and projector screen at the front of the room. There is a question box in the front of the classroom as well. The walls have an array of colorful health promotion posters. There are are 30 student desks formed in 2-3 semicircles facing the front of the room. My desk is toward the back of the classroom. Near my desk there is a classroom library with a variety of books for students to utilize. There are several storage cabinets that contain textbooks, project materials, and other classroom necessities. There is a table near my desk that has a small filing unit for students to receive their graded assignments back. There is also a table toward the front of the room that has a sign in sheet for tardy students and passes to the restroom, library, and office. The resources that are available to students are textbooks, a school library, my classroom library, and informational posters. Students will use textbooks to complete assignments and learn information. The school library will be used to do research for projects, papers, and other assignments where research is required. My classroom library is available to all students that are currently enrolled in my health class or have taken my health class in the past. Informational posters are there to aid students in the learning process.

#3 Describe the students in your classroom. What are their backgrounds? What are their interests? What are they doing during the lesson?

• The students in my classroom come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. I want students to understand each other and see how they are different and similar to one another. I want students who are poor, middle class, and wealthy. I want students who are black, white, Asian, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and everything in between. I want students who have different personalities. I want students who are involved in music, sports, dance, school clubs, etc. I want students who come from a everywhere and anywhere because I want them to learn from one another. I want students to realize how similar they are to each other but how different they are as well. I want students to be engaged in my lesson. I want them to be on task for their assignments they are currently doing. I'm presenting a power point then I want students to take notes. If we're working on a project they need to be working on the project and nothing else. If we're in the library researching information they need to be researching. If we're doing an activity I want students to participate in the activity. If we're having a discussion I want students to share their ideas and opinions. Overall, I want students to be on task for each assignment and come from a variety of backgrounds so, they can learn from each other.

#4 Describe you classroom policies. What are you classroom rules? What is your discipline plan? What are your homework policies?

Classroom Rules:

1) Be respectful to the teacher and other students.
2) Attendance will be called at the start of class. If you are late sign the tardy clipboard at the front of the classroom. Take a seat and do not disturb the class.
3) No name calling, bullying, swearing, inappropriate, or negative language will be tolerated.
4) All assignments must be turned in to the turn in bin in order to be graded.
5) All disclosure forms for the class must be signed before a unit begins.
6) Raise your hand before speaking in class and wait to be called on.
7) If any of the classroom rules are not followed there will be a consequences.

Discipline Plan:

• First Time - Fill out a warning slip (warning slips will go in the teacher's file)
• Second Time - Call home to parent
• Third Time - Sent to the office   

Homework Policy 

• All assignments must be turned in on time and to the turn in bin in order to receive full credit. 
• Late assignments can be turned in but will receive a 10% reduction for every day the assignment is turned in late. 
• In order to make up work because of an absence the student must email the teacher with in 2 days of being absent in order to make up work for full credit. If the student fails to contact the teacher within 2 days of their absence the late work policy will apply. Due dates for the assignment will be given by the teacher based on the amount of time absent and the severity of the absence. 
• Extra credit is given at the end of the semester to students who have turned in all assignments (including late work.)

#5 Describe a typical lesson you will teach in your classroom. What will you teach? What is the topic? Why did you choose this topic? How will you teach it? What is the main thing you want students to learn during this lesson?

• The subject I will teach is health. I will focus on information that is vital to puberty and adolescents as well as teach certain skill sets that go along with each unit. I will cover the content areas of nutrition and physical activity, sexuality, safety, mental and emotional health, disease prevention, personal well-being, and alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. A typical lesson in my classroom would be on one of the following topics. To begin the lesson I would start with a journal geared toward the topic of the day. For example if we're discussing prevention of sexually transmitted infections in class, the topic of the journal might be brainstorm ways that you can prevent the flu. I would choose a topic like preventing STIs because it is a topic that is relevant to adolescents because about half of high school students are sexually active and need to be aware of what they can do to prevent STIs. I would then present a power point for students to get the content that I want them to understand. I would expect my students to take notes. I would then do an activity related to the topic. With preventing STIs I could do a matching game where students can match up certain STIs with their symptoms and transmission rates. The main thing I would want my students to get out of the lesson is that STIs are preventable and they are the ones that make the decisions about what they will do to lower their chances of contracting an STI.  

#6 Imagine your work as a teacher during this lesson. What are you doing during the lesson?

• During different parts of the lesson I will be doing different things. When the students are doing their journal entries I will be taking attendance and setting up my power point presentation. When I'm presenting I will be teaching the students information that is vital to the unit. When we're doing the activity I will be asking the class questions and correcting any misconceptions.

#7 Imagine your students again, what are they doing during the lesson? 

• During the journal entries they should be on task and focusing on the prompt that is given. When I am presenting my power point they should be taking notes and participating when questions are asked. When we're doing the activity students should be participating, engaged, and asking questions if needed.  

#8 Imagine how you will assess your students' learning and achievement. How will you know they have learned? 

• I want to assess my students' learning and achievements in a few different ways. I will give tests as the end of each unit but I do not want that to be the primary way I assess students. I will have different projects due for each unit to give students a chance to present to me and the class what they've learned through completing the project. I can assess for myself if I need to reteach information based on how the activities in class go. If the entire class is not understanding the information enough to apply it in an activity then I probably need to reteach the information. I can also assess learning and achievement by what students are participating, turning in assignments, and doing well in my class. Students that are not doing this probably need to meet with me in order to help them improve and see if there is something that is inhibiting their learning.