Against School-Engaging The Text Essay

1. Question: Why does Gatto think that school is boring and childish? How does Gatto’s depiction of school compare with your own elementary and secondary school experience? Answer: Gatto thinks school is boring because the teachers and students are bored with material. The students say they already know the material. I can compare my school experience to Gatto’s depiction of school. My experience in elementary was a breeze and easy. Then I entered secondary school and was shocked. I was shocked that I had nobody to hold my hand and tell me what to do. I was given assignments and dues dates. It was up to me to get them done in time. My teacher’s taught me with their opinion, I really didn’t learn by that kind of teaching. But I read the text and studied hard, a way that I learn the best. 2. Question: What, according to Gatto, are the six unstated purposes of public schooling? To what extent does your own prior educational experience support this bleak view of American education? Answer: The six unstated purposes of public schooling are as follows 1. Adjustive or adaptive function: more discipline then educating 2. The Integrating function: being made to be someone you are not 3. The Diagnostic and Directive Function: a lot of testing 4. The Differentiating Function: teachers holding back the students and not letting them achieve their goals 5. The Selective Function: students are being put down and not able to succeed 6. The Propaedeutic: students are taught to be robots and to do what they are told and not ask questions. This view sort of pertains to me. I was taught by the teacher’s liberal views and opinions. I was raised to respect to others opinions. But I don’t give into the thought or idea that I am to learn and think because my teacher told me so. I did my work and did quite well without using their opinions. 3. Question: To what extent would you agree that we really don’t need to go to school? Given the current state of technology and globalizing economy, do think most people would gain the abilities they need to survive and thrive through homeschooling? Answer: I think education is VERY important. I disagree that kids do not need to go to school, they need to go. I think the school system and teachers can make school more appealing to students by changing the way they teach. For example they can do group activities, hold class somewhere else other than a classroom; like Starbucks, outside in the grass, a park. Anywhere where its stimulating, that way each day is a question of where is class going to be today? Homeschooling is good if you are self disciplined. I was homeschooled the first three months of my senior year in 1997. I graduated in November 1997 instead of June 1998. It depends on the person, if you are a go getter and want a way out of the school system ( in my opinion holds you back), then homeschooling is the ticket. 4. Question: How would you go about teaching your own children to be â€Å"leaders and adventurers† to think â€Å"critically and independently,† and to â€Å"develop an inner life so that they’ll never be bored†? How many parents, in your estimation, have the time, experience, and resources to make Gatto’s ideal education a reality? Answer: In teaching my children to be â€Å"leaders and adventurers† and to â€Å"think critically and independently,† I would teach them the basics of right and wrong, respect their elders, and most importantly respect yourself. What you say and how you handle yourself is always watched by others. I would be sure to teach them to be open minded about other’s opinions. And to ask questions to why they have that opinion, you may be enlightened and see your opinion a different way. Asking questions and learning from them will make you smarter person. I believe my child will be successful in school and out of school, if I raise them with integrity, respect, good work ethics, and good morals. But in this day and age many parents cannot do that, due to the lack of time, lack of knowledge, and the lack of knowledge. I taught myself when I did the homeschooling program through BYU, it was hard not having an instructor to help me. And my parents tried to help but luckily I had internet access. My Reflection. In reading Against School, I thought it was written like a factual story. I did learn a lot about the history in how school used to be. Back in the early years, education wasn’t that important. What was important was money, race and social class. They used a lot of discipline as well. The teachers and students are bored with the material and with school in general. Often teachers teach with their opinions and what they have been taught. I think that if teachers learn with the students and be open minded with what they are teaching, the students may opt to want to learn and enjoy school. The Summary Against School is about a retired teacher named John Gatto. He explains how school is boring for the students and teachers. He feels that the students are bored because the teachers are bored too. Its same material year after year, same classroom year after year. The students want to learn freely instead of being forced to learn. He feels schools have changed our children into addicts and children into children. He also feels that we suppress our genius because we don’t know how to handle them. His solution is to let them be their own person and think for themselves.