Blog #2 - Project Prosposal

Mary McLeod Bethune said "The whole world opened to me when I learned to read" This is a very powerful statement. I remember reading as a young person and imaging being in the story or taking part in the world of make believe.  I remember going on vacation every summer or just going to the museum and being able to connect to those things I read about. Some things I had not read about but was exposed to a world outside of my city.
      Having worked  in education for 15 years, you see a lot of students that do not have that same creative mind because of the lack of exposure  to the world itself and books other than what we supply them in school.
     One of the most challenging things I have seen the teachers come up against in the classroom and that is writing . Our students within the school I work at come from a very low economic family status. And so the teachers are finding it very difficult to get these students to write papers.  
     I was thinking of interviewing a panel of educators and maybe a panel of students about the "The Effects of Poverty in the Classroom." I want to get the educators view vs.the students view. Recording on video as each side gives their opinion of the struggles with teaching and the students learning.  I am thinking , this should only take about 20 minutes no more than 30 minutes.Here are some of the  questions I came up with:

1.What are some of the challenges with teaching writing in the classroom?(teacher)
2. Why do you feel your students are struggling with writing?
3.Do you feel students feel very disconnected to this so called real world, that they have not been exposed to?
4. Do you believe that gaining a students trust will help the student open up to you?
5.What are some of creative ideas you have been able to help in the classroom? Have they worked or  not worked?
6. Do you feel like you are in this world of writing alone?
7.Has writing become more challenging in the classroom?
8.As educators do you feel as though there is enough material to help you get over these hurdles
 in writing ?

Students
1. Do you like writing?  Why or why not?
2. Do you find writing a challenge? Why or why not?
3. What do can the teachers do to help with writing in the classroom?
4. Are you given enough tools in the classroom
5. Do you find writing a lot easier when you have a great connection with your teacher?
6. Do you feel the teachers understand your struggles with writing in the classroom?
7. Are you allowed to be very creative with your writing in the classroom?
8. Do you feel connected to this world in order to be creative with your writing?