I agree with Berliner’s claim in this article that schools are killing curiosity. I’ve experienced the scene that she demonstrated in the beginning of her article, while in the middle of a lessons I’ve asked a questions somewhat but not entirely related to the material, I’ve been shot down numerous times. I can also attest to the research that Berliner quoted from Susan Engel stating, “Even worse, as they got older the children gave up asking altogether. There were two-hour stretches in fifth grade (year 6) where 10 and 11-year-olds failed to ask their teacher a single question.” For the past three to four your years of my education I’ve lacked the initiative to ask questions in class and participate as opposed to my earlier years. Contrary article and research the non answering of my questions did not “kill my curiosity”, it simply made me hesitant to express myself within the classroom.
During this article Berliner speaks the negative impact the schools are having of the youths curiosity without pushing blame entirely on the teachers but rather trying to reprimand the school system. Her use of multiple credible researches done by just as credible people aid to push her claim and its reliability. The genre of her article being what it is instead of an opinion makes it less personal even further improving the reliability of not only the article but also Berliner. The choices she made were crucial. This genre of article is highly dependent on reliability more so than others. On top of her credibility from her book she further builds a foundation of credibility for her entire article.
I liked the point you made about Berliner’s understanding that traditional education is a problem that goes beyond just individual teachers. This is important because it means that we need to make changes instead of just blaming teachers. Berliner’s argument becomes stronger by acknowledging this. Good job on your reflection and analysis overall!
I think you forget to add (Part 5 Notable Quotables) and here are some examples that you can add:
“School kills curiosity. When do children get to ask questions about things that interest them? As soon as they are at primary school they have to shut up and learn. It’s not the fault of teachers. They have so many targets to meet” – Matt Caldwell, Headteacher at Ilminster Avenue nursery school, Bristol
“What children love is to copy what adults are doing with objects. What people and objects do makes them curious about their world” – Matt Caldwell, Headteacher at Ilminster Avenue nursery school, Bristol
Anthony — You wrote a good reflection! You referred to your own experience as a student and what you wrote was INTERESTING! You are only one of two students who figured out that this was a good way to handle this Reflection: write about your own personal experience as a student. SO Kudos to you!
But you need to LABEL the parts. SO–
Part 3 Reflection
then your paragraph.
You write in this Reflection: For the past three to four your years of my education I’ve lacked the initiative to ask questions in class and participate as opposed to my earlier years. Contrary [to the] article and research the non answering of my questions did not “kill my curiosity”, it simply made me hesitant to express myself within the classroom.
Now I understand why you are so quiet in class. I really think you have interesting and insightful things to add to our discussions. I wish you would speak out!
Your Rhetorical Analysis needs work. Please study the examples and the questions for this part as described in the Assignment.
And Wendbenedo is right — You forgot to add Part 5 Notable Quotables.