Grammar #6- That vs. Which

I never really knew the "rules" for that vs. which, but now that I do it makes sense when I write. Before I would just write what I thought sounded okay, but it wasn't always corret. These are the rules for That vs. Which and for examples click HERE.

Rule 1.
Who refers to people. That and which refer to groups or things.

Rule 2.
That introduces essential clauses while which introduces nonessential clauses.

Rule 3.
If this, that, these, or those has already introduced an essential clause, you may use which to introduce the next clause, whether it is essential or nonessential.

"The Roots of Debate in Education and the Hope of Dialogue"

When reading "The Roots of Debate in Education and the Hope of Dialogue" it helped me see the different ways of approaching teaching and how teachers use different techniques to teach children how to speak formally. The problems that Tannen found in educational settings, such as pre-school to college education, was that schools seem to mainly appeal to men because in class rooms it is a more disagree and challenging different opinions. Although, Tannen does say that this can be beneficial for some students who thrive in this type of environment, this is what debate class or club is for. Women in these classes don't strive or make an effort in these classes because they do not care or just because it's not in their nature to argue. Men have been taught to be aggressive since birth and women have been taught to sit back and observe to not get too involved. Therefore, higher education is more appealing for men and in order to change this Tannen says that teachers need to approach all students in different ways. Also, right away Tannen wrote that most students use "cop-outs" in conversation or discussions just to prove a point and most students will use anything in an argument just to make an argument. Those students aren't using the right information to debate the right points. Tannen explains and uses examples like students show and tell to show how at a young age we are trained to talk and debate, if that is what you would call it, in a formal manner. Teachers who challenge students in an argumentative setting can have some students who adapt and learn the academic debate.

Grammar- Prepositions

I always write, "I should of done that yesterday." Now I know better. The correct way to write that would be, "I should have done that yesterday." Here is a great way to learn what prepositions are and how to use them correctly, also the different types of prepositions.
Prepositions are words that specify place, direction, and time. There are three types of prepositions. Prepositions are words that specify place, direction, and time. There are three types of prepositions.
Time Prepositions -Define time. Time prepositions: In, At, On, For, During, While.
Place Propositions - Clarify the place someone or somebody. Place Prepositions: In, On, At.
Direction Prepositions - Direction prepositions are used to clarify the direction of someone or something. Examples: under, over, right, left etc.

Gatto Aainst School

The chapter in Rereading America, that John Taylor Gatto wrote, was about how he questions whether we should be in a classroom setting where we are forced to be in this "prison" for twelve years. Gatto asks is it worth it to be in school for hours a day? So many other great achievers have become a huge influence without the "forced schooling." I was really interested in how he has a great message about how students retaliate when they can't stand to be in this conformed community. Gatto is very competent when it comes to the facts that he used and how his comments seem very GENUINE. Also, in the text he uses quotes and in his foot notes there seems to be a feel that he did his research before he began this breakdown education faults.

Gatto's message is about how he has experienced the educations misrepresentations and how he has tried to fix those setbacks with his own ideas of education and teaching strategies. He explains that the academic standards are not what they should be. That teachers shouldn't be trying to mold the students into what they believe they should be, but challenge them and make them question and help them become great thinkers. The author also questions his own opinion about how maybe the schools are actually doing something right and he was wrong. The author is showing that he is not so narrowing minded and he actually considered and explored other perspectives.

I felt as though Gatto understands the intended audience and he shows that he is trying to teach the teachers of America by asking them to challenge their own ideas and what might they be able to do to change this circle of creating a childish community. This author is telling students and teachers that they are being childish and just following what society is influencing us to be. Gatto knows what it's like to have "big brother" watching over and telling people that they need to be this way or that way.

An vs. A

I never fully understood a vs. an I always thought that you use an when the following word begins with a vowel. I was wrong. The rule is that if it sounds like a vowel then you need to place an and not a. This is a great link to help others who are also confused with an vs. a.

Idoit Nation I Think So

Before reading Idiot Nation by Michael Moore I thought that when I read it that I would be enraged when I wrote this blog and that it was going to be fast and very opinionated. In class Chelsi said that it was Michael Moore and my first thought was that he is a very crude and outspoken person who goes around judging everybody. Well I was wrong about this chapter in this book. At first I will admit I thought that he was just judging everyone. However, if you read this chapter in Rereading America it is actually really true. Moore's view on the American people and the education we receive isn't very far from true.
At first Moore sounds like he is just bashing on everyone, calling them ignorant when he sounds a little ignorant himself. Moore says that American graduates from Ivy League colleges like Harvard are not as knowledgeable as they should be. He also says that college graduates don't know some "High school level of information," when Moore himself is a college drop out. Moore has not experienced what it is like to be a full-time or even part-time college student who also works full-time like I do. This is where he can be a little ignorant.
After reading Moore's chapter I feel like I agree with most of his opinions on the leaders of this country, some teachers, and the education that students and I have or are receiving. I also agree that kids are watching more television than reading and that goes for adults too. There are a lot of things that I would like to change in myself and be able to speak up when I don't agree with a teacher, parent, or anyone.