How is education a means to save one’s life? How is Alexie attempting to save the life of the students he works with? How did Alexie save his own life?
Having education in this world is the most important thing in order to survive. I have learned that without at least a high school diploma it is very hard to find a job. Growing up I couldn’t fail and if I did I had consequences that followed. Completing increasingly advanced levels of education shows that you have a drive and commitment to learn and apply information, ideas, theories, and formulas to achieve a variety of tasks and goals.
Alexie refused to fail and wanted people to know he was smart and could succeed in life. He saved his own life because he left the reservation and didn’t want to be one of the dangerous Indians. After fighting with other Indians because he wouldn’t stay quiet he continued to read books and learn many new things. The other Indians struggled with basic reading but were accepted by other Indians because they were failing. Today you aren’t expected to fail but succeed and love what you do.
The way Alexie trying to save the lives of the students he works with is by giving them a better life and having a role model to follow in their life. I remember many teachers that I looked up too due to their way in life. He wants other Indian children to follow him and not think in life we need to fail. The children love what Alexie does and when he visits their schools they light up with joy and excitement. Even though in the classroom there are the Indian children who don’t want to learn he still continues to help save the lives of the children who do. He tries to encourage them by repeating the word “books” because he knows that by just taking the time to read they will be lucky.
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Hello Debbie,
ReplyDeleteGreat take on Superman and me. I like the last line in your essay when you mentioned books. You pointing out the repetition of the word "books" helped me to see that it was such a simple but significant part of his story.
Hi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteYour post reminds me how important it is to set high expectations; it gives students a point to strive towards, and most importantly, it lets students know that we believe they can accomplish the expectations.
I reflected on Alexie's experience, and it seems possible that the preconception that he couldn't or wouldn't be successful in school was conveyed through words and actions; there are so many ways that messages get conveyed to students--in terms of expectations that are set for them, the level of work they're asked to complete.
I'll have to think more about the implicit and explicit messages sent to children about their abilities.
Lauren :)
Hi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteIt's sad how the other Indian kids didn't accept Alexie because he would stand up for himself or because he was smart. You would think that he would have been an inspiration to them that they would have want to better themselves. Your right Alexie was trying to be a role model to these kids he wanted to let them know that it was okay to read and be smart.
Hello Debbie,
ReplyDeleteYour right, it is important to have a high school diploma to get a good job. But, throughout the years, I have learned how important education can be to get a good paying job in such a competitive world.
Alexie was very brave to have to stand up to his own peers. I so glad he never gave up.