Park's Article

I really enjoyed Park's article about celebrity written children's books. I haven't read many of them to be honest, but now that I've read this article, I think I will read a few so I can better see what she is talking about. I recently read The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck, but it was great. (Likely because he does write a lot of books.)

I definitely agree with her point that celebrity written books should be, if anything, edited even more than an ordinary book. These books have such a great opportunity to impact children that they owe it to their readers to spend a lot of time on story and editing.

Reflection on Beach Article

I found the Beach article to be very interesting and extremely applicable to teaching today. It is important for all students, regardless of their own backgrounds to read multicultural literature. I think it is important to include diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual preference, religion, socioeconomic, and even political affiliation. Often, in the South, I think we see a focus on primarily race and rarely explore wider conceptions of diversity.

Of course this doesn't meant the classic white male authors don't deserve a place in the classroom as well. If their work has a function in your classroom, teach it!

While the majority of students will have some types of diversity reflected in their classroom and community, they definitely do not have every type of diversity represented. Reading literature about a certain culture can allow students to gain a different type of understanding than just sitting in class with kids of different backgrounds. It is a more intimate experience, in which students can see what it would be like to be that character.

I thought the phrase describing students as having a "reluctance to explore issues of racism and white privilege" to be both true and troublesome. I believe it is good to expose children to new cultures and ideas. Yet, I would never want to perpetuate old problems or teach stereotypes. I think teachers need to be careful when exploring these issues not to shove it down their students throats and also not to accidentally present stereotypes. For instance, if you assign a piece of literature about illegal Mexican immigrants who work in landscaping or African American who talk in slang and wear baggy pants, then you may want to think twice about what you are teaching your students about other cultures! After all, each Mexican or African American may have a vastly different experience than others of that culture.

I think Harry Potter is a great way to teach about racism and prejudice in a way that is really subtle. Muggleborns are seen as being less than purebloods. Students will unknowingly learn something deeper from this in comparison to groups in their own world.

Of course, I also thought Esperanza Rising and A Single Shard are great representations of cultures without creating stereotypes. The character are relatable enough to students of any background to truly make a meaningful impact. Likewise, both of their stories feel like they could be true and have a basis in historical fact.

Research Paper Topic

I would like to write on the impact of World War II and Nazism on the Harry Potter Series. There are numerous similarities between the rise of Hitler and the persecution of Jews and the rise of Lord Voldemort and the persecution of Muggle Borns.

A few similarities I plan or discussing and researching:
- Nazi Swastika and Dark Mark
- Muggle Borns and Jews
- Voldemort and Hitler
- Death Eaters and Nazis
- Aryan Race and Pureblood Wizards
- "Dirty Blood"
- Registration of "Undesirables"
- Tactic of fear for family safety to gather support (Nazi's and Death Eaters)

I'd like to research some of these topics and read through the books to trace the development of the symbolism throughout the novels. I'd also like to research JK Rowling's background with these subjects. I hope to include a focused section on how these similarities can/do impact children's perception or understanding of Nazism and WWII.