Group Differences Forum

I really enjoyed the Group Differences Forum. I felt like it shed new light on the topics and liked how the topics were controversial ones in today's society. I valued everyone's opinion and liked how our classroom environment was safe enough for everyone to express their opinions. At times, I felt like some people were judging what I was saying (I know I talked to you about one issue after class one day)..but other than that I feel like everyone's opinions were respected.

I feel like these forums would be difficult for my grade level (1st grade is what I'm placed at for next year) and don't think this age group could participate in a mature discussion. I do think 3rd grade and up could incorpare this method into class--obviously with topics that are not as intense. Maybe if the class is focusing on different cultures, you could have questions about respecting other cultures and how you could help others feel welcome. Students need to be able to see other view points and respect them, and based on my knowledge of psychology, younger students are incapable of this.

Something that bothered with the forums is that I felt that there was a  view on our own race as negative and I'm not sure why. I feel like some people think white people are just conceited and like to step on people of other races and I wish people didn't feel like that. I liked how one person mentioned that other backgrounds are racial towards white people as well, and it's not just white people that are racist. I don't know--I just felt like there was this vibe that our race is horrible and needs fixing (just my viewpoint.)

I liked all of the topics because they are popular topics today and need to be addressed, especially before we, as teachers, enter the education system. We need to be aware of the viewpoints of others on these topics and need to respect that everyone has different viewpoints. Every topic was presented very well by everyone, and I think everybody did a great job!