If you have ever used or heard homophobic terms such as "fag," "gay," "homo," "sissy," "tom boy," or "lesbo" as an insult by a child toward another child? Or, by an adult toward a child? Describe what occurred. How might these types of comments influence all children? (Note: if you have not had a personal experience, ask a family member, friend, or colleague)

I heard the boys at recess playing and making comments like "That's so gay." I was not sure I heard them correctly the first time because I was shocked.  When they said it the second time I asked them why they thought the game was gay. They just kept saying it was stupid. Next I asked them why they used the word gay? They really could not tell me anything specific. I think they had overheard it used with their older siblings.

Any other related situations, thoughts, concerns, questions, and/or areas of discomfort you would like to share related to children, gender, and sexual orientation

I have 2 dollhouses and a Disney Princess Castle in my classroom and my boys play with these things all the time. I also see the boys playing with the dolls and dressing up in skirts in the dramatic play area. I do not have a concern but I have seen parents freak out when they see their child, especially a boy, playing with these toys. I feel that boys should have the opportunity to play with these toys without being judged. I tell parents that they are learning to be nurturing and are exploring, especially since some of the boys do not have a sister. The girls in the class will be the prince and the boys will be the princess. I do not feel it is my place to step in and stop that kind of playing because they are using their imaginations and their role playing skills.

Since I work in a Catholic school, the issue of homophobia is a closed subject. It is difficult to address this issue because of the beliefs in the Catholic faith. I think that people have a right to their preference but I really don't think I will face this anytime soon. I could be wrong but it's a subject that is not addressed or discussed.

Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). (Executive Producer). Learning from another's life story:Families and children. {Webcast}. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Thanks and Goodbye

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to thank you all for sharing your experiences through each of your professional and personal lives. I have learned many things from you and have enjoyed being in this class. This class has taught me so much about communication, collaboration, and listening. All these have helped me to stop, think, and listen before I say something or do something.

Much luck and success to each and every one of you as your journey through Walden continues!

Best wishes,
Lori

Week 6 - Adjourning

 Are high-performing groups hardest to leave?

I would have to say yes because all the components to make that group experience worthwhile was present.



Groups with the clearest established norms?

Again I would say yes if you are the type of person who needs those norms established. I think for most of us, myself included, that organization and clear expectations help all of us know what is exactly expected of us.


Which of the groups that you participated in was hardest to leave? Why? What sorts of closing rituals have you experienced or wish you had experienced?

I think the hardest group for me to leave was the group of people I went to college with the second time. I was a non-traditional student (40!) and became sort of the "mother hen" to many of the students who were much younger than me! I walked through the arches on the campus when I first started and I walked through them on graduation day which put a closure on my college experience.

 How do you imagine that you will adjourn from the group of colleagues you have formed while working on your master's degree in this program? Why is adjourning an essential stage of teamwork?

I will definitely tell everyone thank you and best wishes as they journey into their professions. It helps to put closure on people that we have worked with. It also gives you a sense of pride in the work a group has accomplished!

Conflict Week 5

What an interesting time for this question to be posted in our Blog. I have to say that after last week, I have had to really hold my tongue and keep my mouth shut. I am not sure how to explain it without it coming out in a poor loser scenario. My daughter was a Homecoming queen candidate last week and no, she was not the winner. The girl who did win was someone that no one was expecting to win because of her attitude and her daily drama. She said some extremely mean things to my daughter (my daughter pulled her ham string in dance, this girl was jumping up and down, clapping, and saying, "Good, she is hurt. Now she can't try out for basketball cheerleading) and I felt that someone who said things like that should not be rewarded. Well, needless to say, I have had to do much soul-searching in this area and know that I cannot change the outcome nor is it important anymore.

I have unfortunately used the "escapist strategy" for this incident because I do not want a conflict with this girl's mother. Events that took place after the crowning just left me with little desire to congratulate her because I knew it would not be a geninune moment.

So, in light of this, my daughter teaches me the "challenging strategy" for her acceptance of losing and forgiving. My daughter said, " I would rather lose honestly than win dishonestly" and has been given several opportunities to continue to be a class leader. If my daughter can move on, forgive this girl for the comments she made after my daughter's injury, then I have to do the same.

I think we both have learned many lessons from last week and what and who really matters. I will continue to use these strategies as well as cooperative strategies to work through conflicts in my life that need solutions and closure.

Communication Week 4

I was surprised at how my husband perceives my communication. He thinks I am not afraid to do anything when it comes to speaking in public or doing activities in front of people. He wishes he could more like me but is not comfortable doing those things. He gives me a boost of self-confidence that I need some days I need very badly.

I also know that I am too trusting and I need to work on this area. I am a good listener and try to do the right things but in the end I usually get the short end of the stick. I need to set some boundaries for myself and hopefully this will help me to become a more effective listener and communicator. I am definitely a people person but need to work on the trust factor.

My co-worker and my husband rated me about the same. All three of my scores were about the same with the exception of my husband's communication anxiety score.

I hope to find someone who is a good example in all these areas so that I can improve my skills as well.

Communication Week 3

I do find myself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures. I think the one thing I do is talk to them like I would with any other person who speaks English.  I use more hand gestures and facial expressions at times as well. I make eye contact and greet them every morning and afternoon in the classroom.

I am blessed to have a bi-lingual aide in my room this year and she is able to translate information for me in case there is a question or problem. It has been wonderful and she has taught me simple words and phrases to use with the children as well.

This week, the Platinum Rule, being aware of verbal and non-verbal communications, and translation of information were three strategies that I found extremely useful.

 

References:

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Non-Verbal Communications

I watched an old show that my daughter likes to watch called “Sister Sister” with Tamara and Tia Mowry.  The season I watched was the girls were seniors and getting ready to graduate. I never did watch it when it was on.  The reruns are on the Style channel because the girls have another new show now called “Tia and Tamara.”

What do you think the characters' relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating?

The show comprises of the twins living at home with their parents. They are well- cared for and have a comfortable lifestyle that is reflected in their home.  A tall African-American woman had a big part of this show; she was signing autographs on basketballs and shoes. The girls seemed like they had an excellent relationship with one another and their friends.

What are they feeling and expressing based on the nonverbal behavior you are observing?

Their facial expressions ranged from happy, nervous, worried, disappointed, mad, and confused. Arms crossed and pouting were also part of the episode.

What assumptions did you make about the characters and plot based on the ways in which you interpreted the communication you observed?

I thought that Tia was being recruited to play basketball or that this girl was a family friend and was going to help Tia get on a team.  As it turned out, Tia was up for a job interview for the WNBA and was thinking of foregoing college to work instead. Lisa Leslie of the WNBA was the basketball player in the show.

Would your assumptions have been more correct if you had been watching a show you know well?

I think it depends on the show. Even though this show was a series for several years, it was easy to see that the girls had a great relationship with their parents and with each other. It was different watching it with no sound at first. I wonder if a show with more complications would have been a better one to view.