Research Questions

Juliana Ruperto
English 1100_3C
Prof. Young
Transgender Parents
November 10, 2015

Transgender Parents:

1. How are children of transgender parents affected?
2. How many transgendered people are parents?
3. How do people identify with their sexual orientation?
4. How does the media play a role?
5. How long is the transition from man to women or vice versa?
6. What does it mean to be transgendered?
7. Does this related to Gender Identity Disorder?
8. Are there support groups?
9. How does Caitlyn Jenner affect the public?
10. Should children be embarrassed of their transgendered parent?

Still Separate, Still Unequal: American's Educational Apartheid

Juliana Ruperto
English_3C
Prof. Young
Kozol
October 26, 2015

"I've been at this school for eighteen years," she said. "This is the first white student I have ever taught."

"Schools in which as few as 3 or 4 percent of students may be white or Southeast Asian or of Middle Eastern origin, for instance—and where every other child in the building is black or Hispanic—are referred to as "diverse." Visitors to schools like these discover quickly the eviscerated meaning of the word, which is no longer a proper adjective but a euphemism for a plainer word that has apparently become unspeakable."

"This, then, is the accusation that Alliyah and her classmates send our way: "You have ... We do not have." Are they right or are they wrong? Is this a case of naive and simplistic juvenile exaggeration? What does a third-grader know about these big-time questions of fairness and justice?"

The Hidden Curriculum of Work

Juliana Ruperto

English 1100

Prof. Young

“Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work”

September 24, 2015

Jean Anyon’s: The Hidden Curriculum of Work  

Growing up in a suburban area, the people around me are either middle class people, like my family, or upper middle class. My father's a policeman and my mothers a lunch lady. According to Jean Anyon in “Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work,” the school I attended would categorize as middle class school because a majority of my peers parents worked blue-collar “rich” jobs such as such as carpenters, plumbers, firemen, policemen, etc. In Anyon’s research she stated that teaching methods and philosophies differ in schools based off of social class. According to Anyon, middle class schools focus on getting the right answer and following instructions to get a good grade. However, unlike working class schools, middle class schools allow students to think more critically about how to solve problems and allows them to come up with their own methods. I believe that Anyon’s studies is still relevant today, not as drastically but the different types of teaching methods are still there.

Students that attended executive elite schools are provided with a more hands on and creative learning style. After doing a simple google search I could see why.

This is a picture of what a middle class elementary classroom would look like. While the second picture is what an executive elite elementary school would look like. In the first picture you see the students working individually, which according to Anyons study is the best way to follow the teachers instructions thoroughly. While in the second picture the students are sitting in groups of four, this allows students to interact and think creatively. 

It would be illogical to say that all schools provide the same education. A student that attends a school in Compton, isn’t going to get the same education as a student who goes to school in Malibu, no matter how studious he or she may be. Lower class schools focus more on shaping behavior rather than creativity. However, the standards change depending on where you live; there’s always that middle ground. Anyon quotes one of the teachers saying “It tells them exactly what to do, or they couldn’t do it.” This shocked me because I believe that all students should be given the opportunity to succeed on their own, and if they don’t it’s still a lesson learned. My teachers always gave us chances to express ourselves, whether it was through lab experiments or writing essay,the opportunity was always there. They encouraged us to try our best but yet we were still graded on “correctness.” Who’s to say what’s really right or wrong when it comes to creativity.

Junior year of high school my Child Growth and Development class took a trip to a preschool facility called Kids Kottage. Our assignment was to observe the teachers and the students. We were to observe how the children acted in the classroom. What stood out to me was a little curly haired boy named Anthony. When the teacher what going through the days of the week, Anthony could not sit still, you could tell he wanted to run around and play. His hyperactivity was starting to annoying the teacher. She yelled him “Sit down Anthony, you’re getting a bad apple because you can’t follow directions.” I was shocked to hear how she talked to him, he was just a little boy that didn’t know any better. Maybe if the teacher came up with a way to get the children active and involved rather than sitting on the floor and listening to her  talk, the children would be more inclined to learn.   

Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work

Juliana Ruperto
English 1100
Prof. Young
Social Class Quotes
September 17, 2015
                                                       Social Class Affects Education

1. "It tells them exactly what to do, or they couldn't do it."- In the context this line was something an elementary school teacher of a working class school said about her students. This stood out to me because as a teacher, he/she should have faith in his/her students to be able to generate critical thinking and solutions to problems. Teachers need to believe that all students have the capability to work without instructions.
2. "Thus, doing well is important because there are thought to be other likely rewards: a good job or college."- In the middle class school students are taught to follow rules and that ultimately college is the highest goal. They are taught to follow instructions because one day they will have a boss. While on the other hand, the students of the executive elite school are taught to think outside of the box; to be leaders. They sky is the limit for them but why is that middle class students college is as good as it gets. 
3. "These children's opinions are important- it's important that they learn to reason things though."- This quotes is talking about the children in the executive elite schools. Their opinions and feelings are valued and encouraged. However, in a working class school students are told to "sit down" and "shut up" while they sit at their tiny desk following instructions step by step. In a working class school creativity is suppressed.

Do You Really Have The Right to Your Own Language?

Juliana Ruperto

English 1100

Prof. Young

Language

September 13, 2015

Using Your Own Language

Slang refers to words or phrases that are used widespread. I’m sure that at some part of your day, you’ve used slang whether you were talking to a friend or coworker. Slang and tone have become part of a writer or speaker's identity. How would you feel if you couldn’t express yourself through writing? Every conversation you’ll ever have has to be formal and grammatically correct. This is a problem that continues to arise in school systems; should teachers allow students to use their own language in their school work? I believe that students should be allowed to use their own language because that is how the best writing flows out. In my writing I use slang terms that I know my teacher will understand and relate to. Sometimes when students try to sound more intelligent, they fail to get their point across or they sound awkward. Students may spend hours looking for bigger words when they could easy get their point across with a four letter word. However, a teacher's job is to prepare their students for the real world. The so called “Real world” requires students to get well paying jobs. I wouldn't write the way I talk when applying for a job because I want my future employer to think that I’m smarter and more qualified than all the others applying for the job. I think the school systems should find a happy medium between using your own language and writing formally. Teachers should assign students essays that require formal writing but if the class is talking about, for example, a controversial topic like gay rights; the student should be allowed to express themselves and fully get their point across. If writing in their own language helps the student stay on topic and become a better writer, why shouldn’t they be allowed to express themselves if the teacher understands what they’re saying? 

  There are certain times where using your own language and freedom of speech can have a negative effect on your audience. In the song "Fuck Tha Police" by NWA, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, and Dr. Dre talk badly about the Compton police department and how they abuse their authority. Although, many people agree with what the rappers are saying yet it's the way they say it. They use curse words and other aggressive language that gets people excited. When using your own language you have to consider your effect on people. NWA was a popular group during their time, so their words created a cause and effect scenario. I personally, agree with the lyrics of the song because, yes some police officers are corrupt, however, there has to be a certain level of respect between the two. Ultimately, theres a time and place to use your own language and you just have to watch what you say and who it may effect.
In Ice Cubes first verse he raps, "Young nigga got it bad 'cause I'm brown and not the other color so police think they have the authority to kill a minority." Since Ice Cube is such a public figure this one line can cause people to rebel and riot. The line is also very disrespectful and it's not about he fells or what he said, it's how he said it.

Identity

Juliana Ruperto
English 1100
Prof. Young
Identity
3 September 2015
                                                                 Identifying Myself
          In class we talked about how identity is broken down into race, gender, ethnicity, language, social class, and so on, while Gloria Anzaldúa classified identity mainly with language. Her language means everything to her, it showcases her homeland and culture; it makes unique. However, the traits we discussed in class do not fully define identity for me. To me identity, essentially, means how you categorize yourself. In class we discussed all the things people can physically see about you but what about all the inner traits? To me, all those inner thoughts and emotions make up a persons identity as well. For example, just by looking at me a person wouldn't be able to tell that I am really passionate about dancing, even if I'm wearing a shirt with a dancer on it. Just by looking at me, people even mistake my race; I'm constantly mistaken for Caucasian when I'm actually hispanic.
         Looking at this man, how would you identify him? He looks like he makes a good amount of money; he may even live a lavish lifestyle. Just by looking at him, you could say the he most likely speaks some form of hindu. However, none of that truly describes who he is. We can't tell what he loves or what he hates. We can't tell what he thinks about life. These are things I like to know about people. Once I get comfortable enough to talk to someone, I like to know everything about them; all the way down to the number of kids they want to have. Anzaldúa says in her essay, "There are more subtle ways that we internalize identification, especially in the forms of images and emotions. For me food and certain smells are tied my identity, to my homeland." That goes along with what I said before about how physical appearance doesn't show all of a persons identity. By just looking at Anzaldúa you would not be able to tell what ethnic foods she eats or anything about her homeland, yet all of that is part of her identity. In the picture of me all you can physically see is my gender and possibly my race.

          Each persons identity is unique, however certain identities group people together and form cliques. This even works with Anzaldúa language chicano. She states in her article that, "Chicano Spanish sprang out of the chicanos' need to identify ourselves as a distinct people." They act uniquely together. To me identity can be defined as the unique characteristics that make up a person wether they're physical or emotional traits.

"How to Tame a Wild Tongue" Quotes

Juliana Ruperto
31 August 2015
English 1100
Prof. Young
Quotes
                                                           "How to Tame a Wild Tongue"
"Chicanas who grew up speaking Chicano Spanish have internalized the belief that we speak poor Spanish."

"To be close to another Chicana is like looking into the mirror."

"Until I am free to write bilingually and to switch codes without having always to translate, while I still have to speak English or Spanish when I would rather speak Spanglish, and as I have to accommodate the English speakers rather than having them accommodate me, my tongue will be illegitimate."

Citation:
Anzaldúa, Gloria. "How to Tame a Wild Tongue." Teaching Developmental Writing. Ed. Susan Naomi Bernstein. Fourth ed. New York: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2013. 245-255. Print

"How to Tame a Wild Tongue"

Juliana Ruperto
31 August 2015
Prof. Young
English 1100
                                                         "How to Tame a Wild Tongue"

1. Anzaldua starts the essay off in the dentist's chair because it showed how little control she had over her mouth; which symbolizes her language. In the opening scene Anzaldua has a strong tongue that keeps pushing the cotton swabs out of her mouth, but the dentist is trying to prevent this. The dentist represents America and the english language, Anzaldua's tongue represents the Mexican culture and language. That being said America doesn't want the Mexican language to become dominant in the American culture.
2. I like how Anzaldua intertwined Spanish and English in her essay. For the most part, I understood her Spanish well. I speak Spanish at home to my grandma. Anzaldua used Spanish and English in her essay to create a sense of confusion. She wanted the reader to feel how she has felt her whole life. She wanted the reader to be lost with their identity because she doesn't understand her own identity. Is she Chicana, Mexican, Texan, or American?
3. Academic English can be defined as standard Spanish because academic english teaches the basics to students. While Chicano Spanish is considered nonstandard because the language is an outbreak of the original Spanish language. Standard verse nonstandard languages, to me, are based off of how frequently that language is used and how easily it can be understood. English and Spanish would both be considered standard languages in America. German and French would be considered nonstandard 
4. It is necessary to identify yourself in speech and in writing because it gives the reader/listener a sense of who you are and your ethnic background. Without identity everything you read, write, or hear would sound like a textbook.
5. Some common english identities are formal english and slang english. There are appropriate times when using slang and formal identities. You wouldn't say "Whats up son?" to your boss or manager and you wouldn't say "Hello sir" to a close friend of yours. 
6. In middle school a couple of my friends and I would talk in gibberish is we wanted to secretly tell something to one another. Gibberish is really confusing and hard to follow. I also use slang terms with my friends and the only one that comes to mind right now is thot. However, slang is used between almost all teenagers not just my friend group; slang is always changing. Each generation of teens come up with new slang words.
7. When talking to friends of mine I use slang and curse words because you're not being judged; you're just having informal conversations. When I'm talking to my parents, I try to speak as respectfully as possible because if I say the wrong thing to my mom she would fly off the handle. Finally, when it comes to talking to teachers and professors I try to use big words and make sure all my sentences are grammatically correct, so that way I can sound starter.
8. "I am my language," means your identity comes from whatever native language you speak. Personally, I believe that language symbolizes culture. When learning a language you have to take other things into perspective. You learn about how they country works, the music they listen to, and the movies they watch and so on. Learning a language is not just simply learning the words, you're learning a language.
9. The introduction used symbolism to explain the fight between keeping your language and adapting to the language around you; in this case Anzaldua native language is Chicano and the new language she must accommodate is English. The introduction reiterates the same idea but with less symbolism and a more of a fighting stance when it comes to keeping her language.
10. Yes, I absolutely think that the language you speak can be a part of your identity. I've learned from high school that language and race usually bring people together. It's sad to say because in a perfect world you would like everyone to be diverse and socialize. However, it's not so social, I've learned that Spanish speakers tend to hang out with Spanish speakers. While Jewish people who speak hebrew tend to hang out with people who also speak hebrew. Also, among this little language cliques everything is different, the hebrew speakers dress deferentially than the Spanish speakers and they act differently as well.
11. Having an identity is very important, it's who you are, how you describe yourself; without it you're just another corpse. Anzaldua is a big believer of identity. She classifies language as a huge part of her identity. she even says, "Deep in our hearts we believe that being Mexican has nothing to do with which country one lives in." Anzaldua identifies herself as Mexica even though she's an American; thats who she is.

Getting to Know Me

Juliana Ruperto
English 1100
8/25/2015
Prof. Young
                                                               Getting to Know Me

1. If you consider dancing a sport, then I have been playing a sport since I was about three. I started dancing in Union City, my birth town, but we moved to East Windsor when I turned six.  I stopped dancing after the move and didn't start up again until freshman year of high school at Galaxy of Dance. However, this year I can only teach dance there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkeZrs11pSo
2. Dancing is my passion. I didn't realize it until I was about fourteen but I constantly find myself dancing around my room or even taking a trip to the gym to dance around their empty rooms. Whenever I'm going through a stressful period in my life dancing helps me release some of that built up stress. 
   
3. Growing up I've had a lot of nicknames. The most recent one is Juicy J; this nickname came across at a creative writing rap battle in high school senior year. Myself and a group of friends decided that we all needed rap names. My friend Lenny named himself Lemon Len, and my friend Tori named herself TooTurntTori. Throughout middle school a lot of my friends called me Juliepulie. Also for as long as I can remember some of my family calls me Juju along with a couple of my brother friends. 
   
4. I'd like to think that I'm more of a fictional writer. That being said it hard to follow a proper outline when writing fiction. Therefore, I create a general topic that I know I want to write about and just flow from there. When it comes to essay writing it's hard for me to follow an outline so I usually try to allow the words to flow out but I almost always find myself running out of ideas.
5. Personally, each year of high school writing was completely different from the other. Freshman year my teacher focused a lot on poetry. Sophomore year my teacher focused a lot on the five paragraph structure and the use of a funnel writing style. I learned through these writing techniques and my teacher definitely gave us multiple times to proof read our work. However,I personally focused too much on writing exactly five paragraphs that I would run tangible details that I would start to write random things until I eventually had five paragraphs when in reality only two and a half of those paragraphs made sense.
6. As of recently I've been listening to a lot of EDM and house music but I think that's mainly because it's still summer outside and that's the kind of music you hear at parties. However, usually I listen to a lot of hip hop and rap music. One of my favorite artist right now is Drake. Although for the most part I'll listen to anything, for example I like some country songs; I could listen to Taylor Swift all day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPEJFyD--ck 
7. I'm obsessed with social media. I check my twitter a good twenty times a day. I'm constantly snap chatting parts of my day. I don't really use Facebook anymore, I started using it more once I got accepted to college because that was really the only way to meet the people going to my school. Finally, when it comes to Instagram I like to check it everyday but I don't post a picture everyday, just mainly on hashtag throwback Thursday or selfie Sunday.
8. This semester in english I would really like to learn how to improve my writing to the best of my ability so that when I do become a teacher one day I can teach my students the proper techniques. That way they won't struggle like I do when it comes to writing essays. I want to learn how to become a good writer outside of fictional writing.
9. As a writer I would rate myself a C because I feel like I lack skills in professional writing. I can write a really good fictional story but what if I have to write a research paper for a job? I feel like I lack skills in that area but I would really like to improve on them.