Hard Times by Charles Dickens
"Fishbowl Questions"
(HOME USE - articles will need password "Panther" for access)
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(Set 1)
1. What does a “good education” look like in modern times? What does it look like in Hard Times? Resources a) This article discusses how a former NBA star dealt with the problem of education in our society today. His quote, "The quality of your public education shouldn't be defined by your zip code," reflects his determination to change what he feels is a broken system. Read On! b) Teacher, heal thyself: fixing the nation's education crisis requires elementary thinking. (Click on title for access.) Raymond A. Schroth. America. 214.2 (Jan. 18, 2016) p24. Word Count: 2742. Reading Level (Lexile): 1290 c) Students 'Self-Assess' Their Way to Learning; Can students learn more by assessing their progress? (Click on title for access.) Jaclyn Zubrzycki. Education Week. 35.12 (Nov. 11, 2015) ps12. Word Count: 1191. Reading Level (Lexile): 1170. 2. Were there any students/children who benefited from Mr. Gradgrind’s structure? If so, what made them succeed? If not, what made them fail?
Resource: Hard Times 3. What issues in education help or harm students in today’s society? How does this compare to the education we see students receiving in Hard Times?
Resources a) Warning: the Common Core standards may be harmful to children: the language arts standards of the Common Core in too many places are simply too difficult and/or irrelevant for elementary grade students. (Click on title for access.) Joanne Yatvin.Phi Delta Kappan. 94.6 (Mar. 2013) p42. Word Count: 1506. Reading Level (Lexile): 1170. b) Should girls and boys be taught separately? (Click on title for access.) 118.10 (Mar. 21, 2016) p22. Word Count: 798. Reading Level (Lexile): 1170. From Student Resources in Context. C) Carol Dweck, a prominent psychology professor at Stanford, addresses the concept of "mindset" within our modern education system and how this "growth mindset" can close the achievement gap in America's educational system. Read On |
(Set 2)
1. What is the relationship between SES and success in modern society? What about in Hard Times? Resources a) This article discusses the issues of education equity in undeserved communities and why the lack of equity is so prevalent in today's society. Read On! b) This article looks at two schools from South Bronx that are six miles away from each other and from opposite ends of the socio-economic status. It is a fascinating read as we hear students from both schools talk about success and how they deal with life's struggles. Read On! Web Site: c) Does a student's social class affect their success? "Social class can greatly affect a student's success, and there is a correlation between low socioeconomic status and academic problems." Read On! 2. How is success achieved in the novel?
Resource: Hard Times 3. What does success mean to the different characters in the novel? How does success translate to various outcomes for different characters?
Resource: Hard Times 4. How does success in the novel compare to success in modern day society?
Resources a) The difference between success and failure - The difference between happiness and misery - this article about the Palo-Alto suicides is a discussion that reflects on these issues. Read On b) Achieving success in one's life is described as a mindset by Carol Dweck in her book, Mindset: The New psychology of success. Here is an excerpt from her book, entitled: How Mindsets Affect Ability and Achievement. Read On |