Moll and Gonzalez Response

The most useful point was the emphasis of active participation. Bilingual education has a strong emphasis on: open ended questions, analytical reasons, and active student participation. This creates a greater advantage to the students, to those structured by workbooks. Open ended questions allow a wider range of answers, which opens the door to many other discussions. A closed ended question has either a “right” or “wrong” answer. This will make some students hesitant to answer and might avoid the question altogether. Active student participation is a key to a successful classroom because it keeps students thinking constantly.
A classroom without active participation is boring and students will act up. Variation is needed in a classroom and active participation creates this variation. In the movie, Freedom Writers, the teacher had a strong emphasis on open ended questions and active student participation. The journal activity was an excellent idea that allowed the student to be open without any restrictions. This writing method provided no inhibitions and their writing style can flow naturally.
In my personal experience, I have had many teachers instruct in silence. We were expected to read from our workbooks and then complete the assignment. No talking to your neighbor because this is cheating. I hated these types of classrooms because there was a disconnection between the students and the teacher. The whole class struggled with their work.
I know that it may seem unrealistic for every class to have: open ended questions, analytical reasons, and active student participation. Teachers are given limited resources, not enough support, and not enough time to have this “ideal” classroom. It is realistic to teach the curriculum and to mix in some of these concepts to liven up the classroom and get the creative juices flowing.