"No, I think that's wrong!"

A part of what we're doing in my Read180 groups are that of reading about immigration into the United States, and how it's changed over the years regarding the ratio of what group has become the largest group to come to America.

The rBook states that it's the Latinos who are becoming the Boomers of minority groups, with 27.7 % of immigrants being from Mexico. Asia follows closely with 17.9 %.

However, the rBook explains that while "America was founded on immigration," many immigrants are still unwelcome by American citizens. "Some people say that immigration hurts America. They say that immigrants get jobs that American citizens want. However, others disagree. They say immigrants help America. Many immigrants work for minimum wage. Often, Americans reject those low-income jobs." (p. 19)

I opted to have the students discuss what they thought on those claims made by the rBook. I asked, "How does the statement above make you feel? When you read that Americans don't want immigrants coming here, what emotions does that make you feel?"

One boy in my 7th hour, Kevin (7), was fired up. He's not an immigrant by any means, but he identifies with the Irish in him. "I think that's racist. I mean, who are they to say that people aren't allowed to come to America? That's like saying that I can't go into another country because I'm American, and they don't like Americans."

Emina (6) was confused and wasn't sure how to respond. She said that it made her feel sad, but other than that she kept responding, "I don't know." She also would repeat what the other students said, word for word, right after they said them. I wasn't quite sure what to make of her doing this, other than to get ideas of her own.

Adrijana (6) was fired up as well. "The only reason why I came from Bosnia is because of the war. My uncle has a hole in his cheek, and my other uncle got shot in the knee. My dad got shot in the shoulder, the leg, and almost in his mouth. We came to America because of the war, but my family has been talking about moving back. My aunts and uncles keep pressuring my mom and dad to move back to Bosnia, but they don't want to because me and my sister are in school here. And also because there's still fighting."

Alexis (6) and Adrijana (6) were confused as to why people would want to keep others out. I explained how there are talks from people wanting to close the border to Mexico to keep the Mexicans from coming to America illegally. However, I also explained to them how there is so much red tape to get across in order to become a legal citizen of the US. Kevin was very fired up, and said that it wasn't right to build a wall. Alexis and Adrijana agreed, and both said sadly, "Why can't we just let people in? That's just not right."

We had some really good conversations, and I was very pleased with pretty much every group that I got to hear their opinions on. I learned a lot about many students, such as Jerardo (7), who really got into the article after he realized that it was about Latinos. It's so crucial for students to be able to identify with what they're reading!

On a different note... Student Quotes!!

Emina (6) came up to me today in 7th hour and said, "Look at my math homework, Ms. Franklin." I thought that was odd, so I looked really quickly, and she said, "I wrote that we're going to the store..." and OHMYGOD, how freaking adorable is that!? She literally wrote, "Me and ms. franklin went to the store to buy..." I hugged her and said, "You are too adorable!!" She told me on Friday that I look like Ashley Tisdale: "Ms. Franklin you look like Ashley Tisdale. I've always thought you looked like Ashley Tisdale. You're so pretty, Ms. Franklin." When I laughed and told her that she looked like Ashley Tisdale, not me, because they share similar noses, Emina blushed and shook her head. "Oh no. Oh no, Ms. Franklin. I don't look like her. You look like her." Either way, Ashley's beautiful so I don't mind!

Ramajana (8), Jasmina (8), and Devida (6) wanted to know, during the writing center down time, if whether I taught at Long last year. "No, this is my first year here. In fact, this is my first year teaching at all." Jasmina and Ramajana pffftted, and said, "No waaaaay. Really? This is your first year here and your first year as a teacher? You don't seem like it at all! You seem like you've been doing this for a long time!"

I also overheard Omari (7) telling several other students that I was his favorite teacher. "That teacher right there. Ms. Franklin. She be my favorite teacher." Several of his friends agreed, and Jasmina (8) asked, "Really? Her?" I thought that was odd, considering she tells me all the time that I'm her favorite class.

Oh shucks, guys. Way to make me blush!

I also got to sing happy birthday with the birthday sombrero today for Irma (7)! She was very pleased, and my students got really into it. I'm glad that I chose to go this route to celebrate birthdays!