"The Silenced Dialogue" By: Lisa Delpit

Quotes:


1. "Children from middle-class homes tend to do better in school than those from non-middle-class homes because the culture of the school is based on the culture of the upper and middle classes..." (Delpit 25).

This quote stuck out to me a lot.  As a young child I grew up in a town where most citizens were considered to be middle class families.  All the schools in my town expected that students arrived prepared for learning.  They taught under the assumption that parents were supporting the learning at home.  The schools and families worked more closely in educating the students.  I believe this is the climate in most schools.  In a city/town where poverty dominates, the assumption that students are prepared for learning each day is not reality.  Parents aren’t always willing or able to support learning at home.   Therefore it is the job/ responsibility of each teacher to acknowledge this in their teaching and adjust the climate in their classroom.  Teachers need to keep in mind that the entire learning will happen only in school, therefore children learn at a slower pace, which make performances lower.  That’s why students from middle-class homes do better in school.

2. ‘“I want the same thing for everyone else’s children as I want for mine.’” (Delpit 28).

If you ask most teachers how they would teach their students they mostly like would repeat this quote. As a future teacher and parent, I would make sure I would have the same expectations for my students as I would for my own kids, to become strong independent learners.  

3. “Rather, I suggest that schools must provide these children the content that other families from a different cultural orientation provide at home.  This does not mean separating children according to family background, but instead ensure that each classroom incorporates strategies appropriate for all the children in its confines.” (Delpit 30).

This quote explains what a teacher should do.  Teachers need to scaffold their teaching, keeping in mind that background experiences may vary.  Students who have privileged experiences can share their knowledge and become part of the teaching process for those who do not have background knowledge.  Differentiating instruction for all learners is key to meeting all the needs to all the learners in the classroom.