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AnonymousThe first session was very informational, we covered so much information but I found it all to be very engaging. I recently hosted a Chinese teacher at my house and was really looking forward to this first session. It was a great experience sharing experiences with her as an educator and learning about the educational system in China. I am looking forward to sharing with her about this class. I know she will be very happy to hear about it, and hopefully one day I get to visit her.
AnonymousThe article on Vietnamese bride schools is very interesting, in part because of its cultural implications.
These schools are partially the result of traditional, cultural pressures for marriage placed on Korean men to have families. However, in this case, Koreans are looking outside the culture because of the demographic scarcity of women in the society. It is interesting that they are willing to take on Vietnamese wives to fulfill traditional Korean expectations for family and to pass on Korean traditions to future generations. Of course, this influx of Vietnamese also means that Vietnamese cultural practices, including food, religious practices, language, and so forth, most certainly will weave its way into Korean society. Notably, there is no mention of Russian Bride Schools, or Indian Bride schools, though it does say that others from South East Asia are immigrating. Perhaps these schools exist but aren't mentioned in the piece; however, it appears that Vietnamese are the "good immigrants" that are culturally acceptable for integration into Korean Society.
In addition to the forces between the blending of cultures because of demographic necessities plus traditional values, I was very interested in the idea of "cultural Lag". I don't know if I like the sweeping value-judgment implications of the term "cultural lag"--older is bad, newer is better--but it does give expression to the cultural struggles between old and new that come with demographic changes, as well as the growth of new ideas the growing Bride industry is just one such struggle.
Anonymous*Reading Session 1- Demographic crisis
I found it very interesting to learn about the low fertility rates because more women are career driven. Women will need more supportive men who can make it easier to combine motherhood and a career. Some policy changes in having funded or affordable child care can help by making it easier to raise families and work.
AnonymousI found this article to be empowering because Lin Li-Chan a “Foreign bride” from Cambodia had the opportunity to run for lawmaker in the parliamentary vote in Taiwan. Such a feat would have not been possible previously in Taiwan and much less in her country. Since “Foreign brides” are labeled as products and looked down upon, she wanted to draw from her own experiences to improve other cases of abuse. In this position she has a better opportunity to fight against unfair treatment, especially when it comes to immigrants. Her prospects of winning were good and expected her victory, which would make her the island’s fist “new immigrant” legislator. It is good to see women pursue their careers and expand their horizons, especially in Asian countries.
edited by jmartinez on 6/23/2017
AnonymousWhile Europe exhibited low fertility rates in the beginning of the 20th century with time these rates increased throughout the decades. East Asia is also experiencing similar trends, but are much more extreme than the one that affected Europe in the 1900s.These women have change their mindset and are now following present western culture. The rate of childlessness are sky high, women are choosing their careers over forming a family. They’re refusing to marry and if they do marry it’s much later in life. This cultural lag continues due to progression of innovations. As a result Asian culture will have to adapt its reality to changing times. As mentioned in other articles this may be one of the factors that has led men to look “Foreign wives” because they are not willing to share patriarchal roles with a career oriented women.
edited by jmartinez on 6/23/2017
AnonymousI was watching Anthony Bourdain's CNN show when he travelled to Vietnam. There were three connections I made relating the TV show to the articles we read:
1) 50% of the population of Vietnam is under the age of 30. This is of course in stark contrast to China, South Korea, and Japan.
2) China and Vietnam are both one party Communist states (This doesn't relate to the article we read, but I'm assuming that Vietnamese brides are also sent to China, in an attempt to solve their demographic issues).
3) Vietnam still has a lot of poverty (this was in both the article but also seen in Anthony Bourdain's Episode)
AnonymousI would have loved to hear more about your direct perspective from your growing up! That would have been truly helpful! I appreciated the thorough and detailed information and wonder how it could have been more supported by adding a personal component.
AnonymousAccording to the article, Asia's population is declining due to low fertitilty rates among women. Women are waiting to marry later in life and are seeking lucrative career opportunities. In Asia, it is still taboo for a woman to have a child out of wedlock, thus the current trend of a declining Asian population. Consequently, the article suggests that just like in European history Asia's population demographics might correct itself. On a very positive note for women, there is a ratio of 160 men: 100 women, thus creating competition among male suitors to become husband material for the new Asian woman. It appears that the competitive husband who wants to ensure the start of his family will contribute significantly to housewok and child rearing, adapting to the sign of the times, and not holding on to values that women do all the housework and childrearing.
Similar to Europe which also showed a changing demographic in it's past was able to see growth in it's population with the baby boomers in the 1950's and 1960's. Students can analyze historical and current population charts of different Asian countries, noting trends and effects on demographics. Teaching the definition of demographics is necessary.
edited by kjones on 7/10/2017
AnonymousAccording to the article, China is the largest producer of carbon emissions. Pollution, water scarcity, and desertization are the major factors effecting China's environmental crisis. The article states that China's past has played a role as dynasties over the centuries have implemented approaches, attitudes, and institutions that have contributed to the environmental crisis.
The tremendous amounts of coal production, cars on the road, and urbanization have significantly effected the air pollution which has caused premature deaths in newborns, a decline in life expectancy, and chronic diseases. The air pollution is so bad that it has caused an uproar among it's citizens utilizing the Internet to bring awareness to their government.
Moreover, it appears that China is working on the problem investing more money than the U.S. in solving it's environmental crisis. Along with many of the United Nations there appears to be an agenda to investigate global climate change. However, with China's projected economic decline it appears that solving China's economic decline might be a conflict of interest to it's environmental crisis. In sum, the real indicator on the progress of China's environmental crisis will be in the atmosphere of China's present and future environmental history.
Student's can connect the concept that everything has a consequence. What happens in the past and present effects the future.
edited by kjones on 7/12/2017
AnonymousThis is a great article that can be presented to my 6th graders as a reading comprehension assignment. The article would be of high interest because of the real life photo indicating good guy v. bad guy and the length is just right. Students can compare and relate to this story due to the protests against our new President Donald Trump. Also, they can relate to the arresting of citizens who protest to the arresting and hiding of citizens in America who may not have their full documentation for legal citizenship according to the new administration.
Additionally, they will have more experience in understanding the historical implementation of government, union leaders, police, and presidential leadership. Also, they can have more understanding on the prevalence of Buddhism in Asia and how religion and culture contribute to history and the human existence of power and human relations.
edited by kjones on 7/12/2017
AnonymousForeign bride from Cambodia to make history in Taiwan vote
This is a great article that I can reproduce and present to my 6th graders. The article represents a high interest topic that is culturally relevant to my student population, includes an engaging colorful thought provoking real life photo and is an appropriate text length.
I would present a jigsaw reading strategy lesson using the article.
As a warm up, before I hand out the article, I will project the photo of the woman and direct them to look at photo carefully. Then, I will direct them to draw the photo in their interactive notebooks as accurately as possible paying attention to detail. Next, I will direct them to write a paragraph describing what they see, inferencing what they think the picture represents, and citing evidence from the photo to support their inference.
After students are finish I will ask them to share and discuss what they wrote with a partner from their group.
Next, students will be given the article to read and confirm what the photo correctly represents. Students will be timed and directed to mark the text, (numbering each paragraph, circling unknown words, underlining key words/phrases,etc) and read the article silently, first. After time is up students will have a 2 min timed group discussion sharing their thoughts and summarizing on the article.
I will divide the text equally amongst 6 groups. The 1’s from each group will meet in one section of the room bringing their article to analyze the first part of the text, the 2’s from each group will meet in another section of the room to analyze the second part of the text, etc. Once each student is in their group they will be directed to write a one sentence main idea about their section, draw a symbol that represents their main idea, write at least one or more intelligent questions about the section, and write at least one or more intelligent opinion about their section on the upper half of the chart paper.
On the bottom half of the chart,students will use the G.R.A.P.E.S. strategy to find a connection in their section that indicates one of the concepts in GRAPES. This part of the article connects to Politics because the bride has been able to run for government and will guarantee a placement in parliament, etc.
After students have completed their work I will have a student from each group present their work to the class. Then, students will be directed to complete a gallery walk viewing each group’s work. At least one student per group will be directed to put a star on one part only they like the most, and to write at least 1 question and 1 opinion on each group’s work. One student per group will be the writer for each group.
Students will be directed back to their seats to write; a one paragraph summary, at least one thought provoking question, and one intelligent opinion about the article in their interactive notebooks.
In conclusion, students can compare and contrast these findings to ancient China and other ancient civilizations, and further discuss questions, for example; “How do the role of women in current Asia, according to the article compare and contrast to the role of women in Ancient Asia and why?” “How will her win and participation in government affect the future of foreign brides in Asia?” "How do the role of women in Asia compare and contrast to the role of eomen in America and why?"
edited by kjones on 7/12/2017
AnonymousIn Japan, the Rise of Machines Solves Labor Shortage
Here is another wonderful article that I can present to my 6th graders due to its standard based characteristics of being informational text and relevant to the current issues of rapidly growing technology.
Similar to the Cambodian bride in Taiwan lesson, I will present the first photo as a warm up-visual inquiry activity. Next, as a whole class model, we will mark the text together and I will read the text aloud as they follow along on their individual hand out.
Also, similarly, I will divide the text evenly amongst 6 groups of students and they will analyze their section only. On their chart paper they will create a cause/effect graphic organizer. For their section only, they will write what is causing the rise of machines and what effects having machines causing in a graphic organizer.
Students will create and draw a symbol to represent their causes/effects as well as write questions and opinions about these causes/effects. Additionally, on the bottom half of the chart students will write sentences connecting the causes/effects to the concepts of GRAPES. Each group will present their work to the class, complete a gallery walk and evaluate each group’s work.
Afterwards, students will be directed to their seats to write their summaries, questions, opinions, and graphic organizers.
In conclusion, students will discuss essential questions in their group, for example “How are the technologies/accomplishments of ancient and current Asia similar and different and why?” “What are the causes/effects of social media and why?”, “Do you agree or disagree with America’s current social media technology/accomplishment and why?”, “How is the rise of machines in America similar and different from the rise in Japan and why?”
These questions can also be used as extension activities to create thesis statements for research reports, essays, debates, and projects to solve a real world problem in our society.
AnonymousI have previously heard about air pollution in China, but the article here has really helped me better understand what is happening. I think this article would be a great resource to use in an ecology unit in a biology classroom, or in an environmental science course. It is a really sobering statistic to see that people living in these areas with high air pollution, on average, live 5.5 years less. Air pollution is causing 1.2 million premature deaths every year in China. This makes me think about our air quality here in Los Angeles. I worry that our air pollution is doing the same to us. In the article, it says that China accounted for 27% of global emissions in 2014 and that over half of that comes from burning coal. Aside from air pollution, China is also suffering from water depletion and pollution. To try and combat this problem, China has invested a lot of money in renewable energy. They have set a plan in place to remove their dependency on coal.
AnonymousThe article "Bride school: Where South Korea’s mail-order wives learn their trade" made me think of several things. The first is that if this is something that is happening so frequently that an orientation of South Korea is taking place via "bride schools" and legislation is being passed that there must be a shared language between marriage partners, then that must mean that there is a shift in the population of South Korea with the influx of women from other countries. In the article, it states that the Vietnamese government has set up the bride school. This has me wondering why the Vietnamese government is invested in the marriages between their women and South Korean men being successful? They loose one of their citizens when the women emigrate to South Korea. This article also makes me think about the lengths people will go to not be alone or to fulfill what they see as their job in society. Despite what the couple in the article describes as awkwardness, they still continue with their marriage and with having children, despite hardly being able to communicate with each other. This is a very interesting topic that I am interested in learning more about.
AnonymousThis article gives us a series of shocking statistics of China's environment crisis, including both air and water pollution. The cost to the rapid industrialization growth in the past a couple decades has damaged not only the nations nature resources, but also affected the Chinese people's health. Even in the capital Beijing, the air pollution has became a major environment issue nowadays.