Reflective Journal Entry #3

Description
William Corsaro discusses how changes in our current economy, cultures, and society have affected families and children. Corsaro mentions different cultures and styles of raising children, whether it be parental responsibility or others. An explanation for several changes to families and the affect on children is provided. In chapter 5, the growing population of minority children in the United States is addressed as well as a concern to conduct additional research. 
Analysis 
Reading about the different changes to families and how that affects children opened up many thoughts for me. As an educator it is important to understand my students. This particular chapter helped me to do so. Corsaro states that reductions in two parent farm families means families and children are no longer working side by side and everyone contributing to the family. With family size decreasing the affects on children develop in lack of friendship and companionship among siblings and neighborhood peers. These changes have put more responsibility on parents and single parent homes have put more pressure on children to contribute work at home. 
Reflection
This concept is significant concerning the context of your classroom because gaining knowledge on families different families and how they affect a child can help me to better understand my students, and the pressures of their home life. This event changes my knowledge or beliefs about teaching because I am more open minded to parents who i may have usually seen as uninvolved. Some may simple be working and with increased pressure of responsibility, it can be difficult to make constant connections. I may handle a situation or activity differently based on this learned information because I am now going to be more conscientious of the issues my children and parents are faced with. I am also going to be more considerate of the affects on their life and behavior. I feel strongly about this information because it is valuable to my profession. I enjoyed this chapter more than others. I learned an incredible amount of information about children and their parents and how society has made major impact on their education. 
References
Corsaro, W. A. (2011), The Sociology of childhood (4th ed.). London: SAGE Publication.

Reflective Journal Entry #2

Description: 

In chapter 3, William Corsaro discusses the trend of research on children to researching with children, macro and micro level methods of research, nontraditional styles of researching children, and ethical issues that can introduce themselves when it comes to researching children. In this chapter, Corsaro explains the different methods by giving descriptive examples. 

Analysis:

One important aspect of this chapter was the discussion of legalities in researching children. Before any educational research can be conducted it is critical to gain permission through the IRB. To the IRB children are considered a "vulnerable population" meaning, many risk may come along with researching minors. Researching children requires special consideration and treatment. When parents sign their consent and rights form this gives them rights to review the research data and field notes before publication. (Corsaro, 2011, p.59)  Before the IRB became more strict on their requirements, the researcher could send home a simple "check yes or no" letter. Now consent forms also require a detailed explanation of the research that will be conducted in the classroom as well as the researchers contact information. Children who do not sign the consent form may not participate in any data, notes, audio observations, or video observation. (Corsaro, 2011, p.59). I can easily see how this could be problematic for educational research. 

Reflection:

The concepts in this chapter are significant to me because in my Applied Educational Research class I am currently working on a research proposal. Although my proposal would deal more with administrators and teachers, I am aware now of the extra hoops I would jump through if I had chosen to study children. Prior to this presentation I did not know that there were strict IRB requirements to follow when conducting research, especially with students. I also was unaware that the parents are allowed to review everything before publication. Based on this information, something I would handle differently would be ensuring I have both child and parent consent with any future research conduction. I normally would assume parent consent is enough, not thinking to include student permission. A positive aspect of this concept is that by having consent from all parties you are legally covered if anything were to go wrong. The researcher would have written documentation where parents and children have agreed to the terms. A negative aspect for this concept would be the intrusive involvement of certain parents. What if a parent doesn't like the data or observations being revealed? Suddenly, you would have an issue, and this could impact your research and timeliness. 
References
Corsaro, W. A. (2011), The Sociology of childhood (4th ed.). London: SAGE Publication.

Reflective Journal Entry #1

Description: This week in The Sociology of Childhood, by William Corsaro, the author discusses how children in our culture have been marginalized, the deterministic and constructivist model, interpretive reproduction, and children's cultures. 

Analysis: The Deterministic Model believes the child is essentially taken over and submerged in their society and culture. The child is molded to become an active member of society (Corsaro, 2015).  The Functionalist model focuses on having children keep information by the parent actually doing something to help ensure internalization (Corsaro, 2015). Reproductive Models suggest that there are advantages to growing up in more well developed social-classes and contribute to early childhood education. The constructivist model focuses on well known sociologists Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky. 

Interpretive reproduction theories explain the act of interpretive play with children. For example, children are soaked in everyday language and activities of the adults around them. Children learn by reproducing actions and language from adults in a playful way (Corsaro, 2015). 

The "as-if assumption" also helps in early child development because treating children and infants as if they understand ultimately allows the child to discover routines, social norms, and participate in society (Corsaro, 2015). 

Reflection: To me, this means that I should expect some of my 5th graders to act "grown". They are interpreting their world around them and ultimately growing as a child learner in their society. I learned the importance of treating infants "as-if". Even if they may not exactly understand the language or concepts, they are at least getting an opportunity to be involved in social situations. Concerning my classroom, it makes me think about allowing my 5th graders the opportunity to branch out more with their learning and treat them more "as-if" they are capable of expanding their own education more deeply. One way I may handle one of these ideas or situations differently would be with the interpretive play. Allowing my students to play as if they are interpreting what the see from adults around them (high poverty environments and cultures) means I also need to explain to them the difference in playing that way in school versus out of school. Some interpretative reproductions are inappropriate for school. 

References

Corsaro, W.A. (2015). The Sociology of Childhood (4th Ed). Los Angles, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.