KingReadingResponse3


 * My Freshmen Year**

I enjoyed this chapter very much because I found it interesting how Nathan focused on international students and their opinions on American students. While I was reading I found that the people from different cultures seemed to vary in their thoughts of American students, however they all seemed to be very judgmental of our own culture. I found that to be a bit unsettling and it made me think about the way that I view different cultures. One part that specifically spoke to me was the part where one student of a different culture mentioned how he did not believe that Americans were as welcoming as people of his culture. For example, he said that if his friends were to visit his house his family would welcome them as if they were their family as well, whereas Americans wold not be as welcoming. Personally, I disagree with this statement. Whenever there is someone visiting my family, we make them feel very welcomed. Although I may have disagreed with people's opinions of American culture, I can somewhat see where they are coming from. I think that some people can come across that way.


 * The Mind at Work (Chapter Four)**

I really enjoyed this section as well. I liked how the man John Guthier ran a program helping students who have gotten into trouble and help them become efficient in trade. I enjoyed reading about how these boys learned while they worked and how they were given a great opportunity. The job they were doing gave them a sense of purpose and helped them feel accomplished. While reading this I discovered how quickly one's life can change because of one inspirational person. I found this to be very moving because these boys learned a lot from Guthier and because of him they are going to turn out all right. I also liked at one point in the chapter how Rose mentioned how when a teacher goes in front of a class and starts to lecture there is no purpose. I __#|agree__ with this statement because I know when I have a teacher just lecturing in front of me I tend to zone out and not pay attention because I do not get interested. However, if a teacher involves fun activities and gets me involved hands on in the classroom then I feel like I get more out of the class.


 * Connection**

While I was reading these two sections I could not really think of a connection between the two, but the more I think about I can see how both of these topics discuss work ethic. Although My Freshmen Year may not be as blatantly obvious about it, you can think about although there are many different people from different cultures at the university they all still have very similar __#|classes__ and need to maintain a good grade average to graduate and get a job after getting their college degree. Because of this they both have a similar work ethic to the boys in The Mind at Work. In the Mind at Work, the boys came together and accomplished their work even though odds were against them. Another connection I made was personally to The Mind at Work discussing teaching ways. I am an education major and plan on becoming an engaging teacher and bringing the classroom together so that my students do pay attention to what I am talking about. I think this ties into the main question in our course which is what it means to be educated, and I believe to be engaged in what you're learning plays a huge role in being educated.

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