As I read the reading for this evenings class I was particularly interested in the article on ethnographic research. As a whole we are all interested in differentiation and language; therefore, I started putting some things together as we began to blog about curriculum.  I found ethnography to be useful in differentiation and beneficial as we define understanding. “Ethnography is grounded in theories of culture and allows researchers to view literacy development, instruction, learning, and practice as it occurs naturally in social-cultural contexts” (Purcell-Gates 93). It is rooted in the concept of culture and allows researchers to live in the world amongst its participants. Yesterday, in class we spoke about the Six Facets of Understanding and how they are essential to instruction and planning. We expressed that in order to be successful creating curriculum and making sure our students are learning we must get to learn them first; especially, as we began to use the method of backwards planning. What do our students like, what do they know, and what do I need to teach them to lead them in the direction I want them to go? These are all questions that we ask ourselves as educators. I believe if we used ethnographic research and involve it within our planning we can help teach reading and writing because we will become familiar with what our students know and what we need to help them with to become successful participants. We can take what they know already know from outside the classroom and value it. 

-Kasha