I completely agree that this would be the best environment for students to learn, but it has seemed to me very difficult to actually make it happen. Even within school districts there is often little communication between the elementary, middle, and high schools. And even within each level there is not always a natural flow from one classroom to the next. Having teachers keep classes of students for more than a semester or year at a time would help, but that is generally not the case, especially in core subject areas.

This is an important skill. So many students seem to think that google can solve all of their problems, therefore they don't have to know/learn as much on their own. But the ability to sift through information and actually determine what is relevant and useful comes from your own understanding of the material.

It seems to me that there always has to be some material where it is very difficult to draw on prior knowledge as it is completely new to students. On these types of lessons, teaching through discovery can lead to more frustration than good. I love to allow my students to discover concepts on their own, but it simply does not work for everything.

Assessing students' prior knowledge is one of the most important tools for a teacher. Being able to relate a difficult concept to a simpler concept that students already understand allows students to come to a much deeper understanding of the content.

I see this as a hard line to walk, especially being a math teacher, it is expected for students to memorize certain properties/equations, where as a teacher your focus has to be on getting the students to understand how and when to actually use the equation, and why it works in the first place.

I agree, I can generally tell more about what a student knows by the questions they ask, compared to anything else. It is also important as teachers to ask meaningful questions to the students, and avoiding simple yes/no type questions.

This passage exemplifies the theme of Zitkala Sa's despondent longing for her mother's encouragement and support. Zitkala Sa expresses this theme more as she moves farther away from her mother and continually discriminated against for being different.

The use of imagery inspires fear and exemplifies Equiano's challenges.

This poem expresses the emotion and sensory experience of perseverance through brutality.

Equiano's use of emotion through the times that he is beaten is hard to read. Yet, the way he perseveres through his struggles is captivating.

Equiano seems ecstatic that others are showing him compassion that most common slaves did not receive during this time period. This shift in tone could easily make the reader feel empathy and happiness for Equiano at the same time.

Equiano is incredibly smart and he uses pathos to convince his readers of this. Even though there are a lot of opportunities for Equiano to leave and escape, he stays and through his servitude is able to gain freedom.

During this time period, many Europeans feared that the bible would lead to higher educated slaves. In addition they believed that these educated slaves would in turn revolt against the abuse of power displayed by landowning whites.

The injustices committed by white landowning males demonstrates the destructiveness of the slave trade. Through abusing and dehumanizing slaves such as Equiano's slave owners and powerful white males were able to strip slaves of their identity and in Equiano's case even his family.

Equiano sympathizes with African Americans as he was from Africa. Even though this is not proven, "Equiano must surely have known that the most intensive search would be made to discredit his work and, through it, the abolition movement. To invent a childhood that could at any time be publicly revealed as a fraud would be such a potentially damaging maneuver that Equiano, who was clearly deeply committed to the cause, would not have risked it. Under such circumstances, Equiano's account of his African origins must surely be reliable."

Carey, Brycchan. "OLAUDAH EQUIANO African or American?" Ideas, iEsthetics, and Inquiries in the Early Modern Era: 229-46. Print.

This vision that Equiano encounters exemplifies his religious faith. Through this religious faith Equiano is able to think about the future in different settings. This particular vision foreshadows Equiano's plans and journey in the near future.

Equiano continues to invest his good fortunes for greater profits in the future. His frugality and ability to understand a capitalistic system eventually leads Equiano to purchasing his freedom.

In the scholarly article titled, "The Poetics of Belonging in the Age of Enlightenment: Spiritual Metaphors of Being in Olaudah Equiano's Interesting Narrative," author Rebecka Fisher argues that, "Equiano uses onto-theological metaphors of being to resist the realities and politics of empire, a politics that ensured that polities could never smoothly transition from empires to states, that upheaval and shifting allegiances would consistently characterize an individual’s existence, and that the character of modern human being would always be of a fractured but navigable nature."

Fisher, Rebecka Rutledge. "The Poetics of Belonging in the Age of Enlightenment: Spiritual Metaphors of Being in Olaudah Equiano's Interesting Narrative." Early American Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal: 72-97. MLA International Bibliography. Web. 7 Mar. 2016.

This is a common theme of separation from friends and family. Most slaves were dehumanized through being separated from their loved ones.

This quote exemplifies Equiano's servitude but it also shows that he is partaking in some of the same cruelties that brought him to America. Instead of practicing civil disobedience Equiano is looking out for himself instead of a group of mistreated slaves.

Equiano expresses his opinions about slavery and being free. He laments that supposedly free blacks could be mistreated just as slaves are. In most cases legal documents that free blacks obtained were ignored and their liberties were basically non existent. This mockery of freedom is basically another form of slavery and with freedom came a lack of protection from one's master.

In the article titled,"Equiano's Nativity: Negative Birthright, Indigenous Ethic, and Universal Human Rights," author Yael Ben-Zvi argues that ""Equiano’s decision is not bound by English law but is enabled by a foundational indigenous liberty. Within a couple of weeks, Equiano experiences Blackstone’s qualifications of the “liberty” of the “free negro,” which, especially in the colonies. By contrast, his “original free African state” is an unambiguous alternative that had failed him only when the logic of affirmative communal attachment on which it rests was violated, at his initial kidnapping in Africa."

Ben-Zvi, Yael. "Equiano's Nativity: Negative Birthright, Indigenous Ethic, and Universal Human Rights." Early American Literature: 399-423. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 7 Mar. 2016.

This exemplifies the common theme of being separated from family. Not only does this dehumanize someone but it also represents that lack of rights of supposedly free blacks. In 1623 the English conquered St. Kitts and used slaves there. Since, St, Kitts was a starting destination for slavery it makes since that slavery and the injustices that come with it were common place at St.Kitts.

This is a common theme of Christianity in which Equiano uses as a resource to remain formidable. This quote also represents how Equiano's humility and servitude are gained through his religious faith.

In the article titled, "Cutting Edge: CHRISTIAN IMPERIALISM AND THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE," author Katie Cannon claims that Europeans during the 18th century "Used the Bible as the world’s constitution, regime apologists used legalistic literalist hermeneutics to convince themselves that African people are cursed with perpetual servitude. In turn, Europeans are ordained by God to control inferior people and exhorted to deal with such primitive pagans as usable, disposable functionaries"

Cannon, Katie Geneva. "Cutting Edge: CHRISTIAN IMPERIALISM AND THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE." Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion (Indiana University Press): 127-34. Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File. Web. 7 Mar. 2016.

Equiano is frugal and is incredibly smart. Through smart investments and good trading Equiano was able take advantage of a capitalistic system that was not supposed to favor slaves. This frugality and ability to save eventually led to Equiano purchasing his freedom.

Equiano tries to control his pride and suppress his anger through relying on God. Through his reliance on God Equiano is able to display the virtue of patience and fortitude. This particular text brings up the common theme of Christianity.

The cruelty of the rich exemplifies the abuse of power that the rich inflicted upon the poor in an effort to maintain complete control.

Equiano conveys hopelessness and vulnerability through the use of emotion. his description of inhumane treatment pulls at the heartstrings of the readers through sympathizing with them.

Equiano works diligently and adheres to legitimate authority. Equiano's hard work represents the dignity of Africans. This quote also exemplifies the high moral code that Equiano exemplifies through his servitude.

even though Equiano and other slaves were treated well by his master, this was rarely the case. Around the mid 1400s when the Portuguese started using slave labor, Europeans realized that the use of slaves was a great economic opportunity. Thus, the Triangular trade started in full swing with the growth of sugar plantations where European manufactured goods were sent to Africa, the African Slaves were purchased and sent to America, and then the cash crops purchased in Americas returned to Europe. Since Slaves were seen as products they were often overworked and received little to no education, which led to many slaves having a strong reliance in God.

In the article titled "The Trans Atlantic Slave Trade and the U.S. Underground Railroad," author Jones Hood described the horrors that were inflicted upon slaves during the transatlantic slave trade, "between 1441 and 1888, Europeans and African nations engaged in an economic practice that enslaved many millions of Africans. This enslavement caused terrible misery and wreaked untold havoc upon their cultural foundation."

Hood, Jones Lottie. "The Trans Atlantic Slave Trade and the U.S. Underground Railroad." International Congregational Journal: 47-57. EBSCO eBook Collection. Web. 8 Mar. 2016.

This is an incredible example of Stowe's attempt to create an emotional response within the reader. It truly sums up the love that Tom and George have for each other, which, in many ways, mirrors a father-son relationship.

This mirrors the conversation that Chloe and Tom had earlier in the chapter. As previously stressed, the characterization of master George is critical. He is one of the few characters appearing in the novel thus far that is not only unhappy with slavery, but is attempting to do something about it. In many ways, he is the model character in the story. It is interesting to note that his age is never mentioned in the story...perhaps to create a broader sense of sympathy from the audience.

This scene is incredibly powerful and again, plays an important role in creating an audience connection and provoking emotion. Here, we see Mr. Shelby desperately trying to convince himself that he made the right decision - that it was something that everybody did. However, in his attempt to do so, it is revealed that he is truly deeply troubled by the situation so much so that he cannot bear to witness Tom being taken away. This is one of Stowe's attempts to prove that the slave trade is immoral - that people who are involved in it are not ignorant to what may (and probably will) happen to these slaves.

The bond that Stowe has created between Master George and Tom in such a short amount of interaction is incredible. Tom says nothing about Mr. Shelby, who he passionately defended. It appears that Tom and Master George have a strong relationship that is introduced in a previous chapter in which George is teaching Tom how to properly write. It is an interesting that Stowe chose to create this strong relationship between a slave and a white child. Perhaps she did so to emphasize the idea that children cannot see color.

It is interesting to note how passive Tom is during this situation. While the reader is receiving incredible levels of emotion from others - Aunt Chloe, Mrs. Shelby, etc - is seems that there is actually an incredibly minute focus on Tom, as he is being portrayed as emotionless and passive. This truly underlines his faith.

This is devastating but also an incredible example of racial unity. This is an absolutely critical scene for Stowe to allow the audience to witness the pain that slavery causes for both white and black individuals. It is also a strategic technique. Throughout the text, Stowe characterizes Mrs. Shelby as the "perfectly right and just white woman". With her intended audience of women for this piece, this really allows women readers to sympathize with both black and white, as they yearn to by the "perfect" woman that Mrs. Shelby is.

This is also an emotional scene for the reader. We are presented with two young children who seemingly don't understand what is going on - the children that, like Chloe, were raised in slavery and know nothing bad of it. It's interesting the way in which Stowe has created this "complex hierarchy of knowledge" here. There is Chloe, who understands the situation and is devastated, the two boys who understand that there is a bad situation occurring but know no details, and the baby, who understands nothing of it and is filled with happiness. Perhaps Stowe is utilizing this family to symbolize the white response to slavery.

It is interesting to note Stowe's choice of names for these children - both of whom share commonalities with common biblical names: Moses and Peter. Perhaps Stowe chose these names as a reflection of Chloe and Tom's religious beliefs. On the other hand, they could have simply been a reflection of common names at the time.

Stowe really plays with the audience's emotions in this entire description of the African American race. She describes them in a way that one may describe either a young child or a loyal pet- naturally innocent and naive. Here, she is attempting to provoke sympathy and/or empathy from the audience, who is receiving this image that African Americans are, in many ways, helpless. This really emphasizes Stowe's views that she does truly see many differences between the black and white race.

This is incredibly sad. Aunt Chloe has spent her entire life in slavery and, knowing nothing else, she struggles to pinpoint the fault of the situation (though she knows there is one). At the time, millions of African American children were born into slavery and, for these children/adults, it was the norm. I wonder how that played a role in the abolitionist movement because many slaves were (so they thought) completely dependent on their white masters.

This is interesting in the way that she is recognizing that there is a defined difference between the two races (this is introduced in her 1852 preface to her text where she describes African Americans as "...a character so essentially unlike the hard and dominant Anglo-Saxon race"). This text was met with much criticism, as many claimed that Stowe possessed prejudicial ideas. This paragraph truly underlines that view. The novel "The Concept of "Race" in Natural and Social Science" delves more into Stowe's incorporation of this, particularly focusing on this paragraph in the novel.

Gates, E. Nathaniel. The Concept of Race "in Natural and Social Science." New York: Garland Publishing Inc, 1997. Print.

This is also a reference to biblical literature taken from Matthew 10:29, which essentially explains that one should not have fear because God always takes care of the situation. Again, this not only shows Tom's deep sense of religion, but Stowe's as well. She has inserted numerous references to the Bible and is evidently well educated in religion.

Wong, Cliff, and Andrew Kwong. A Biblical Perspective on How to Handle Worry and Fear. N.p.: n.p., 2010. Print.

It's incredibly interesting how much love that Tom has for his owner, Mr. Shelby, and how willing he is to stand up for him after he had just sold Tom. In many ways, Stowe is shifting the focus with this defense. He seems to be, in a way, idolizing his white master and creating a hierarchy that is illustrating himself as a lesser (ie. referring to himself as "poor Tom"). However, I think is also does show his intelligence via his recognition of the slaveholders being blinded by their own privilege.

I found this to be strange. Throughout the text, we have seen a "distant narrator" who essentially exists only for the purpose of explaining what is happening between character dialogue. However, here we see something very different. For the first time, Stowe seems to be breaking out of that emotionless narrator position. Perhaps she does so to appeal to the readers' emotions on a deeper level by expressing a level of admiration for Tom and to truly emphasize the sadness of the situation. I found this change of narration to be incredibly interesting and quite effective.

Again, this is an incredible claim by Tom. As his wife is slowly losing faith, he is putting complete faith in his God to carry him through the situation. This really shows the type of religious character that Tom is.

This is from Genesis 21:16 (English Standard Version). In this section of the Book of Genesis, the word "slave" is frequently used. Many individuals at the time used the fact that slavery appeared in biblical texts to justify it. This is an interesting choice for Stowe to include as it truly underlines her value of religion.

This is a really important point that Stowe is making. Since the first chapter, the audience is persuaded to dislike Haley. Here, he is making an incredible point: he is no worse than Mr. Shelby, who is seen as a "good guy". This really emphasizes the idea that no matter your role in slavery, you are equally wrong. With this quote, Haley is putting everyone on the same playing field.

This really aids in enhancing the emotional connection for the readers. Here, Aunt Chloe is trying desperately to distract herself from the immense pain of the fact that her husband is about to be taken away. Stowe does an incredible job at encouraging emotion from the reader, which is an incredibly critical part of this story. At the time, African Americans were seen as non-humans - they were thought not to be able to feel human emotions such a sadness and sorrow. Stowe forces the audience to feel sympathy throughout this entire text. This technique is incredibly clever.

The characterization of George was set up to allow the audience to build an emotional connection and to prove a point. He, in many ways, resembles the idea that nobody is born racist (also seen in previous chapters when he is teaching Tom how to write). He possesses an incredible amount of innocence (which is also seen a few lines down where he is telling Haley that he should be ashamed of himself) that offers him the idea that when he's "a man", he will make things perfect and good. He also appears not to see skin color and is one of the few individuals in the text who refers to black individuals as "men and women" as opposed to "creatures", going as far as to compare their treatment to the ways in which cattle are treated.

At this point in the text, we have already been introduced to religion as a theme. Tom turning to religion during a time like this - hours before he is about to be traded and torn from his family - speaks incredible volumes about the way that religion played a role in society. Stowe creates a wide range of individuals in this text who all can seemingly be connected through their beliefs. We have been introduced to slaves that have lost their faith because of their enslavement. This instance truly emphasizes the important role of religion in all individuals at the time.

How did they get the maize?