As a personal point of view, I consider that the purpose of teaching literature in schools has often been debated especially during the recent concern of our "failing educational system" and the importance placed on high stakes tests. However, teaching literature not only improves reading fluency through the expansion of vocabulary, but also increases students' reading comprehension skills. Comprehension skills not only include retelling main events, but also include the ability to identify the author's choice or words, central themes, character development, symbolism, irony, etc. 

it seems that students need to not only learn from literature, but also understand how it applies to their lives.  Instead of having students read the whole of a "literary classics", teachers should begin to incorporate newer texts and excerpts from the classics can teach them the same lessons is becoming vitally important.  Students need to feel they can relate to what they’re reading; otherwise English and literature teachers will find themselves losing their audiences. Teachers need to ensure that their students cannot only read but can analyze and question the texts they are reading.  

Including literature supports the idea of teaching a truly integrated curriculum.  For example, classical literature can be used to teach history and language arts.  One does not need to have a specific course designed around reading classical literature.  It can be used in history and writing classes to encourage higher level thinking skills.

-Be open minded:  We were taught what was "right" or "wrong," and "true" or "false."  We were taught what to think or not think.  We were taught what to do or not do.  Anyone straying away from the accepted views or ways were considered foolish, and possibly a danger to the group that the person belonged to. I consider that we have to be open minded to understand the point of view of the people, taking into account that we are unique and we have different ways to see the world

Look for options:  I consider that the power of option brings happiness, because having a choice is God's gift to man.
But the danger of taking the wrong path is there. We also have to be sure of our freedom to make choices.Is it real freedom or an appearance of it.
We should note that we may be free to choose, but we are not free from the consequences of our choices.
Freedom to choose brings happiness, making the right choices retains it.

FOLK TALE Dick Whittington and his cat

Long, long time ago there lived a poor boy called Dick Whittington. He had no mother and no father, and often nothing to eat. One day he heard of the great city of London, where, said everyone, even the streets were paved with gold. Dick decided to go to London to seek his fortune.
London was a big and busy city, full of people both rich and poor. But Dick could not find any streets that were paved with gold. Tired, cold and hungry he fell asleep on the steps of a great house. This house belonged to Mr. Fitzwarren, a rich merchant, who was also a good and generous man. He took Dick into his house, and gave him work as a scullery boy.
Dick had a little room of his own where he could have been very happy if it had not been for the rats. They would run all over him as he lay on his bed at night and would not let him sleep. One day Dick earned a penny shining shoes for a gentleman, and with it he bought a cat. After that Dick's life became easier - the cat frightened away all the rats, and Dick could sleep in peace at night.
One day Mr. Fitzwarren called all the servants of the house together. One of his ships was leaving for a far-off land with goods to trade. Mr. Fitzwarren asked his servants to send something of their own in the ship if they so desired, something which could perhaps be traded for a bit of gold or money. Dick had only his cat to send - which he did with a sad heart.

Dick continued to work as a scullery boy for Mr. Fitzwarren, who was very kind to him. So was everyone else except the Cook who made Dick's life so miserable that one day Dick decided to run away. He had reached almost the end of the city when he heard the Bow Bells ring out. 'Turn again Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London' chimed the bells. Dick was astonished - but he did as the bells said and went back to Mr. Fitzwarren.
When he returned he found that Mr. Fitzwarren's ship had returned, and that his cat had been sold for a great fortune to the King of Barbary whose palace had been overrun with mice. Dick had become a rich man.
He soon learnt the business from Mr. Fitzwarren, married his daughter Alice, and in time became the Lord Mayor of London three times, just as the bells had said.

RIDDLES TO THINK

A cowboy rides into town on Friday.
He stays two days, then leaves on
Saturday.  How can this be?

Answer:  His horse's name was Friday.


I follow you all day long,
But when the night or rain comes,
I am all gone.

Answer: a shadow


I always run, but never walk.
I have a bed, but I don't sleep.
I have a mouth, but I don't eat.

Answer. a river

There was a green house. Inside the green house there was a white house. Inside the white house there was a red house. Inside the red house there were lots of babies. What is it?

Answer.Watermelon

MULTICULTURALISM

Multiculturalism is important in Colombia. It helps us look at other cultures respectably and freely. Without it, we would be forced to be informed about only the conventional culture in our society. Multiculturalism is not just a concept; it is an important term for teachers to integrate into their daily classroom instruction. 

Nowhere is the need for the inclusion of a culturally diverse education. Having multiculturalism in Colombia lets us blend our different cultures together and learn from each other.I feel that is essential to be able to have the freedom to learn about any culture we want.