Firewall and technology

Firewalls are blocking many of the useful sites out their we could be utilzing within our classrooms to spark student interest.  If they want us to prepare our students to be better prepared to create and collaborate with on-line tools they need to allow us more reign within the classroom to utilze sites that would allow us to teach the students utilize these types of sites.  Also some teachers, schools, or school districts have more freedom than others on utilzing certain websites, why is this so?  Shouldn't all schools be able to use the same sites so that all students would be prepared in the same way to make them all well rounded candidates for the future?  Firewalls are hindering our abilties to present up-to-date technological opportunities to our students, and that is sad, isn't there something we can do about it?

School Nutrition

School meals and how nutrious they are can have a huge effect on our students and their behaviors within our classrooms.  I work with a very low-income district.  We serve free breakfast to all of our students, about 68% receive free or reduced lunch, and with this percentage we could serve dinner as well, but that is such a huge task to take on that we have not went there yet, but we might possible have to in the future.  Therefore, with so many families needing assistance, nutrition is very important at school, eating the right foods to stay healthy because at home they normally not getting much to eat, if anything at all.  Furthermore, many of the times the food at home is not all that healthy for them,so in reality it is not helping out the child in the long run.  So with congress approving a school nutrition bill for after school meals, will we be feeding our students dinner as well?  We shall see...

Students need to be partly responsible for their own education

Based on an Edutopia article it got me thinking about this idea and how students need to be held accountable somewhat for their own education.  We can do everything in our power to teach well, incorporate technology, assist students, but if they are not willing to try they will not gain anything from our efforts.  Therefore, they need to speak up in the classroom, ask lots of questions, let the teacher know where you are struggling, think of school as your workplace and dress for success, find ways to relate to your reading and writing, try your best to challenge your brain, be in class, and collaborate with others around you.  In order for students to truly be successful they need to become involved in their own learning along with the teacher and hopefully their parents at home.  However, if they become more involved they will ultimately become more successful in school in which self confidence will sky rocket!

Laptops vs. Textbooks

There was an article on Edutopia asking about a poll on whether laptops should replace textbooks.  If it was up to me I would say yes.  If all students had the capability to get their hands on a laptop for daily use I feel they would be more beneficial than textbooks because textbooks become so outdated quickly.  Right now we do not have a math book in our school, we create our own lessons that fit the GLEC's and our curriculum and incorporate areas in everday life where math would appear, we try and relate it to their lives.  Then we also use technology to enhance their understanding of material, but if everyone had a laptop instead of a book I think we would be further ahead of the game and moving forward in the right direction for these students future.  Also for English we hardly use our textbooks, but we could use the laptops to download e-books for free and students could be up to date with newer reading material that fits in with our genre units, that would be outstanding.  What are your thoughts on laptops vs. textbooks??

Literature Circles in Middle School?

Should Literature Circles be used in Middle School?  An article from Edutopia states that Literature Circles for her 7th grade class gave students passion and joy for reading.  Also they provide good collaboration among students and allows them to make choices about thier learning, which is very necessary.  Furthermore, they get to talk a lot and debate ideas.  Another main push for them mentioned is that they are fun.  Now I have a question, they sound great but how many people use them in their room on a daily basis?  I feel that I have so much curriculum to cover and we use Macomb Units in my school so how can I hold lit circles when they are all supposed to be reading the same book?  Anyone with any suggestion for me, because I would like to try it but have not used them before?

PISA - Program for International Student Assessment

On Dec. 7th we will be getting a closer look at why students in the US are not matching up to other countries based on PISA and standardized tests based on 15 year olds from a host of countries.  During this presentation of data they will talk about how the results are important for our nations future and try and explain why we are not near the top of the pack in education.  This is an interesting idea, but how is it going to help us in education?  Are we just going to throw in new programs again with no real funding and expect they be instated in our school systems and that they will magically fix all of our problems like "No Child Left Behind?"

India....and math?

Reading an Edutopia article about "Online Learning- The Next Great Debate?" it discusses how Brittish kids are working with online tutors in India for math and are doing remarkable.  Also the tutors are affordable and the schedules are flexible for parents.  They are making the Open University sites with these tutors free to anyone no matter where they live which is aiding in a lot of students understanding of math material because there is always someone to ask for help.   Therefore, is this idea of having students take classes or get tutors from India a threat to us as educators?  Soon with all teaching of maerials be available to students that way from other countries and will it be cheaper for the families than the education we provide?  It is definitely something to ponder over.

Class Sizes Growing but What About Funding?

In the past few years there has been a noticable decrease in classroom size.  However, just this year there has been an increase in students, but no funding.  This is trouble some for teachers, because they then have to spend more money out of their own pockets to help make sure all of their students have the materials they need since the school itself does not have the financial capabilties to supply enough materials for each unit.  Teachers see this trend as something to worry about but some principals see it is a good thing and a way in which we may need to innovate the way we teach to accomodate all of these different children and their learning styles...but how?  Are we going to hold regular classes, distance education classes, on-line classes, etc. from school and reach all students that way so that we do not end up with 30-40 students in a class?  That sounds like all well in good, but what about when your community is poor and the technology is not in place to within educational opportunities like that?

Common Core Standards

Every year it seems like curriculum is changing and now with the adaptation of the Common Core Standards it will be changing again.  We just received different genre units for English this year and now looking at how we are supposed to be implementing in the Common Core standards for next year, units will need to be changed again.  The idea behind the whole Common Core I think it good so that our students are just as prepared as others across the globe, but how will we test them and what will be the cut-off for passing?  If we are completely doing away with MEAP tests and the MME in 2014 and replacing with this new test completely computer based, how will our students do?  Right now with MEAP is they receive 50% or better they pass, but with the Common Core everyone involved gets to set the criteria...what if it is too high and our students can't perform to that level...then what?

Prom tickets to pass a test?

Should we really be bringing students to do well on a test?  With all of the up and coming ideas of how teachers will be evaluated based on test scores and that could lead to them having a job or not are we resorting to anything we can to make sure students pass?  In an article from "Curriculum Matters" they talk about motivating 12th graders to pass the NAEP test by giving them prom tickets.  But in all essence some students just don't care when it comes to taking this type of test, so by promising to give them something do you really think that is going to change their attitude?  Also, what are we teaching them by doing this in the first place?  I am not so sure about this idea, anyone with any other thoughts?

Restructuring Teacher Prep

Based on an article from Teacher Prep they discuss how teacher prepration should be restructured.  This idea of redoing how we preapare teachers is not a bad idea because they feel that the school district should become more involved in the students preparation.  This aspect then leads to a clearer view of exactly what does happen in a "real" school setting and how the school district affects a teachers career.  Also, a big push is for universities to really look at what they expect students to learn and be able to do by the time they graduate and are ready to become teachers...are they really being prepared to best of their ability?  Or, should there be some necessary changes to help students truly see the big picture and how everyone is involved?

Using Music in the Classroom

Students love music so why not utilize it within the classroom?  There is so much controversy over whether a song is appropriate or not for students, so you need to be very careful what you play.  Therefore, I do not normally use music very often.  However, this article from Edutopia gives me a different outlook on how to incorporate music by just using instrumental tunes.  By playing this type of music students can picture what is happening in their mind.  Then, based on this picture they can write a creative story from their minds.  This use of music is different but is a great way to help students generate ideas and incorporate something they really enjoy into the lesson, Music!

Current Events and Real-Life Projects

Current Events is a hot topic for most adults, they want to know what is happening daily in the news.  However, middle school students do not seem to be as interested and it is hard to get them to watch the news or listen to the radio to become informed on the issues.  However some teachers have taken such issues as the oil-well explosion and the Chilean mine collapse and created real-world projects for students to complete, even though there is no text to teach the material.  They are taking the headlines and putting their students in the places of these people and coming up with wasys to make it relevant to their lives and how they would handle the situation.  Wouldn't this type of assingment gets students more enganged and demonstrate their knowledge better than normal day-to-day work.  Yes this type of assingment takes a lot more work for the teacher, but it is not because of us we choose this profession, it is for the students and ways we can help them learn.  Next time you are planning an activity think about the students and how you could relate the activity to their lives.

Professional Development

When talking about teacher PD days you normally hear a lot of moans and groans from the educators about having to go.  Most do not see the reason, because they don't tie into what they are going to be evaluated on; therefore, like the students why do you need to learn it then?  However, the article mentioned about how PD has been evolving over the years and how it is much better than in previous years, where the PD days are actually training us to become better teachers now by sharing tips, sites, ideas we can utilize within our classroom.  In my school our PD days are set to give the teachers resources to implement into their classrooms to help students learn in the best way possible.  It is great information for the most part, but a little overwheleming sometimes when they want you to implement everything beging discussed in only a few weeks.  PD is good when it for teh benefit of the students, but when it is just talk and no follow through I become frustrated.

How bad is bullying?

Bullying in schools and the internet is getting so bad that the President of the U.S. needed to address this issue.  He talks about how so many are getting tormented and are feeling so depressed that they are committing suicide.  This is so sad and he is stating how he wants to put an end to this type of harrassment; because he himseld was bullied growing up and he felt the same way that many of our teens do today.  We have all gone through the stage of being bullied or have been the bully, and now looking back on those times I wonder why do people do it?

College Prep is that the Key?

The article from Edutopia titled "School Reform: Focusing on College Prep is Key" talks about how the goal of reforming education needs to start with ending poverty as by doing this we need to push and prepare all students for college.  Not all students are going to be successful in college though.  Do we really want to push these students so hard that they feel they have to go to college but then are overwhelmed and drop out?  No, everyone does not have to go to college, as long as they are prepared for a good job with a promising future after graduation they are good.  There are so many jobs out there that do not include a college education, someone needs to fill those jobs, and if they work hard they will get paid well.  I agree something needs to be done about reforming our education system, but I don't think pushing everyone no matter what towards college is a good idea.

Curriculum...How to Stay Afloat

Many teachers feel that curriculum is difficult to stay on top of.  There is so much that needs to be taught and with the pacing guides most districts have you may already feel behind, like I do, because my students need  a little extra help this year to truly understand the material so we are slowing down a little.  Therefore, I feel like I am sinking.

I do not want my students to feel this way though so that is why I put forth the learning objectives as I can statements so that students know their target each day.  Furthermore, I do a lot of formative assessment too, to make sure students truly understand the material before I move on the the next concept. 

Isn't it more important that students know material well and can articulate what they learned instead of learn a lot of material and not be able to explain any of it?

Supreme Court Weighs Violent Video Game Ban

In reading the Read Write Web article "Supreme Court Weighs Violent Video Game Ban" I am all for the idea.  Many students are playing these violent games and are acting out based on ideas they see on these games.  I do agree that not allowing minors to purchase these games is goo in helping parents monitor their children's games to protect them from harmful matter.  However, why should they be alone in the first place purchasing these types of games...where are their parents at?

Should it be monitored and possibly fined if the ban is not followed like they are trying to do in California or are we infringing on people rights by doing this, even though we are just trying to keep students safe and not give them any of these crazy ideas of violence.

Cutting Cookies

After reading an article from Read Write Web titled "Cutting Cookies"  it is amazing that we have the capabilities of now putting the computer system on the dash instead of the engine compartment.  With this new system you are able to access directions, temperatute controls, and audio.  Ford Motor Company is creating these wonderful uses of technology within their vehicles in hopes that they are helping customers to personalize their products.  They are focused on identifiying and incorporating appropriate apps for the driver.  It willl be interesting to see what they will be coming out with in the next few years.  The more high tech the vehicle becomes though, will people be able to afford them?  Also, if it breaks it will not be a cheap fix, so will it really be worth the cost in the long run?

Web Spying Lawsuit

From reading the teacher magazine article "Pa. School Settles Web Spying Lawsuit" I was disturbed.  The school was trying to locate missing laptops based on their finding devices on the computer but in doing so took many pictures of the student without their knowledge based on the webcam option on the computer.  They agreed to pay $610,000 for the two lawsuits but what else was done?  Who was the person in charge of looking for these computers and why did they take over 400 photos in two weeks? 

If the school is willing to lend out laptops to students to use, than they need to be trusting of the students.  If they are missing one they should know who has taken it or if they don't than just use the located device to find it.  Do not take any pictures of the student, you know that even taking a picture in class is wrong unless you have the students permission.  Technology and its advances are becoming so incredible that you need to be careful of what you are doing and how you are using them, otherwise you could get yourself or your district into big trouble like this Pa. school did.

Writing Workshop

After reading the Edutopia article about the "Writing Workshop" I realized that what I am doing in my English class is a great tool to reach many students.  I have my students write in a notebook and work on starting pieces but not necessarily finishing them until it comes to a final draft and they need to choose between one of the three pieces that they have started in the previous weeks.  We do incorporate mini lessons on how to improve their writing for grammar throughout, which the article makes a mention of.  Also, students do seem to take more pride in their writing doing it this way, especially when they know they are not graded on spelling, grammar, structure, etc. all of the time when they are writing and when you do praise them for writitng that you see they are excelling in their self-confidence begins to rise.  I feel that writing workshops should be an essential part of every English class to aid in student writing performance and make them feel more comfortable.

AYP

AYP is a unique measure to decide if schools are making progress.  I do not feel that one test should determine whether a school is making adaquate yearly progress.  Also when you think about the percentages of students who have to pass 58% in reading and 46% in math, are these scores truly "good" percentages to show that students understand the material?  If it was a normal classroom score that would be failing.   So as the article mentions should the bar be rasied, that way we know if more students are truly struggling with the concepts and need that extra help or reteaching? 

Facebook News Feed Code

I don't honestly know a lot about Facebook because I don't have an account.  However, after reading that article it was interesting to find out that someone could essentially be "stalking" you possibly and you might not even know it.  If someone is new to Facebook and does not have many followers sometimes their posts do not even come up for others to see.  Also, there are times when you don't even have to request them as friends which is interesting.  The creators of Facebook esentially have the power and can sort of controll what is being put out there and what is not.  Also, the more friends you have, the more clicking on your site, the higher priority your replies are for more people to see.  I was very intrigued by this information because I thought you could always see everyones posts, but as this little experiment showed, sometimes you may not show up at all to others...very odd and possibly scary.

Cyber Bullying

I read the article in Edutopia about Cyber Bullying and was proud that people were standing up for these children that face this type of torment.  Cyber Bullying is a huge issue with the growing number of students who use the internet on a daily basis.  Many students don't realize that hurtful comments or pictures shared on the internet is the same as doing it face to face and can carry the same consequences. 

It saddens me to think that some students, especially the gay and lesibans, that were mentioned in this article are being targeted for this type of bullying.  The bullying is so hurtful to these students that they are taking their own lives just so that they don't have to deal with the ridicule anymore.  This truly breaks my heart.  These students need to know that it is okay to be themselves and come out when they are ready.  They need to be assured that people will support them.  I feel that everyone is unique and has their own personality so no one should have to hide behind a wall and not be their true selves just because they are worried about being bullied. 

As the article mentioned everyone needs to learn how to show compassion and truly care about people as individuals no matter what.  If people did this bullying would not be an issue.

First Blog

I am completely new to blogging and I have to admit I am a little nervous.  I don't know exactly what to expect, but I will try my best with my posts.  Hopefully some of you will be interested in what I have to say :)