Today on the airplane I sat next to a mom and her daughter who is in the 3rd grade. We got to talking about where we were from and why we were travelling, and the mother shared with me what a big jump it was for her daughter when she came into the 3rd grade from 2nd grade. I have always heard (and seen) that there is a lot more work in the 3rd grade. Not just homework, but class work as well. A big part of this, I think, is that testing begins in the 3rd grade so there is more pressure on students to do well.
The mom today shared that it was even more than just more homework. In the 2nd grade, her teacher did not do any text book work. Then when her daughter got to the 3rd grade her teacher was asking them to do work straight out of the text book. Instructions like, "Turn to page 200 and answer questions 15-20" were foreign to her, yet her teacher expected the work to be done correctly without further help.
Obviously, there is some lack of communication going on between the grades and the teachers in the schools. I feel like this problem could be fixed if the teachers were clear about what was to be expected in the coming grade so that the students are prepared when they come in. If the students do not know how to simply read a text book, then they are definately not going to be learning the information that the text book is saying. Being straighforward is key. And communicating with parents should always be a main priority for teachers.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
School Traffic
Traffic safety is an issue in many schools in big cities. The traffic problem is a cycle that will not get better without more funds and training. In a recent article in the Los Angeles Journal titled, "Giving Lessons in Traffic Safety at Middle Schools," Jennifer Steinhauer addresses the issue by focusing on a handful of elementary and middle schools in the Los Angeles area. According to the article, from January to November of 2008 there were 153 traffic-related injuries around schools in Los Angeles. Even more specifically, last year there were two eighth-grade girls in the area who were hit by vehicles near school, and one girl was left partly paralyzed. Tragedies such as this are a wake-up call to administrators. The students' safety should come first, but unfortunately getting the funds for better traffic safety is not as easy with the current state of the economy. “The problem is that there are not enough resources,” said Michelle McGinnis, a prosecutor in the office. “And those resources are diminishing."
Although traffic saftey is an issue that needs to be addressed in large cities with growing populations such as Los Angeles, funds are not easy to come by. Schools with issues like these should follow the example of L.A. and use a training program and buy traffic safety equipment — bright vests, traffic cones — in order to “professionalize” parents and other volunteers. All it takes is an initiative, and change can be made.
Citation:
Steinhauer, Jennifer. "Giving Lessons on Traffic Safety in Middle Schools." L.A. Journal. April 9, 2009.
Although traffic saftey is an issue that needs to be addressed in large cities with growing populations such as Los Angeles, funds are not easy to come by. Schools with issues like these should follow the example of L.A. and use a training program and buy traffic safety equipment — bright vests, traffic cones — in order to “professionalize” parents and other volunteers. All it takes is an initiative, and change can be made.
Citation:
Steinhauer, Jennifer. "Giving Lessons on Traffic Safety in Middle Schools." L.A. Journal. April 9, 2009.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Relationship between Reading Fluency and Comprehension
Reading teachers and researchers are constantly debating the relationship between reading fluency and comprehension. If a student can ready fluently, does that mean that they are reading well and comprehending the text that they are reading? What is the goal: reading quickly? Or reaidng to undestand and remember the content?"
In a recent article in The Reading Teacher, Mary DeKonty Applegate, Anthony J. Applegate, and Virginia B. Modla identified students who have been labelled as strong and fluent readers and found that one-third of them were poor comprehenders. So what does this tell us? This is evidence that just because a student can read a text in a certain amount of time, it does not mean that they are understanding or remember the material. To these readers, the text is just words on a page that they must get through. The text has not meaning, and therefore they will not remember it.
As reading teachers, we must reinforce fluency instruction with reading comprehension instruction. There needs to be a balance between the two in order for reading instruction to be successful.
Article:
Applegate, Mary DeKonty, Anthony J., Modla, Virginia B.
“ 'She's My Best Reader; She Just Can't Comprehend': Studying the Relationship Between Fluency and Comprehension" The Reading Teacher March 2009.
In a recent article in The Reading Teacher, Mary DeKonty Applegate, Anthony J. Applegate, and Virginia B. Modla identified students who have been labelled as strong and fluent readers and found that one-third of them were poor comprehenders. So what does this tell us? This is evidence that just because a student can read a text in a certain amount of time, it does not mean that they are understanding or remember the material. To these readers, the text is just words on a page that they must get through. The text has not meaning, and therefore they will not remember it.
As reading teachers, we must reinforce fluency instruction with reading comprehension instruction. There needs to be a balance between the two in order for reading instruction to be successful.
Article:
Applegate, Mary DeKonty, Anthony J., Modla, Virginia B.
“ 'She's My Best Reader; She Just Can't Comprehend': Studying the Relationship Between Fluency and Comprehension" The Reading Teacher March 2009.
National Math and Science Initiative
While I was watching the Master's on TV today, a commerical from Exxon came on talking about the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI). I had seen a couple of these commercials before, but had never paid attention to what they were talking about. I decided to find out more information. I went to the website (see below), and watched the video and found out a lot of information. It is great to see that a company like Exxon is using their resources to make a difference and take action in the future of our country.
The goal of the NMSI is to "help America maintain its global leadership position in technological innovation" by providing students with the resources they need to be motivated and learn math and science. A major part of this is providing students with teachers who are dedicated to education and teaching math and science. In the video a contributer stated that "if we can provide quality teachers who can explain why a math problem is relevent to their life, then we can make a huge difference."
I agree with this viewpoint. People are always talking of making a difference in the future through the education of young people, and saying that kids are our future. This is a true claim, and it is motivating to see a company who has an influence taking an initiative in education.
"why a math problem is relevant to their world"
The goal of the NMSI is to "help America maintain its global leadership position in technological innovation" by providing students with the resources they need to be motivated and learn math and science. A major part of this is providing students with teachers who are dedicated to education and teaching math and science. In the video a contributer stated that "if we can provide quality teachers who can explain why a math problem is relevent to their life, then we can make a huge difference."
I agree with this viewpoint. People are always talking of making a difference in the future through the education of young people, and saying that kids are our future. This is a true claim, and it is motivating to see a company who has an influence taking an initiative in education.
"why a math problem is relevant to their world"
Who benefits from including students with autism in literacy classrooms?
In a recent article in The Reading Teacher titled "Why Everyone Benefits From Including Students With Autism in Literacy Classrooms," Kelly Chandler-Olcott and Paula Kluth argue for the inclusion of students with autism in such classrooms. They believe that benefits include the expansion of literacy concepts, more variations for classroom participation, a focus on outcomes in instructional planning, families have more of an opportunity to become partners, and teachers are positioned as inquirers in the classroom.
I can see the author's point in the article. It gave me a different perspective on the way a classroom can run with students who have autism participating in the same activities as the other students. So often, these students are pulled out for literacy instruction because they are on a lower reading level, or do not seem to benefit from the same instruction as other students. In this article, the authors shed light on a form of literacy instruction that is beneficial for all students-- including students with autism. I think that it is important for teachers to have a similar outlook on teaching as the authors of this article and consider the best way to include all of their students when planning instruction.
I can see the author's point in the article. It gave me a different perspective on the way a classroom can run with students who have autism participating in the same activities as the other students. So often, these students are pulled out for literacy instruction because they are on a lower reading level, or do not seem to benefit from the same instruction as other students. In this article, the authors shed light on a form of literacy instruction that is beneficial for all students-- including students with autism. I think that it is important for teachers to have a similar outlook on teaching as the authors of this article and consider the best way to include all of their students when planning instruction.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Distance Learning Grows
In an article written in the New York Times, Sam Dillon discusses the rising participation in distance learning and the positive and negative affects that it has on our children. Recently, distance learning has expanded, and more opportunities for taking classes online have been provided for not only middle and high school students, but for elementary students as well. The issue is that some of these classes are funded by the state taxes, and others are not. As these types of classes become more popular, a more standardized set of restrictions should be in place. Many of the schools have freedom to do what they please with their funds, and in the long run this could take away from the public school system.
From the educators perspective, such classes are a great opportunity for students who do not have the educational resources that they desire offered where they live. A child living in a rural area, away from a school that offers a foreign language for example, can get this type of class online instead. The schools that offer these classes should be kept in check as far as the quality of education that they are offering as well.
It can be concluded that although distance is more convenient and a great option for many students, the schools need to be held responsible for the way that they spend their money and the quality of education that they are providing.
Citation: Dillon, Sam. Online Schooling Grows, Setting Off a Debate. New York Times Magazine. 1 February, 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/education/01virtual.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
From the educators perspective, such classes are a great opportunity for students who do not have the educational resources that they desire offered where they live. A child living in a rural area, away from a school that offers a foreign language for example, can get this type of class online instead. The schools that offer these classes should be kept in check as far as the quality of education that they are offering as well.
It can be concluded that although distance is more convenient and a great option for many students, the schools need to be held responsible for the way that they spend their money and the quality of education that they are providing.
Citation: Dillon, Sam. Online Schooling Grows, Setting Off a Debate. New York Times Magazine. 1 February, 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/education/01virtual.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Obama's Pre-school Plan
As a part of Obama's education plan, he wants to spend $10 billion for states to offer universal pre-school and expand federal early-learning programs like Head Start. It doesn't look like the economy can support such funding right now, but according to the Wallstreet Journal article by Robert Tomsho a plan such as this would be beneficial to young learners. The article focuses on the issue that children coming from middle-class families are not getting the support that they need because all of the funds have been going toward lower income children. There is no doubt that these children need the support, but if adjustments aren't made middle class children will be left in the dust. The article reports that "12 states spend nothing at all on preschool [and] among the 38 that do pay for such programs, funding ranges from $1,600 a child in South Carolina to nearly $10,500 a child in New Jersey." New Jersey has seen success in their students testing and it is evident that the money they are spending on pre-school programs is beneficial. If students are coming in with background knowledge from preschool, they will be ready for what they are learning in kindergarten.
I found this article important because I will be seeing the affects of preschool on my students first hand. Children need that attention early on so that they are prepared for elementary school academically and socially. Obama's plan to fund states with money for universal preschool sounds appealing, but I do not know how realistic it is seeing as the economy is struggling. A lot needs to happen before classrooms will see the affects of such a program.
I found this article important because I will be seeing the affects of preschool on my students first hand. Children need that attention early on so that they are prepared for elementary school academically and socially. Obama's plan to fund states with money for universal preschool sounds appealing, but I do not know how realistic it is seeing as the economy is struggling. A lot needs to happen before classrooms will see the affects of such a program.
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