Reimagining the School Day
This article posted on the US Department of Education site was very interesting news to read. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan spoke about the fact that a few schools in Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Tennessee are going to add 300 hours of instructional time to the academic calendar. I would love to see what they classify as "instruction and enrichment". I think that the addition of these hours would only be valuable if planned the right way. 300 additional hours of seat time may not be something that will truly help the students. I hope that by the description of "enrichment activities" that it will include more opportunities for field trips and hands-on activities where students get to interact with what they are learning. These are things that get cut in the traditional school year and are sometimes some of the most memorable and meaningful activities students participate in throughout their academic careers. I hope to read more about this in the future.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Ideas for ELL's Celebrate the Holidays
Ideas for ELLs in Celebrating the Holidays
This article was posted at just the right time. Even though the ideas are for English Language Learners they can definitely be applied to the world language classroom as well. It has ideas on how to get students to share their own personal traditions and cultures. It even gives the idea of having the students use technology, like Fotobabble, to share their stories and pictures with their peers. I could have students each pick a country and create a presentation based on their traditions and beliefs. There are links to other NY Times articles to supplement the lessons. This can be used in any class that has ELL students as a way to help them share with the other students in the class as well as develop language proficiency.
This article was posted at just the right time. Even though the ideas are for English Language Learners they can definitely be applied to the world language classroom as well. It has ideas on how to get students to share their own personal traditions and cultures. It even gives the idea of having the students use technology, like Fotobabble, to share their stories and pictures with their peers. I could have students each pick a country and create a presentation based on their traditions and beliefs. There are links to other NY Times articles to supplement the lessons. This can be used in any class that has ELL students as a way to help them share with the other students in the class as well as develop language proficiency.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Moving Toward Better Academics: The Red Hawk Way
Moving Toward Better Academics: The Red Hawk Way
This is an inspiring article about an elementary school that is finding unique ways to keep students engaged. This school has made physical movement a priority in the school. Everyday students participate in various physical activities. For example, the school has a students run garden where they each help take care of and maintain the items each day. Also, the school has reformed their rules and food standards to get the students to eat healthy as well. The most impressive part of this article is the data the school has collected about increased student performance and decreased discipline issues. I know that all of my students could benefit from a program like this. They come to me very tired each day and that changes their ability to focus in class. It would be interesting to see this done in middle and high school programs.
This is an inspiring article about an elementary school that is finding unique ways to keep students engaged. This school has made physical movement a priority in the school. Everyday students participate in various physical activities. For example, the school has a students run garden where they each help take care of and maintain the items each day. Also, the school has reformed their rules and food standards to get the students to eat healthy as well. The most impressive part of this article is the data the school has collected about increased student performance and decreased discipline issues. I know that all of my students could benefit from a program like this. They come to me very tired each day and that changes their ability to focus in class. It would be interesting to see this done in middle and high school programs.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
A Chinese Education, For a Price
A Chinese Education, For a Price
If you are a teacher, you need to read this. Currently many teachers, including myself, feel like we are constantly being compared to teachers around the world unfairly. We are compared using test scores but what officials don't look are details and structure of the education systems.
In this article the world of where money can get you in China is revealed. The idea that paying almost 5,000 so that your child can sit closer to the board is shocking! The idea that Teacher Appreciation gifts will could get your child a better position in the class or more attention is crazy. This article made me both respect the district and state that I work in and feel bad for the students in poverty in China that don't have a chance of getting a fair education.
If you are a teacher, you need to read this. Currently many teachers, including myself, feel like we are constantly being compared to teachers around the world unfairly. We are compared using test scores but what officials don't look are details and structure of the education systems.
In this article the world of where money can get you in China is revealed. The idea that paying almost 5,000 so that your child can sit closer to the board is shocking! The idea that Teacher Appreciation gifts will could get your child a better position in the class or more attention is crazy. This article made me both respect the district and state that I work in and feel bad for the students in poverty in China that don't have a chance of getting a fair education.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Comparing the Success of Nations in Schooling
Comparing the Success of Nations in Schooling
I found this article to be interesting and address some of the things that we as teachers are told on a daily basis. Many times we feel compared to other districts, states and countries. This article is an interview summary with a leader in education who took the time to compare various countries' educational systems. A few interesting points were that all of Finland's schools measured similar in test scores and use school of choice as means to create equity and competition. In Japan teachers are encouraged to develop lesson together and then reflect on strengths and weaknesses. Finally, in Shanghai they have invested money in getting the best teachers and principals for the most struggling schools to help them succeed. Ultimately the research found that having a good teacher in the classroom is very important and should be priority in quality education.
I found this article to be interesting and address some of the things that we as teachers are told on a daily basis. Many times we feel compared to other districts, states and countries. This article is an interview summary with a leader in education who took the time to compare various countries' educational systems. A few interesting points were that all of Finland's schools measured similar in test scores and use school of choice as means to create equity and competition. In Japan teachers are encouraged to develop lesson together and then reflect on strengths and weaknesses. Finally, in Shanghai they have invested money in getting the best teachers and principals for the most struggling schools to help them succeed. Ultimately the research found that having a good teacher in the classroom is very important and should be priority in quality education.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
The Week in Rap: Election Edition
The Week in Rap: Election Edition
I came across this in the New York Times Education section. There is a site called Flovocabulary that creates rap videos to teach a variety of topics including current events. This idea of using music to teach students large concepts was actually one of the topics covered by Horacio Sanchez at our professional development on Tuesday. He talked about how the brain works in learning and that many students can be more successful when there is a rhythm or song to help them connect to the information. The YouTube video is embedded in the story so check it out!
I came across this in the New York Times Education section. There is a site called Flovocabulary that creates rap videos to teach a variety of topics including current events. This idea of using music to teach students large concepts was actually one of the topics covered by Horacio Sanchez at our professional development on Tuesday. He talked about how the brain works in learning and that many students can be more successful when there is a rhythm or song to help them connect to the information. The YouTube video is embedded in the story so check it out!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Ways to Watch the Election Night Results
Ways to Watch the Election Night Results
I found this to be an interesting article from the NY Times section on education. I know many of us don't talk politics with our students especially if we don't teach history or social studies. This is a great way to make things currently happening in the world relate to curriculum. My math brain particularly liked the link on "512 Paths to the White House" on how to track the results and view the different permutations to calculate the projected winners. This has great ideas on how to make the election interactive for students (and teachers!)
I found this to be an interesting article from the NY Times section on education. I know many of us don't talk politics with our students especially if we don't teach history or social studies. This is a great way to make things currently happening in the world relate to curriculum. My math brain particularly liked the link on "512 Paths to the White House" on how to track the results and view the different permutations to calculate the projected winners. This has great ideas on how to make the election interactive for students (and teachers!)
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