This is an Article written by Wendy L. Werner about the importance of mentoring programs. The article discusses the effects that a good mentor can have on an individual. It also discusses how to be a good mentor as well as a good mentee.
I've seen several mentor programs in which the mentor only wore the title but never actually played an active role in the student's life. So what I liked most about the article is the keypoint that stated that a mentor should "take initiative and make time". I think that if someone is going to be a mentor they must be actively involved in the mentee's life in order for progression to occur. A student is not going to feel that they can confide in their mentor until they have established a relationship. Just like in the classroom, students need to know that educators care. They need to feel a sense of belonging. When educators as well as mentors create a warm, caring environment students are more likely to open up or accomplish task to meet their mentor's or teacher's expectations!
Very good point, Jessica. That is well-said and very important! Because the teachers I liked were the ones
I knew and ones who made a difference in my life by the time they gave.
This paragraph makes the Fair use policy seem ridiculous. What do you think?
"But I do think many
have the impression that any
use of material in education is
fair use."
Fair use in the classroom is
often dependent on the subject
matter of the content. Ensign says
a teacher may not be allowed to
show the film The Lion King to
the class simply because it was
raining and the kids were squirrelly.
It could be shown only if
the class were doing a study of
Disney films or were engaged in
the study of a related subject.
I agree with the article's main point, that it IS a teacher's responsibility to know, apply, and teach the copyright and fair use rules. I ALSO agree with you, that the rules and policies make performing the job nearly impossible! I feel the pain, personally. In my classrooms, I am sometimes at a loss (and sometimes just bluff my way through it!) on how to explain to a confused student what to do in regards to using a copywritten resource or how to cite a unique source.
Thankflly, I have come across a really helpful weapon in the battle against confusion--an e-graphic organizer of sorts compiled by the UT librarians, and available for open use on their website: http://lib.utexas.edu/citations
I realized after reading that article, that I am guilty of copyright.....It's almost like they knew that we watched Toy Story the other day when it was raining, and it was almost time for 5:00 drive-thru.
This is in Huntsville, TX-That's cool! Very interesting.
Scott Johnson Elementary School in Huntsville, Texas
Vertical teams get ideas flowing across grade levels and provide learning opportunities for all teachers, explained Beth Burt, the school's principal. "The concept of vertical teaming has opened communication between grade levels," she told Education World. "That, in turn, has improved student achievement."
"It was formed to provide a forum for discussing specific curriculum
issues and looking at student work across the grades. It has been very
helpful to examine the grade levels at which certain skills are taught
and how much re-teaching occurs."
This article talks about different ways teaming brings about success. Near the bottom of the article the use of vertical alignment teams are discussed. Good read!
Wow!
I did my Method's at this school and I thought it was phenomenal then, I can only imagine now. This may be an article that I take back into my school because we have a group of 4th graders who are missing skills. It is hard to get the students prepared for the 5th grade level when they are missing 2nd and 3rd grade skills. Today I was talking to a teacher about what the students are being taught in the 3rd grade and she did not know. I think that if the teachers are communicating with the other grade level they are more aware of what to expect the next school year. This may also promote colloboration with other grade levels so that many skills are not missing. I am sure this will benefit all teachers and make learning more effective. It is all about team work!