Group items tagged

Public School or Home School, Which is Right for You? This is a comparison of public school versus home school that aims to help parents decide the best option for their child. This article examines the pros and cons of both school options. 1. What are your thoughts on homeschooling? 2. Do you think parents without college educations should be permitted to homeschool their children?

Add a little more to your summary. Give an example of something the article presents on this topic. You need 3 questions.

Zachary Christie, a 6-year-old first grader in Delaware brought a camping utensil along with his lunch. The tool included a folding fork. Unfortunately for Zachary, it also included a folding knife. He was sentenced to 45 days in the district's alternative school. His parents fought for this to change and it was reduced to only a 3- to 5-day suspension. The school districts policy also changed to a 3-5 day suspension for students caught with dangerous instruments, if they are in kindergarten or first grade. Parents who encounter this should not be a stranger, know the rules, prep your child(ren), speak up, and lobby against zero tolerance. 1- Why would parents allow students to bring questionable items like this to school? 2- Should schools punish students that are this young for bring something dangerous to school that parents should have stopped at home? 3- Is the new school policy fair?

So interesting! Great summary and questions.

Little attention has been given to absenteeism in schools. A new report finds that many students miss up to a month of school a year and it effects their test scores tremendously. It can set students back by 1 to 2 years, even more so for special education students. 1. How do we as teachers effect student absenteeism? 2. On a bus stop I drive by everyday, it says, "The solution to truancy is A(p)parent." How can we get parents to be involved with their kids in school? 3. What classroom practices can we have in place to help students to miss class? For example, my cooperative teacher has a blog students can pull information from if they miss class and she requires them to do so.

Student absenteeism is a reality we face in schools. Great questions!

This article looks at two different structures in place at different school systems to investigate and introduce new technology into the classroom. In the first example, the school district has invested in a full time administrator whose job it is to find new technologies and uses in the classroom and then provide the information to the teachers. The second case study involves a more traditional approach where the classroom teacher collaborated with other teachers and developed an program in Kindergarten through 3rd grade to introduce the children into inquiry into technology by dismantling robots and other forms of technology, solely to awaken a sense of discovery within the students.

More and more school districts are hiring integration specialists/technology coaches/21st Century Learning Coaches. Both case studies reveal important ideas for how technology can and should be used.

The use of cell phones are, often times, banned in the classrooms. This article discusses how smart phones in the classroom may be beneficial to students and their learning. Smart phones allows students to learn in a way that is comfortable to them, gives them access to find answers quickly, utilize audio and video on the devices to enhance the learning process, and allows for social learning. Schools shouldn't be thinking of ways to keep students from using their smart phone devices, but instead, think of how to allow use of smart phones in the classroom. Teachers can be a positive influence in helping students use their smart phones appropriately in the classroom to assist in learning.

This is also an inexpensive source of technology for the schools since most students have a Smartphone and the school doesn't have to provide the device.

From holding a kindergartner back a year to lengthening the school day, here are the education trends grabbing headlines and prompting debate: Academic "Redshirting, student-led conferences, K-8 schools replacing middle schools, laptops for all. The author brings up each subject and points our the pros and cons of each. DISCUSSION: Is "academic redshirting," or starting your child in Kindergarten later so they are older, a good idea? Is lengthening the school day the answer to many academic problems? Should all students have a laptop?

I like the list of topics, but be sure to add more to make this a summary of what you read. Good questions!

This is a blog written by a middle school teacher explaining classroom management. It also gives information on how to have effective classroom management within your classroom. It also has a comment section for teachers to continue to debrief on what did or didn't work in their own classrooms. 1. What do you think that is the most important to remember when dealing with middle school students? 2. What do you think the author meant by "pushing the limits"? 3. How would you deal with unruly students in your own classroom?

Be specific in your summary. What strategies did you read about?

Children who are physically fit absorb and retain new information more effectively than children who are out of shape, a new study finds, raising timely questions about the wisdom of slashing physical education programs at schools. How might you, as a teacher, incorporate physical fitness into your class, even if it is only for a couple minutes? Today, technology has become such a large portion of our life, what can be done to encourage students to become more physically active outside of school rather than play video games all night? Who would be a good resource to find out further information about types of physical activity for your students?

You only have one sentence of summary (as written). You need to have at least two or three. Great questions.

STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education is seen by many as the answer to the shortage of candidates in high tech fields. The author argues that multiple perspectives are important, and that creative thought leads to innovation. The arts are more than just an enjoyable pastime at school. 1. How can we make sure schools see the importance of art education? 2. Can art be tied into science, math, and technology to expand all areas? 3. As an art teacher, can I make real-world connections for my students?

I agree! Great choice for your article. Good summary and great questions!

I have been very intrigued by the thought of a flipped classroom (where students watch your lecture in the privacy of their own home and then come to class and work on homework and assignments) so I wanted to do little more research on the idea. This is a great article FOR flipped classrooms. There were 453 instructors who flipped their classrooms and 67 percent said they experienced increased test scores, 88 percent saw improved student attitudes and 99 percent said they would do it again. The flipped classroom allows for self-pacing and it helps students look up information they may have been scared to ask in class. This reminds me of when I was in college, if I read the chapter prior to my class I ALWAYS got more out of the lectures and homework than I did if I did not read. The flipped classroom allows for students to do their homework in class when the instructor is present so they can get help. In a flipped classroom instead of talking AT our students we are circulating and talking WITH them therefore, instructors have more one-on-one time with the students. What do you think of incorporating a flipped classroom? DISCUSSION: 1) Would you be willing to try a flipped classroom if your school would allow? Or, would you ask if you could try a flipped classroom? 2) I wonder if students would even watch the videos. In my daughter's school it seems most students aren't even doing their homework, do you think they would watch the videos before class? 3) Do you think the flipped classroom would be effective and: increase test scores, provide for improved student attitudes, improve student-teacher interaction, and allow students to learn at their own pace?

I am starting to see this more and more in my school. Great questions to consider!

You will find some great points regarding some hot trends in education in this article. Parents will be seeing their children using more technology and requiring more screen time to finish projects. Educators need to keep in mind technology adds no value to the classroom, students still need printed items to complete their learning. The new trend is the flipped classroom, where students watch lectures at home and students spend more time collaborating, discussing, and work on homework in class. 1. Do you think the flipped classroom will become a new trend in the near future? 2. How will the flipped classroom affect how you teach? How will it affect your objectives and seven structures? 3. How can you effectively incorporate technology in your classroom add value to learning?

I have seen these issues come up recently in our district. Good summary and great questions to think about!

This article outlines techniques and applications to use social media in businesses and schools. Although there is still a negative reaction to using Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites, this article offers appropriate uses for these in the classroom. It also outlines sources for educators and administration to improve their learning and development as well.

Social media continues to be a hot topic in schools. I wish I could have read the article.

This article speaks about all the educational data that is being collected but not used. Virginia has created an app to make that information accessible to parents. This allows them to use the data to choose which school they want to send their children to. I think all states should create an app like this to make sure data is being utilized and also to bring light to the schools who need more help.

This article looks at how the Richmond school district is implementing technology in an effort to meet the standards for Technological Literacy. They send teachers every year to the College of New Jersey for "Project Update" where they can learn new technology and then come back and share it with the rest of the school.

Although written in 2002, there were some good concepts in the article about having teachers train one another and some simple projects to start kids with projects involving technology.

This article talks about how Forest Lake Elementary School in South Carolina helped teachers develop technology usage in the classroom. The school and administration takes an active approach to the use of technology in the classroom. This articles talks about the steps the school takes in forcing the teachers to use technology tools and the support the teachers are given.

Great article with very practical tips for how to get teachers on board with technology despite their age or years of teaching!

This article focuses on the affect that adventure learning (or distance learning) has on motivation and learning outcomes among middle school students. This technology forum provides them with opportunities to learn about world issues as they are happening while getting to experience them online through the use of Google maps, audio recordings, and daily emails directly from their teacher. The research from this article found positive correlations between adventure learning as a form of technology in the classroom and increased student motivation.

That is really exciting as more schools are using this technology.

Digital learning starts with teachers. Technology is not something that can just be thrown into a classroom with no instruction. The three tips include: 1- Plan Ahead 2- Try Something New 3-Become an Educational Designer.

Great advice! I didn't know there was a Digital Learning Day!

Colleen Klaiber-Deacon Activity in classrooms is a great way to keep students more focused on learning. There are many different activities a teacher can do in the classroom, with classroom materials that is quick and to the point. From moving to stretching to even types of yoga, fuel up to play 60 has great activities for you to perform in class. 1. What is a major advantage that you can think of for getting students to move around? 2. What could you do as a teacher to make activities in the classroom more exciting and fun? 3. Is taking time to do physical activity in the classroom worth it? Explain?

Great article!

This article provides 10 suggested guidelines to follow for schools seeking to implement a student centered learning environment. This begins with the definition of student centered learning to mean learning which is student driven. The suggestions range in content from changing the teacher role to be one of coach / facilitator to redefining student success so as to not be overly reliant on grades and test scores. Discussion Questions: 1. The article uses student centered learning and student driven learning to be synonymous. Is this truly the case, or is student driven learning merely one iteration of student centered learning? 2. The article is careful to clarify that student centered learning is not a one size fits all nor equally applicable to all subjects. Which subjects are less amenable to the student centered / driven learning as portrayed in the article? 3. How realistic is it for a school to transition away from grades as a measurement of student learning given that grades and class rank are two of the main criteria colleges look at in making admission determinations?

Love the concept of student centered learning :)