BLOG #8

The article Why Field Trips Still Matter, http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/why_field_trips_still_matter.shtml , touches the issue of field trips. A group of 8th graders are the example of the benefits that children experience with the hands on approach with a field trip to Washington, DC. Most schools have cut down on the opportunities to allow their students the experience. School systems must realize that most children do not have the luxury of taking trips and growing in experience because of personal financial situations. School is the only option that they have to explore new ventures. These trips open up their eyes to want to learn more because it is in real life that they are experiencing this, not on a virtual trip over the internet. They have just shown to enhance the children's enthusiasm for learning.

BLOG #7

The article Reading Aloud: Are Students Ever Too Old http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr081.shtml, it speaks of a familiar topic. Reading is essential across the board. Every teacher is a reading teacher because in every subject, reading is involved. Acknowledging this, educators should take into consideration that read alouds are indeed beneficial to students of all ages. Beginning in the lower grades, read alouds are very popular in introducing and enhancing the child's experience with reading. As they get older, this trend seems to be drowned out by other independent silent reading. Even in middle school and high school, students find interest in being read to. This activity gives the student the opportunity to use their imagination to visualize what is being read to them. It is also a great help to the struggling reader, it helps with comprehension. If educators want to maintain the high level of enthusiasm that children possess in the lower grades, it is best to nurture this provide the example continuously throughout their years of education.

BLOG #6

I found the article Wisdom of the (multi) Ages: Students Learn by Teaching, http://www.edutopia.org/multiage-classroom-looping-peer-mentoring  to be especially interesting. For starters, I was unfamiliar with the idea that some schools such as these even existed. Since these practices are very rare, I applied the same ideas to the typical classroom. It is remarkable how a teacher can explain over and over the same instructions and the child will not understand. It isn't until the same concept is repeating by one of their peers, that it makes perfect sense. Children learn a lot from their peers. As educators, we have the opportunity to utilize this tool (peer to peer learning). All it takes is the proper modeling which would be demonstrated by the teacher. Strategically grouping the students in groups based on their strengths and weaknesses gives the child the chance to learn from their peers. This technique also gives the student who is strong in one subject the pride and opportunity to feel good about themselves. Following the teacher's example by teaching their peers is a great experience for them.

BLOG #4

In the article A Defining Moment, http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev139.shtml the focus is on how teachers deal with being only human and making mistakes. It doesn't so much focus on the mistake itself but rather on how it is dealt with. Different scenarios are explained along with the technique used to confront the situation. I experienced a similar situation this past Friday at a science camp. It was a task given to the group of children to label the steps of the water cycle. It had been a while since I'd last gone over the water cycle myself, so when me and my partner were corrected, that was our defining moment. We went about the situation in acknowledging our mistake and showing appreciation for their knowledge. We gave them the sense of pride in being so knowledgeable on the topic. The child walked away with the feeling of accomplishment and pride. There was no ridicule in the situation. Finding this article was a bit ironic for me especially after just recently experiencing my own defining moment.

Blog #5

In reading the article, Educators Deal with the Growing Problem of Autism, http://www.edutopia.org/autism-school-special-needs it is brought to the attention of educators today that not enough is being done to meet the needs of autistic children. It is an illness that is difficult to diagnose and is all too common these days. Budget issues are the dilemma that districts are faced with when meeting the needs of the autistic children that attend their schools. Autistic children require more attention and better equipped educators to allow them to teach at a higher level where these children and learn and progress. Because of the rapid growth and commonality of this illness, school districts need to make the best decisions in providing materials needed to nurture their growth. Also, educating the parents and perhaps providing classes on how to deal with the needs and best ways to reach their children would be beneficial for the child. Beginning in the home environment and following through with the proper school environment would be a one way ticket for the child to reach success.

BLOG #3

The article Study Links Pupils' Stress to School Environments "Classroom learning environments and the Mental Health of 1st Grade Children," http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/03/09/24report-b1.h30.html?tkn=OYTFFHjGqP%2BkOLiTMgh87FOWJMnF%2FQX%2F7Jy2&cmp=clp-edweek , refers to the stresses brought upon first grade students as well as teachers in the classroom setting. It's a vicious cycle. These stresses begin at home for example, in lower income households. These children go to school with the stresses that they face at home and are expected to perform at high levels. Also, given the circumstances in each district, teachers face the burden of struggling to provide supplies for different activities because of the lack of funds. This is a bit of a crutch for any teacher, not allowing them to perform at their highest potential. That stress is reflected onto the students by the teacher's frustrations. The child's behavior is affected and the teacher is put in the position to have to discipline. It is ongoing; what affects the students, affects the teacher, and in turn affects the students again. Something must be done to alleviate these problems. First grade is a very critical year for them and these stresses are showing major effects on their learning as well as social behavioral problems. No matter the race of the child, educators need to be informed of the setting they are providing for the children they are teaching.

BLOG #2

The article Fifth Graders Soar in the Blogosphere ( http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech253.shtml )  gave me great interest in the idea of blogging being brought into the classroom. A teacher integrated blogging into her lessons and with that provided a greater motivation for the students to write. They took more pride and put more effort into their work because the teacher was no longer the sole audience, now their work could be seen by their peers. This article  caught my attention because of the fact that I am doing my field experience with a fifth grade class. I can see how it would broaden their learning spectrum from wanting to learn more, to improving their writing skills. Blogging gives them the opportunity to express their thoughts and ideas, like a free write. It also leaves room for suggestion for the teacher to learn what their students believe to be great ways of learning. This interaction has many benefits and provides them with an better understanding of the world today. Blogging is used everywhere including college courses like this one. Exposing them to blogging opens doors to motivational learning and discussion. This is something I could see myself trying if placed in an upper grade one day.