I came across an article that talks about how to deal with behaviors that come about around the holidays and how to deal with them. "Before You Throw a Holiday Party"
By Terri Mauro, has a suggestion that I may not be able to use now, for I am not a parent, but I want to apply to my classroom.
She makes the point that your child may need his/her own "private" area to go to when people are there. This place is where no one else can go and where your child can have alone time with comforting items.
Relating this to my current job and a student I am struggling with behavior wise, a light went on. My student is autistic and very oppositional defiant....maybe just stubborn! However, he frequently likes to do his own thing and not interact with his peers. Using the idea of giving him his own private place, I am thinking this could help with some behaviors. If my student knows he has a place to go to when he starts to get frustrated, some of his behaviors might go away and he may feel more calm at school. I am blessed that I have 3 separate rooms at my disposal, and even a closet that he often likes to chase ghost out of. Maybe I could make that closet his place to go to, to be with his ghost and to talk to himself like he frequently does. I like the idea of a private place...I will have to work on setting this up.
(Sorry....this was a thinking aloud blog with me trying to make sense of what I was thinking!)
Saturday, December 11, 2010
What to get your teacher for the holidays!
Of course the title caught my attention....."What's the best gift for a teacher?" I clicked on the link and realized it was a poll but I started reading the comments that others have made. My mind wondered...
I remember back in the days when I would go shopping with my mom to get something for my teacher for Christmas. Growing up, times were tough and we were never able to spend veyr much on gifts but my mom always made sure that my teacher got something. Now that I am a teacher, I realize that all those little gifts are passed on at "white elephant" parties or are thrown into the garbage can once the kids leave for the break. However, I also know that even though I do not want to keep many of the gifts that I get, I always remember them and they make me smile.
However, looking at comments others made, I agree with some of the posts that tell parents to focus on their child's education and invest in that, rather than getting the teacher a gift. Helping educate your student not only makes that current teacher's job easier, but it will also be the gift that gives every year in the future. I can go without the little candies that crack my teeth when I try to bite into them and I can go without another snow globe. Helping me educate your students will make my holiday that much better!
I remember back in the days when I would go shopping with my mom to get something for my teacher for Christmas. Growing up, times were tough and we were never able to spend veyr much on gifts but my mom always made sure that my teacher got something. Now that I am a teacher, I realize that all those little gifts are passed on at "white elephant" parties or are thrown into the garbage can once the kids leave for the break. However, I also know that even though I do not want to keep many of the gifts that I get, I always remember them and they make me smile.
However, looking at comments others made, I agree with some of the posts that tell parents to focus on their child's education and invest in that, rather than getting the teacher a gift. Helping educate your student not only makes that current teacher's job easier, but it will also be the gift that gives every year in the future. I can go without the little candies that crack my teeth when I try to bite into them and I can go without another snow globe. Helping me educate your students will make my holiday that much better!
Creativity
In the article "Advice to New and Student Teachers: Hold Fast to Dreams" author Gaetan Pappalardo encourages new teachers and student teachers to keep the arts alive within the school.
When my father was growing up, he was not into the academic side of school. When I asked him why he did not do well in his gym class or his history class, he said it was because he could be found working with the woods teacher on projects or maintenance would ask him to help them fix something around the campus. My dad was their go to guy when something needed to be done correctly. My father's grades suffered drastically because of this but academics were not going to take him into the career he wanted anyways.
My father is a prime example of why the focus on math and science is not going to work for all. Don't get me wrong, education needs to be reformed in this country and there does need to be a focus put on the academics, but not for all. Many people are not going to be doctors or engineers. Some are going to be mechanics or artists which are both needed and are just as important to making the world what it is today. Education needs to focus on what is good for all, not just a few select and still continue to offer classes where creativity can grow and he shown.
The drop out rate is scary and with the art classes being cut back more, the drop out rate is only going to go up. No doubt, those who plan to go in the "academic" direction for a career, should be given the chance to take classes that will help them. Those that are choosing to take a different route, be it culinary or music, should also be given the opportunity to take classes that will help them achieve their career dreams. Education needs to take some lessons from special education maybe....a little individualizing might help out!
When my father was growing up, he was not into the academic side of school. When I asked him why he did not do well in his gym class or his history class, he said it was because he could be found working with the woods teacher on projects or maintenance would ask him to help them fix something around the campus. My dad was their go to guy when something needed to be done correctly. My father's grades suffered drastically because of this but academics were not going to take him into the career he wanted anyways.
My father is a prime example of why the focus on math and science is not going to work for all. Don't get me wrong, education needs to be reformed in this country and there does need to be a focus put on the academics, but not for all. Many people are not going to be doctors or engineers. Some are going to be mechanics or artists which are both needed and are just as important to making the world what it is today. Education needs to focus on what is good for all, not just a few select and still continue to offer classes where creativity can grow and he shown.
The drop out rate is scary and with the art classes being cut back more, the drop out rate is only going to go up. No doubt, those who plan to go in the "academic" direction for a career, should be given the chance to take classes that will help them. Those that are choosing to take a different route, be it culinary or music, should also be given the opportunity to take classes that will help them achieve their career dreams. Education needs to take some lessons from special education maybe....a little individualizing might help out!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Being Part of Their Own Education Process
Reading the article "Equation of Success: Top Ten Responsibilites that Students Must Own" I started nodding my head. The according to the author, Heather Wolpert-Gawron, the following are what students need to "step up as a variable in their own equation of success:"
"Number One: Be your own advocate. Stake a claim in the classroom by making sure the teacher knows who you are...in a good way.
Number Two: Ask lots of questions....and show confusion appropriately.
Number Three: Communicate your struggles to your teachers. What is going on that affects your work?
Number Four: Think of school as your office in training. Are you a good co-worker?
Number Five: Dress for success, but don't panic, you don't have to wear a suit to be taken seriously.
Number Six: At least do the minimum so you aren't creating gaps that are harder to bridge later. Better yet, do more.
Number Seven: Sweat a little. School is your brain gym. You have to work out your muscles, make them a little sore, if you're going to lift a heavier load later on.
Number Eight: Find ways to relate to your reading and writing. What original thoughts and experiences can you bring to the lesson to make it come alive for yourself?
Number Nine: Be in class. Don't jeopardize your own training.
Number Ten: Surround yourself with other students who can help you. You don't have to be best friends with everyone you seek advice from, but find friends or acquaintances that are rooting for you, the best of you."
I believe, especially in my school district, that the curriculum has been watered down making it easier for students to slack and not have to step up to the plate. I feel that we are setting students up for future failures as the work place does the opposite; giving more responsibilites with less time to accomplish tasks and little instruction or guidance. When a parent calls in to complain that their child did poorly in a class, it is always the teacher's fault, never the student's. However, if the student took repsonsibility for his own learning, the phone call wouldn't even need to be made. These 10 responsibilities are exactly what students should be expected to do in school and in life in general. I have these expectations for my students with special needs and they do step up to the plate. There is no reason that all students shouldn't then be able to follow these responsbilities.
"Number One: Be your own advocate. Stake a claim in the classroom by making sure the teacher knows who you are...in a good way.
Number Two: Ask lots of questions....and show confusion appropriately.
Number Three: Communicate your struggles to your teachers. What is going on that affects your work?
Number Four: Think of school as your office in training. Are you a good co-worker?
Number Five: Dress for success, but don't panic, you don't have to wear a suit to be taken seriously.
Number Six: At least do the minimum so you aren't creating gaps that are harder to bridge later. Better yet, do more.
Number Seven: Sweat a little. School is your brain gym. You have to work out your muscles, make them a little sore, if you're going to lift a heavier load later on.
Number Eight: Find ways to relate to your reading and writing. What original thoughts and experiences can you bring to the lesson to make it come alive for yourself?
Number Nine: Be in class. Don't jeopardize your own training.
Number Ten: Surround yourself with other students who can help you. You don't have to be best friends with everyone you seek advice from, but find friends or acquaintances that are rooting for you, the best of you."
I believe, especially in my school district, that the curriculum has been watered down making it easier for students to slack and not have to step up to the plate. I feel that we are setting students up for future failures as the work place does the opposite; giving more responsibilites with less time to accomplish tasks and little instruction or guidance. When a parent calls in to complain that their child did poorly in a class, it is always the teacher's fault, never the student's. However, if the student took repsonsibility for his own learning, the phone call wouldn't even need to be made. These 10 responsibilities are exactly what students should be expected to do in school and in life in general. I have these expectations for my students with special needs and they do step up to the plate. There is no reason that all students shouldn't then be able to follow these responsbilities.
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