Micro-blog: Fun organizational supplies.

  I re-arranged my desk this weekend and I am so glad that I did! I found a few treasures that you may want to hunt down via the interwebs. 

Treble clef paper clips?? So cute! They may be available at Staples. 

Emoticon Paper Clips. Found at Staples in 2009.

Mini magnets, perfect for wipe board calendars! Staples 2009.

  I hope you can find the latter two fun items, especially if you are a visual organizer like I am. It makes it much easier for high school and college students to have these fun reminders.

Creating Value in Nonessential Skills in Public Schools

  This will come as no surprise but over the next decade, I suspect that we will see a rise in the amount of backlash from the community against federal over-regulations in education. The Common Core is not a bad idea but the implementation has been poorly executed. In my definition of nonessential, I am using the term to blanket all the classes that do not receive standardized testing, despite the fact that each state incorporates a framework for these classes. Nonessential classes are Art, Gym, Health, Music, Home Economics, and in many cases, Foreign Languages.
  Most public schools do not teach foreign languages until 6th or 7th grade to students who have high grades in English. As if this is some determination that the student has mastered their language and can move onto another. Throughout most of the world, this is not the case. As it it deemed important for students to begin learning a second language at a much younger age due to cultural exchange value. Cultural exchange value? What is that? What I mean by this terminology is that the local culture finds value in a second language because it is present in their community. This is why foreign languages fit in this context.
  I have already discussed the value of nonessential skills being taught to students but there is another argument to this proposition that I just touched upon above, cultural exchange value. The capability of a thriving community is dependent upon the education of their children. With well-developed, cultured, intelligent minds the community can expand or maintain by being able to bring in and create new business and services as needed by the community or the ability to adapt to new ideologies and technology with demand and competition outside the community. Makes sense, right?
  Think about a recent job interview or meeting with people you did not know. You have to establish a connection, right? What topic is it going to be? We know the three taboo things to discuss when meeting new people are religion, politics, and sex. Just don't. What are you going to talk about? How much you love cooking? The latest exhibit at a museum? The most recent Wynton Marsalis release? The fact that you hit a personal goal at the last 5K? You do know that these seemingly simple topics can make that connection and win over your next major account! Why are we not allowing this to be taught in schools anymore? Here is a simple list of some of the benefits of teaching nonessential skills.

• Knowing basic car maintenance can save you time, money, and energy. 
• A community that understands basic economics and personal finance creates growth.
• Knowledge of cooking and gardening creates a better palate which may translate into healthier restaurants.
• Who doesn't like a community full of beautiful music and art to look at, reflect, and reduce anxieties?
• A healthy community is a productive community and does not tax the health system. 
• How about more planning time for teachers so that they can call parents, attend meetings, give back to the community, and work on renewing their license? 

  Sounds good, doesn't it? A strong education background in nonessential subjects reduces dependence on outside resources and cultivates resources within the community.

 

Bringing Non-Essential Subjects Back into the Classroom

  In a class that I am taking at Roanoke College, we have been in the midst of discussing the role of arts, music, dance, and theatre in public school education. Then an interesting thought came to my  mind, more of a remembrance.
  I remember my middle school days. Built into those days, besides the core subjects, were sets of experiences to enhance and enrich our understanding of the world around us. We were exposed to a new home economics experience every term. One term would consist of Nutrition and Cooking, the next term would be Woodworking, the third term would be Sewing, and the fourth term would be Silk Screening/Metalworking.
  There was another experience we had in middle school unlike any other, a one-hour period called Activity. This would change every term as well and we had a list of activities we could choose from. These activities were based on each teacher's area of interest. I learned Knitting, Chess, and worked on the School Newspaper. It allowed us to interact with teachers we don't normally see and we were learning valuable life skills.
  In other words, besides having Art and Music once a week, we also had gym two to three times per week. We had a truly Liberal Arts education in middle school. What happened to these classes?
  As budgets for public schools shrink, programs like these were shutdown. We are now graduating students who can't cook, sew, perform basic maintenance on their homes, or balance their checkbook. The only students receiving this education are attending private schools or homeschool students. With both parents, and sometimes one parent or guardian, students are being left to fend for self and learn the hard way. Most often, this way is filled with mistakes and tougher consequences.
  Which brings me to this question, should public schools be teaching the nonessentials? And are they really nonessential? If private schools think these life skills are important, why are we not doing them in public schools? Private schools do have the advantage of smaller classes and access but so should public schools and public school children. What do you think?

Strong Habits of Successful Students

  Many of my friends in college have been posting about their classes for the past several days. Many of them got a head start on their assignments. While this is a good jump on the upcoming semester, keep this list in mind that will help guide and keep you on track! Most students begin falling behind within the first few weeks of classes!

• Read the syllabus carefully. At certain points during the term, you may want to double check it make sure that you are still on track!
• Grab your planner and begin to fill it. You will want to schedule in the dates of important tests/exams and due dates of large projects. Make sure you give yourself enough time to devote to review and break down small tasks into an everyday to-do list. 
• Skim your text. Skimming the text gives you a good idea the concepts you will be learning. If you have discussion questions or problems that are due weekly, read the questions, and concentrate on the sections that focus on notes from class and homework problems. 
• Keep a journal. Not all professors collect or grade homework. However, you should do all the problems assigned in a composition book. Use hi-liters, post-it flags, or whatever it takes to figure out where the logical issues are and you will be far better prepared to ask your professor about it the following morning. 
• Create a strong study group. Many times, study groups devolve into a chill and gossip session. Make sure you have a plan. Appoint someone to keep everyone on task but allow for breaks. Create activities that allow everyone to get involved and still learn. 
• Forgive and forget when you fall behind. Give yourself a break then pull up your bootstraps and keep going! It may mean you have to skip out on an event you want to attend but grades come first!
• Make sure you can read your notes. Seems obvious but most students do not have a good system of note-taking. Make sure you leave enough room in the margins to correlate text readings and homework problems to the notes or ask questions of the material for review or for clarification in class. 
• It's ok to Youtube resources. Sometimes everyone needs really complex concepts explained in a different way from your prof. For Physics, I like Feynman's lectures. For a different view of Math, I follow ViHart. Either way, sometimes staring at your notes is not going to force the material to jump in your head any faster.
• Eat well, don't forget to play, and get plenty of sleep! Often we forget to take care of ourselves properly when we are digging into our classes. Make sure that you are eating healthy, whole foods and getting rest. If you are having sleep problems or increases in anxiety or depression, see a school counselor right away!

Revamped English and Science SOL's throw Virginia through a loop, Math scores increase.

  When new standardized tests are given in any subject, you can usually expect a small decrease in scores for the first year or two as teachers adjust to the new testing strategies. The scores should begin improving again by the third year to the same levels seen in 2011-2012. There also may be a few other reasons why scores have dipped and those should be investigated. Here I will concentrate on my strength, Sciences.

1. Teaching to facts and not teaching for complex synthesis. The old SOL's were highly fact-based tests. The newer tests are not that easy. They are more in-depth and require thought and strategy in solving the problems. They require a full understanding of scientific processes and how they are applied to realistic, everyday situations. Word on the teacher front in May was that this test killed the students while they were taking it. 
2. Administrative bad attitudes. I know that it is difficult to be the boss. To constantly deliver bad news, or having a correctional meeting with a subordinate, or be held accountable for the performance of your whole team. But that is what it is about. Support. You capture more flies with honey than you do with vinegar! Remember that! 
3. Lack of administrative support. There is a specific incident that occurred in a local Roanoke school system that I wish to tell you about. A friend of mine, who taught elementary science in 2009, was told by the head of the Science Department, that "we are not concentrating on elementary sciences." Looking at this past year's scores in that school and system-wide, it is apparent that this is the case. In light of the Obama administration's push for early education and STEM introduction in elementary systems, this kind of thinking is completely against the grain. Whether or not you agree with what is going on in education right now with the National Core Curriculum, it is essential that students are competitive in the sciences. 
4. Don't blame technology. "The students aren't used to the new system." I heard that sentence a few times. If anything, today's students are soaked in technology. I highly doubt that they are afraid of a computer test. However, there is the sentiment that the student may be rushing through the tests and that has to be carefully monitored. Students, especially IEP recipients, will need breaks to avoid becoming supersaturated. 

  So why did students score better in Math this year? The test was revamped last year and most schools systems have caught up with the changes already. The computer-based system has been in place for a few years now, reducing any anxieties about the usability of the program. Click the link to the article where you will find links to school system reports. 

  Most of you know my personal feeling about standardized testing and exactly how the "prepare" students for college. There is not one single standardized test that prepares you for college coursework. The only thing that does is life, creative teachers, and a thirst for knowledge. Excellent teachers are not just teaching the content. They are guiding students and becoming their coaches and cheerleaders. 

  I have not heard one valedictorian speech that thanked the SOLs or SATs for the work that they accomplished in elementary through secondary school. Tomorrow I will discuss highly effective habits of successful college students and who they draw upon for their knowledge.

Classical Explorations Begins Series.

   You have to love the internet. I have met more people face-to-face by connecting with them online. So when my Facebook and Twitter friend, Elizabeth Markham, announced Classical Explorations, I thought, what a great idea! 

 

  Elizabeth homeschools her own mini-me and was looking for a solution for her daughter's request to spend more time in a classroom setting or getting to be around more kids. All homeschool parents understand this dilemma when they try to create a balance between giving a quality education and time for socialization. If you have a child in the 4-6 yr old category and Tuesday mornings are open, click the link above for more details! Space is limited!  

Weekly Pinterest Education Round-up

There is no shame in being addicted to Pinterest! Here, I will share a few pins from my Education Board that may be worth trying out at home or in the classroom!

Sheer Post-it Notes from 3M! Write in your books without the mess! 

From teacherspayteachers.com: Get to know your students! How fun is this?

From Learning Ideas: Music, Science, and Crafts? Yes, please!