Meghan and Rebecca and Safe Schools

I was reading an article that focuses on school safety in the state of New Jersey.    On March 22^nd  of this year a fire at James Monroe Elementary in Edison New Jersey, broke out when a custodian tossed an unfinished cigarette into a trash can.  James Monroe Elementary School had to shut down due to the damages from this fire.  Oddly enough, there were no sprinkler systems in the building.  The reason for no sprinklers is that most schools in New Jersey were built before the law was written that required schools to have a sprinkler system, and there is no law that requires local districts to retrofit their campuses.  State Senator Stephen Sweeney is an advocate of providing a safe environment for students when being they are at  school.  Sweeney believes that several upgrades need to be done to schools throughout New Jersey such as sprinkler systems and air conditioning. 

         

          I personally did not know that by law school campuses are not required to have sprinkler systems; as a future teacher this is unsettling.  I believe that all schools should be required to have functioning sprinkler systems throughout their buildings.  As aspiring teachers, how do you feel about this safety issue? How do you think parents feel about this issue?  I am also happy that this issue was brought to the public’s  attention.   Do you agree that in order to have an extended school year, school buildings are going to need upgrades?  Through your field experience can you suggest any other safety-related necessities that need to be addressed?

http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2014/04/stephen_sweeney_on_school_safety_sprinkers_should_be_in_all_our_schools.html#incart_river

Colleen and Bullying

Bullying is a very important issue that is affecting children of all ages. It is also a topic that is very dear to my heart, from being bullied as a child to being accused of being a bully in high school. I have also had to witness the early stages of bullying in the classroom and in places like a summer camp. Schools all over the world have implemented anti-bullying policies. But does this always work? Most of these programs only come into effect once an instance of bullying has already occurred.

I recently finished my research for my scholar’s project which is on this topic. I found that one of the biggest influences could in fact be to teach children empathy, kindness and compassion at a young age. Some of the ways of doing this could be encouraging generosity, fostering play, allowing for problem solving, active service, and exploring other’s perspectives. One of the ways of teaching empathy is through children’s books. This is what I focused on in my project. I wrote a book called “Superheroes: Defenders of the Heart” which teaches children that they are all different and unique and should not pick on someone just for being different. It also allows for them to think about what they would do if they saw someone being bullied. Attached is a link to my website where there is a PDF copy of my book.

https://sites.google.com/site/msbegleyssocialstudiesworld/home/superheroes-defenders-of-the-heart

My Question for you is: What would you do to stop bullying before it happens?

Alexandra and beginning reader concerns

         My cooperating teacher recently told me something that shook me to the core. The program they use in kindergarten in the school in which I am observing, is called Open Court. This gives the students  several weeks to work on one letter and to learn the sounds that  it makes. Because of this approach, the program appears to limit the amount of letters a student can learn over the course of a year. This week they should be on the letter K. This is scary to me because there are only two months left of school.

          To make matters worse their reading program does not align with this Open Court program. Students began reading two months ago. Luckily,  my teacher did not follow the  Open Court  program totally and the students all know every letter and the sounds that those letters make.    If my teacher had followed the Open Court approach to beginning reading there is no way that the students would be on  track.

          I will be teaching in less than a year and it scares me that there can be two programs that I need to work with that do not agree with each other. As a future teacher would you follow this Open Court program or would you implement your own beginning reading program?  What kind of reading programs and which teaching strategies that you have observed that you feel will be helpful to you as you begin to teach emergent readers?    

Theresa and libraries

The Board of Education in the district in which I am observing has decided to implement a full day kindergarten program, as of September 2014.  In an attempt to make more room for a second kindergarten classroom, the superintendent fired all of the librarians in the elementary schools within the district. This would allow the schools to turn the libraries into classrooms.  There will no longer be elementary school librarians in the district.  When I asked what was going to happen with all those books, one of the teachers told me that the superintendent was requiring that all the books be placed in the classrooms.  I am still not sure how I feel about this situation.   Of course I feel badly for the librarians and the students, but I cannot help wondering if this decision is practical? 

          Do classroom teachers have the knowledge that librarians do about the latest books that are in print for young children?  Classroom teachers do not even have time to teach science and social studies, how could they possibly teach all of the necessary library skills? I fear that an appreciation for libraries and reading will be removed from the schools and the entire district.    What would school be like without library? What do you think? Should libraries be eliminated in order to make room for an all day kindergarten?   Can you think of another solution?    

MeganAnn and Common Core

          Recently, the President of New Jersey Education Association (NJEA)  has been meeting with school boards and members of the Assembly in order to address the concerns NJEA, teachers, and parents are having with the implementation of the Common Core Standards.   NJEA believes that there is a  disconnect between the Common Core and the new teacher evaluation system. The NJEA president wanted to make it clear that the NJEA supports the use of the Common Core Standards, but does not agree with the way in which the Common Core is being implemented at this time.  NJEA believes that  the implementation of the Common Core is being rushed and teachers have not been given enough time to understand the standards, to adapt and refine their schools curriculum to meet those very important  standards.   In addition, there is concern about the amount of time and professional learning opportunities available in order for teachers to learn about how they can adjust their teaching strategies.

            The second point the NJEA president, Wendell Steinhauer, made is that the NJEA, teachers and parents feel that, “the Department of Education is also rushing to implement a new evaluation and standardized testing regimen that in many ways is contrary to what the Common Core is designed to accomplish.”  Within the Common Core, teachers are encouraged to collaborate with other teachers. However, teachers are now being held solely responsible for their individual students’ test scores.   This link between student scores and teacher accountability is a huge part of the new evaluation system. So, even though the Common Core encourages collaboration, the test scores that are supposed to  evaluate teachers are not taking into consideration the fact that other teachers and other educational factors contribute to student success. Additionally, NJEA fears that by putting such  great weight on student test scores,  teachers in these grades will feel “forced to teach toward the test.”  Therefore,  the NJEA president has asked that the New Jersey Legislature help teachers by giving them the time and resources to implement the Common Core the correct way and, at the same time, help fix the teacher evaluation system so that it can measure what the Common Core truly values.

           

            Do you have any opinion about this  Common Core implementation? What do you hear teachers saying with regard to this Common Core implementation? Do you believe that there is a danger in having teachers rated on how well their students do on a standardized test?  Should teachers  be evaluated in connection with the Common Core?

The link to the article to which I am referring is listed below.    

http://www.njea.org/news/2014-02-10/what-s-right-about-common-core-and-how-nj-is-getting-it-wrong

Theresa and a math program question

The classroom in which I am observing is using a math program called enVision Math. This program is created by Pearson and is connected to the Common Core standards.   In fact, it is totally focused on the standards. This program has lessons for everyday of the year, chapter tests, and unit tests. Each day the lesson begins by having the students watch a video that introduces the concept they will cover in the lesson.   They then do a worksheet with the teacher and then one on their own, and then they have a homework page. The only thing the teacher is required to do is put the video on and help during guided practice. The program mixes math up a lot too. One day the students will be learning about subtraction,  the next day they will be learning about patterns. 

            I am not sure how I feel about this program. I think the strategies ( the way they teach students to learn math) are very difficult. I find the students in my classroom struggling, because this program is introducing a completely new way to teach math. I am also finding that the parents dislike it, because they are finding it harder to help students with their homework.  The parents are not familiar with the strategies. I believe that the teacher becomes too  reliant on the program. The teacher does not have to do anything.  It is almost like the students are being taught by a robot. This is the second year that I have observed this program and I am not a fan.

            What do you think? Do you think it would be better for teachers to work without this resource? Do you think that programs like these enable a teacher to really teach? Would you use a math program like this in your classroom? Would you prefer to teach math the old way? 

Rebecca has a question about bullying

We all know that bullying is a big issue in schools.   I recently read an article that said that a judge in Hunterdon County ruled that school districts can now sue the students who are found to be tormenting their peers.  It is believed that if a school district is able to sue a student who is participating in harassment and bullying that parents of those students will now be legally responsible for their  child's actions.   In turn, it is hoped that this ability to sue will force parents to take some affirmative steps toward demanding appropriate behavior from their child.    This is the first case to be brought forward by a school district since the new New Jersey anti-bullying law was passed.  

Obviously we know that actions need to be taken with regard to bullying,  but do you agree with this court decision?   Do you think that other courts in other counties in New Jersey  will do the same?  Do you believe that by involving parents in these law suits that bullying will decrease? I have inserted the article for your convenience.   

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2014/03/bullies_beware_groundbreaking_ruling_allows_schools_to_sue_students_who_harass_peers.html#incart_river

Leticia and the biracial family

             Recently, the  Today show spoke about a recent Cheerios commercial that seemingly caused a great deal of  controversy. The commercial includes a white mom, biracial child, and an African-American dad.  According to what was stated on the Today show,   many people were offended by this advertisement. Cheerios had to disable comments on YouTube because of all the negative comments. The Cheerios company added that they were trying to portray the American family because there are many multicultural families in America today. I feel that it is sad that we are in the year 2014, we have a biracial president and we are still having this issue of prejudice today.

            I believe that as teacher we need to teach respect for  diversity.   It is important because many, many families are diverse. By teaching diversity the teacher creates a place where the students feel cared for, accepted, and learn to appreciate differences. An activity I recently saw about diversity involved two different colored eggs.   The  teacher demonstrated that when she cracked the two eggs they both had the same thing in the inside. I also saw the following poem on Pinterest, saying that we are all different but that we are all important.  This is the poem:  

“The Crayon Box That Talked –

Wouldn't it be terrible?

Wouldn't it be sad?

If just one single color was the color we had?

If everything was purple? Or red? Or blue? Or green?

If yellow, pink or orange was all that could be seen?

Can you just imagine how dull the world would be if just one single color was all we got to see?” 

What are your thoughts?    Should the curriculum include the teaching of respect for diversity?   Should we teach an appreciation of racial, ethnic diversity in school?    Should we include biracial families in our discussions?    Should General Mills have pulled this advertisement that featured a biracial family?   

Megan Ann and concerns about all day kindergarten

After reading at an article on NJEA.org, I learned about a full-day kindergarten bill that was vetoed by the governor. Due to the bill’s veto, a 17-member task force will not be formed to study the feasibility of full-day kindergarten in New Jersey. The task force was to have looked at existing data and then  gather the opinions of parents and teachers with regard to full-day kindergarten programs. Since this bill planned to only gather research and data, and not to enforce full-day kindergarten in New Jersey, I think the bill should have been passed. If the bill had been passed, the information gathered could have helped all legislators in making  an informed decision about  full-day kindergarten programs.   This information would have been beneficial to the legislators and to the people of New Jersey. 

 As a future teacher, I feel that these young children would greatly benefit from a full day of education. Not only would the students get a full day of academics, but also a full day of learning social skills.  With this veto there will not even be an opportunity to discuss this topic here in New Jersey.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you agree or disagree with the governor’s decision to veto the bill? Do you think the bill could have helped students in New Jersey?  Do you think that students would benefit from a full-day kindergarten? If so, what benefits do you think there are in creating a compulsory  full-day kindergarten education? Have you had any experiences in a half-day and/or full-day kindergarten classroom? If so, what are your insights?

For more information about the bill, here is the link to the article:

http://www.njea.org/news/2014-02-06/christie-vetoes-full-day-kindergarten-bill

Alexandra and ESL student

Alexandra has a very direct question to ask each of you with regard to ESL students:


Do you have any ESL students in your class?    What strategies does your teacher use in order to make sure that those students understand all that is going on in the lesson?    Were you an ESL student when you were in elementary school?    As you observe ESL programs do you have any questions or any suggestions that you would like to make with regard to these programs?    Should there be ESL programs in our public schools or do you think that we should consider total English immersion programs, that is, programs where there is no transition for students?    Let me hear your ideas, concerns, opinion.    

Meghan is concerned about her privacy as a teacher. Are you?

 I recently read an article entitled " Schools Would be Required to Set Social Media Guidelines.” There is a bill currently being considered in the New Jersey Legislature that would require every public school district in the state of New Jersey to create guidelines stipulating how employees are to interact with students when communicating online and through social media. This bill, if it becomes law, l would prevent inappropriate communication between school employees and students.  The communication being discussed includes texting, emails, social networking and all other Internet-based social media.  If this bill is passed through the New Jersey Legislature,  school districts throughout the state of New Jersey  would have a four month grace period in which to  create the district’s guidelines.    Each district would also be required to enforce the guidelines that have been created.   

>      I always knew that my personal life would probably be monitored closely if I chose to become a teacher.    As a teacher I realize that I will have to set a good example in the classroom as well as in my community.    However, while reading this article I had several questions that concerned me as to on how in-depth my personal life would be monitored if, indeed, this bill were to become law.  I was wondering how would the state enforce this policy?  Would Facebook entries and emails be audited?  As future teachers, do you feel that this is going to affect your effectiveness within the classroom? Since education is incorporating technology in classrooms more and more, would you still feel comfortable using social media on a personal and professional level?
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Leticia poses a charter school question

While I was working in a daycare, I overheard a group of parents talking about possible elementary schools for their children. A debate started when one of the parents brought up the idea of charter schools vs. public schools. Some argued that public schools offer more sports, clubs, and so on.  They added that public schools had funding to attend to every need of their children, and have extra resources for students with disabilities. Others argued that Charter schools have smaller class sizes, they require more parental involvement, and there are different kinds of charter schools including private, religious, and bilingual schools. They also said that charter schools allow their students to learn at their own pace  and address the different teaching styles.

I am on the fence on this issue; I believe it depends on the child.    For example, clubs, sports, and big crowds do not interest my older sister.  She  went to a charter high school, graduated with ten people in her class, and she loved it. I, on the other hand,  like to be involved in clubs and I was interested in volunteering with our local ambulance. I went to a public high school, where I joined the emergency response team and became a first responder.

 Do you have an opinion on this?   Do you agree with the parents that I quoted above?   What do you think about charter schools vs. public schools? Did you attend one or the other? Or were you home schooled?  Would you recommend that your niece or nephew go to a charter school?   What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of charter school?    Do you think that you would like to learn more about charter schools?   

Dr. Ries and blog for Chapter 3

Diversity exists both within and outside of the classroom.   Why, as citizens of the United States of America and, equally as important, citizens of the state of New Jersey do you believe it is important for educators to address the idea of diversity among people?   As you are involved in your classroom and school visitations have you observed specific instances where you see either formal or informal attention paid to the issue of diversity?  Share one or two of those diversity-specific experiences, essons or activities.    

Bridget has thoughts about snow days

I recently read an article on NJ.com about a private school in Watchung, NJ that is taking a new approach to the term “ snow day”.  With the recent snow and ice storms closing many schools in NJ, some schools are choosing to hold classes virtually, substituting snow days for cyber days. The school in  Watchung has decided to use technology to teach students  when the snow falls and school is cancelled. Students are reminded by their teachers to bring all essential books home the day before the storm. On the snow day, the students and teachers are to sign onto the schools online portal. Podcasts, online chats, blogs and narrated Power Point lessons are presented on that site.

Cleary, there is always a concern when an interruption is present in student learning. After reading this article I thought this was a great idea, but not so sure if it would work with the younger grades. Also this was done in a private school setting, I wonder if the public schools would be able to do something along these lines? I know from experiencing this past week, that many of the teachers in my school were complaining about  how far behind they were because of these snow days. What are your views on this?  Do you agree with turning “snow days” into “cyber days”? If so,what grades do you think would benefit from this? What about the students that do not have the accessibility to a computer at home? Also do you think students and parents would approve of cyber day or is a snow day considered a “ free” day off?  

Taylor has concerns for non-English speaking students

 My mother-in-law does not speak English.   Her youngest son is four years old.   He has been classified as being on the autism spectrum.   He has gone through an early intervention program as well as ABA therapy.   It is incredible how much progress he has made in the last two years.   I can't help but think that his progress would be even greater if his mom spoke English.  I  don't mind that she doesn't speak that much English, however I do think that if she did speak English she could work with her son more.   He speaks both English and Spanish, however, when he goes to say, "Can I please have that?' or " I do not want that" he will say, "I want, I want,"  or "NO, NO, No" because that is what his mom has the ability to say.   

I think it would be a good idea if there were an after school program for parents who do not speak English so that they might learn the nursery rhymes that the students might be learning in school or learn how to properly say basic phrases in order to help their children progress in their non-native language.    Colors, numbers, songs, rhymes and book titles could all be learned, which would benefit both parent and child.  Just a meeting once a week with a teacher who speaks a different language or with a translator could make a world of difference.   During these meeting times news letters and class events could be gone over as well.   My young brother-in-law was singing the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and his mom had no idea what the song was or what he was saying, because if was in English.   

I am not sure this would even be considered by school officials,but I think it could help.   What do you think of such a program?   Should school officials consider establishing such a program?   Would you be willing to work in a program for parents during after school hours?   Do you think such a program would benefit both the parents and students, or is this just another "change the world daydream" of mine?   Let us know your thoughts.     Do you have any similar experiences with non-English speaking parents?  

In Governor Chris Christie’s recent State of the State address on Tuesday, January 14^th, the Governor proposed a longer school day as well as a longer school year.   The governor’s main goal is to  increase New Jersey students’ competitiveness. As a future teacher, I am not quite sure that I agree  with this idea. I can understand wanting to use the additional time to teach students but I fear that this extra classroom time would be focused on teaching the material for the standardized tests. As a child, I attended a private Catholic school and I was always jealous of my friends who went to the public schools who had a shorter school day. The article attached provides an interesting look at both sides of the argument as to whether or not New Jersey should have an extended school day and school year.

http://www.nj.com/education/2014/01/longer_school_day_no_way_say_many_parents_and_students.html#incart_river

            As a future teacher how do you feel about the idea of a longer school day? How do you feel about a longer school year? Do you think that New Jersey public schools should begin to follow the model of charter schools that have a longer school day (by about 50 minutes) and have a longer school year?     The state requires a school year of at least 180 days.   Generally speaking, charter schools have a much longer school year?   If you believe that we should have a longer school day and a longer school year then what area of the curriculum do you believe should be stressed in those extra hours?