My son is in third grade, from the beginning of the new year (January 2011), he had brought home a packet that he has to do and turn it in that following Monday for Ohio assessment testing. I love the fact that his school does this, only because it allows the teachers to actually teach other things besides what is on the state test, it allows for the children to become prepared for the test without feeling overwhelmed.
I do not agree with standardized testing. I understand that children have to be assessed in order to know where they came from and for the teachers to see if their goals are being met, but testing like this is overwhelming, not only for the teachers, but for the students as well. A public school has many different backgrounds of students, most testing does not allow room for the different backgrounds of the students, which then only the perceived students will pass, allowing them to gain the most from education, and the others slip in between the cracks. The teachers are stressed because they have to teach for the test to those who do not understand which leaves the teacher’s little room to teach other things, for the children to become prepared for the next grade level. As well as the teacher’s pay being based on the testing scores. (Redell, 2010).
Like I stated, I understand that students have to be assessed, but there should be another way. Even if there is a test at the beginning of the year to understand where the children stand academically, and again at the end of the year in order to see if they reached their goals or to have an understanding on what they need to work on.
In Germany the education system is divided into three different sections, and tracks students from fifth grade. The first section is the Gymnasium, which provides an academic, university track education, the second is Realschule which provides a general vocational/technical education sometimes transferring to the Gymnasium, and the third is Hauptschule, which is a lower level vocational system. The parents and teachers determine where the students are places, not a test. (Rotberg, 2006).
I don’t know if I necessarily agree with this kind of education system either, but I do think that it is better than having a standardized test.
My sister worked in a Montessori school when she lived in Arizona, I love the idea of this type of schooling, it allows for children to learn at their own pace, expanding on subjects that they already know, and growing in subjects that they need practice on. It also allows for children to have an understanding of everyday life. When my sister taught at that school, the kids cooked, cleaned, planted, and many other varieties of everyday life, as well as learning the academics.
References:
Redell, Samantha . "High Stakes Testing: Our Children at Risk." Online Submission 0.1 (2010): 1-9. http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED513338.pdf. Web. 12 Feb. 2011.
Rotberg, Iris C.. "Assessment Around the World." Education Leadership 64.3 (2006): 58-63. http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org. Web. 12 Feb. 2011.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Poverty 01.29.11
Blog 01.29.11
Poverty
I don’t know if I can actually say I lived in poverty when I was growing up. But I know, when I was younger my family did not have a lot of money. There were 6 kids, out of those 6, one was going through college ( I was about 6 or 7). Another lived with our Gia Gia (grandma), another one was in high school, on in junior high, and myself, I was in grade school. My mother was a stay at home mom, which left my father to work. It’s almost unheard of now in the United States to only have one parent working. We only had one car, so when my dad worked midnights, my mom would wake me up to go pick him up from work. My mom would make my clothes (she was very crafty with everything from clothes, to making dolls, to anything a person can think of, she could probably make).
I do remember, my parents having us roll change, although, they used it as way to help me count money. But now that I think about it, I remember them talking about not having the money to buy bread or milk sometimes. But I still don’t remember thinking anything of it. But I do wonder if this is why I hold education to such importance, because the more education a person has the better of a career they can possibly obtain, therefore, they don’t have to count change to buy groceries. But maybe, having an education is just that important these days, which no matter how I grew up, I would still hold it to high standards.
Comparing my life growing up to the lives of children in Africa now, I have nothing to complain about at all. According to the article “A Troubled Decade for Africa’s Children” written by Michael Fleshman, the children in Africa are more likely to be ill, and less likely to go to school. Not only are the children suffering from poverty, but they also have to deal with war and disease. (Fleshman, 2002). It’s just a continuing downward spiral. Adults are more likely to get sick, and unable to afford medication, which leaves the children alone. (Fleshman, 2002).
Mother’s are dying from pregnancy, malnutrition is at disturbing numbers, one out of eight babies in Africa are born underweight. (Fleshman, 2002). In 2001, from the 580,000 children under the age of 15 that died from aids, 500,000 of them were from Africa. (Fleshman, 2002).
Those who live in Africa, suffer not only from poverty, but from war, diseases, hunger, and many other stressors. I believe that once one of these happen, many of the others will shortly follow; they work hand in hand together and is very difficult to reach a healthy state, if it can be done at all.
References
Fleshman, Michael. "A troubled decade for Africa's children." Africa Recovery, 16.1 (2002): 6. http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol16no1/161child.htm. Web. 28 Jan. 2011.
Poverty
I don’t know if I can actually say I lived in poverty when I was growing up. But I know, when I was younger my family did not have a lot of money. There were 6 kids, out of those 6, one was going through college ( I was about 6 or 7). Another lived with our Gia Gia (grandma), another one was in high school, on in junior high, and myself, I was in grade school. My mother was a stay at home mom, which left my father to work. It’s almost unheard of now in the United States to only have one parent working. We only had one car, so when my dad worked midnights, my mom would wake me up to go pick him up from work. My mom would make my clothes (she was very crafty with everything from clothes, to making dolls, to anything a person can think of, she could probably make).
I do remember, my parents having us roll change, although, they used it as way to help me count money. But now that I think about it, I remember them talking about not having the money to buy bread or milk sometimes. But I still don’t remember thinking anything of it. But I do wonder if this is why I hold education to such importance, because the more education a person has the better of a career they can possibly obtain, therefore, they don’t have to count change to buy groceries. But maybe, having an education is just that important these days, which no matter how I grew up, I would still hold it to high standards.
Comparing my life growing up to the lives of children in Africa now, I have nothing to complain about at all. According to the article “A Troubled Decade for Africa’s Children” written by Michael Fleshman, the children in Africa are more likely to be ill, and less likely to go to school. Not only are the children suffering from poverty, but they also have to deal with war and disease. (Fleshman, 2002). It’s just a continuing downward spiral. Adults are more likely to get sick, and unable to afford medication, which leaves the children alone. (Fleshman, 2002).
Mother’s are dying from pregnancy, malnutrition is at disturbing numbers, one out of eight babies in Africa are born underweight. (Fleshman, 2002). In 2001, from the 580,000 children under the age of 15 that died from aids, 500,000 of them were from Africa. (Fleshman, 2002).
Those who live in Africa, suffer not only from poverty, but from war, diseases, hunger, and many other stressors. I believe that once one of these happen, many of the others will shortly follow; they work hand in hand together and is very difficult to reach a healthy state, if it can be done at all.
References
Fleshman, Michael. "A troubled decade for Africa's children." Africa Recovery, 16.1 (2002): 6. http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol16no1/161child.htm. Web. 28 Jan. 2011.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Blog week 2
Blog week 2
I started to write this blog about access to healthy water in the United States versus access to healthy water in a different country.(Woodruff, Axelrad, &Kyle, 2000). But instead I came across an interesting article about environmental factors (including water) and the affects it has on children in the United States. (Woodruff, Axelrad, &Kyle, 2000).
Children are affected much more than adults when it comes to environmental containments. . (Woodruff, Axelrad, &Kyle, 2000). They eat more, drink more, play harder, and are often outside more than adults. . (Woodruff, Axelrad, &Kyle, 2000). They may be more affects by the environment because their immune system is not as fully developed as adults. (Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000).
From the report, “America's Children and the Environment: A First View of Available Measures”, they identified, five medias for children’s exposure; outdoor air, indoor air, drinking water, food and soil. (Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000). Many of these factors play a role in childhood illnesses, such as asthma and cancer. (Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000). Outdoor and indoor pollutants (such as cigarette smoke) can lead to these illnesses. (Woodruff, Axelod, &Kyle, 2000). Based on this report, race and poverty play a significant role; it said that “non Hispanic and non white children are more likely to have high levels of lead in their blood.”(Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000).
Second hand smoke can lead to lower respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, fluid in the middle ear, asthma, and SIDS, just to name a few. (Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000). Younger children who are exposed to second hand smoke are affected more so than older children. (Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000). Although, my beliefs, second hand smoke is bad, no matter how old you are if you’re an adult or a child.
This report is very interesting. When dealing with children it has many interesting facts that I knew about, but didn’t really think about. I took a lot of it for granted, because I live in the United States, we are not a 3rd world country, and in to my assumptions we are more environmentally secure. But this is not the case. The United States has a lot of environmental containments, just as other countries do. I think we are somewhat more aware of it, but they are still there, and I believe the more that one is educated about it, the better off our children will be.
References:
Woodruff, T. J., Axelrod, D. A., & Kyle, A. D. (2000). America's Children and the Environment: A First View of Available Measures . U.S. EPA National Service Center for Environmental Publications, 1, 1-86. Retrieved December 15, 2011, from Eric.com
I started to write this blog about access to healthy water in the United States versus access to healthy water in a different country.(Woodruff, Axelrad, &Kyle, 2000). But instead I came across an interesting article about environmental factors (including water) and the affects it has on children in the United States. (Woodruff, Axelrad, &Kyle, 2000).
Children are affected much more than adults when it comes to environmental containments. . (Woodruff, Axelrad, &Kyle, 2000). They eat more, drink more, play harder, and are often outside more than adults. . (Woodruff, Axelrad, &Kyle, 2000). They may be more affects by the environment because their immune system is not as fully developed as adults. (Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000).
From the report, “America's Children and the Environment: A First View of Available Measures”, they identified, five medias for children’s exposure; outdoor air, indoor air, drinking water, food and soil. (Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000). Many of these factors play a role in childhood illnesses, such as asthma and cancer. (Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000). Outdoor and indoor pollutants (such as cigarette smoke) can lead to these illnesses. (Woodruff, Axelod, &Kyle, 2000). Based on this report, race and poverty play a significant role; it said that “non Hispanic and non white children are more likely to have high levels of lead in their blood.”(Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000).
Second hand smoke can lead to lower respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, fluid in the middle ear, asthma, and SIDS, just to name a few. (Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000). Younger children who are exposed to second hand smoke are affected more so than older children. (Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000). Although, my beliefs, second hand smoke is bad, no matter how old you are if you’re an adult or a child.
This report is very interesting. When dealing with children it has many interesting facts that I knew about, but didn’t really think about. I took a lot of it for granted, because I live in the United States, we are not a 3rd world country, and in to my assumptions we are more environmentally secure. But this is not the case. The United States has a lot of environmental containments, just as other countries do. I think we are somewhat more aware of it, but they are still there, and I believe the more that one is educated about it, the better off our children will be.
References:
Woodruff, T. J., Axelrod, D. A., & Kyle, A. D. (2000). America's Children and the Environment: A First View of Available Measures . U.S. EPA National Service Center for Environmental Publications, 1, 1-86. Retrieved December 15, 2011, from Eric.com
Friday, January 7, 2011
Birthing Experience
Birthing Experience
When people talk about birthing experiences, most people find it a joyous occasion, but there are some who have difficulties and it can be the scariest yet most wonderful experience of their lives.
I was 16 when my niece, Victoria was born. My sister had her 3 months early. There was nothing that the doctor’s could do at the time to stop my sister from giving birth to my beautiful niece. Victoria’s weight was only a pound and a half. She fit into her father’s one hand. My niece was in the hospital for 3 months, she was born with scoliosis, a tethered cord, and spina bifida. The only people that were able to see her were her parents. But, they were only allowed to hold her to feed her, even then the doctors did not want them to do so, but in order for mother and baby bonding, my sister did some of the time. She was born in Pittsburgh hospital, which made it even more difficult, because it was about 2 hours away from where most of the family lived. My sister basically lived at the hospital for the 3 months. When she came home, she had to have a breathing machine, when we held her or took her anywhere, even around the house; we also had to take the machine.
I didn’t realize how severe my niece was when she was born, I knew it was bad, but I was 16 and I wasn’t able to see her, so at the time, I couldn’t imagine the intensity of the problems that she was born with until she came home.
My niece is now 15 and is wonderful. She still has some problems walking, and with her bladder. But from then until now, she is doing wonderful. At the time when she was born until she was about 3 the doctors believed that she would not even be able to walk at all on her. Now she does! I believe, in the 15 years of her life she has had 13 surgeries, and still has about two more to go, but right now they are not a necessity.
Preterm birth is a problem worldwide, but was not actually acknowledged until recently. (Vashishtha, 2009). About 28% of the 4 million annual neonatal deaths are due to preterm births; about 12.9 million babies are born preterm, with a global prevalence of 9.6%. (Vashishtha, 2009). The rate of preterm birth is highest in low resource regions. (Vashishtha, 2009). The countries that have the most preterm birth rates are Africa, North America, Asia, Latin America, Caribbean, Oceania, and last Europe. (Vashishtha, 2009).
More research has to be done for preterm births, as of now, high income countries can focus more on preconception birth, and lower income countries can promote prenatal care, treating malnutrion and other important factors to insure a healthy pregnancy. (Vashishtha, 2009).
References:
Vashishtha, Vipin M. "Preterm Birth: A Neglected Entity." Focus 46 (2009): 1071-1072. http://medind.nic.in/ibv/t09/i12/ibvt09i12p1071.pdf. Web. 7 Jan. 2011.
When people talk about birthing experiences, most people find it a joyous occasion, but there are some who have difficulties and it can be the scariest yet most wonderful experience of their lives.
I was 16 when my niece, Victoria was born. My sister had her 3 months early. There was nothing that the doctor’s could do at the time to stop my sister from giving birth to my beautiful niece. Victoria’s weight was only a pound and a half. She fit into her father’s one hand. My niece was in the hospital for 3 months, she was born with scoliosis, a tethered cord, and spina bifida. The only people that were able to see her were her parents. But, they were only allowed to hold her to feed her, even then the doctors did not want them to do so, but in order for mother and baby bonding, my sister did some of the time. She was born in Pittsburgh hospital, which made it even more difficult, because it was about 2 hours away from where most of the family lived. My sister basically lived at the hospital for the 3 months. When she came home, she had to have a breathing machine, when we held her or took her anywhere, even around the house; we also had to take the machine.
I didn’t realize how severe my niece was when she was born, I knew it was bad, but I was 16 and I wasn’t able to see her, so at the time, I couldn’t imagine the intensity of the problems that she was born with until she came home.
My niece is now 15 and is wonderful. She still has some problems walking, and with her bladder. But from then until now, she is doing wonderful. At the time when she was born until she was about 3 the doctors believed that she would not even be able to walk at all on her. Now she does! I believe, in the 15 years of her life she has had 13 surgeries, and still has about two more to go, but right now they are not a necessity.
Preterm birth is a problem worldwide, but was not actually acknowledged until recently. (Vashishtha, 2009). About 28% of the 4 million annual neonatal deaths are due to preterm births; about 12.9 million babies are born preterm, with a global prevalence of 9.6%. (Vashishtha, 2009). The rate of preterm birth is highest in low resource regions. (Vashishtha, 2009). The countries that have the most preterm birth rates are Africa, North America, Asia, Latin America, Caribbean, Oceania, and last Europe. (Vashishtha, 2009).
More research has to be done for preterm births, as of now, high income countries can focus more on preconception birth, and lower income countries can promote prenatal care, treating malnutrion and other important factors to insure a healthy pregnancy. (Vashishtha, 2009).
References:
Vashishtha, Vipin M. "Preterm Birth: A Neglected Entity." Focus 46 (2009): 1071-1072. http://medind.nic.in/ibv/t09/i12/ibvt09i12p1071.pdf. Web. 7 Jan. 2011.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
A note of Thanks
I would like to thank each and every one of you, I have learned a great deal from all of you during this course. Through the discussions, it was amazing to see the different ideas that was shared although we had the same readings, and watched the same videos,the blogs, it was wonderful to have the ability to learn about each one of you personally.
Banae,
Everytime I read one of your post or one of your blogs, I learn something new. I see things from a different view point that I wouldn't have seen if it weren't for you. Thank you so much for giving me the chance to have more of an open mind, and for having the ability to see things in a different light.
Thank you all and I wish you the best of luck through your educational career.
Chelsea
Banae,
Everytime I read one of your post or one of your blogs, I learn something new. I see things from a different view point that I wouldn't have seen if it weren't for you. Thank you so much for giving me the chance to have more of an open mind, and for having the ability to see things in a different light.
Thank you all and I wish you the best of luck through your educational career.
Chelsea
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Quote
"Our children ARE our Future"
I'm not exactly sure where this quote came from. I'm pretty sure, I found it a few years ago online when I was looking for quotes for my son's teacher.
This quote speaks to me. Adults do not realize how affected children are by our actions, and how we speak to our children. What we do will greatly effect the children now. What they learn now they will take into the future as them. The way we treat our children, they will most likey treat their children the same, what we teach our children, they will teach theirs. How we act towards others, they will do the same. Children really are our future, and I think as teachers (or inspiring teachers) and any other adult that is around children, should continually remember this.
I'm not exactly sure where this quote came from. I'm pretty sure, I found it a few years ago online when I was looking for quotes for my son's teacher.
This quote speaks to me. Adults do not realize how affected children are by our actions, and how we speak to our children. What we do will greatly effect the children now. What they learn now they will take into the future as them. The way we treat our children, they will most likey treat their children the same, what we teach our children, they will teach theirs. How we act towards others, they will do the same. Children really are our future, and I think as teachers (or inspiring teachers) and any other adult that is around children, should continually remember this.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Testing for Intelligence
I do not agree with standardized testing. I understand that there has to be a way to know where students stand with learning, what they have learned, what they need to work on and things like that. But as we discussed during this week everybody learns differently, so how is it fair that we test all students the same?
In colleges, if you have a learning disablitly there are other ways to have that student tested, why is it different in middle and high school educations?
I looked at Greece to compare the difference in education standards. I could not find any information on standardized testing, but I did find other interesting information. Education in Greece is cumpulsory for all children ages 6-15 years old. After 15 years of age education is considered formal somewhat as a university level. The article "Education in Greece" states that after 15 years the student will recieve a diploma, or a formal school-leaving certificate, or a degree. The educational system is structed as primary, secondary, and tertiary. Children may begin school as young as 2 1/2 years of age. Charges are to the state and not to the public.
All pupils are considered of equal value.
Teachers have to follow the same curriculum but the method that they use are up to the teachers. In primary grades, most of the classes are taught by the same teacher, except for English, Pys Ed and Music, which are taught by specialized teachers.
Although, some things are the same in European countries and in America, many things are different as well.
http://www.ypepth.gr/en_ec_home.htm
http://www.in2greece.com/blog/2006/12/education-in-greece.html
In colleges, if you have a learning disablitly there are other ways to have that student tested, why is it different in middle and high school educations?
I looked at Greece to compare the difference in education standards. I could not find any information on standardized testing, but I did find other interesting information. Education in Greece is cumpulsory for all children ages 6-15 years old. After 15 years of age education is considered formal somewhat as a university level. The article "Education in Greece" states that after 15 years the student will recieve a diploma, or a formal school-leaving certificate, or a degree. The educational system is structed as primary, secondary, and tertiary. Children may begin school as young as 2 1/2 years of age. Charges are to the state and not to the public.
All pupils are considered of equal value.
Teachers have to follow the same curriculum but the method that they use are up to the teachers. In primary grades, most of the classes are taught by the same teacher, except for English, Pys Ed and Music, which are taught by specialized teachers.
Although, some things are the same in European countries and in America, many things are different as well.
http://www.ypepth.gr/en_ec_home.htm
http://www.in2greece.com/blog/2006/12/education-in-greece.html
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