Life and Learning (PBL/ ITI)

The question Susan Kovalik asks is, "Where are the dioramas, the science projects that demand in-depth thinking and investigating, the field studies that build understanding in the natural world that surrounds us, and a sense of what to do with math and reading and writing outside of school that would enhance your own life?"
link
Ginger Lewman writes two powerful articles about Learning By Doing and the power of PBL!
Link

Susan Kovalik

The Center for Effective Learning link
Here is a page of many outstanding articles by Susan Kovalik.  I will be reading her articles and all about Integrated Thematic Instruction for many days to come.  A very interesting article titled, "Literacy Establishes Crucial Link to Society." discusses the need for our students to become active members of our community and society in order to truly become literate.  You will have to scroll down to read this article.  

I was also very interested in reading about the Nine-Brain-Compatible Elements that Influence Learning, identified by Susan Kovalik

1. Absence of Threat, nurturing reflective thinking
2. Meaningful Content
3. Enriched Environment
4. Movement to enhance learning
5. Choices
6. Adequate time
7. Collaboration
8. Immediate feedback
9. Mastery (application)    Link about the 9

"life chances" and "the Pygmalion effect"

1. Do you think that the ways these concepts are applied to society and education are accurate or inaccurate (or somewhere in between)?  If the answer is different depending on the venue, explain that too.  Be sure to provide examples in your answer.

I do think the pygmalion effect can be seen in my life.  I know I have always been hard on myself and lacked confidence at many points in my life.   I can think of how my mother would praise me at some of the lowest times of my life and without the support I had, I would not have succeeded.  What I am trying to say is that we all need someone in our life that believes in us.  Whether this is a teacher or a parent, grandparent, or friend, that person can create that "self fulfilling prophecy" or can be the positive that leads to ones success!

I also have seen "life chances" affecting close friends and family, but I think "life chances" can be connected with the pygmalion effect.  If the same child that is raised in a low socioeconomic family is given opportunities through education and positive role models and teachers, that child has the same "life chances" as any child.  What is most important in my eyes as an educator is to set high standards for all my students and to be a positive role model!  I have the chance to motivate my students to learn and to achieve!  I hope that my positive attitude does affect my students and motivates them as well.

3. In what ways, if any, do these phenomena manifest themselves in your classroom or among the students you work most closely with?

In Special Education, I work with many students who struggle and frustrate easily!  That is why it is so important to teach in a way that creates success!  And then to celebrate ones success!  This reminds me of what we have learned through Quantum.   Celebration does build the desire for success!  Home Court Advantage also creates the pygmalion effect.

4. What, if anything, does this mean for you?  

Reflecting on these phenomena, does remind me to keep setting  high standards and goals for my students to show my students that I believe in them.  They may not all have parents like I do!

Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities

I have witnessed first hand how difficult it can be for parents when their child is struggling with learning.  I read an article titled, "The Natural Emotional Cycle for Parents with Learning Disabilities," With conferences approaching it is important as teachers to remember the struggles that parents may have with dealing with their son or daughters learning difficulties.  link

While finding this link, I found information on how October is National Dyslexia Month.  It is important as educators to be aware of the many different struggles of our learners.

Decision 2012 Part 1 and 2

Thoughts:
I appreciated Obama agreeing that teacher performance should not be based on standardized tests.  He also supports school districts such as USD #418 with waivers instead of State Tests.  His final thought was also very powerful!   We need to teach kids to "Learn How to Learn."

I was troubled by Romney's view of taking IDEA money and Title 1 money and giving this to the parents and having parents make the choice of what school their child goes to.  Last class my group, discussed this and saw this helping to increase the gap... in other words "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer."  Our less fortunate families would not have the same opportunities. My group also discussed the need for an early childhood education option.  The final troubling thought for me was to evaluate schools annually and have the State step in if schools were not making adequate progress.  Progress looks different for every child and every school.

Guided Math

    
Here is a blog that I want to share. One of my teaching partners shared this with me and we are experimenting with this.  We are not doing it exactly like this teacher but may be getting there.  This is an amazing approach to meeting the needs of all learners!  Let me know what you all think.  This allows for the special education teacher to work in the general education classroom and meet the needs of all learners!
                 blog                                                     

RTI

You will have to enter information in order to read these free articles on Response to Intervention.  I read the articles "RTI: An Approach on the March" and "States Adapting Best Practices from Special Ed for Standards. "
http://reg.accelacomm.com/servlet/Frs.FrsGetContent?id=50230312
The first article discussed the practices already implemented in the McPherson schools.  I remember my School Psychologist discussing this last Spring regarding the shift of how students would be identified for Special Education.  Rather than slowing down the process for identifying students with special needs, I have already seen the RTI process work in my school, as we move students through interventions and also through the SAT process and then to a possible IEP.  Any comments on changes they are seeing in their schools with RTI or MTSS?  Have you seen students identified for Special Education after going through this process?  Do you see problems with this?  One problem I could see is if the interventions are not implemented effectively or for the amount of time needed?  Thoughts?

ADHD

This came from an article in Education Weekly, "Shortages of ADHD Medications in Classrooms,"  By Jaclyn Zubrzycki

"The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta, estimates that more than 7.5 percent—or 5.4 million—of the nation's school-age children have ADHD. The condition is characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity—behavior that can interfere with learning."    

This is an issue!  Thoughts?!?

Philosophy of Education

According to the quiz, my main philosophy types are Progressivism and Social Reconstructivism.   This is very interesting to me.  I do believe that education should focus on the whole child and the need to question and experience in order to learn.  I also teach the importance growing socially in order to be a community of learners.

Meeting All Students' Needs

This is a brief article of the importance of communication in order to best meet the needs of the student.  This author/ Special Education Teacher ended with saying this...
"as Gandhi put it, "be the change you wish to see in the world." Be the one to push for common planning time (and to use it well). Be a dissenting voice when others say a particular student is a failure. Be the one who inspires colleagues to think outside the box about how to support that student. Be a teacher who is committed to helping all students succeed. You are not alone."  
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2012/04/24/tln_wasserman_strategies.html?qs=meeting+the+needs+of+all+students

Quote

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."  Lao Tzu 
 Let the journey begin!