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Parent Panel

    I thought that the parents did a great job of explaining their interaction with the school and teachers.   They were honest about their involvement with their children's education.  I appreciated Steve Belay's approach of not getting overly involved with every little thing that goes on at school.   Most parents want their children to figure out relationships some what on their own.   Truthfully, parents are so busy working and running that they don't bother with daily student- teacher interactions. 

    Mary Kay is a parent of a special needs son.  Of course she had more involvement with his teachers because of the IEP meetings.   I liked her approach of working as a team to help her son achieve appropriate goals.   Parents shouldn't be affair to offer advice to teachers because parents know their children better than anyone else.  Hopefully, teachers will welcome this advice and use it to assist students in learning.

    Rebecca seemed like a parent who advocated for her children when it was obvious that one of them needed more help or to be better understood because of a learning disability.   I have experience with a son that struggled in the lower grades.   As a parent I wanted his teachers to know that he was an auditory learner and would need some accommodations even though he didn't qualify for an IEP.   Most teachers were willing to listen and cooperate, unfortunately some were not.   The best teachers were the ones that saw the strengths in our son and encouraged him to keep trying.   These teachers also knew that we the parents were working with him at home to help facilitate his learning. 

    The parent panel reassured the prospective teachers in the audience not to be affair of parents but to work with them for the good of the students.    As we discussed in class, the parents were not impressed with NCLB.  This surprised many of us.   I have mixed opinions about NCLB since I am a parent that doesn't think standardized test scores are an accurate reflection of my child's abilities or knowledge.   On the other hand as an educator it was and will be my job to accept and understand the law that promotes NCLB for the success of all students.   We will see what changes education will see with the new administration under Obama  in the next few years.

DCS Board Members

This entry is a reflection about the Decorah Community School Board Members that spoke to our class on Monday evening.  I thought that Mona Nelson and David Ranum were both very informative about their experiences as school board members.   It was interesting to learn about the allocated funds and that most of the money is earmarked for specific items and is out of the control of the district.   Ranum commented that only about 10% of the funds were decided on by the board.   Nelson stated that Iowa allots a dollar amount per student so that tax dollars are spent fairly across the state.  She called it equitable education.   

As a parent and tax payer in the Decorah district I never knew that we used very little of the Federal grant money from the Free and Reduced Lunch Program.   

The positive attitudes about NCLB were refreshing.   Until a different or better national policy comes along for education in the U.S. we are legally responsible to follow the laws of NCLB. I also think U.S. citizens have to realize  that we that have taken on the responsibility of educating ALL children, not just the top selections of elite students like some other countries that our kids scores are being compared to.

We need to celebrate the whole child and develop strengths for our future generation.   As both Nelson and Ranum agreed, there is always more that can be done and improved on, but at what cost.   The question is will our society put more money into education.   A cultural shift is needed in order to change the traditional views of schooling.   Maybe some day Iowa will go to year round school or even change the time schedule to a 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. day.  (What do you think?   When could this actually happen?)

Leona Holt & Adam Riley- Guest Speakers 10-13-08

   I enjoyed that comments and responses by the two administrators that were guest speakers for this evenings Ed. Psych. class.  The highlights for me were the points made about what good teaching is.  (The teacher has to connect with the kids, motivate students, be a facilitator, know intent and outcomes, feel rewarded, but most of all have a passion for working with kids.)

   The discussion about the international competition with the U.S. was interesting.   Many reports show that the educational system in the U.S. is behind Japan and European countries.  Ms. Holt stated that education is not a priority in our culture anymore, school comes second to most other activities.  I do agree with this statement.  We hosted an exchange student from Germany several years ago.  She told us that school was just for education.  Involvement in sports was separate from school.   You had to join a club and pay for it to be in a sport.  The same was true for music.  The issue of year around school was also an interesting topic.  Tradition and finances may make it difficult to establish year round education in many places.

We have many challenges ahead of us as teachers and administrators.  The best way to deal with these issues is to be open minded and remember to put the kids best interests first.

High Stakes Community Schools

   I thought the activity of the "mock public meeting" was an effective teaching/learning tool.   The proposals for the imaginary school district were good ideas to get us students thinking about real life situations in education.  So often there are differences in opinions about what are the best practices for a school district to implement.   Education is a personal and emotional issue for many people.  (Some of the students roll playing really got into their characters.)  Many lives are affected by the decisions made by a school board.  The school district is a reflection of a community. Children, parents, teachers, administrators, community members and tax payers all should have a say in how the school operates.   But the bottom line is that the federal and state governments will enforce laws to make sure that No Child Is Left Behind.   All public schools must ensure that their students meet the standards that are set.

   I think that this exercise makes us future teachers realize that accountability for how and what students learn is the focus of our job as educators.   Teaching isn't easy, it is complex and demanding, so you better make sure that you are up for the challenge.  

  

The movie 13

I talked to my 17 and 20 year children about the movie 13 and about the Mall of America discussion we had in class last week.  My daughter remembers seeing a part of the movie 13 about four years ago.  She said that it was disturbing to her then to think of the sad lives so many young people have.  It was apparent that the girls did not have good role models in their lives.  The school seemed too open with little or no adult supervision.  

My son is 17 and likes to shop the name brands.  We talked about the kids in Minnesota prostituting themselves in order to buy the labels them prize.  We all agreed that selling sex for clothes is sick and goes to far in this material world we live in.  I explained to my kids that these children have major issues that are deeper than wanting expensive clothes.  Poor parenting is probably at the root of this problem.  The question was posed in class, Where are the parents? Obviously not very involved in their children's lives.  

Both the movie and the news report are disturbing.  It seems like in today's society kids are raising themselves; there are no boundaries with promiscuity as the norm.

How are educators suppose to do their jobs when students are so troubles with serious life issues?  Learning and achieving academically are not priorities for a lot of kids or their parents.  It makes me wonder why some of us want to pursue education as a career.   Maybe it's the idea that helping one troubled youth have a positive future is worth being a teacher.   

My Three Mules

Campus Presentation - Reflection 09-20-08

     Campus Presentation Reflection

     On September 16th, I attended a SAC Lecture.  The presenter was Gary Tuerack; his talk was titled, Better Grades in Less Time.  Gary was an energetic speaker.  Actually, his rate of speech was so fast that I had to concentrate to understand him.  He was definitely a motivational speaker.  

   Gary opened with a simple game of "Simon Says."  Then he put on a Luther t-shirt that a student had given him following his 2000 presentation.  Of course the Luther students loved that.   His side show about the challenges that students face in college was entertaining.   I feel that Gary knew how to get his audience interested in his topic by relating to their current situation.

    Gary asked for a volunteer to demonstrate the significance of motivational strategies.  He had taped a long sheet of paper up high on the wall.  He gave the volunteer a red marker and told her to jump as high as she could and put a mark on the paper.  She did great.  Then Gary taped a ten dollar bill just above her red mark.  If she was able to jump up and mark the ten dollar bill Gary would give her a twenty dollar bill as a reward.  You guessed it, she was able to put a mark on the ten dollar bill, thus earning the twenty.  The moral is to set your sights high and to find something that motivates you.  Gary called this training your brain to push yourself to improve.

   The reason the CFL was filled with students is because we all wanted to learn how to improve our grades and do it in less time.  Gary Tuerack was the guy to teach us his methods to improving our reading speed while still comprehending the information.  He showed us a technique that uses two fingers or a pen to move quickly across the text, going along each line of print.  This keeps your body and mind physically active during the process of reading.  

Then Gary timed us for one minute.   We were to count the lines we read and multiply by ten.

The first time I read 230 words per minute.  Then he timed us again while we reread the same passage as we were pushing ourselves to go faster.  The second trial I read 300 words per minute, an increase of 70 words per minute. 

Gary explained that as we read faster we are able to see where the author is going by using contextual clues.  He told us to practice "not saying/thinking" every single word read.  Also, our brains read not our eyes.  As one reads their eyes move, then stop while processing information.  By practicing the speed reading we are widening our eye span.  Focus is the other vital aspect to improving your reading speed with comprehension.  

   Gary suggested that we practice this technique three times a day for fifteen minutes each.  Start with a mental warm-up on something that is easy to read, or go back to a previously read chapter in a text book and reread that as a warm-up.  He also explained what many top students do to get good grades.  They set a period of time for intense focus with no distractions.  If they catch themselves daydreaming, they stop themselves and use self talk to refocus.  Top students stop intermittently to stretch and get the blood moving again.  Some even power nap in between studying.  

     A few other areas that Gary stressed were food, note taking and using visual aids.  He stated that a persons memory increases 30% by taking notes and 40% by using visuals.  Gary believes that the kinds of foods and the when you eat plays a role in energy, memory and learning.

He strongly recommended no sugar and no caffeine before you study or take a test.  They both cause a quick burst of energy but then a crash that isn't supportive while studying.  Fresh fruit for breakfast and lean proteins such as beans, nuts and eggs were encouraged.  Never eat a heavy meal before a time when concentration is needed.  The blood and oxygen that your brain needs to function optimally is in your stomach digesting a heavy meal.  

     The final tips that are critical to having higher grades in less time are getting eight hours of sleep a night, reviewing notes within five hours of taking them and practice speed reading every day.  In summary I felt that this lecture was informative and beneficial for myself and the other students present. 

Lions for Lambs- Reflection, 09-16-08

As I reflect on the movie, Lions for Lambs, I remember feeling pulled in different directions.

The three scenes were interrelated yet worlds apart.  I felt scared for the young men in Afghanistan, angry with the Senator, empathetic for the reporter, proud of the teacher and frustrated with the college student.   All of these people had their own agenda.  They were all doing what they thought was best. 

The reporter, the teacher and the soldiers actually thought about history and questioned it.

They tried to use it to understand where they were now and how best to proceed.

The cynical college student and the Senator were more in the same place; being self-centered and shallow.

 The college student was too young to be so cynical and hopeless.   He was raised affluently and had a bad attitude.  Not caring about his own future or that of our society is irresponsible.  Hopefully, the teacher got through to him by challenging him to care again.

While watching the injured soldier fight the enemy I remember thinking :Please let them live and get back home.  These intelligent young people have so much potential and are the future of our county.  Their deaths do matter, but what they could have offered our society matters more.  It was sad to think of the loss of two people who had such strong convictions. 

Do we really "win" a war?

The end of the movie leaves us wondering what decisions the reporter and the college student made.  Since I am an optimistic person, I choose to believe that the reporter divulged the Senators propaganda and that the college student grew up to be a responsible individual. 

 

KIPP Schools, Reflection

I just viewed the video on YOU TUBE  about the charter school called KIPP 3 D's Academy.

KIPP stands for Knowledge IS Power.  The 3 D's mean desire, discipline and dedication.

Wow, these folks are doing something right.  These parents made a great choice to enroll their kids at KIPP.  It is a free school that requires a signed contract.  The parents must understand the mission of the school and the students must abide by the strict rules.

 The ultimate goal is college admittance.  

The "team" theme and theory that All Children WILL Learn is motivating to these kids.

They actually have 67% more time in school and studying than the average student does.

These 5th-8th graders are playing catch up to prepare for high school and college.

These teachers were an inspiration to watch.  Their energy and commitment were obvious.

As one of the teachers said, the door is now open for these students to open more doors.

Ed. Psych. Assignment- Acceptance Speech for Teacher of the Year Award

    Ed. Pysh. 220,  Acceptance Speech for Teacher of the Year Award.            Bridget Casper 

     I am honored to accept this award on behalf of myself, my students, their parents, my co-workers and my family.  Teaching is a group effort.

     I believe that my philosophies of life and my love for children have earned me this award.  I was taught by my parents to be positive, giving and accepting.   These are the attributes that I share with my students, their parents, my colleagues and my own family everyday.

     Waking up each day I am thankful that I have another day to share myself with others.  I respect myself as a worthy person so know that I have positive energy to share.  Teaching or modeling self respect and respect of others is the basic ingredient to a successful day.

     Sharing my knowledge of a subject and my passion for learning is what I give to my students.  Then they take that new knowledge and enthusiasm home to share with their families.   Having empathy in my heart helps me to accept all children.  Each child is a special person.  Each child has a parent(s) that loves them.  My students are all coming from their own unique home enviroment, which is not for me to judge, but to understand and accept.  

    Knowing that each child learns at their own rate and style is necessary in order to be an effective teacher.  For those gifted students I am happy and excited.  I want to encourage those students to soar to their highest potential.  I struggled with reading, thus learning, when I was young.  I can empathize with children who are having the same feelings about learning and school as I once did.  For these students I want to motivate and encourage them to work to the best of their abilities and to let them know that their hard work will be rewarded.  Look at me, my hard work payed off.  

    In closing, I am pleased with a job well done on my behalf, but mostly by the students that I have taught that have achieved their own goals. 

   

sept. 11 2008

Trial run.