The organization I decided to learn more about is Save the Children (http://www.savethechildren.org). Save the Children is an organization that works both inside the United States and around the world to help save the lives of children when there is a disaster. They provide food, medical attention and education to help rebuild communities. Currently, they are serving over 120 nations. Save the Children is founded on 5 core values: accountability, ambition, collaboration, creativity and integrity. Their website provides a lot of opportunities for involvement including volunteer opportunities, sponsoring a child or simply signing up for their newsletter in order to be more informed.
I signed up for their newsletter, however, I haven't received one yet. I can't find it their newsletter is weekly or monthly. But I did find some information in their "spotlight" section which is honoring Mother's. :-) Please check out the website! It has a lot of great information.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Professional Contacts
I spent a lot of time this week looking at different websites and learning about different organizations. I finally decided to contact partners' from the Global Alliance in Spain and South Africa. I am still waiting to here back from these contacts. I also have some friends who are in the military and live in other countries and may reach out to those people if I don't hear back.
I also spent some time looking at the different organizations to learn about each week. I decided on organization Save the Children. As I read about what they do and stand for their mission really stood out to me and I wanted to learn more about them. They have a newsletters and free email updates which I will subscribe to.
I look forward learning about early childhood outside of the United States throughout the course of this class.
I also spent some time looking at the different organizations to learn about each week. I decided on organization Save the Children. As I read about what they do and stand for their mission really stood out to me and I wanted to learn more about them. They have a newsletters and free email updates which I will subscribe to.
I look forward learning about early childhood outside of the United States throughout the course of this class.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
My Supports
One of my biggest support systems is my husband. He has always been willing to help me follow through with my dreams and goals for the future. I love my job but it has very stressful days. He is always there to listen to me vent about my day. When I decided I wanted to go back to school and get my Master's he supported me 100%. He even suggested trying to figure a way for me to not go back to work next year after the baby is born in order to have more focus on school. His willingness to sacrifice and work hard so that I can complete my goals is amazing to me.
Another support system I have are the people I work with. I have a great team of teachers' and professionals. They are there to help me become a better educator. We feed off each of ours strengths and support each other when times are stressful. Without the help of these people I wouldn't be the teacher I am today or the person.
Finally, one of my biggest supports is my exercise and running routine. I LOVE running. I have trained for many distance races and genuinely love the sport. It is an enormous stress reliever. I haven't raced in a couple years and now that I am pregnant I haven't been able to run like I used too. It has been difficult but I know that in a few months I will be back at it.
The challenge I choose is having a child with special needs. I love teaching children with special needs it is my heart and passion. However, I fear that if I had a child with special needs I would have to give up my job in order to be what my child needs. I know my support system would help me through the grief process and my colleagues would support me and I would be able to implement strategies into my home life as well. I know that running would allow the stress relieving outlet I would need.
Another support system I have are the people I work with. I have a great team of teachers' and professionals. They are there to help me become a better educator. We feed off each of ours strengths and support each other when times are stressful. Without the help of these people I wouldn't be the teacher I am today or the person.
Finally, one of my biggest supports is my exercise and running routine. I LOVE running. I have trained for many distance races and genuinely love the sport. It is an enormous stress reliever. I haven't raced in a couple years and now that I am pregnant I haven't been able to run like I used too. It has been difficult but I know that in a few months I will be back at it.
The challenge I choose is having a child with special needs. I love teaching children with special needs it is my heart and passion. However, I fear that if I had a child with special needs I would have to give up my job in order to be what my child needs. I know my support system would help me through the grief process and my colleagues would support me and I would be able to implement strategies into my home life as well. I know that running would allow the stress relieving outlet I would need.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
My Connections to Play
“It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them.” Leo F. Buscagli
“Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.” Joseph Chilton Pearce
As a young child my parents supported my play in many ways. They encouraged me to be creative and to think outside the box. I wasn't able to sit inside and watch tv or play video games. I had to use my imagination and be outside. I remember playing a lot outside and using the things around me as props. As a child, some of my favorite toys were books. I would sit and pretend that I was reading. I would ask my mom and dad to read to me. And I had books memorized and would know if they weren't reading them correctly or skipped a page. Musical instruments and toys were also really important to me as a child. I started playing the piano at a young age and practicing made my heart happy. Not only did I play music but I listened to music as well. Some of my favorites were New Kids on the Block and Beach Boys! :-)
I feel play has changed throughout the years. I know that when I was a child I had toys and used my imagination. Today, I feel like kids have a lot of access to video games, electronics and television. I know the times have changed but I also feel the electronics have taken away some of the value that toys can bring.
“Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.” Joseph Chilton Pearce
As a young child my parents supported my play in many ways. They encouraged me to be creative and to think outside the box. I wasn't able to sit inside and watch tv or play video games. I had to use my imagination and be outside. I remember playing a lot outside and using the things around me as props. As a child, some of my favorite toys were books. I would sit and pretend that I was reading. I would ask my mom and dad to read to me. And I had books memorized and would know if they weren't reading them correctly or skipped a page. Musical instruments and toys were also really important to me as a child. I started playing the piano at a young age and practicing made my heart happy. Not only did I play music but I listened to music as well. Some of my favorites were New Kids on the Block and Beach Boys! :-)
I feel play has changed throughout the years. I know that when I was a child I had toys and used my imagination. Today, I feel like kids have a lot of access to video games, electronics and television. I know the times have changed but I also feel the electronics have taken away some of the value that toys can bring.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Relationship Reflection
Throughout the week I have reflected on my past and how many of my relationships have changed and evolved over time. I have changed and grown over the past few years and with that I have grown away from people I thought I would be friends with forever and stayed connected with others'. I have met new friends and said goodbye to old friends. The most important relationships in my life at the moment are with people I know will be a part of my life forever, they are a balance between the old and new.
My husband:
Nick and I have been best friends since our sophomore year in high school! He is someone who I have grown up with. He is a part of my past I am lucky to still have in the present! Our friendship has given me a sense of security. He is the friend I know I can call in the middle of the night. He is the person that will be there for me in the event that my husband can't be. He has taught me how to be a friend and what true friendship is. Our friendship hasn't changed even as our lives I have.
Each of these relationships has taught me different things. I am the person I am today because of the people I just shared with you. There have been challenges along the way with each relationship. However, it is a reflection of how strong our relationship is that we were able to work through those challenges and come out victorious. The challenges we have faced has only made our relationship stronger! I am thankful each day these people are in my life!
My husband:
My puppies:
Yes, you counted correctly there are FOUR! These four dogs have been a big part of our family. I had two when I met Donnie. He had one and then we got one together! You could say we are a Brady Bunch sort of family! Bentley and Jagger my original two have seen me through some dark days. I had a really tough year in 2011 and without them I don't know if I would have made it through! They brought me sunshine when my days were dark! I learned what the saying "dogs are a man's best friend" really means!
My granny:
This woman is the most strong and inspirational woman I have ever met. She is genuinely my favorite person in the world! Our relationship is more than just a granny and granddaughter! She is a piece of my heart. She has loved and supported me when no one else would.. She has taught me what it means to love and be loved! She has shown me what unconditional love and acceptance is. Without our relationship I wouldn't be who I am today. Without her I wouldn't be striving to be half the woman she is!
Nick:
Each of these relationships has taught me different things. I am the person I am today because of the people I just shared with you. There have been challenges along the way with each relationship. However, it is a reflection of how strong our relationship is that we were able to work through those challenges and come out victorious. The challenges we have faced has only made our relationship stronger! I am thankful each day these people are in my life!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Thanks to all...
Children are one third of our population and all of our future. ~Select Panel for the Promotion of Child Health, 1981
We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher
Dear Colleagues,
I am always reflective at the end of a class. I think back to the beginning and how I was nervous; would I remember the days assignments are due?, Would anyone comment on my blog or discussion board? Will I be able to do the course work and work full time?. Now that we are at the end of the class, I am thankful for all of you who made it easy and comfortable. I am thankful that I was able to communicate with a group of professionals who bring a diversity and love to a field I am passionate about. I have learned and grown from each one of you. Thank you for all of the comments, tips and personal stories. I have applied many of the strategies and ideas that we have discussed throughout the 8 weeks to my own classroom and seen some wonderful results. I wish you all the best in your future classes and hope to have a class with you again.
Thank you,
Amber
We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher
Dear Colleagues,
I am always reflective at the end of a class. I think back to the beginning and how I was nervous; would I remember the days assignments are due?, Would anyone comment on my blog or discussion board? Will I be able to do the course work and work full time?. Now that we are at the end of the class, I am thankful for all of you who made it easy and comfortable. I am thankful that I was able to communicate with a group of professionals who bring a diversity and love to a field I am passionate about. I have learned and grown from each one of you. Thank you for all of the comments, tips and personal stories. I have applied many of the strategies and ideas that we have discussed throughout the 8 weeks to my own classroom and seen some wonderful results. I wish you all the best in your future classes and hope to have a class with you again.
Thank you,
Amber
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Testing for Intelligence
I have thought a lot about this topic throughout the week. While I believe that children should be assessed and progress should be monitored I don't agree with the idea of standardized tests. As a special education teacher, I measure progress differently than my general education co-workers. What their students may learn in a week may take my students months. Because I teach special education many of my students are not required to take standardized tests. With that said, I don't believe general education students should be required either.
Best practices show that differentation within teaching and learning is a key to success for students'. Why then are we requiring students to take the same test without any regard for differentiation? Unique learning styles is another concept that is important to consider when assessing. I don't believe standardized tests measure how much students know rather how well they can memorize information and convert it to bubbled answer sheets. Application of concepts is just as important as memorization. How do we know that students can take the concept of addition/subtraction skills on a test and convert them to balancing a checkbook or making change at the grocery store?
Many teachers are now pressured to "teach to the test" which limits the creativity of teachers and stiffles engagement of students. Would it not be better to teach addition/subtraction or money skills to students through real life application? Isn't that the ultimate goal?
Personally, I am not a good test taker. I would study hard but it never reflected on my test scores. When I got my MEAP scores (Michigan tests) or ACT scores back my heart sank at the score. What that score told me was that I was "stupid" and wouldn't be successful in college or in life. It brought my self-esteem down which probably caused me to do worse the second time around. And followed me through to college and the teacher prep tests that had to be taken. But the the truth is it didn't measure my ability to be successful or how smart I was, it measured how well I could take a test. I am living proof that standardized tests don't accurately reflect how much a child knows but how well it can be transferred. I believe teachers' should be given back the creativity to teach students' content and students' should be tested on how well they can apply concepts they have learned to everyday situations.
I chose to research education in China. I did this because I often hear how China has the strongest education system, how some believe it is surpassing the United States in education and I wanted to learn more about it. Here are some facts:
- There are four levels of education in China: primary, junior middle, senior middle and higher education.
- All students have 9 years of education. Students are required to complete primary and junior middle education but may go on to senior middle and higher education by passing exams.
- The exam focuses on core subjects but also physical and sports education, moral and political education. How well the students do on this exam determines the quality of their senior and vocational schools.
- In order to be accepted into a University students' must take the National College Entrance Exam. Admission is determined mainly on the results of the exam but investigation into the students' moral and social character may also be considered.
References:
Best practices show that differentation within teaching and learning is a key to success for students'. Why then are we requiring students to take the same test without any regard for differentiation? Unique learning styles is another concept that is important to consider when assessing. I don't believe standardized tests measure how much students know rather how well they can memorize information and convert it to bubbled answer sheets. Application of concepts is just as important as memorization. How do we know that students can take the concept of addition/subtraction skills on a test and convert them to balancing a checkbook or making change at the grocery store?
Many teachers are now pressured to "teach to the test" which limits the creativity of teachers and stiffles engagement of students. Would it not be better to teach addition/subtraction or money skills to students through real life application? Isn't that the ultimate goal?
Personally, I am not a good test taker. I would study hard but it never reflected on my test scores. When I got my MEAP scores (Michigan tests) or ACT scores back my heart sank at the score. What that score told me was that I was "stupid" and wouldn't be successful in college or in life. It brought my self-esteem down which probably caused me to do worse the second time around. And followed me through to college and the teacher prep tests that had to be taken. But the the truth is it didn't measure my ability to be successful or how smart I was, it measured how well I could take a test. I am living proof that standardized tests don't accurately reflect how much a child knows but how well it can be transferred. I believe teachers' should be given back the creativity to teach students' content and students' should be tested on how well they can apply concepts they have learned to everyday situations.
I chose to research education in China. I did this because I often hear how China has the strongest education system, how some believe it is surpassing the United States in education and I wanted to learn more about it. Here are some facts:
- There are four levels of education in China: primary, junior middle, senior middle and higher education.
- All students have 9 years of education. Students are required to complete primary and junior middle education but may go on to senior middle and higher education by passing exams.
- The exam focuses on core subjects but also physical and sports education, moral and political education. How well the students do on this exam determines the quality of their senior and vocational schools.
- In order to be accepted into a University students' must take the National College Entrance Exam. Admission is determined mainly on the results of the exam but investigation into the students' moral and social character may also be considered.
References:
Living in china: The education system in chinga. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.liuzhou.co.uk/china/educationinfo.htm
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