Education Short List

A few weeks ago I had written about an article from Metro Parent, that discussed the importance of having American students learn about how their country’s government works. I am a huge advocate of getting students involved, and making the learning more real to them and their world. So, you can imagine how excited I was to read about a local high school that was doing just that.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/03/lincoln_students_take_civics_f.html

Here you can read about a high school’s Constitution Team. Not only is this a group of students that spends extra time learning about the Constitution and democracy — put they are putting that new knowledge into a hands-on practical use. They do this by helping immigrants to gain their citizenship. How cool is that?

Don’t say that students can’t put use to their education, don’t say that they ‘won’t really understand’ – these students get it, they are the leaders and controllers of their destiny, their future, and their education.

As if we needed more reason to encourage our kids to get healthy.

Parade Magazine
http://www.parade.com/news/intelligence-report/archive/100110-should-students-be-forced-to-get-fit.html

I think that our kids should be forced to be fit. When I was in school, not too many eons ago, we had to do jumping jacks, sit ups, run a mile, and get dirty too. Now, those things are elective. Parents don’t want their kids to get dirty or exert themselves too much. Coupled with the lack of certified physical education instructors – our kids are fat, out of shape, and aren’t aware that it is going to get worse. We are the adults, it’s our responsibility – and privilege – to show our children and our students the right way to get healthy.

Oregon prescription for fitness

http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2010/01/doctors_prescribe_play_to_get.html

Another article (how many more is it going to take to convince people to eat better?), this one from The Oregonian; that discusses how doctors are getting more involved with childhood obesity. Here, the article directly relates to others I have posted about the need for play. Playing, being physically active, not only is the best way to stay in shape – but it exercises the mind as well. Does anyone see the link between the increase of obesity and A.D.D diagnoses and the increase of television watching tied in with the decrease of physical activity?

It may not be the most PC thing to say, but here it is. Not everyone was meant to go to college. Some people are really happy not going to school or being in a big corporation. There are also lots of people who are self-made who never receive a high formal education. Unfortunately those percentages are decreasing, as the escalating pressure to receive an a degree (and now even an advanced degree) rises.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise, that as society puts more demands on people to go to college for a Bachelor’s Degree, and a Master’s (even a Ph.D.) that the tuition for this amazing experience and education continues to rise as well. So, as more individuals feel the societal pressure to attend a university, there is an insurmountable pile of debt attached to that. Even though a person who goes to college may be doing so to increase their chances of getting a better paying job, it can be counteracted by the tens of thousands of dollars spent on their education. I am a perfect example of this, as I went to school for seven years to not be in education but to have the 90,000 debt associated with wanting to be an educator.

Here is an article I found that discusses the rising molehill of debt new graduates have to pay. And really, what do they have to show for it?

http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2009/12/student_loan_debt_climbs_to_re.html

Do you know what time of year it is??? Just open an newspaper advert or watch TV commericals and it’s clear. No, not Halloween, Hannukah, Christmas, or Yom Kippur — it’s Back to School time! (Although if you just pay attention to commercials you would have thought that school started back in July. Yes, it’s back to school; the time of year that parents and families love as much as teachers and students dread (don’t kid yourself, teachers want summer vacation to go on forever).

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/31892691

The Today Show gives us guides and guidance on how to best transition your children back to school.

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/08/frugality_is_cool_in_backtosch.html

An article from The Oregonian discusses how to send the kids to school without breaking the piggybank.

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3751875&ESP=Teachers/ib/20090901/awa/free_bts_printables_3_5///thlp/tout////

Free Printables for teachers from Scholastic

http://www.edhelper.com/Back_To_School.htm

Ed Helper’s specialized selection of new school year materials

If you already aren’t back in the classroom or haven’t already pushed your kids out the door – here are some last minute sites to help get you prepared. For those that are already in the groove of school, perhaps these can give you that final answer you were looking for.

Earlier this month, the United States had witnessed a historical moment, a teachable moment. This is, of course, the swearing in of Judge Sonia Sotomayor as a Supreme Court Justice. Whatever your political views may be, there is a sense of pride in knowing how valuable this moment is. Sotomayor is the 111th Justice ever, the 3rd woman, and the first Latino Supreme Court Justice. And knowing that, it now presents an opportunity for educators to create a teachable moment and lesson.

For teachers, you can make this time in American history; even though it will be in the recent past once the school year begins. Furthermore, this isn’t a lesson that is limited to any particular age group or grade level; for each grade there is a way to integrate the swearing in of Sonia Sotomayor into your classroom. For example, in high school you could focus on the judicial branch of the government, the role that the Supreme Court has, the way in which a person becomes a Justice in the highest court of our land. Plus, this would be a perfect time to discuss the development of the United States’ government and Supreme Court; as well as why they were necessary, and continue to be needed today. These types of lessons could also be implemented in middle school grades as well. For elementary aged students, this could become the chance to introduce the concept of the judicial branch, laws, government, right from wrong, rules and obeying those rules.

Another aspect of this time in history, is to create a teachable moment for students that looks at the person Sonia Sotomayor is and her background. Sonia Sotomayor is a woman, so an educator should take the time to create a lesson that discusses the accomplishments of women in recent times; as well as the advancements that Hispanic people have brought to the United States. Also, Ms. Sotomayor was born in New York (here there is the potential for enriching lessons for those students in New York state) an instructor could talk about the resources in NY and where it is in location to their home state. Ms. Sotomayor’s family is from Puerto Rico. Here too teachers can talk about the U.S.’s relationship with Puerto Rico, it’s geographical location, the resources that come from there and that are exported from the island.

Perhaps some may feel that learning these factoids about Ms. Sotomayor and her background may not be as significant as learning about the Supreme Court and the government of the United States. But take a moment to think of this. For all the girls in your class, the Latinos who are sitting in your room, the future lawyers you are lecturing to – wouldn’t they find something inspiring by the accomplishments of this person? Wouldn’t that be reason enough to teach about them? And, if your students don’t fit any of those descriptions, wouldn’t it be just as valuable to educate your students about those accomplishments, in order to broaden their views of people in the world? Thereby making them more aware and appreciative of their fellow Americans?

No matter how you are able to integrate this moment, please take the time to do so. Below are some of the more reputable resources on the topic, as well as lessons to use in the classroom. Plus, I have included a slideshow of the event and a YouTube video of the swearing in.

Articles on the Subject

New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/us/politics/09sotomayor.html

Latina

http://latina.com/lifestyle/news-politics/sonia-sotomayor-sworn-nations-first-latina-supreme-court-justice

You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=032K9yzRevA

Lesson Opportunities

White House

http://www.whitehouse.gov/our_government/judicial_branch/

Scholastic Lessons

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/scholasticNews.jsp?FromBrowseMod=true&Ns=Pub_Date_Sort|1&CurrPage=scholasticNews.jsp&TopicValue=Scholastic%20News&ESP=SN/ib/20090806/awa/sn_sotd_new_supreme_court_justice_approved_1_5///thlp/tout////

Supreme Court Website

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/

White House 101

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/white_house_101/

Sonia Sotomayor Slideshow

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photogallery/Sotomayor-Bio/ (video)