My Last Blog!!

Wow, I can not believe this semester is over…actually I can not believe my freshman year of college is over. Overall it has been a great experience! I have learned so much about myself, friends, and life over the past year. Although I hated these blogs at first, and felt like it was such a hassle sometimes, it has really helped my writing. I realize more that you can write about anything. Some weeks I had so much to talk about and others I felt like I would never get through the blogs because I had nothing to say! The blogs gave me a chance to talk and even get some feedback on some things. I am really glad to be through with this English class but I also enjoyed it. I know that before this class I never kept up with current events or politics but this class has really helped me realize how important these things are to our life. I also realize that there are arguments and sides to every story! Wendy really helped my open my view and expand out of the normal little box! Our discussions and blogs also allowed us to actually get to know some of our classmates. Although I am glad the semester is over and it is almost summer, I really am glad that this English class helped not just in my writing but also in other aspects too.

Creepy!

So the other night one of my sorority sisters car was parked outside of her house near campus and it was broken into. I am not sure of what all they stole but they did take our composite picture. (this is a picture of every girl in the chapter with their full name underneath) I personally find this extremely creepy because whoever it is probably off studying peoples’ pictures with their names. They told us that we should probably make all our facebooks and myspaces private so that they could not look at our pages. I guess I got really freaked out because three of us girls live together and you never know when something could happen. I know that crime is already horrible in Memphis so we should be extra cautious now. My mom tends to send me emails a lot about safety and things that have happened recently, so I usually try to be really careful while I am out and about. The other day she sent me one about a women who was approached by man while she was in her car pulling out of a gas station. The man was telling her that she had dropped money but the women did not roll her window down because she knew she did not. Then the man began beating her window and acting absurd so the woman knew he was up to something and drove off. Basically, I think we need to be more careful of our surroundings!

Some history of our education system

Although it seems as if America has always had a wonderful education system, it took a long time to build such a great program. Our education system began many years ago and has taken time and many people to make it in to the success that it is today. Frederick the Great was one of the first to support opening schools and creating teacher training. In 1635, the first Latin grammar school was opened in Boston. Shortly after, Massachusetts required children to learn how to read and towns with more than fifty families had to have schools. The first official schools were held by housewives in their homes and were called dame schools. The first schools were focused on religion, harsh, and disciplined. In 1636, Harvard University was opened being the first university in the United States focusing on theology and the classics. Benjamin Franklin opened the American Academy in Philadelphia in 1751. Horace Mann helped develop the educational awakening and the first professional journal. The New England Primer, Blue Backed Speller, and McGuffey’s reader were the first major textbooks used. Although the government makes many decisions in our educational system, in 1789 the Constitution was ratified and does not mention education.

Observation of a teacher and student

The teacher seemed very happy that the university students were there to help. She was a little tough on the students when it came to the exact rules. She was very familiar with all of the games and knew all of the rules. I thought the teacher came across as a little mean to the students but probably was just looking after the students for their best interest. The teacher was very observant of the children and would always help the students if they had a question. At the same time, the teacher made the university students play the games while she just sat there. The students all got along great and were excited that they were able to play games together. The young woman I chose to watch was a white female in the 4th grade. The young girl had a twin in the room and mostly played with her. The little girl also learned by observing because when the teacher tried to explain the rules she did not understand but when she watched other children play she got it. I learned that although all the students play and get along some students click well with certain people and they will most likely stay together unless told otherwise. I also realized how much more calm girls are than boys. The boys would run around acting crazy while the girls were much calmer and would wait their turn.

Field Experience in Leadership

Campus School has really broadened my view of elementary education. This school is so organized but still welcoming. All of the students, faculty, and staff are always smiling and ready to start the day. The teachers devote so much time to their students to not only better their education but also better their values. The one negative is the way the teacher reacted to the students. If the teacher would have been a little more calm and nice, the students would have probably listened much better. Although there are always people watching, I would love to have the opportunity to teach in this school and have the chance to try so many new things. This experience made me want to become a teacher even more because I realize what a huge impact these teachers have on these children’s lives. Educating Esme shows the difficult but yet rewarding side to teaching. Although teaching is a struggle and can be very stressful, it makes it all worthwhile when at the end of the day the students respect you and have learned so many new things. I do not believe that No Child Left Behind should be in effect because of the pressure of standardized tests. These tests do not give the true amount of knowledge some of the students have. I do not think that all major decisions should be based on these test scores.

Speaker

Today I went to hear Dr. Pete Gathje speak on homelessness. He started giving out statistics of poverty and homelessness not only in the Memphis area but also across the nation. He really seemed to focus in on the children at one point. I thought this was really important because there are many children living on the streets, but what are they supposed to do? I know many of us think the adults should go get jobs and work for money, but the children are too young and are not able to work but still have to suffer. Dr. Gathje also focused in on how Memphis says they have shelters in the area, but in reality the city does not have one free shelter. Many of the shelters charge a small fee and require identification. The shelter that Dr. Gathje, Manna House, is a free shelter that is open three days a week for a couple of hours. They serve coffee, allow people to take showers, and give people clothes. I think it is great how they allow these people a place to hangout for just a couple of hours. Through the stories he told, I knew what an impact these people are making on the lives of the homeless in Memphis.

NCLB cont'd

One of the most apparent aspects of the No Child Left Behind is the focus on standardized testing. Under this act, states are required to give the students standardized tests. In order to pass the class and be able to move on, the student must pass these tests. With this said, teachers are required to focus on the material that is covered on the test in the classroom. Teachers are no longer able to cover the material in the textbook but rather have to focus on what is actually on the test. Standardized tests were put in to order so that the state as well as federal government would be able to get an accurate look at the schools. Although it is extremely important to know the standing of each school, it is also important for the students to learn as much information as possible. In order for the government to be able to get an accurate count of the students’ knowledge, the students should be required to know everything they have learned and then be tested on that information. All the schools should have the same curriculum, so that every student no matter where they are located is required to know the same information.