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.

NCLB

Under the No Child Left Behind act, teachers are required to be “highly trained.” What does this actually mean? This part of No Child Left Behind is supposed to help with the quality of the teachers. Obviously, our country does not want unqualified teachers in the classroom, but I also think that teaching is more than just an educational background. Teaching takes creativity, patience, and willingness to take time to make a difference. Although a teacher’s education is the most important aspect on which they are hired, the attitude and personality should also become a major focus. Teachers who want to help their students often have more success with the students in the classroom. Many students dread attending school and could careless about learning; therefore, the teachers need to have creative ways in which to teach the material and to make the students more interested. I think that many times we focus too much on the educational background rather than focusing on the personable aspects the teacher could provide the students. Instead of just interviewing teachers and looking at their resumes, teachers should have to show some interaction with children as well as other teachers so that they can show their creativity as well as willingness to work with other people.

Oprah

So today I actually went to work out. I was really glad I went because I have not been able to nor really wanted to in a while. So while I was on the elliptical and “attempting” to study for weather and climate, one of the televisions lined up across the front caught my attention. Oprah was on and she was talking about a dad and son and some problems they have had to face together. Well I love Oprah anyways so I started to watch it. Well it ends up that the boy had first gotten drunk at the age of 11 and then began doing serious drugs soon after. The dad first found marijuana in the child’s backpack for the first time at the age of 12. I think that this is absolutely insane! Children should not be drinking nor doing drugs at such a young age. I think that parents really need to start stepping up and getting more involved in their child’s life because children are starting these substances at younger ages each year. The dad was also saying how one time he smoked with his son to try to “connect” with him. If the father hated it so much and did not want his son doing it then why would he smoke it? I think this just tells the boy that it is ok. I really believe that we need to step up to these young children or else it will continue to get worse.

Sadness!

I think last night was so devastating for everyone!! I know as everyone prepared for the game, we were all so excited and hoping for a national championship. I have never seen so many people dressed in blue and pumped about the tigers. Not only did the students want this for the team, but I think we all wanted this for our school as well! Although Memphis had the game at the end, they lost. When we realized it was over everyone was so sad. It was almost like someone had just died. I know for many of us it was so upsetting because we have been cheering them on all season long! We had watched almost every game, knowing that the tigers had a great opportunity at winning the national championship. I know for myself, I was upset for them because so many people doubted them all season long. Many people said they were not in a good enough conference to make it to the national championship, but they did it! I know that this loss brought a huge damper on everyone, but there will be many more seasons and many more opportunities for the tigers to win! I really hope that Rose and CDR decide to stay but I know that there are better things that lie ahead.

My week...

Let’s just start with saying that I am so tired of the rain!!! I am tired of walking to class and being soking wet. The rain gets your clothes wet, shoes squeaky, and makes my hair super frizzy! I am so ready for summer time when it is warm and sunny all the time and there is no school! This week has been a little less stressful than others. I actually did not have any tests or major papers due so I had a little time to myself. I really have needed this because I have been so busy lately. It also gave me more time to babysit so I can make a little extra money because I am SO broke! I have also had AllSing practice every night. I am having so much fun doing it but it is a lot of work. They take this stuff very seriously because of course we want to win. The overall theme is Broadway so it should be really cute and easy to understand. I am really excited about it and being able to see what everyone else does. Anyways, it should be a really good competition because I know all the other sororities and fraternities have been working really hard.

Race

The past two days in class we have had some of the best and most heated discussions. We all know that your race is part of your identity; therefore, it is very important to most people. With today being the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. assassination, it was very appropriate for us to discuss this hot topic. Since this horrible incident happened right here in Memphis, we know that racism has been an issue for a long time. I know each individual’s race is important to them and it should be but I do not think that people should take stuff so offensively. I know that sometimes it is really hard to do but there are always going to be those negative people who just want to bring others down to build themselves up. Your race is important because it your background and also affects you, but I also know that we are all humans and are equally made so we should be treated equally. I think that many of us held back in class because we are scared that we will offend someone and then they will turn around and hurt us. I wish this was not true, but I think that race will always be an issue because of events in the past that people and get over and because we are all sensitive.

Tutoring Cont'd

During tutoring overall the students were great! They usually not only listened to the teacher but also listened to the University of Memphis students. Going into tutoring I knew it would be hard to get the students to focus for a complete hour. Not only had the students already been in school for an entire day learning, they also knew that many of their friends were out of school and off playing. With this, the university students as well as the teacher really had to encourage and push the Campus School student. When I knew Ashton did not want to work anymore or was getting tired I would ask him questions like: how was your Thanksgiving, what is your favorite color, or some other question about a movie or cartoon. I asked questions that I knew would get Ashton excited and take his mind off the math and reading for just a minute. This really seemed to help Ashton by giving him a small break and then getting right back to work. One time we finished early so we let the students play an addition and subtraction card game. While playing the game the students started to get a little too excited and wild so we decided to stop the game and make them do something else. They all went back to their seats and acted a little disappointed at first. We then did a timed addition and subtraction test. The students really liked this activity. Since they had worked so hard on their normal activities, we wanted to give them an enjoyable activity. They really like the competitiveness with the other students not only through time but also through accuracy. In an after school tutoring session you have to be strict so the students will push to get something accomplished but you also have to understand that they have been sitting in a desk all day long learning.

tutoring in Acad

Entering the classroom a little nervous, I was given an eight year old boy named Ashton. He was in the second grade and eager to learn. Although Ashton had some difficulties with the material, he was always willing to go back and try to understand it. Ashton was a little shy at first but after the second time of tutoring, he was talkative and bubbly. One day Ashton’s father came to pick him up early. His father sat across the room but I could tell that he was interested in what Ashton was practicing. Ashton was so excited to see his father and immediately began to try a little harder at his work. This showed how much both of them cared for each other. As an outsider, I saw that Ashton’s father cared not only for Ashton but also his education and his future. This also showed me that his father probably works with him each night on his homework. It showed me that Ashton had a strong support system pushing him to be the best child he could be. It is so important for children to practice all the skills because they all build on each other. I think it is great that Ashton’s father is there for him teaching to have a good work ethic as well as good values.

Memphis Neighborhoods

I was reading over the Smart City Memphis blog and came across a blog on neighborhoods in the Memphis area. They were talking about how so many of the neighborhoods are “hanging by a thread.” Then they mentioned how the mayor is holding the scissors trying to decide whether to cut them off or not. Before reading this blog I had never really thought about it like this. I know for me, I overlook these neighborhoods most of the time and it is not because I do not care but more because I do not live there nor did I grow up there. Although sometimes we overlook these neighborhoods and people, they are humans too. The city’s government is talking about shutting down some of the community centers and libraries in these neighborhoods. This would definitely be “cutting their threads.” Although this would save the government money, it would crush neighborhoods and families. I understand that putting a lot of money into a community that is steadily falling seems like a waste but these community centers and libraries hold these people together. Many of them have barely anything and look forward to the things they do have. I also do not think that this will better the city in any way. This would only give these unfortunate people even less of an opportunity to better themselves.