Essence Extractor

Blog #5
Alison Getsloff
Essence Extractor
p.127-167

The first and most important part of helping create successful students is developing the rich/trusting bond between teachers and students. After that happens, everything falls into place.

"The garden is very much the brain's classroom..."

Blog #5
Alison Getsloff
Idea Illustrator
p.127-167

 On pages 139-140, the outdoor classroom was discussed and there seems to be a structural trend in some schools to eliminate recess. I think this could possibly be the worst idea for a number of reasons. As stated also on this page, "In considering whether this trend is useful to the child, we might stop to think that 32 percent of American schoolchildren are overweight or obese, and a quarter of American schoolchildren do not regularly participate, according to the surgeon general, in the vigorous activity that is necessary for full child development."

 

On page 131, it was stated that "Teaching is one of the most difficult jobs in civilization and one of the least rewarding with monetary compensation." This video that I once saw, reminded me of what else teachers make... It is truly an empowering video that I think all teachers/future teachers must see.

On page 144, there was an excerpt from a teacher, Carol Myers, about how she increased bonds with her students: "Each morning at the top of the stairs I give my students some directions or a problem to think about. While they are thinking I invite each student one at a time in order to greet them personally. I am able to make eye and physical contact (handshake or a hug) with each child every school day, thus building relationships."

"What Needs To Be Changed? - Boys Behavior or Our Expectations"

Blog #5
Suzanne Corsall
Literary Luminator
p.127-167

-"Overreliance on trying to force a confession, or immediate self-assessment from an offending student.  Boys could not talk about what had happened as quickly and accurately as the teachers wanted them to.  Learning that the male brain is often slower at processing important emotive material helped the teachers change their expectations." p.161
This was one of the tips offered about discipline in the chapter.  This raises questions about discipline.  We have always been taught that we should apologize.  It also seems that as a culture as a whole we want to end conflict as soon as possible.  So I think I may find it frustrating that I may have to wait to solve a problem between students until they are able to deal with it emotionally.  It is also a challenge to now consider that it is now more important to work through a problem with a child and guide them rather than discipline them and give them a consequence.  While I agree with the new strategy, I also wonder when I will have time to teach content. 

-"Bonding is, in some ways, the most hidden, least measurable way to ensure good learning.  It is, for some, difficult.  It takes more time and work than we think we might have." p.149
I had never thought that a child may not learn because they didn't like their teacher, but that does make sense.  So now I feel this enormous pressure to have 20 kids and all their parents like me.  For I feel if a parent does not respect a teacher, maybe because they did not have positive relationships with their own teachers, a child cannot be expected to.  However, when examining the word bond more closely, I realized that i didn't necessarily have to become each child's hero or best friend.  Instead I will not get caught up in the business of teaching and remember that I am teaching individual people that I need to get to know and appreciate for their differences.

-"Boys do get more attention, on the whole, in a daily classroom environment, and in some ways they appear to have clearer bonds with the teacher.  However, the bond is often a negative one.  Girls often get less moment-by -moment classroom attention and appearance of bonding, but when they do it is generally not as negative.

This reminded me that while some students may demand more of our attention because of their behaviors we cannot forget the needs of our other students.  Even though they are not demanding our attention through poor behavior or academic performance they still have needs.  It may not show because they are quiet and well-behaved, but they may be suffering from low self-esteem.  Therefore, while it may seem like a daunting task it is important to make connections with every student.

Teacher or Family Counselor?

Blog #5
Suzanne Corsall
Creative Connector
p.128-168

-"Quite often girls who are raised without fathers, or who hunger for a father's love and discipline, can overwhelm teachers with what elementary teacher Jan Miller has seen in some of her female students: "a lack of a moral compass."-p.160
  This passage connected with my life in that my parents separated when I was in the first grade.  I wasn't that close to my dad so I didn't think that his moving out affected me much.  However, I'm sure my teachers would have disagreed. Although I don't think that I lost all sense of right and wrong or my moral compass.
What scares me as a teacher is that many parents don't inform teachers about things going on at home.  I can understand their reasons such as embarrassment and a desire for privacy, but it makes my job harder when I have to try to figure out what is going on in a student's life.  Therefore, I know that I will have to work to create open relationships with parents so that they will feel comfortable sharing information about their child with me so that we can work together to help them.

-"Young students grew up in the embrace of mentors.  The mentors themselves grew up because they took responsibility for their actions- responsibility forced on them by the elder role they played." p.136

This reminded me of the sixth grade buddy that I had when I was in first grade.  While I don't remember being tutored by her I remember looking up to her.  While this was important for me to have a big kid care about me, I now realize that it was beneficial for her as well in terms of developing responsibility and self-esteem.

As a teacher, I would be hesitant to use this strategy with children with behavioral problems because either part of the pairing could have a negative effect on the other.  However, upon more reflection I realized that just because a child may display some undesired behaviors, I should not expect those behaviors of him all the time.  Every child needs to be given a chance and different opportunities to make proper choices.

-"Lately I am trying to be very conscious of what I ask a boy to do when I am trying to get information.  I try to get something in his hands (crayons, blocks, cards) while I'm talking.  I find this tends to relax the boy and also prevents a lot of frustration on my part." p.164
This makes sense in terms of male brain development, but any strategy can be taken too far.  It has been my experience that some children may act out because they will be sent to someone's office where they can play with what they want.  Therefore, it is important to examine each case individiually.

Rigorous Researcher

Alison Getsloff
Blog #4
Rigorous Researcher
Pages 86-126

The following passage made me very intrigued as to learning about more brain research. This was found on page 91:

"Recent brain research has taught us an immense ammount about fatty acids that help brains grow. It has also given us early warning about problems that our diet, both at home and in school, is creating for gowing children."

"The human brain is just over 60 percent fat and requires omega-3 acids to promote optimal brain performance."

"The omega-3 fatty acid is not something the brain produces by itself. Instead, it relies on the environment-nutrution and eating habits."

What are omega-3 fatty acids?

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids. We need them for our bodies to work normally. Because essential fatty acids (ALA,DHA,EPA) are not made in the body or are inefficiently converted from ALA to EPA and DHA, we need to get them from our diet .

What are the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids?

Omega-3s are thought to play an important role in reducing inflammation throughout the body -- in the blood vessels, the joints, and elsewhere. 

• Blood fat [triglycerides]. According to a number of studies,  Fish oil can also cut elevated triglyceride levels. Having high levels of this blood fat is a risk factor for heart disease. 
• Cardiovascular health. Omega-3 fatty acids appear to lower the overall risk of death from heart disease. Fish oil may reduce arrhythmias, and people who take fish oil supplements after a heart attack cut their risk of having another heart attack. Eating fish once or twice a week seems to significantly lower the risk of stroke.
• Rheumatoid arthritis. A number of studies have found that fish oil supplements [EPA+DHA] significantly reduced stiffness and joint pain. Omega-3 supplements also seem to boost the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Depression. Researchers have found that cultures that eat foods with high levels of omega-3s have lower levels of depression. Fish oil also seems to boost the effects of antidepressants. Fish oil may help reduce the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder.
• Prenatal health. Studies show that EPA and DHA supplementation during pregnancy boost the health of pregnant women and the development of their children. DHA appears to be important for visual and neurological development in infants.  
• Asthma. Evidence suggests that a diet high in omega 3s reduces inflammation, a key component in asthma. However, more studies are needed to show if fish oil supplements improve lung function or reduce the amount of medication a person needs to control their disease.
• ADHD. Some studies show that fish oil can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in some children and improve their cognitive function. However, more research is needed in this area, and omega-3 supplements as a primary treatment for this disorder are not supported by research.
• Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The evidence is preliminary, but some research suggests that omega-3s may help protect against Alzheimer's disease and dementia. However, more research needs to be done. Ongoing studies are evaluating whether omega-3 supplements can slow the progression of this disease. 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Food Sources

• When possible, try to get omega-3 fatty acids from foods rather than supplements.
• Fish high in DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids include anchovies, bluefish, herring, mackerel, salmon (wild has more omega-3s than farmed), sardines, sturgeon, lake trout, and tuna. Many experts recommend eating these fish two to three times a week.
• Good food sources of ALA -- which is converted into omega-3 fatty acids in the body -- include walnuts, flax and flaxseed oil, canola oil, olive oil, and soybean oil.
• While foods containing omega-3 fatty acids have health benefits, some -- like oils and nuts -- can be high in calories. So eat them in moderation.

References: WebMD

Vocabulary/Concept Vitalizer

Alison Getsloff
Blog #4
Vocabulary/Concept Vitalizer
Pages 86-126

There weren't too many unfamiliar terms in this weeks readings, so I chose some that I thought best describe what was discussed. 

Nutrition: The act or process of nourishing or being nourished; specifically : the sum of the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and utilizes food substances 

Page 89 states: "Brain research has taught us that what children eat profoundly affects their ability to learn and behave."  

Aggression: Hostile, injurious, or destructive behavior or outlook especially when caused by frustration.


Pages 92-93 discuss how to deal with aggressive behavior in the classroom: 
"One of the primary areas of difficulty in the preschool and kindergarten classroom is aggressive behavior, which is inspired a great deal of medication use. It has also generated debate among brain theorists and gender watchers." 


The question still is, "Where do we draw the line with our kids- how much aggression is OK, and how do we handle what isn't?" 

Nurturance: Affectionate care and attention. 


Page 95 explains about aggression nurturance: " Aggression nurturance is the term I use for nurturance that involves aggression activities, such as aggressive physical touch, competitive games, and aggressive nonverbal gestures. Boys tend to practice more aggressive nurtrance techniques than girls, and girls more empathy nurturance than boys, but these general trends indicate no normality or "better" behavior; they simply indicate trends in gender difference."


"When a teacher or parent laments that some of the children- especially boys- relate by bumping, prodding, and pushing each other we might recast a lot of the behavior this way: "Wow, look at how those kids are nurturing each other by bumping, prodding, and pushing." If we look closely, we notice that a lot of what they are doing is indeed nurturing activity. They are buildin strength, focus, attentiveness, and hierarchy through these actions. Their use of this nurturance style increases into elementary school, and then when hormones hit especially testosterone- it soars toward a high peak in the middle teens and into twenties."

Discipline: training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties, or moral character.

           a : control gained by enforcing obedience or order  

           b : orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior  

           c : self-control 

           d : a rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity 

 

Page 99 explains discipline techniques: "Doing the right thing and training students in handling their own aggression is very much the goal of a classroom discipline system."

"One key to improving discipline is the presence of older people."

 

 

"The outdoor classroom" (definition from Boys and Girls learn Differently): the grounds, garden, play area, and other nature areas- to help not only with stimulating the learning but also with handling young children's behavioral nuances.

Page 102 discusses the positives of an outdoor classroom: "The more power the child feels, the less we find him misbehaving."

"The outdoor classroom is as important as the indoor, especially for younger children. It is their world of play, fantasy, and spiritual connection with the mysteries of nature and an essential component of the ultimate classroom."

These definitions were found in the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Explanations for Everything

Suzanne Corsall
Blog #4
Essence Extractor
Pages 86-126

Before labeling a child with a behavior problem or disability you need to work with the family to consider many factors including nutrition, brain differences and development, and the bonds they have in their life.

Important Things to Consider in the "Ultimate Preschool Classroom"

Blog #4

Suzanne Corsall

Idea Illustrator

pages 86-126

In this chapter, Gurian mentions aggressive behavior in boys at the preschool and kindergarten level..  While he does not believe that children should be allowed to hurt each other, he believes that they should not simply be punished.  Instead teachers should remind children  to "use their words" and tell the other child how the action makes them feel.  Some may just say "I don't like it."  While others may say, "It hurts when you hit me."  Gurian believes that this helps to redirect aggression nuturance toward empathy nurturance.  However, Gurian does not believe that aggression nurturance should be condemned.  He feels it is natural and beneficial for boys to bump, prod, and push each other or otherwise engage in "rough and tumble play" for it builds strength, focus, attentiveness, and hierarchy.

Gurian discusses how a preschooler's nutrition can affect their learning.  He describes how a breakfast high in carbohydrates like a piece of toast or a bowl of cereal actually "dulls their ability to learn".When they have carbohydrates and do not exercise right after they experience a sugar crash which manifests in the jitters for boys and depression or feeling low for girls.  Instead he says that children should eat "brain foods" that are high in omega-3 fatty acids such as fish products.  Eating nutritiously can help enhance learning and curb behavior problems.

 

 Gurian strongly feels that children in preschool and kindergarten are being medicated when they do not need to be. It has adverse affects on brain development.   He feels that when their brain differences are taken into account and that parents and teachers provide them with the time, love, and nurturing they need that they can function successfully without medication.  He doesn't think medication should be an option until the age of 7. 

Teaching: It's the easiest job in the world

Literary Luminator

Daniela Elliott

Blog #4

pages 87-126

Part Two, Chapter 3: The Ultimate Preschool and Kindergarten Classroom:

1. page 94:

"All my life I’d known boys but this thing, right in front of me, had been blocked in my mind.  I never wanted to admit that boys’ [behavior] could be instigated by girls.  I wanted to see girls as kind and boys as having aggression problems.  I see things differently now."

I chose this first passage because of what I see in myself, currently as a student of education, trying to learn what it takes to be a good educator.  This is an idea that I believed for a long time as well.  The change came with the presence of young children in my family and so I finally had the chance to sit back and observe them at family gatherings.  Aviana, my cousin’s 7 year old daughter, is as mean as they come when she doesn’t get her way. She cries, pouts, calls others names until she gets her way or has someone (usually her grandmother, my aunt) pay her some attention.  I have some idea of how she must be acting in school.  This is such an important passage because I know I’m not the only one who has this same generalization in their head about young girls.  It’s very difficult, I think, to change this idea when most of the population doesn’t have the time or opportunity to observe, as the teacher who wrote this, boys and girls in school.  This is an idea you have to go out and look for.  If you’re a parent and the most you know about your child's behavior is what you see at home, that doesn’t let you know how they act in school.  Sometimes, parents don’t even want to believe that their child could act one way at home and in another way at school.  There is so much to know and understand about a child that you have to ask: how could we ever know enough to be good parents/caregivers/educators, etc.?

2. page 99:

"One key to improving discipline is the presence of older people.  Our research indicates that discipline and behavior of children is heavily affected by the presence of elders in a classroom or other learning environment.  Whether a grandparent visits or comes in for tutorials or is a teacher, the old teach the young."

My graduate program of study is Business & Marketing Education, after having worked in sales, marketing, public relations and medial administration for the past few years I decided to change careers.  What I felt was missing from working in the business world was a sense of satisfaction or success.  Not because I hadn’t accomplished anything or had grown to different levels in the company I worked for but because it wasn’t enough to make happy.  This passage above spoke to me because I believe this is a great idea that I would want to enforce in my classroom.  I think back and wish I had had an opportunity to have gotten a real-world look at business or the chance to talk to someone about it.  The best way to learn about a business industry is to go straight to the source and being able to bring in parents, elders, or any person working in any field of business to speak to young adults is an amazing chance that is rarely given.  Some might say that in high school, business courses are meant to develop a foundation, that going as far as bringing in other adults to speak to students is not necessary at such a young age. I believe the opposite. As a high school junior or senior, when it’s time to make a life decision as important as your college program of study, why not give these students as much real-life, hands-on information as possible?  Offer them more than a textbook version of what business is, which in fact, is not what you find in the real world. 

page 121:

“What is most frightening about the rapid increase in drug use among young children is the fact that so many presumed presenting behaviors of disorder are actually not indications of read disorder but rather indications of (1) caregivers’ and parents’ lack of training in normal child development and (2) cultural pressure to create a kind of uniformity in children that is, ultimately, unnatural.

This passage, in corporation with the whole section that spoke to the use of psychotropic medication, was a real eye opening section with a lot of statistics and facts related to the use of Ritalin, Adderall and Prozac on children seven and under.  It was shocking to think that so many parents/adults believe medication is the answer to problematic children, when in fact medication it's not.  Although it was unclear just how many children are on medication, the estimated number of one half million to one million, is enough to draw concern.  It makes sense, in one aspect, to think that if a simple pill could help control a child, even a little bit, then why such a big fuss.  “More than 90 percent of the medication taken by children younger than seven should not have been prescribed.”  Those incorrectly prescribed children are those who, instead, are only lacking in attachment, bonding and gender-brain based learning strategies.  On top of which, these psychotropic medications are gateway drugs.   

What I question is with so much knowledge and research done on children without diagnosed disorders and children with learning and behavior disorders, where is this loss in communication? Why is so much information available yet so few teachers, counselors, psychologists, school boards, school districts, political authority figures not all informed and taking action?  According to Gurian, there has been an increase in diagnosed learning and behavioral disorders, is solving this issue easier said than done? It makes me wonder, is there enough time in a day, days in a week, month or the year to learn all there is to know when dealing with such children. As a future educator, how can I ever ensure that I have and give enough time each day to all my students as well as my family? Being an educator is over-looked by many as an “easy job,” and perhaps I thought that once too. Now I see the truth, wanting to be a good teacher requires so much more than a non-educator would ever understand.  You could try to explain to someone else the challenges a teacher faces each day and night but would they ever truly understand? I think not.

We're All Educators, At All Times of the Day

Creative Connector

Daniela Elliott

Blog #4

Page 87 - 126

It was difficult to make a connection for myself to any the phrases that stood out to me in this next section because I don’t have a good memory of my own childhood.  Instead, I was more easily able to relate these passages to my nephew and my many cousins who all have young children.  

1. Page 86-87: “My child is better off at home, at least until kindergarten. The influences in preschools are terrible.”

This first phrase is one I’ve heard very recently, my sister who had her son only a year ago, was discussing with me the idea of having another child and whether or not she could afford to have two children in daycare.  The actual concern was not the cost, although day care is very expensive and something to consider, the truth is that my sister does not want to leave her children with strangers.  She had spoken with many of her friends and family members who have children in day care and although the feedback wasn’t entirely negative, in the end she would rather quit her job than send her kids to daycare and/or pre-school.  With the recent stories of child abuse at area daycare centers, it is only natural for that to affect the perception one has about their own child’s safety in a daycare facility.

2. page 87: “It is especially important in the early years of a child’s life to ensure that brain development at home is well accomplished and thus, when the child enters school, the brain is ready to learn.”

This is especially true, as I’ve seen with my nephew, that no matter how young a child is his/her brain is developing and ready to learn.  As my parents did with myself and other siblings, they spoke only Italian to us while we were at home and that is the reason why we spoke Italian before we spoke English. Now that my siblings and I are all grown up and married to non-Italians, it’s harder than ever to keep that same standard in our own homes. My sister, who was the first of 4 children to have a child, leaves her son with my father to take care of when both she and her husband are working. And just as expected, although her son still cannot speak, he understands Italian! My father has taught him these Italian children’s songs, both which require different hand motions. Now, at only 11 months old, my nephew knows which hand motions to use depending on the song that someone sings, without being shown which hand motion to use. One requires him to point to the inside of his palm and the other is simply a song that you clap to. all very basic but the point is he understands Italian.  Now that he’ll start talking soon, he’ll most likely be able to speak Italian as well with the help of his grandfather.

page 122: In discussing nonmedical options for children, the first option is: “a parent moves from full-time to part-time employment so as to mentor a difficult or spirited child for an additional two or three hours each day.”

Again, in relation to my nephew, this is the question my sister is asking herself; only in her case, part-time isn’t an option for the position she currently holds (Administrative Manager at an Ophthalmologist office).  Instead, she is considering leaving her job completely to take care of her kids.  My cousin, who is 33 years old, went to school to become a school counselor and worked for about 2 years.  She is no longer employed, instead she takes care of her two children.  Although this specific phrase came from a section of the book dealing with children who are “difficult,” the reason I made the connection to what my sister and cousin is because unfortunately, it’s not just an option for parents of difficult children but for any child.  And, more often than not, it’s likely that the mother is the parent making this sacrifice because in the real world today, men make more money than women.  So, when decision time comes, no matter how much a mother loves her job, the truth is that it makes more sense for a woman to take a step down.  

And so continues the cycle of men vs. women– how will we ever become an equal gender world?