Comments for Teachers At Risk

Comment on Listening to Music Helps Students Be More Productive in The Classroom by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:12:19 +0000

Maria,
Wow, you’ve got quite a job ahead of you. I’d love to help anyway I can. Thank you for the kind words of support, bye the way. I appreciate the feedback.

I have some questions though. You mentioned IEPs so I assume some type of special education support is needed. Could you give me some more details about your students. Email me the details so I can get a better picture of what the students needs are. Then I’ll be able to give you some useful suggestions.

Comment on Listening to Music Helps Students Be More Productive in The Classroom by maria

maria — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:45:43 +0000

Elona,
I am going to start a special school room in August. I would like some tips how to start the day as I have students from age 7 to 30, numbering about eight students. The IEP will be prepared later but for a start pls help me as I found your site very exciting, using creative things to bring about the best in such children.
I will be grateful to you if you could help me out here as I have to handle everything alone this year.

Maria

Comment on What makes a teacher a good teacher? by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:39:04 +0000

Theresa,
Those dreaded test scores! It’s really unfortunate that today in education it’s all about test scores.

There’s so much pressure because of those test scores. There’s a lot of teaching to the test at the expense of a student’s whole education. I think that there’ll be a time soon when the-powers-that-be realize that we cannot measure a students learning just by math and literacy tests scores. There’s so much more to education than that.

Comment on What makes a teacher a good teacher? by Theresa Payne

Theresa Payne — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:20:10 +0000

Here I am late at night googling what makes a good teacher. I love my job and students! I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I have had parents comment on how their child loves to come to school each day…a problem in the past. And how they felt safe to take risks under my guidance. Great! Then come those dreaded test scores. I have lost sleep this summer wondering all over again if I really am a “good” teacher in a “good” fit. There are so many out there who need the encouragement and validation that only fellow educators can give. Thank you for taking the time to write and communicate with us!

Comment on Nine things my students have taught me about classroom management and teaching by Pat

Pat — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:15:43 +0000

What a wonderful list! I totally agree with the positive aspect of discipline.

Comment on Concerns and questions about The Girl Effect and Global Giving. by Donna Callejon

Donna Callejon — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:19:48 +0000

Elona,
Thanks for your enthusiasm for investing in girls. As you point out, this is a known success strategy - especially in developing countries. There are also almost 100 women’s funds in the US that have programs that invest in girls in the US - trying to keep more low-income girls in high school, avoid teen pregnancy, etc.

Re your question about how much money goes to the projects. In fact, 85-90% of the money given to projects on our website goes directly to the project…and the project implementer has agreed to use the funds only for that specific project, not overhead, or other costs. Our model is a bit complicated, so the financials merge general funding we’ve received and donor contributions in the revenue category…but you can see on this “How it works” page how the process and money flows. Finally, I just wanted to mention that if anyone is ever unhappy with their donation for any reason, we have “GlobalGiving Guaranteed,” and we’ll give you a gift certificate for your donation amount to give to another project.
Hope this answers your questions.

Donna @
GlobalGiving

Comment on Nine things my students have taught me about classroom management and teaching by Carnival of Education « Where’s the Sun?

Carnival of Education « Where’s the Sun? — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:10:50 +0000

[...] Elona Hartjes from Teachers At Risk is soaking in the sun as she ponders Nine things my students have taught me about classroom management and teaching [...]

Comment on Teaching math using real world examples may not facilitate learning by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:32:48 +0000

Leila,
I don’t know that I’d want to wean them off of the manipulatives. I think when the kids are ready, they stop using them.

Comment on Over a thousand emails in my junk folder. What’s going on? by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:30:16 +0000

Armondo,
Thanks for that info.

Comment on Over a thousand emails in my junk folder. What’s going on? by Armando

Armando — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:11:45 +0000

You did nothing wrong it is called a spoof where people send messages from their location but put your email address as the return. When all these messages get taged as spam or the email address is not valid you will get all the bounce backs. Sadly to say but there is not much you can do.

Comment on Teaching math using real world examples may not facilitate learning by Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:26:57 +0000

I read similar article also named ing math using real world examples may not facilitate learning : Teachers At Risk, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me

Comment on Blogging can be a pretty selfish and alienating activity by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:16:54 +0000

Mathew,
Thanks for your support. I’m going to try to find that balance so that I can continue to blog, but also do all the other things I value in life.

Tracy,
Thanks, I plan on having a very low key weekend that includes reading an Alexander McCall Smith book. I love his The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series because it’s full of home spun philosophy which makes me think! His characters are so down to earth.

I’m going to dust off my library card and see what I can find on the shelves of my local library. Actually, I go on line to request books and then just go and pick them up when they arrive.

Comment on Blogging can be a pretty selfish and alienating activity by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:05:52 +0000

Sukhdeep,
Thank you so much for those kind words. I’m glad that I’ve been able to help you. I’m going to continue to blog, just cut back a bit. If you have any suggestions for a blog topic, or a question you want answered please share that with me. I was lucky to have wonderful mentors when I was starting out, and I want to pay that forward.

Try and have a restful summer, if you can. I remember those early years and I remember the summers not being all that restful. Things do get less hectic as time goes on though.

Comment on Blogging can be a pretty selfish and alienating activity by tracy

tracy — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:44:40 +0000

That is a good thing, Elona.
Have a restful weekend!
Tracy

Comment on Blogging can be a pretty selfish and alienating activity by Mathew

Mathew — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:48:00 +0000

I have been blogging less and hardly twittering at all since my grandmother passed in May and I’ve kind of reevaluated what’s most important. I think your priorities are right.

Comment on Blogging can be a pretty selfish and alienating activity by Sukhdeep

Sukhdeep — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:05:43 +0000

Elona,

I think you’re making a wise choice, though I will miss your frequent postings on this site. As I wrap up my first year of teaching I have been thinking about all the people I want to thank — and you are one of them! Your ideas, strategies and creativity have been a source of inspiration for me. Thanks for sharing your expertise and being an “e-mentor.” And having said all of that — enjoy your family and friends, and have a restful summer!

-Sukhdeep

Comment on Math education in America is failing to prepare students for the 21st century by tracy

tracy — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:29:39 +0000

Elona,
I agree that, in theory, it is really simple when you think about it. But when you are doing it, when you are a teacher with 30+ students in your class, 5+ of them with IEPs and others who probably should have them but don’t officially…Well, I think it is our responsibility to offer a lot of PD to ensure that teachers are able to offer the choices that are needed (as well as our responsibility to seek it out!)

Comment on Math education in America is failing to prepare students for the 21st century by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:17:31 +0000

Tracy,
It’s true that teachers generally teach to their preferred learning style.

When kids tell me that they don’t get something because the teacher can’t/didn’t teach it, I talk about students’ learning styles and teachers’ teaching style being out of sync.

As a special ed teacher who writes IEP’s that include accommodations teachers need to make to help the particular student be more successful, I find the problem often is a mismatch of teaching and learning styles.

I talk to the teachers about the student’s preferred learning style and ask that the teacher make sure that she includes that learning style in her lesson plans. She can use the IEP accommodations as her guide to help her cover all the bases.

It’s really simple when you think about it.

Comment on Math education in America is failing to prepare students for the 21st century by tracy

tracy — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:31:30 +0000

You ask great questions, Elona, as usual!
Why can’t we focus on both? Hmmm…

In general, teachers teach in their preferred learning style. Especially when they are asked to teach out of their comfort zone, which often happens in high school (eg - generalists being assigned math or science classes…).

As teachers, we need to be aware of different learning styles and teach content from within different perspectives - offering choice for students while still holding high standards for learning.

I think that is the only way to offer creativity AND content.

Comment on Listening to Music Helps Students Be More Productive in The Classroom by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:18:46 +0000

Ash,
Thanks for sharing your personal experience, especially about how useful you yourself find listening to music is to help your maintain your concentration.

As for research, go back to this article and you’ll notice I’ve put an update with a link to research.

Hope that helps.

Comment on Listening to Music Helps Students Be More Productive in The Classroom by asharnanae

asharnanae — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:53:51 +0000

Hello Elona,

I am a trainee art teacher, and for my final research project I am investigating just this! if you could give me any pointers on possible areas to look for research I would be forever grateful.

I would just like to add as well, that I have always had music played in art lessons I attended, from lower school right through to degree. It would seem very strange for me not to have music on whilst doing artwork. And in a personal note, I am dyslexic and find that in order to be able to write an essay, I have to choose a single song or very short playlist which constantly repeats. The repetition subconsciously stops my mind from wandering, and gives my writing better flow.

I play music in all my art lessons, but the school does not allow MP3 players except in the art exam, when they are mandatory! 10 or 15 of silence makes for a noise craving.

I have found that my students always work better when music is playing, and when asked they all respond positively for having music played whist working.

Now I have found that my students have a leaning towards rock/pop/dance/mainstream rnb & rap and some alternative and folk, music. as long as they have a good mixture, they are happy. oddly enough, Guns and Roses and The Who are favorites of all the years I teach.

They also far prefer music with lyrics in! which could be to do with the very visual/kinesthetic ways in which they are working normally in there art lessons. it acts as a counter point to occupy the part of the brain they are not using.

well, ok after the novel, I shall sign off.

ash.

Comment on Math education in America is failing to prepare students for the 21st century by Gary Sharma

Gary Sharma — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:53:02 +0000

Great article and good comments. I agree. The best outcome will be to combine both cultures and push for imbibing good practices from each other.
It is good to see mass market affordable math tutoring from online companies like TutorVista.com that my kids use - $ 100 per month unlimited one-on-one tuitions using Indian teachers . I have been using for last 18 months with good results. As a parent living in US , I feel core math skill is invaluable and our school system just does not give that. Hence I went to TutorVista.com.
On all other aspects , US education , schooling is great ( my kids attend a public school in Florida )
Gary

Comment on Math education in America is failing to prepare students for the 21st century by Mathew

Mathew — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 02:39:04 +0000

I think we focus too much on algorithms and not enough on a conceptual understanding of numbers and operations.

Comment on Strategies for dealing with kids who get physcially aggressive with teachers- Part 1- Establishing the classroom climate by Edupunk.is.dead. (Insert witty web 2.0-eduism catchphrase here) « An (aspiring) Educator’s Blog

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:28:33 +0000

[...] I think that the term ‘edupunk’ fails to capture what the DIY reform movement is all about. The most important aspect of the reform is changing the nature of student-teacher relationships. Instead of a top-down classroom hierarchy where the educator creates the rules of the classroom and controls content, the classroom needs to be an interactive community where interactions between students and educators drives curriculum. A great example of this is the behavior management techniques discussed on Elona Hartjes’ blog: [...]

Comment on Motivating reluctant or struggling learners at year’s end by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:07:35 +0000

Tracy,
I posted the kids comic strips in the class blog http://www.mrshartjes1.edublogs.org but the text isn’t to clear. I createda Powerpoint presentation then uploaded it to Slideshare and then embedded into the blog. The text quality is not good. I’ll have to repost the comic strips using Snagit.

Comment on Motivating reluctant or struggling learners at year’s end by tracy

tracy — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:15:01 +0000

I’m not sure if it was on this page or not. I like seeing how you use the things you write about here on your class blog.

I’m looking forward to seeing the student comics!

Comment on Motivating reluctant or struggling learners at year’s end by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:54:08 +0000

Tracy,
Your students will love creating comics.

I didn’t realize that the link to make beliefs comix wasn’t working on this page.

I’ll repair that right now, but glad you went to class blog and accessed the link there.

I hope to publish some of the students comics.
Check the class blog.

Comment on Motivating reluctant or struggling learners at year’s end by tracy

tracy — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:12:57 +0000

I like your comic, Elona! I can definitely relate, as will some of my students I am sure.

I followed the link to your class blog where I found a link to the site where you made the comic. Guess what my class will be doing tomorrow?

Thanks again for a great resource!
Tracy

Comment on Finding a balance between work and play is crucial. by tracy

tracy — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:04:36 +0000

Hi Elona,
I haven’t been doing enough of this lately. I’m trying to keep all of my school work at school, so that I’m not correcting, moderating blog comments, prepping, etc…at home - but it ends up being more the exception than the rule when that happens. It is a definite goal of mine for next year
I know that I can do my job best by taking care of myself, and that I can take care of myself best by allowing for a balance between work and other activities, but teaching is such an important part of me that it is not always easy to separate it from the rest of my life.

Good post, Elona!
Tracy

ps - I’d love to hear your thoughts on my latest post, diagnosis=accommodations

Comment on Students Who Drop Out of School Can Lose Driver’s Licence by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:36:57 +0000

Brittney,
I’m glad you wrote back to tell us you’re still in school. I was hoping that you’d stay and graduate. I know it’s not easy for you, but it looks like you have what it takes to hang in there. Good.

You’ve made some good points. As for your question, about how many moms drop out of school I think that it’s OK to say that about 300,000 drop out. You don’t need an exact figure to make your point.

Hope that helps.

Comment on Students Who Drop Out of School Can Lose Driver’s Licence by Brittney

Brittney — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:29:41 +0000

Okay well Im still in school. Actually in school right now. Im doing a speech about losing your license if you dropout. Well Im against that. Alot of pregnant teens have to dropout, by taking away their license your taking away their chance to maintain their jobs and ways to get to and from work. they may need their vehicle to take their kid the hospital. Many teens who have gotten pregnant or are the father who must take care of the child, need vehicles. there are 468,988 babies born to teenage mothers a year and of those about 300,000 mothers drop out before they graduate. those mothers could of been the best students, they may have just made mistakes. why should the government take away their mean of transportation. dont you think they are doing the right thing by taking care of their child. but they are making it harder to do.

by the way if you could possibly figure out how many of the mothers actually drop out you could help me with my paper.

Comment on More great graphic organizers for you to use in the classroom by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Tue, 27 May 2008 02:58:40 +0000

Your welcome, Liz.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and sharing your experience with graphic organizers. Visual learners take to them like ducks to water. Many of my struggling learners really like the graphic organizers,too.

Comment on More great graphic organizers for you to use in the classroom by Liz S

Liz S — Tue, 27 May 2008 02:43:57 +0000

My fifth grade students also find graphic organizers a useful and fun tool to make learning easier. My students, who struggle with reading, especially enjoy Venn Diagrams. Comparing and contrasting is a difficult skill for many students, and Venn Diagrams make it less arduous. Venn Diagrams produce clearer differences between subjects.

The Burger Diagram is especially helpful for pre-writing before writing a persuasive essay. When constructing a persuasive essay, students must have more than one reason to support their opinions. By using the Burger Diagram, students can visualize their ideas and make sure their information is appropriate to the topic.

Thank you for reinforcing the importance of graphic organizers in the classroom.

Comment on More great graphic organizers for you to use in the classroom by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Tue, 27 May 2008 01:14:53 +0000

Kim,
I’m delighted that these graphic organizers will be useful. I think the kids will like that they are interactive and so colourful. Please feel free to share any of your ideas. I’d like to see some of the kid’s work.

Comment on What makes a teacher a good teacher? by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Tue, 27 May 2008 01:11:36 +0000

Kim,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Believe me, kids can see the passion a teacher has and it makes a difference.

Comment on What makes a teacher a good teacher? by Kim B

Kim B — Tue, 27 May 2008 00:22:49 +0000

I agree with your definition of a great teacher. I wholly believe that a teacher’s willingness and love of her subject translates to her students. My try everyday to let my kids see my passion for my subject and for them

Comment on More great graphic organizers for you to use in the classroom by Kim B

Kim B — Tue, 27 May 2008 00:15:13 +0000

Thank you for posting the graphic organizers. I teach 7th grade writing and will use these in my class. I know that they will help my special needs kids.

Comment on What makes a teacher a good teacher? by TF

TF — Sun, 25 May 2008 01:22:11 +0000

Hello,

I enjoyed your positive input. I feel like, as a teacher, I’m in the wrong place/subject right now … but because I know it’s “easier” than my other options, and I’m afraid to start over again, I stay. I am teaching adults in a multi-subject situation that reminds me of your credit recovery situation. Although I enjoy one on one tutoring, I feel like I could be more creative if I was able to focus on one subject in a narrower skill range … maybe I’ll dust off my resume this year.

Comment on Some Students Bully Teachers Too by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Sat, 24 May 2008 05:06:01 +0000

Sidney,
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I’m truly sorry that you’ve had such a negative experience. What can I say! Let’s hope this experience is atypical. I admire your determination to continue despite everything. Good luck.

Comment on Some Students Bully Teachers Too by Sidney O'Keefe

Sidney O'Keefe — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:55:07 +0000

I have an unsettling story to tell.

After years as a homemaker, I became both financially and emotionally vested in an “alternative certification program” which would enable me to return to my first professional love, teaching. After months of study and preparation, the members of my student cohort were placed in public schools here in Texas for 2 weeks of “field experience.”

Although I had visited classrooms extensively, I somehow managed to pre-select for settings that were at least nominally conducive to the educational process. What I discovered at my assigned high school was like something from a horror movie. Put simply, a violence-prone subset of the student population was in charge of the school. They had devised seemingly endless rationalizations for their lack of self-discipline and their lack of respect for themselves and those around them. Teachers who attempted to call attention to the ways the school system was failing these students were, in turn, bullied by administrators. Fellow teachers would commiserate, and sigh, and step out of the line of fire.

When I attempted to discuss the violent acting out of a student (and a circle of his friends) with the appropriate Associate Principal, I was accused of racism. A sham investigation followed and within 24 hours I was removed from my assignment at the high school.

The effect of this action was to nullify my contractual relationship with the certification program. I am out thousands of dollars, have lost countless credit hours of study and my reputation has been impuned by a band of bullying prevaricating students.

My efforts to get counseling help for the students fell on deaf ears and resulted in false accusations against me. Because I am no longer at the school, nor any longer a member of the teacher certification program, I would have to turn to the courts to address the problems indemic to the school.

I was falsely accused of “inciting” the students’ violent acting out (despite their history of prior incidents.) The net effect was that I was bullied by the students, by the teacher of record with whom I was working (who stepped aside in self-protection), by the Associate Principal, by her supervising Principal and by both the Facilitator and Director of my certification program.

All these vissicitudes would be worth it, if only I knew that the students’ emotional and behavioral problems were being addressed by competent and truly compassionate educators. The system which is currently in place at the school guarantees that the students in their care will perceive bullying as the avenue to whatever they desire in life. Timid students will spend a lifetime acquiescing to administratively enabled tyrants. The long termm implications of a policy of “peace at any cost” are dire indeed.

I have located another program through which I may certify. I will have to begin my studies all over again. No matter, I am resilient. But what will I find in the next school…and the next? How far-reaching is this plague of tolerated tantrums and sanctioned incivility? Could the lack of support for embattled teachers be the real reason for the “teacher shortage”?

Your thoughts?

Sidney C. O’Keefe
scokeefe@hotamil.com

Comment on Strategies for dealing with kids who get physcially aggressive with teachers- Part 1- Establishing the classroom climate by Hartjes on climate at Behavior Modification

Hartjes on climate at Behavior Modification — Fri, 23 May 2008 10:18:18 +0000

[...] including establishing rules (though she prefers to call them “agreements”). Read the entire post. Sphere: Related Content « B-mod camps are [...]

Comment on Listening to Music Helps Students Be More Productive in The Classroom by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Thu, 22 May 2008 12:18:38 +0000

Charda,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I’m glad my post and the coments people have made have been useful.

I’m pleased to hear that listening to music helps you be more productive. That’s great, and good for you for advocating for music in the classrom. Let me know how things go. Get other people to support you as well when you talk to the powers-that-be. Good luck.

Comment on Listening to Music Helps Students Be More Productive in The Classroom by charda marie

charda marie — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:59:14 +0000

elona

Im a junior in high school and i am doin a research paper on how music affects the way people act live learn and express their emotions and ur article helps me alot and me being a dancer i listen to music all the time especially when preparing 4 a concert like im doin now. music is my escape, it takes me to a place of meditation and focus. and when i am focus i become driven and when that happen there is nothing that can stop me from finishing a task i was thinking of taking this issue to my school board to have our no electronics rule to help future students do better. thanks 4 all ur help and i will keep you posted on my results of the school board.

THANKS BIG
CHARDA

Comment on Respect in the classroom is a two way street by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:47:03 +0000

Precious,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

What have students done to earn respect from day one? They get respect because they are a person. For me it’s as simple as that.

I hear what you are saying about respect. I think that respecting a student first means you do not prejudge him or her because she’s in a certain program or has a certain label. I sometimes hear teachers talking negatively about kids because they are in a certain class or come from a certain family. I think a lack of respect is to prejudge them and kids can detect that in a second as they walk in the door. How do I know this?Kids come and tell me about their teachers at the beginning of every semester.

I think that kids sometimes kids behave themselves in my class at first without really respecting me as a person.They might behave because they respect the office. I think that for some kids to respect me as a person takes time. Some kids are not quick to give a teacher respect as a person. That takes time and that takes me reaching out to them first by showing them respect as a person.

My approach works for me. It’s not the only approach. It’s just mine. If your happy and look forward to being in the classroom with your students and positive learning gos on, and your approach is different that’s ok. Go for it.My common sense tells me that since my approach works for me, I should continue it. I’m delighted with the results

Comment on Respect in the classroom is a two way street by Precious

Precious — Wed, 21 May 2008 04:35:28 +0000

So what exactly have the students done to earn our respect from day one? We can’t just start off suggesting to the students that it’s okay to be disrespectful because they don’t think we are worthy. What happened to common sense?

Comment on Learning to change, changing to learn-the irony of it by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:43:22 +0000

Tracy,
Thanks. I’ll try the site to see.

Comment on Strategies for dealing with kids who get physcially aggressive with teachers- Part 1- Establishing the classroom climate by Mathew

Mathew — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:02:30 +0000

Great ideas!

Comment on Learning to change, changing to learn-the irony of it by tracy

tracy — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:26:15 +0000

Hi Elona,
Our school board also blocks youtube. Sometimes I am able to find the videos I need on metacafe.com, which isn’t blocked.

Comment on Learning to change, changing to learn-the irony of it by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:07:30 +0000

Richard,
have you seen this http://realsmartnow.net/2008/05/16/joshua-klein-wisdom-of-crows/
an analysis of the presentation skills of the speaker,Joshua in the Intelligence of the Crow video.

Comment on Learning to change, changing to learn-the irony of it by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:02:30 +0000

Richard,
Oh my goodness, you did it! I’m was still just thinking about doing it. Thank you so much for the transcription.

Comment on Learning to change, changing to learn-the irony of it by RIchard Platts

RIchard Platts — Sat, 17 May 2008 02:24:25 +0000

I’m back — I transcribed the video roughly here:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcpk7vtb_326crc88dhh

Comment on Learning to change, changing to learn-the irony of it by RIchard Platts

RIchard Platts — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:04:19 +0000

Agreed! I’m writing about it on my blog right now — a transcript would help a ton! I wish I could find anything on the learning to change video. Is there a website, blog, list of sources used, anything out there? Join the conversation — I’m mrplatts on twitter.

Comment on Listening to Music Helps Students Be More Productive in The Classroom by vanessa

vanessa — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:09:58 +0000

thank you for all the help i needed on my essay elona! your surveys really helped me out! and your site was helpfull.

bob

Comment on Teaching math using real world examples may not facilitate learning by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Wed, 14 May 2008 20:55:09 +0000

Michael,
Thank you for taking the time to post your observations. It’s actually quite ironic given that today I was so frustrated by my math class’ lack of fundamentals.

I have a new theory about the lack of fundamentals that I think I’ll explain in my next blog post.

Oh, and thanks for the heads up about the CBC program. I missed that one. I’ll see if I can find it too.

Comment on Teaching math using real world examples may not facilitate learning by Michael

Michael — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:43:12 +0000

While I don’t have a comment about the use of manipulatives, I have noticed that students - even at the 2nd year university level - have a tough time calculating percents without using the percent function of their calculators.

This topic was discussed on a CBC Radio show a couple of months ago. Unfortunately I cannot find the exact show on their site. The math teacher they interviewed from the maritimes said that he believed the students didn’t have a firm grasp of the fundamentals and noticed that students weren’t able to connect the solutions from one real life example to another. So he closes his door and doesn’t teach much from the new curriculum. But I could be remembering it wrong. If I can track down the show, I’ll post it for you.

Comment on Bored in class-too bad by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:54:30 +0000

Lori,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I hear what you are saying.

I think that the teacher and the students are a team . Each must do his or her part. There are things a teacher can do to help make the class interesting for a student. There are things a student can do to make the class interesting for him or herself. It’s not all up to the teacher. It’s not all up to the student.

There’s only so much a teacher can do. For example the curriculum in mandated. I don’t have much say in what I have to teach. I can make it as interesting as possible but the topic could still be boring. I don’t have a say in how long a class is. 75 minutes is too long for some kids. I don’t have a say as to when school starts. There are lots of things that need to change in the system that I have no control over.

Over the years, I have had many ADHD and ADD students in my classes. I know the challenges they face. I know the accommodations to make that will help these students be more successful, and I implement them. But sometimes no matter what I do or what the student does, school is boring for that student. What can I say. I don’t have the power to change all the things that make school boring.

If you can think of some things that I can do to make school less boring, things that I have the power to do I would really appreciate hearing them. I am open to suggestions.

Comment on Bored in class-too bad by Lori

Lori — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:29:59 +0000

I am a person with Attention Deficit Disorder and my child has Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. Boring is not a good ideal for us.

Comment on Bored in class-too bad by Lori

Lori — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:24:54 +0000

I just now saw this article. I am surprise at the way the teachers have responsed to the article. I have ADD and my daughter has the ADHD. So, if the class she is attending is boring than it is sore of like finding a channel that works for you. I really think that if you all feel that you are not in the class to entertain than you all should check into what other teaching methods is out there. These kids are only asking that you make the class interesting not dull or boring. I would go to sleep in a boring meeting so most cases when we had the option to attend, I pass it up. I refuse to sit anywhere from a hour to two,three or more hours trying to take in information that could benefit or not. Society is so driven to doing what is obsolate that it bores anyone and everyone and we are suppose to sit there and take it. Well, those who are living life and happy are not dealing with boring things. Education is suppose to be a journey of learning and suppose to be fun in the mean time. Keeping a childs interest would make them feel that it is fun and learning is something they plan to keep doing but if we make education Some morbit and dull then how do we expect our children to stay in school.

Comment on Bored in class-too bad by another bored one

another bored one — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:15:57 +0000

i’m bored in class.
so i read your [lame] response to a silly child essay.
meh.
true, teachers are suppose to teach and are not paid to be entertaining, but what good is a teacher when they cannot engage their students? Is it not their fault that they have no ability to interest students? We are at the age where soem of us can easily be distracted, many of us have different abilities and defficienies, and very hectic schedules. It is the teacher’s responsibility to put the students on track and give them a positive look towards school. It is the teacher that should provide a good learning environment, and not just to teach us the knowledge and get it done with - clearly, that’s what you’re making it sound like.
Find something you enjoy doing, it’ll help everyone.

Comment on The Five Step Essay Writing Process by Essay Writing Help

Essay Writing Help — Mon, 12 May 2008 10:26:13 +0000

“The Five Step Essay Writing Process”. Extremely different and a nice article. This will definitely help the students to write a perfect essay. The way of teaching about the steps of writing an essay is totally different . This will be a major factor of this article to get attraction from the readers like me.

Comment on Teaching math using real world examples may not facilitate learning by Leila

Leila — Sun, 11 May 2008 13:52:20 +0000

I have to agree that manipulatives do work. The only problem is that my students become dependent on them and don’t want to do work without them. Do you have any suggestions on how to wean them off of the manipulatives?

Comment on Some teachers are bullies too by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:44:45 +0000

Tanya,
There’s lots you can do. I can’t talk in specifics but let me generalize.

Bullying is against the law, at least here in Ontario. Check it out where you live if it isn’t Ontario.

This is how I see it as a teacher on the inside advocating for parents and
students.

If the principal is really standing by his staff and that staff member is
bully, s/he should get the staff member help with the bullying. That’s standing by
his staff. Any staff member who bullies needs help. Being a bully is not psychologically healthy either.

The principal is there for parents and children. He needs to stand by his
students. Without parents and kids, the principal and teachers wouldn’t
have a job. They are there for you! The principal should be trained to
deal with situations like this.

Here’s what you can do.

-document all instances of bullying-that so important

-document all meetings between teachers and principals

-talk to parents and find out if this teacher has bullied other students

thats important- them you have a group- strength in numbers- go as a
delegation with all the documentation from different kids- find a parent
with those strengths and get organized- parents have joined together to
effect result.

- take all the documentation and go above the principal’s head to the
superintendent- ask for a meeting- he’s there to help you that’s what he’s
supposed to do- he’s there for you and your child

- go to the trustee or elected official for the school board- he/she’s there
to support you and look after your interests since the public elected
him/her he’s there for you.

- go to parents’ council- talk to people about issues -they may have ideas
or may have inside pull

- if students has been identified with learning disability get an LD
support organization they can help- any advocates can attend meetings- one
takes notice when an advocate comes to the meeting. believe me every

-get someone to be at meetings with you - someone who can support you-
someone who isn’t intimidated by it all - remember all the officials are
just people like you and me and they are there to serve you

-be a squeeky wheel
- check to see if there is an anti-bully organizaton in your area and get in
touch and get support
-don’t give up
-don’t give up
-don’t give up.

I’m serious. Parents are really powerful. They just don’t know it. The
system has to pay attention to parents.

Comment on Some teachers are bullies too by Tanya

Tanya — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:26:15 +0000

One of my children has experienced this very badly all year from both Teacher who is has no idea how to manage her class room and has resorted to picking on kids for control. I feel she is also punishing him for my coming forth on these concerns. As well the principal who stand behind the staff…she is never there to see the issues. I understand that it must be difficult to handle the classroom and some students may be difficult I am sure mine now who is so frustrated and does not trust these adults is most likely not the perfect child but it is her job which she chose to be an example and a caring role model whom we trust to educate our children We send our children and hope they will excel in a safe and healthy environment. This is not happening what can we as parents do? As mentioned before going to them makes it worse, writing the board produces no response. I am so upset this is the first year I have these issues. The past principal was wonderful and would have NEVER allowed this to go on in his school

Comment on Some Students Bully Teachers Too by Valerie

Valerie — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:59:59 +0000

Thank you so much Tamara, I sincerely appreciate this advice! I have started the process of the removing her, but was told that since its the last 5 weeks of school - “there is nothing they can do” - I told my principal that every time something happens then that I will file a disciplinary referral and she’ll have a pile on her desk.

Just to update you - she has been a LOT nicer to me…the guidance counselor told me today that the girl actually came to her - so I kind of wonder what is going to happen. Maybe the kid just needed a stress reliever and since i was the nicest I was the scapegoat for whatever she was dealing with???? it makes me wonder what is in store for this girl because what goes around comes around.

Comment on Some Students Bully Teachers Too by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:17:00 +0000

Tamara,
Thank you so much for your advice. I’m sure this is going to be very helpful to lots of people.

Comment on Some Students Bully Teachers Too by Tamara

Tamara — Mon, 05 May 2008 07:59:02 +0000

Dear Valerie…

Look up the Laws…

Human Rights Legislation
Ontario Health and Safety Act
Education Act

You have rights that are not being protected.

If you have any sick days left, go to your doctor, report this workplace bullying, and ask for a week or two off to process this abuse (stress)…phychological assault…

Then take some time to sort through the whole thing…Collect your thoughts, notes, and return fresh with a request for Admin and Union to support you in removing her.

You DON’T have to put up with this…any workplace who says you DO…is actually BREAKING THE LAW.

Just thought you should know.
My heart went out to you.

I was you last year.

Comment on Some teachers are bullies too by Laurie

Laurie — Sat, 03 May 2008 14:18:43 +0000

I am currently dealing with a bullying teacher at our school. Our Principal is refusing to believe the kids or the parents. I can’t stand to hear the statement “I’m going to have to stand by my teacher” one more time. There has got to be more that we can do as parents to get situations like this taken care of. When the parents have spoken out about the situation, the teacher is covered by the principal, then the bullying has only increased. So in other words, we have just made what is going on in class get worse! What can we do as parents? What kind of example is this showing our kids? Verbal abuse in the classroom is unacceptable. She will even deny a child access to go to the office without telling her why, if she thinks they are going to complain about something she has done. I realize no one is perfect, and no one can say they have handled every situation correctly all the time, but this teacher has some serious issues that need to be addressed.

Comment on Teaching math using real world examples may not facilitate learning by pinksandblues

pinksandblues — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:32:05 +0000

Provocative post. So much so that we have listed you on our Smart Mama feature on our site - http://www.pinksandblues.com

- Sharon

Comment on Some teachers are bullies too by Julia

Julia — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:29:21 +0000

Thank you for giving this podcast on a very sensitive topic. My child has been bullied by more than one teacher at our school — name calling, humiliation as punishment, etc. He’s had a teacher tell him straight out that he’s a bully, but no one has ever offered him help. He will tell you (he’s in elementary school) that he feels like there’s no point in even talking to grownups at school because they never listen to him and they never believe him. Teachers will tell me that his past behaviour precludes anything he could say to defend himself. The behaviour he displays at school is the opposite of what we get anywhere else, and that includes overnight camp, piano lessons, etc. When I try to talk to our administration about this, I am either ignored or straight out told that I’m wrong. The staff has now ostracized me as a parent (I’m at the school often to volunteer), and all I’m trying to do is to show them how they have convinced my child that he is bad, and how this has to change so that we don’t lose him. Am I crossing a line here? Should I just step back and let the teachers deal with my son, and trust that what they are doing is right eventhough it feels so wrong to me? Am I being overprotective? I just think that the teachers are sending a really mixed message when they publicly humiliate and spread rumours, and then preach on and on to the kids about anti-bullying. And if they truly think that a child is a bully, then shouldn’t they be doing more than just labelling him, and then punishing for every small mistake he makes? Isn’t it someone’s responsiblity at the school to help my child realize that he’s worth it? It’s all very upsetting to our family.
Thanks
Julia

Comment on There’s a lot of math in them there socks! by Karen Farmilo

Karen Farmilo — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:50:20 +0000

Elona,
It was so nice to see you on Saturday. Thank you for coming.
Your web site is phenomenal. Bullying happens to me at some meetings I attend and I’m not a teacher.
It is a horrible feeling while it’s happening and knowing that others in the meeting are too afraid to stop it.
I now deal with the situations head on and ask the bully to stop immediately so the meeting can continue with a positive spirit.

Thanks, Elona
Karen

Comment on Some Students Bully Teachers Too by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:55:27 +0000

Valerie,
I’m sorry to hear that you’re being treated so badly by that student. No student has the right to treat you like that. It needs to stop at once. I don’t care if the student gets 100% that behaviour has to stop. I’m not sure what you have done yet but I would suggest you go to the spec. ed. support people and talk to them about the student. They probably already know about her. Get their support. They are trained to know what to do to help stop this behaviour. Also, I would go to the admin and ask for their support in dealing with the student. In a case like this, asking for support is not a sign of weakness. Spec. ed, counselling, and admin and home need to work together as a team to get this young lady to stop her bullying. I wouldn’t be surprised if that student is known to the office already. Document all this kid’s behaviour what she said and what she did. That’s important.Then you’ll have evidence of what went on. Include the strategies you have tried. Don’t think that you have to put up with this. You don’t. The admin is there to support you so access that support. They are there to give classroom teachers and students support. It must be awful for the other students too. They don’t like seeing you treated that way either. No one will think ill of you because you ask for help with such a bully. Don’t put up with it one more day. You deserve respect, not abuse. Let me know how things are going.

Comment on Some Students Bully Teachers Too by Valerie

Valerie — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:07:10 +0000

I’ve had almost all I can handle. Today was absolutely nasty.

I have a class of kids who is absolutely disrespectful - one has gone so far as to yell at me, call me names, using her cell phone (even though there ar rules about it),tell me not only am I stupid but so is anything that I do or have the class do. I have tried talking to her only to have her tell me that she’s not going to put up with this. I’m still trying to figure out what in god’s name ever set her off!!!! What’s worse is that she’s threatened me.

She told me that she hates my class and refuses to talk to me (to participate). She told me I’m always telling them to respect me, but refuses to respect me as a person.

I cried today. for the first time in front of students, I cried. I couldn’t help it. The other kids in this class won’t say anything to her because they are afraid of her. She got my cell phone number somehow and has now belligerently texted me, telling me how she’s going to get me into trouble with the principal, saying that I’m not going to make her stop belittling me in class.

This girl does her work. It’s the nasty comments she makes about it. It’s constant…I said “if you don’t want to do the work - then don’t - its your grade”. I’m not going to walk by someone who would rather stab me with a pen. She’s smart enough she can do the work - hands down - but if I don’t answer her immediately, she goes off the deep end.

I don’t even want to go to that class. Although some students are wonderful, I keep telling myself that it’s one kid - but that only goes so far because she is making me miserable and i’m finding it really difficult to do my job.

Comment on Students Who Drop Out of School Can Lose Driver’s Licence by Diana

Diana — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:32:09 +0000

I am a seventeen year old mother.
I dropped out November of 2007.
I was nine months pregnant and VERY uncomfortable. My plan though was to drop out and do another program online so I would be able to stay at home with my daughter. Three months after I dropped out I got a letter in the mail saying my license was about to get revoked because I dropped out.
Come to find out, the program I was going to do didnt qualify you to have your license because it wasnt enough hours during the week.
So now Im sitting in my fourth period..
wishing I was at home with my daughter.
But Im not because of some stupid law.
Everyday I come home and I feel like Ive missed so much..
But I have to have my license,
and I have to have my diploma.

Comment on Not all students like using the digital technology. Now What? by Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:27:38 +0000

Mathew,
I see your point, but how do I incorporate music or photographs into my grade 12 unit on the teenage brain? Any ideas?