Another good read by Alfie Kohn. As a teacher, I connected more with section 2 and 3 since I feel like I have a direct relation with the topics and coAnother good read by Alfie Kohn. As a teacher, I connected more with section 2 and 3 since I feel like I have a direct relation with the topics and could actually utilize them in my classroom. At times, what he points out seems to good to be true because its not the norm in the teaching world, but just because its the norm doesn't mean its always the best way to do it. Even though the writing is directed towards educators, I believe parents should also read this book as well. It will allow parents to have guided questions to think about what and why their child's teacher does in the classroom. ...more
The book itself was well written by Jay Mathews, an education reporter from the Washington Post. Regarding the content and the idea of KIPP ( charter The book itself was well written by Jay Mathews, an education reporter from the Washington Post. Regarding the content and the idea of KIPP ( charter school) I did not like as much. The two teachers who started the charter school KIPP came from the Teach for America program, which places teachers (who don't normally get a education degree from college) into low economic and poor testing schools. After a few months of working in these schools, Levin and Feinberg come to the conclusion that the public school system doesn't care about the students. So they adventure off into creating this charter school where they spend 24/7 all for their time dedicated to their students. KIPP is set up for students to go to school from 7:30am to 5pm every day and every other Saturday for half a day. They also go for 3-4 weeks every summer, are assigned 2 hours of homework every night. So why would any student want to do this.... well many of the parents put them in the class (started out as a 5th grade class and eventually expanded to cater to 8th grade as time and resources became available) because it was free after-school daycare until 5pm, free meals and daycare every other Saturday and 3-4 weeks in the summer. What low economic parent struggling with finances wouldn't take advantage of this situation. Now what about the kids themselves. They did improve their learning and test scores (moving from below average to above average within the year) but it was coerced by the teachers with bribes, like lunches from McDonald's, and week long trips to Washington D.C. Well some might say, that's not so bad, trips can be educational. The teachers also used punitive methods as well, like bullying students by getting in their faces and belittling them in front the other students, and then turning around and telling the student that they need to show everyone respect... I guess they were modeling the "Do as I say, not what I do" method. For the most part, I was really put off on how these two guys showed little respect for other teachers in the public school system, administrators, their own students, and the education field in general. There methods might result in the numbers, but are these students going to grow up and be inspired to learn new things on their own for their own self-gratification or will they continue to need someone yelling in their face and telling them what to do? ...more
As a teacher, it upsets me when I hear Kinder, 1st, and 2nd grade teachers say that a student has ADD/ADHD and should be medicated. Let's leave that dAs a teacher, it upsets me when I hear Kinder, 1st, and 2nd grade teachers say that a student has ADD/ADHD and should be medicated. Let's leave that decision to the doctors that spent 10yrs in school to get trained on it. Although, according to studies, America ranks the highest among children labeled/diagnose ADD and prescribe meds in the entire world. There is something to be said about this.
Thomas Armstrong isn't against medication, but he believes that it should always be the last resort. Armstrong explains the history behind ADD and offers up 50 alternative suggestions that can and should be tried before using chemical alternating medication to control children. ...more
Had some good ideas on how to teach fluency to primary/elementary students. It also helps you determine your own definition of fluency and then ways/tHad some good ideas on how to teach fluency to primary/elementary students. It also helps you determine your own definition of fluency and then ways/techniques to apply that will support your definition of fluency. ...more
This book is so insightful and is a must read for all parents, especially parents who want their child to be the best academically. The secret to it iThis book is so insightful and is a must read for all parents, especially parents who want their child to be the best academically. The secret to it is simply this..... read to your kids, no matter how old they are. But it makes it a lot easier if you start reading to them as a baby and just keep it up until they graduate from high school. Everyone thinks that they can stop reading to their child when the child learns to read for himself, but by reading to your child you are helping to strengthen their listening comprehension, which in turn will help them in their reading comprehension. We all love to hear stories told from other people.... why do you think we all love to listen to audiobooks, podcasts, and go to the movies... to listen to great stories from great storytellers. Children who are raised in a home with parents who read to them everyday have better attention spans, do better in school, have a higher level of thinking, and have a closer relationship with their parents. The best tutor you can get for your child is you. ...more
I read this book as part of a book group. The writer was full of himself, contradicting himself in many parts, and pretty much gives teaching a bad reI read this book as part of a book group. The writer was full of himself, contradicting himself in many parts, and pretty much gives teaching a bad rep. He says that his students "love him" and respect him but I see it more as they fear and dispise him. Yes, if we married someone who could support our family on their own income, then I too could spend what I want and do as I please without fearing the consequences from the administration. A majority of teachers won't blantly be rude and challenge the administration because we need our job to support our families, unlike MR. Rafe Esquith. What he doesn't mention in his book is that he teaches the Gifted and Talented students, and not to be stereotyping, but the GT students aren't that hard to get motivated to want to learn. Mr. Rafe Esquith should try teaching a regular classroom with some structured teach students in the mix, then we will see if he can still but the rabbit out of his majic hat. ...more
Loved this book, a quick read that covers many aspects of my teaching philosophy. Jonathan Erwin explains his approach to teaching with the likes of ALoved this book, a quick read that covers many aspects of my teaching philosophy. Jonathan Erwin explains his approach to teaching with the likes of Alfie Kohn, Harry Wong, Eric Jensen, and Robert Marzano. He uses William Glasser's Choice Theory as a backbone to explain the idea of a persons 5 basic survival needs (safety, love and belonging, freedom, power, and fun). When one of these needs are tested or not met, then we will do whatever it takes to get it... in that its not a conscious decision.. thus a means to survival. As a teacher, I can see examples of students who might be missing one of these needs and their attempt to obtain it, that often comes out in a way that teachers and parents might deem wrong/misbehaving. I read this book and was able to take some great ideas to utilize in my classroom. ...more
Good read. I recommend this book to teachers and parents. Dr. Marshall talks about how to use positivity and composure to discipline youth that will nGood read. I recommend this book to teachers and parents. Dr. Marshall talks about how to use positivity and composure to discipline youth that will not only make your life more pleasurable but also hopefully will instill these same behaviors and styles in youth through modeling. I was able to pick up a some new approaches from this book that I plan on using this year in my classroom to build a community within my students. ...more
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