http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/ Education blog (edublog) designed for teachers, tutors, students, and parents. en-us Nucleus CMS v3.64 © Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog//nucleus/nucleus2.gif http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/ http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=145 contact us.]]> General http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=145 Wed, 16 May 2012 07:51:48 -0400 http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=144
It’s almost impossible to make a living without at least a high school diploma nowadays. Even the absence of a college degree makes it difficult to compete for a position at an organization. In an article written in The New York Times by Henry M. Levin and Cecilia E. Rouse titled “The True Cost of High School Dropouts”, the authors write,

“Studies show that the typical high school graduate will obtain higher employment and earnings — an astonishing 50 percent to 100 percent increase in lifetime income — and will be less likely to draw on public money for health care and welfare and less likely to be involved in the criminal justice system.”

There are so many benefits associated with obtaining an education. Most of the time companies require an individual to acquire some sort of educational degree to even be taken into consideration as a potential applicant for a position. If individuals are able to obtain a job position, then they will not feel pressured to partake in criminal acts as a last resort to earn an income.

For whatever reason students choose to drop out, in my opinion, a lot of the time teenagers are not capable of making sound decisions and don’t consider the consequences of their choices. Teenagers commonly develop a sense of entitlement as they mature on their way to adulthood, and they think they know it all. However, a lot of the time students have a false sense of reality and have no idea of the challenges that they are going to endure in life without an education. It’s for this reason that students need guidance, as well as someone to steer them on the right path to success. By forcing students to stay enrolled in school until they’re eighteen, they have no choice but to face the harsh realities of our society, which will hopefully scare them into thinking twice about dropping out.]]> General http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=144 Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:00:42 -0400 http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=143
On the one hand, it’s a good idea for teenagers to start thinking about where they envision themselves throughout their college journey as early as possible. By doing so, students will avoid rushing the process and making the wrong decision as to what exactly it is they are looking for in a school, including size, location, public or private, in-state or out-of-state, etc. I remember being faced with the challenge of selecting which college I wanted to attend. My high school provided what I believed to be less than adequate college advisors, who didn’t help me figure out what it was I truly wanted out of my college experience. As a result, I applied to schools that I knew absolutely nothing about. When it came down to making the final decision, I had a list of acceptance letters to schools that I had no desire to attend, and therefore selected a school because I knew some other students from my high school that were going there. Needless to say, I transferred after my freshman year as it was not in any way, shape, or form the school for me.

On the other hand, the search puts an extreme amount of pressure on students, which can lead them to become overwhelmed. High school is a big adjustment for students coming from middle school. If schools force teenagers to start thinking about different colleges in the ninth or tenth grade, students will miss out on being able to easily adapt to their new surroundings without the added stress of having to make a major life decision.

In an article in the New York Times titled “College Hunt Starts Earlier at New Breed of Schools,” author Jenny Andersen quotes Larry Momo, head of college counseling at Trinity, an elite New York private school, saying “We don’t want to turn high school into a staging ground for the college admission process. High school should not be about résumé building, but rather allowing kids to develop their natural talents and inclinations and support those inclinations.” High school is an important time for teenagers to really learn about themselves and the kind of people they strive to be. So we must question whether it is a good idea for school systems to jump the gun and encourage students to prepare for college early at the risk of sacrificing their own personal discovery?]]> General http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=143 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:03:51 -0400 http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=142
Many public schools are considering adopting Catholic schools' uniform policies as a way to eliminate reoccurring issues that exist among students. In an article written by Marian Wilde on greatschools.org titled "Do uniforms make schools better?," Marian lists some of the issues that be prevented with issuing a uniform policy:

• "Help prevent gangs from forming on campus"
• "Encourage discipline"
• "Help students resist peer pressure to buy trendy clothes"
• "Help identify intruders in the school"
• "Diminish economic and social barriers between students"
• "Increase a sense of belonging and school pride"
• "Improve attendance"

On the other hand, we need to recognize that both parents and educators encourage students to embrace their individuality, and clothing is an important way for student to express themselves. We need to question whether forcing students to wear a uniform prevent them being able to show their unique identities. However, we also need to draw the line somewhere. Passing elementary, middle and high schools in my area, I notice the outfits some children and teenagers select to wear, and in many cases I think to myself "What were they thinking when they got dressed this morning?" It's not uncommon to see girls as young as twelve or thirteen dressing up as if they were going to a nightclub or even worse. It's one thing for students to be expressive through the clothes they wear, but it's another for them to dress in a provocative way that disrespects both themselves and those around them.

There are continuously accounts of boys and girls being suspended or expelled from schools throughout the United States due to showing up to learn in attire that is offensive in content or is considered too revealing for the school environment. For me, suspension and expulsion are harsh consequences for simply not adhering to the dress code guidelines. However, maybe this is the only way to reach students. Educators don't want to be hypocrites by encouraging freedom of expression and then punishing students for doing just that. However, students should have enough common sense to know whether a particular outfit is unacceptable to attend school in, and therefore, being punished lets them know there is a limit to how far they can take their freedom. ]]> General http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=142 Wed, 7 Mar 2012 21:17:18 -0500 http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=141
In a USA Today article titled “Home-schooling demographics change, expand,” authors Alesha Williams Boyd and Sergio Bichao state the results of a home-schooling survey done in 2007 by the federal government’s National Center for Education Statistics, which reveals that “a little more than 1.5 million children in the USA were being home-schooled. That represents an increase from 1.1 million students being home-schooled in spring 2003.” It seems logical during a time where society is facing the consequences of an economic depression that many families will alter their lifestyle, which may include adopting the system of home-schooling. With the diminished quality of staff and education delivered to students within school systems nationwide, parents are starting to adopt the belief that their children would be better off being educated at home where they can be in charge of what their sons or daughters obtain from education.

According to Norma Curry, founder of a group called Cincinnati Area Teaching Children at Home, “Studies that indicate home-schooled students perform better academically also are growing home-schoolers' numbers,” as stated in the aforementioned USA Today article. It makes sense that students taught at home would succeed, as they have less distractions and more personal one on one attention. However, we must not forget a major issue that comes to mind regarding the effectiveness of home-schooling, which is that some parents don’t have the necessary qualifications to supply their children with an adequate education and could actually hinder their child’s performance.

Another issue that comes to mind is the importance of acquiring social skills throughout K-12 education, which students who are homeschooled might lack. Within primary and secondary education institutions, students not only acquire essential knowledge, but are exposed to other individuals around their age with whom they can interact and develop socially. If a child is home-schooled, he or she might not be able to communicate as well in social situations with others.

All of these factors must be taken into consideration when a parent is deciding what is best for their child academically. ]]> General http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=141 Mon, 5 Mar 2012 21:28:15 -0500 http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=140
One high school in Missouri is attempting to find a successful plan of cutting costs without diminishing the quality of education by experimenting with a four-day school week. In an article from Education News titled “Missouri School Tries Four Day Week To Save Money”, author B.A. Birch writes, “The result is an estimated $150,000 in annual savings that otherwise would be spent on custodial services, school lunches and diesel fuel, writes Elisa Crouch at the STL Today.” Is a four-day week possibly the solution to the economic hardships schools are coping with?

I am skeptical whether this plan of a four-day school week will actually be effective, yet at the same time I see ways in which cutting the school week can potentially prove to be an ideal solution. In my high school days, I remember at times feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information I was receiving throughout the duration of a single school week. With one less day and still the same amount of information to cover, my concern is that students will not be able to process the material being taught to them. As an individual who grew up with a five-day school weeks, I am not one hundred percent persuaded that institutions will be able to deliver the same quality service of education with one less day to teach and mold the minds of students. Additionally, with a three-day weekend, students will have one more day of freedom, where they can be prone to get into trouble and participate in unsafe and illegal acts.

On the other hand, since students only have to attend school four days a week, they might be more likely to attend, rather than find excuses to skip or miss a day. In an article from azcentral.com titled “4-day school week could ease money woes”, author Alex Bloom writes, “The study reports that a four-day week means most students and teachers schedule their absences on the fifth day, making attendance higher.” A four-day school week could actually prove beneficial in getting students to attend school, especially those who dread attending classes. ]]> General http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=140 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:38:25 -0500 http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=139
Music lessons have long been touted as beneficial to neural development in children. Child specialists cite the Mozart Effect, a short-term improvement in mental capabilities after listening to Mozart, in discussing the role of classical music in brain development. As toddlers, children are encouraged to explore musical instruments to pinpoint one or two that they might specialize in later on. Piano, violin and cello are among the popular instruments for children. Consistent practice has been proven to improve dexterity and discipline.

Sports and children go together quite easily. The Centers for Disease Control recommend that children should engage in some form of physical activity for at least 60 minutes a day. Gymnastics and dance help children to develop their sense of balance while strengthening muscles. Team sports like basketball and soccer introduce children to the importance of teamwork and cooperation. Furthermore, leadership skills are developed as a result of playing in team sports, a skill which MBA Online heeds as an important skill to have in today’s economy and job market. As an added bonus, sports that involve a lot of running and jumping contribute to bone strengthening.

With dance lessons, children get to wear adorable costumes that reinforce their role-playing experience. Dance is popular among young children because it complements the natural learning process where children learn by mimicking an adult. Dance improves mobility even in the pre-verbal stage. It develops coordination and builds self-esteem in older children.

Soccer, baseball and ice hockey are excellent opportunities for children to improve their motor skills, coordination and decision-making. By playing as a team, children enhance their social skills and begin to understand that fair play and joint effort are often needed to succeed at something. Swimming is an individual effort that may turn into team sports later. Swimming is not only a life-saving skill, it also promotes muscle development.

Not all children are cut out for vigorous activity. Some parents find that their children are better suited to more sedate pursuits like painting or computer lessons. These children learn to focus on their projects and take pride in their achievements. Since these activities are individual in nature, children develop greater independence and creativity because they are encouraged to finish their painting or computer games on their own.

In older children, participation in extracurricular activities such as sports resulted in improved social relationships, increased self-esteem and better academic involvement. Getting good grades and better classroom behavior predicts academic success in later years. Children adjust better to adulthood as they have life skills picked up on the playground.

Without a doubt, children benefit from extracurricular activities in more ways than can be observed immediately. Involvement in different activities influences physical and mental development. Children learn life skills and survival know-how that will help them become capable adults in later life.]]> General http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=139 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:30:32 -0500 http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=138
I was reading an article in USA Today titled "eCheating: Students find high-tech ways to deceive teachers," and the article started listing dozens of approaches students are creating to assure they will be able to get away with cheating during an exam. In the article, author Greg Toppo writes, "From digitally inserting answers into soft drink labels to texting each other test answers and photos of exams, kids are finding new ways to get ahead when they haven't studied." In addition, Greg adds "YouTube alone has dozens of videos that lay out step-by-step instructions," and "Several security-related companies, such as Spycheatstuff.com, will even overnight-mail a kit that turns a cell phone or iPod into a hands-free personal cheating device."

To me, it's astonishing to think about the lengths that children and teenagers will go to get a good grade on a test or exam, especially when students are completely capable of passing on their own. It's a pretty universal fact that society considers our technological advancements a contribution that can no longer be lived without. However, I believe technology is making Americans lazy and deceiving. When it comes down to do it, the amount of time students spend searching the web for successful cheating tactics equals approximately the same amount of time it would take a student to actually study. Children and teenagers are only cheating themselves by opting for the easy path in life. Those students who take the time to learn subject material will be more equipped with the tools to be successful in college and the workforce.

Parents and educators need to question what is making these students go to extremes and risk their futures for a single exam. Is it that these children and teenagers hate school and would rather just put their time into doing more fun activities? Are they just lazy? Or is there too much pressure put on them that they feel they are not capable of doing well without cheating? In the above article, Greg Toppo writes about the result of a study done by Common Sense Media, a non-profit advocacy group. The results found "that more than 35% of teens ages 13 to 17 with cell phones have used the devices to cheat. More than half (52%) admit to some form of cheating involving the Internet, and many don't consider it a big deal." I think it's important to get to the route of why students cheat in order to decrease these percentages. Otherwise, if educators don't start to take a stand against cheating, as progress is made on technology, so will the ways students are able to access more advanced cheating methods. ]]> General http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=138 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:46:26 -0500 http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=136 Written By: Sarah Collinge

I recently read the book Raising the Standards Through Chapter Books: The C.I.A. Approach written by Sarah Collinge, who is an experienced teaching professional and literacy consultant in the state of Washington. The book was written as a guide for educators worldwide to become informed of the C.I.A. Approach, an approach that has been proven effective in helping both students and teachers overcome the difficulties associated with reading and interpreting complex chapter texts. Often times, students lack the skills to comprehend complex texts that they are reading because they have not received proper training on how to do so. As a result, many students struggle to do well on standardized tests, as well as being ill-equipped to handle the work assigned in higher level education.

The C.I.A. Approach offers a solution to the issue that students face when it comes to reading comprehension. Sarah Collinge utilizes the C.I.A. Approach within her own classrooms and has seen the process transform some of the most troubled students into excelled readers. This book is the perfect guide for educators worldwide wanting to help develop their students into successful readers.

In Raising the Standards Through Chapter Books: The C.I.A. Approach, Sarah Collinge explains step by step the components of the teaching process. She breaks the process down into four main steps, which she came to create based on the idea of breaking a chapter text into four quadrants. The four steps include: collecting critical information in Quadrant 1 through identifying the main story elements, interpreting the text in Quadrant 2 through using comprehension strategies to developer deeper thinking, interpreting the text in Quadrant 3 through adding evidence to support a line of thinking, and finally applying the text to other areas of life in Quadrant 4 through evaluating the author’s message. Sarah walks teachers through each step by offering diagrams, charts, tables, strategies and real life examples of students’ work, all while using a puzzle analogy to better illustrate the C.I.A. Approach, which I found to be a perfect comparison to which the entire audience can relate.

I would recommend all teachers reading this book, as they will find it informative and will discover a research-based approach to reading comprehension that has resulted in various success stories. There is no other process that utilizes and combines numerous reading strategies, including read-aloud, guided reading, book clubs, partnerships, conferences and writing assignments in order to meet the needs of students on all reading levels. Lastly, teachers will notice that the books can be beneficial in improving their own reading experience with chapter texts, especially those chapter texts written in more complicated verse. With only knowledge to gain, it would be a shame for teachers to pass up the opportunity to read Sarah Collinge’s book, as teachers can learn how to change the ways their students read for the better. ]]> General http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=136 Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:33:03 -0500 http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=135
In an Education News article titled “LA Students Just Don’t Like Healthy School Lunches,” author B.A. Birch writes “After the district got rid of chocolate and strawberry milk, chicken nuggets, corn dogs, nacho, and other foods high in fat, sugar and sodium, participation in the school lunch program has dropped by thousands of students.” I think it’s great that schools are taking an initiative in the fight against obesity, but it’s clear that there needs to be a more results-driven solution. By depriving students of their favorite foods, students are refusing to buy or eat school lunches (and probably bringing lunches packed with junk food), which is defeating the whole purpose of getting them to eat healthier in the first place. Not to mention the amount of food being thrown away and wasted due to the school menu’s low rate of popularity.

There needs to be a compromise that is satisfying to both educators and students. Educational institutions need to get the children involved to find out what they want to be provided for lunch and then find healthier yet similar options. If school systems can get a majority of the students to eat cafeteria food, then for at least one meal of the day, both educators and parents can be sure that students are engaging in nutritionally balanced food options. It’s so important for students to eat healthy, especially during school hours when they need strong minds and bodies to function and obtain knowledge that is essential to their growth and development. School districts have made a tremendous first step by taking the initiative to prevent their students from becoming obese. However, there is still a long way to go in altering the plan of action to bear more successful results in the number of students selecting healthy food alternatives within primary and secondary schools systems. ]]> General http://www.plusplustutoring.com/blog/index.php?itemid=135 Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:30:52 -0500