Travel Log: 3/28/14

Teaching reading skills using book New Found Land based on Lewis and Clark Expedition.  New character wasYork a slave to Cap. Clark.  Students had a hard time understanding why York, the slave, did not try t run away or let Cap. Clark know how he didn't want to join the expedition.  I had to explain the time period in which this took place.  We had an open discussion about the lack of freedom African American's had back then compared to now.  Many students were outraged about how York was treated but made statement like "I'm a fortunate slave".  They were motivated t ask sensitive questions about slavery and the treatment of African Americans today. 

3/26/14:  Volunteer Book Club:  My students competed in their Read to Lead competition yesterday and won 3rd Place!   They went against 11 middle schools and overcame their nervousness to get their medals.  They were so proud as they walked around the school and went back to their classrooms in the afternoon other students were asking them what the medal was for.  I am so happy to be part of this group.  Other students approachd me to find out how they can participate next year.  As an intensive reading teacher I couln't ask for a better motivation to get these students to want to read books after school.

Travel Log 3/21/14

Education secretary Arne Duncan revealed that according to a comprehensive survey in nearly 15 years of civil rights data from the 97,000 public schools show they remain marked by inequalities.  2/5ths' of the nation's public schools offer no preschool programs and most of those that do offer only part day programs.  Black students account for less than a fifth of those in preschool across the nation but make up almost half of the sstudents who are suspended from preschool  multiple times.  Duncon goes on to demounce the inequities as "socially divisive, educationally unsound, morally bankrupt and economically self-destructive.'   As a reading teacher I know that early intervention for students who struggle to read is paramount in their first years of school.  Connie Jue (1988) reported that children who were struggling readers at the end of grade one had an 88% chance of struggling at the end of grade four. The first years of school, then - kindergarten and first grade - are the prime time for intervention. (McKenna, M.C., & Walpole, S., 2013) .   The report also revealed racial inequities in access to education.  For example, a quarter of the high schools with high percentages of black and Latino students do not offer Algebra II.  How can we stop this cycle?  Is giving more money to these districts the answer?  I would only if those districts be held accountable to show that the money is going towards the equal access of programs for all students and the hiring of qualified teachers to teach the courses. 

Book Club 3-16-14

3/16/14: 4:30-5:00 pm: We are finishing up on the Book Wonder.  Next Week we are making t-shirts for our Book Club competition called "Read to Lead".  We will compete with 4 other middle schools first week of April to see who has the best comprehension on all the books we have read so far.  All students are level one and to readers (based on FCAT).  Students are nervous (so am I).  I will be making a jepordy type game asking them some critical questions about the books we have read to help them get ready.  I just want them  have fun.  My kids have struggled with reading so I want to make this a positive experience for them. 

Travel Log: 2-26-14 Cultural Conflicts

I read about Obama's Mentoring initiative today in the Orlando Sentinel.  Obama"s My Brother's Keeper initiative pairs public and private efforts to help minority young men stay out of trouble, succeed in school and land good jobs.  It will rely on existing resources, recruits private sector participation and does not require Congress' approval.  Obama realized that if he had not grown up in Hawaii but some where like Chicago he might not have had the same opportunties.  I think it is a great plan and hopefully it will not be tied up with red tape.  Students need to see role models, especially those that look like them, explain how they got to where they are.  It should not just be a one time visit but a reoccuring visit that holds students accountable for grades, behavior or just showing up to school.