Why Aren't Our Children Doing Better in School?

There's much talk about test scores and African American students. We've heard that the African American children have the lowest scores across all subjects. We've heard African American students learn different. There is much hype when it comes the African American student and education. Just as a teacher gets (or should get) more professional development to better themselves, isnt it common sense that they should develop themselves in the areas of these students. I have said on numerous occasions that pencil and paper isnt enough for the African American student. Mind you, some White students have the same issues/concerns in their home as well. It's not just African American students that come from one parent families. It's not just the African American parent that does not come to parent-teacher conference. In addition, it's not just the African American student that's waiting for the breakfast door to raise because he has not eaten since he left school on Friday. So, does the responsibility of closing or eliminating this gap solely rely on the teacher? Does it solely rely on the parent? Does it rely on both or are more parties involved in this matter. It helps when the African American student can see folks that look like him. I know there are few African American male teachers and many students may have grown up having one or two Black male teachers or even none. One teacher, Will Thomas, an AP Government teacher in Prince George's County Public School system, took it upon himself to get involved and turn the tables. He teaches at a school that is 90% African American and not one of his students earned an acceptable score on the AP Exam in 2007. Well, 3 years later 23 out of 88 students passed the test with acceptable scores. So, what did he do! Let me tell you:
1. he added tutoring during and after school,
2. he attended workshops to improve his teaching strategies,
3. he required parents to attend field trips with students ,
4. he engaged himself in political activities,
5. he assisted with curriculum writing for Social Studies on weekends and evenings,
6. he works 2-3 hrs every day (including weekends)on grading and lesson plans above his contracted time ,
7. he runs an online investment club for students,
and more!

This ONE teacher that saw himself as part of the solution and did something about it. What could our districts look like if more teachers had this attitude! We have to think out of the box. I teach Mathematics and I love incorporating music and Mathematics. We use technology. We canNOT continue to do what we've always done. It's time to reach out to ALL students. Maybe school districts can include in their professional development African American teachers/administrators that have been successful teaching these students. Teachers need to go to different trainings than the same ones every year. Look into a diversity training class. Look into your subject matter where different manipulatives, websites, etc can be used to engage the student. Surely, the sole responsibility cannot be the teacher. I do believe that. I also believe everyone should take a part in ensuring each child's success. So, why arent our children doing better in schools. Maybe it's because we're not doing better as adults.

At School Conference vs Remote Conference

Do I really need to meet a parent during my conference at school to talk about his/her child? Have their been times, as a teacher, that you could have rectified that issue over the phone? Has your conference been extended when a solution came up 20mins ago? Who's to say that a teacher HAS to meet the parent during her conference? Technology is here so why aren't we using it! When will we use it! Why don't we use it to benefit both parents and teachers? How about a video conference? It would save time because a teacher doesn't have to walk down to the office to get the parent then walk them to another location to begin the conference. Secondly, video conferences are easier to schedule. Since both parties are at different locations and no travel is involved, once a class is over, the video conference can begin. Thirdly, the parent is still able to see and communicate with the teacher "face to face." Parents are quite concerned about their children and will do all that is needed to ensure their success. On the other hand, it's difficult for a parent to take off frequently to meet with a teacher, but he/she can meet with the teacher via video conferencing. The parent does not have to take off. The teacher is readily available. Each party is able to communicate about "Little Johnny" to readily come to a solution. It's a win-win situation. What's your thoughts? Talk back to me!

Is there an ACHIEVEMENT GAP or a TEACHING GAP?

We have been hearing for sometime about the achievement gap in education. We hear specifically about the achievement gap amongst various races and subjects. Well, whose problem is it? Whose fault is it? How much preparation should the teacher have to do? How much responsibility lies with the student? Teachers feel that they are being asked to get all these different certifications but why? Their pay wont go up. Should a teacher be concerned about the pay or what they can do for the student. Are teachers reaching all the students in their classes? Classes have become more diverse as the years go on. A teacher not attending professional development classes in an area that is needed at their school can be a hindrance. How is he/she keeping up with the various methods to ensure success? How can you reach a student whom you have no idea of what they need! What if you have been accustomed to teaching certain types, ethnicities, grade level students for a long time and then the room changes! Some experienced teachers may feel additional training is not needed. I disagree. Cultures learn differently yet utilizing various methods helps the learning environment. If a teacher says that there are three birds sitting in a tree, then a gunshot goes off and hits one of the birds. She then asks "how many birds are remaining in the tree?" If the African American students responds "none" and hears laughter, then we have a problem. Their culture is that they are going to protect each other. They are not just going to sit there. Understand where they come from. Use their name on tests. Talk about places where they shop. What's wrong with learning Mathematics through music! That's not just appropriate for the African - American student because many students like music. Think outside the box! "Flip" is great when it comes to students learning with music. So, is the achievement gap attributable to the teachers not being prepared or experienced to teach all students? Could that be a concern? That's why I totally disagree with teaching TO a test. Teach the concepts and let the students apply that knowledge on the test. Teachers must incorporate different methods in the classroom to engage our students. Can a History teacher just teach facts out of a history book? It's not enough. Go the extra mile and see how much that student will learn.
A teacher HAS to go the extra mile to involve and engage her students. Make learning fun. Dont attribute to the gap. Close it! Delete it! Talk back to me!

You Might Be Mad for the Wrong Reason, Teacher!

How many times has a teacher come to school angry and takes out their frustration on a student? How many times does a teacher become angry with a student because they are not responding or participating in class? How many teachers already have an office referral written up on a student before they even enter the classroom? How many teachers wonder why students are acting out or acting up? Well, try talking to student. Try communicating with him. Maybe there is domestic violence at home. Maybe parents are contemplating divorce. Maybe a parent recently died. Maybe a relative died. Maybe that student has not EATEN since Friday at lunch time. Would you be in a good mood if you havent eaten since Friday at noon and now it's Monday at 7am? Maybe they have to shop at Walmart while there classmates shop at Abercrombie and Fitch! Maybe they HAVE to take care of their siblings and did not have time to do homework, for real! Teachers, be more empathetic and sympathetic towards our children. Get to know them. Get to know their parents. My mentor, Jocelyn Goins, taught me to call ALL my parents the first two (2) wks of school. I never doubted her and I follow that rule after 10 yrs of teaching. It's so important to build a relationship with both parents and student. When you watch the news, rarely do we find great stories about teachers. It's true. Stick your neck out! Feed that child for lunch. Come in earlier than expected. Stay late for a student. Buy his supplies for him. Have a listening ear. Encourage him. Let him know you care. A child doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care. So do what's not expected of you and shock the world. Remember, when you don't always want "the floor" the whole room comes to you. Talk back to me!

Technology & Children, What's Your View?

Are video games harmful to children? Are they helpful to children? Can they spend too much time on computers? Children need to be introduced to technology at an early age. Technology is here so children must be introduced to it. We have to remember as teachers that we are training and teaching our students who will have jobs that have not even been yet created. So we need to expose them to as much as possible. Video games keep their interest. DVDs are great as well but are children spending too much time with this type of technology. These types of technology do offer interactive learning so how can this be bad for a child? Is technology introduced too early to children? Some folks feel that technology is teaching our children and not the parents. Parents download apps for the children to play games. Many parents rely on technology to keep their children busy while cleaning up, running errands, standing in line, etc. Frederick Zimmerman states, "Kids need laps, not apps." Technology. Does it help children or hurt them? Is it interrupting the development process? Talk to me!

Online Learning in Middle School

I would love to begin teaching my class via online! It's different! It's alive in other districts at the Middle School level! It's coming alive in others! The students would love it for various and sundry reasons. Of course, they are at home in their pajamas! They dont need to worry abut the huge textbook that they leave at school or misplace the one at home. They get to use technology more! It's natural for them! Seems like a win-win for them! From a District viewpoint, wouldn't this save money in the transportation area? I know there are other facts with technology like bandwidth, connectivity, etc to be addressed as well. Districts do not have the same funding as they used to and are having to become more and more creative. As a District, we need "to facilitate maximum learning.." That means that we should be seeing a different way of learning for students coming very soon. So, why not Online Learning! It's more planning for the teacher but after the initialization process, he/she will be updating as they go. They are numerous tools for them to use for organization purposes. I know there are sites in which they can set up their classes such as Blackboard and Moodle, to name a couple. Think about online learning if it's never crossed your mind. Remember, we are needing to reach our STUDENTS. So, be open! Is it applicable at any level? Talk back to me!

Homework- Is it really necessary?

Do we have to have all these problems to do for homework? Why do we have to show our work? My child has had homework in Mathematics ever since I can remember, Ma'am! Why doesnt the student have more homework? Well, is it really necessary is my question? Does it depend on the subject matter? Should Mathematics have homework EVERY single night? Is that really necessary? Some feel that the more the student practices, then the better they become at solving problems. Other teachers feel that parents do the homework so it still does not help the student nor the teacher. Should Language Arts have homework daily? Is there something they should be reading daily? This question has come up repeatedly by teachers, students, parents, etc. Students definitely have strong viewpoints about homework. Can we really come to a definitive answer and truly justify our reasoning! Can we? Yes, Mathematics builds on itself so a student should be working on some type of Mathematics daily. They should definitely be studying their notes every night and solving problems. On the other hand, should the child that does NOT need to do this action daily be penalized for not doing the homework yet he grasps the subject matter? It is evident that the question is intriguing and both sides can be argued. Some are totally AGAINST homework. Others believe hands down students SHOULD be given homework. All these are relevant questions and I want you to talk back to me!

Tutoring...Tutoring...Tutoring!

Who is it for? Who should come to tutoring? Students that are struggling should be in tutoring? Students who need xtra help, should they come? What about the student that just wants to get ahead? I remember a great Mathematics teacher, Tanya Payne, told me 10 yrs ago that tutoring is also for the student who wants to get ahead. WOW! It made me think when she made that statement. In addition to who should come to tutoring, let's discuss another issue. Is the teacher not doing her job if a student needs a tutor? Some parents dont mind at all getting a tutor for their child to excel, but what does it say about the teacher? I'm eager to hear your thoughts on this subject. Let me know your thoughts!

My Teacher Is Coming Home With Me?

When does a Middle School student want their teacher to come home with them? Rarely or never, right! Well, guess what? Pencasts make students ask that question again. When working on homework or solving problems, it sure would help if the student had taken better notes or if he could hear exactly what his teacher said in class. Well, guess who's coming to dinner! A teacher that has done a pencast. What a concept! There are so many benefits to using this pen. Now I can match my notes with the audio! Now I can fill in parts of my notes that I missed! Let's see. Pencasts are super beneficial! My 5 yr niece even created a pencast this month! So pencasts can be used by all grade levels in so many different capacities. She did a fantastic job. So, be sure and let your student create one or you can create one. You will be glad you did!

How Much School Has Changed!

An Abacus. Wood desks. Different grade levels in one classroom. Discipline in schools. Teaching students how YOU learned! MY... how school has changed. Now everything is about incorporating technology in the classroom. How much technology do we integrate? How much lecture should we still have? Are the students totally bored at lecture? How much homework should a teacher give? Does it depend on the subject matter. Sure school has changed and many have to adapt to that. I love it when I see excitement in the classroom! I love it1 I love it! I would love for all my students to have a netbook in my class. I am incorporating technology head on via utilizing websites that enhance the learning such as Edmodo, Arcademic Skill Builders, Classtools and many more! I heard a teacher say this Saturday that "we dont know what will be coming up next! We have iPhones, iPods, iPads, what could be next? iEar!" Everybody just kinda sat there and thought about what she said. That could be possible! Think of how school will have changed in 5 yrs! 10yrs! It will be phenomenal and all of us can take part in it! Embrace technology and you will be glad you did!

A New Way of Learning

As a teacher, have you ever thought of a new way of learning? As a parent, have you ever imagined that the standardized format of teaching may soon be gone? As an administrator, have you thought about seeing a different view in the ENGAGING classroom? Well, guess what! It's already occuring and it's called the Flipped Classroom. Instead of you teaching in the classroom and giving homework after you've taught, it's the other way around. Classtime is mostly for activities, clarity of information, questions while the student is responsible for preparing the lesson at home! How AWESOME is that! I love the concept of The Flipped Classroom. Would it be better for Pre-AP since they are self-directed or would that constitute a problem? Is it better in a smaller numbered group setting? Should the class size be large? What are your thoughts on this new method of teaching and check out other views, too!

Technology + Parent + Teacher = Student Success

Every year we have an Open House for our parents during every school year. I always have my sign-in sheet, to include email addresses. I have my powerpoint ready and business cards. Well, this time I wanted to do something a tad different. So, I decided to create Vokis to show the parents. First of all, I was hoarse so it helped that I did not have to talk as much. Secondly, it gave an insight to the parents on how technology would be used in the classroom. Thirdly, I wanted to be able to share what occurred at the Open House with those parents whose schedule did not afford them the opportunity to be present. I was able to forward the information to a parent who emailed me before the Open House to let me know she would not be able to make it. I told her "No problem. I will send the Open House to you!" She loved it!

Here's what I prepared this year for my parents:







For more information on this topic visit http://education.families.com/blog/email-for-parent-teacher-communication#

Parent Teacher Conferences

How vital is a parent teacher conference at the beginning of the school year! Can it be missed by the parents? Is helpful information for the parent available when they arrive to Open House? Parents love coming to meet the teacher. It's a great tool for parents, teachers, and students. Parents get to see how the teacher works and how the classroom is run. The teacher gets to meet the parent early in the school year. Thirdly, the student knows that both parents and the teacher already know what goes on in the classroom.

Who does it better?

Many times, teachers spend endless hours preparing for a particular class day. They could have worked the entire weekend on a certain concept like Pythagorean Theorem. The teacher explains the concept to the students and they have the "deer in headlights look!" That's why I find it imperative to be able to use other tools to engage the students for better comprehension. Pythagorean Theorem denotes that in a right triangle, the sum of the squares of the lengths of the two (2)legs is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse. Well, that might not register for a student, but I can show this video and the light will click! What a way of communicating and what a feeling that the student now comprehends the concept a little better!

Communication is the KEY

When a parent communicates with the parent, a better relationship is built. When a teacher communicates to the student, a better rapport is built. It's crucial to exhibit effective communication skills! Sometimes parents feel like the only time they get a phone call is when their child has done something bad. Make it a habit to send an email to the parent when their child does something good. I feel like a teacher's email or phone call can make that parent's day! Just to see the look of the student when they return the next day and retelling me what transpired is priceless! Try it! Send a note home or call when one of your students does something good.
Dont forget you can call, send an email, send a text, etc. I guarantee you will feel better for doing so! Visit www.classdojo.com. What a tool to help with class participation in the classroom and communication with the parents.

Fun ways to communicate

I've found a new website that allows me to text my parents and students without them knowing my cell and without me knowing their cell! What a method! I love it! I just started using it yesterday and have gotten numerous and rave reviews. Visit www.classparrot.com

Teacher - Parent Communication

Communication is relevant in a marriage. Communication is relevant with family. Communication is crucial on a job. Well guess what? Teachers and parents need to stay in contact as well. My mentor advised me to call all my parents during the  first 2 wks of school! I use that as my gauge. It's so funny because one year when I did this, one of the parents thought her other daughter had set up the call.  This parent had never received a call from a teacher during the first 2 wks to introduce herself and find out info about the student. In addition, I've created a parent contact group for each period and I am able to truly communicate with my parents. I send emails about their child doing great on an assignment, how well they did in class, supplies needed for the next day or week, etc. It has proven successful! Additionally, not only is  the communication great between the parent and I but it also ensures success with the student!