Today we discussed a very controversial subject-- should children ages 11-13 be provided with birth control, and should the school be the one dispensing it? Children should NOT be provided with free birth control pills and condoms. Although it does promote safe sex, it promotes sex itself as well. Children may think, 'Well if the school is giving it to me then it must be ok to have sex'. Not only does it promote sex, but it is very risky to give kids at such a young age something so very adult. An 11 year old girl is NOT going to remember to take birth control pills every day. She may also believe that it does not have to be taken every day. 11 year old boys are not going to know how to use a condom properly. Both sexes at that age will also have little worry of sexually transmitted diseases. They may be warned, but it's compatible to warning a child too much candy will rot their teeth. Just because an adult warned them, it doesn't mean they will listen. The school providing free birth control, combined with the pressure from their peers and at that age, the growing defiance towards adults that comes with puberty, will have an unfortunate end result.
There SHOULD be someone at the school who will be there when kids have questions about sex, but to provide them with information about how they shouldn't do it, or should do it very very carefully, is different than providing them with information about how they shouldn't be doing it, but then giving them the means to do it anyway.
Monday, October 22, 2007
What Does Urban Mean
Today in class we discussed somewhat what it means to be "urban". Urban, defined by dictionary.com, is simply described as "of, pertaining to, or designating a city or town." This does not cover much at all... what we must do is dig deeper into the factors that make up a city and decide what to us is urban and what isn't. Generally, a town with many main roads, buildings, companies, factories, and homes side by side, without or with very small yards is considered urban because everything is very close together, and very concrete. Suburban usually involves houses with larger yards, more flora and small stores that are generally somewhat further away from the residential district.
It's not just the make up of the town or city that makes it urban or suburban, however. One must consider the racial aspect. Many people believe urban cities have a larger population of minorities... an oxymoron of sorts. Urban cities also play host to a larger degree of lower income homes. Suburban homes tend to belong to the upper-middle, and upper class. I don't believe that this makes the urban city a worse place to live. Although the richer suburban areas seem choice, the urban areas provide a lot: a greater social environment, easier access to stores since it seems in suburban towns, many times you must take a car to get to where you need to go, when in an urban city everything is much more condensed. It also provides places for children and teenagers to go and hang out... movies, parks, malls, pools, pool halls, etc. Children are not stuck at home if there is no one to give them a ride somewhere. This increases a childs experience with their peers and helps to develop their people skills-- very necessary in adult life.
It's not just the make up of the town or city that makes it urban or suburban, however. One must consider the racial aspect. Many people believe urban cities have a larger population of minorities... an oxymoron of sorts. Urban cities also play host to a larger degree of lower income homes. Suburban homes tend to belong to the upper-middle, and upper class. I don't believe that this makes the urban city a worse place to live. Although the richer suburban areas seem choice, the urban areas provide a lot: a greater social environment, easier access to stores since it seems in suburban towns, many times you must take a car to get to where you need to go, when in an urban city everything is much more condensed. It also provides places for children and teenagers to go and hang out... movies, parks, malls, pools, pool halls, etc. Children are not stuck at home if there is no one to give them a ride somewhere. This increases a childs experience with their peers and helps to develop their people skills-- very necessary in adult life.
Case Study 2 - Julie Amero
Julie Amero, as we read in our second case study of the semester, was placed in
possibly one of the most awkward situations a teacher can experience. While teaching her
class, a pop-up appeared on one of the computers. It was something that should not have
been seen by her students. It was unavoidable, as no one expected it to happen. Julie
Amero, not allowed to turn off the computer, and even without the knowledge of how to
in any case, was charged for allowing her students to catch a glimpse.
In her position, I would have gone against the order to leave the computer on at all
times. Even if I did not have the knowledge to turn it off, I know that everything has a
plug, and would have taken any connection of the computer out of the wall. Keeping such
inappropriate sights from the students is much more important than whether the rules of
slighter importance were followed, especially if leaving it be reflects poorly on the teacher.
Schools are evolving. Many schools are adopting computer labs in the hopes to
improve their system. This is understandable. What schools must make sure of however, is
that the computers they do have come with programs such as firewalls that are strong
enough to block out such inappropriate sights.
This proves to me that the teaching profession, although seemingly simple and
straight-forward at first, can prove difficult. Decisions must be made in the best interests
of the children, and this may sometimes compromise your own work. At this point, it is
imperative to decide, what’s more important?
possibly one of the most awkward situations a teacher can experience. While teaching her
class, a pop-up appeared on one of the computers. It was something that should not have
been seen by her students. It was unavoidable, as no one expected it to happen. Julie
Amero, not allowed to turn off the computer, and even without the knowledge of how to
in any case, was charged for allowing her students to catch a glimpse.
In her position, I would have gone against the order to leave the computer on at all
times. Even if I did not have the knowledge to turn it off, I know that everything has a
plug, and would have taken any connection of the computer out of the wall. Keeping such
inappropriate sights from the students is much more important than whether the rules of
slighter importance were followed, especially if leaving it be reflects poorly on the teacher.
Schools are evolving. Many schools are adopting computer labs in the hopes to
improve their system. This is understandable. What schools must make sure of however, is
that the computers they do have come with programs such as firewalls that are strong
enough to block out such inappropriate sights.
This proves to me that the teaching profession, although seemingly simple and
straight-forward at first, can prove difficult. Decisions must be made in the best interests
of the children, and this may sometimes compromise your own work. At this point, it is
imperative to decide, what’s more important?
Orientation
First Avenue School orientation proved that there is so much more that goes into running and maintaining a school that one might first think. We were shown some of the many different fields involved in the new school. It was a very good start to our journey in this class. The experience I hope to recieve will, as one of the student teachers said, "make us or break us". It is this experience that will show us if this is truly meant to be our profession. It seems as if our time in First Avenue school will provide us with an outlook of what we should expecting, and will therefore better prepare us for what is to come. It also provides a look at the teachers methods, which we may or may not agree with. If my shadow teacher turns out to be someone whose methods I do not agree with, I know what to avoid in the future. Our time at First Avenue will be very beneficial.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Standardized Curriculum
Students should, for the most part, be allowed to choose what sort of classes they take. On a highschool level it is important to experience different types of learning, in the art, music, photography and other fields, in order to have some sort of understanding of what they would want to study in college. A student with a diverse learning background has an easier time declaring a major than a student who has only experienced the base learning classes.
Case Study Melinda Grant
Melinda Grant is placed in a dilemma where her teaching strategy has been questioned. She believes that interaction with other students, projects and involvement with art may not drill the students and produce higher test scores, but that the learning will last longer. She has been told however, that her reputation and respectability as a teacher depends on the scores her students produce. High scores reflect well on her, just as low scores reflect poorly. The other third grade teacher is more strict and conventional with her teaching, and her children produce very high test scores. Melinda is faced with this: should she continue teaching in the manner she has so carefully planned, or should she follow in the footsteps of her colleague? Melinda should not be thinking of her reputation when it comes to the education of her students. Although it is important to be thought of as a respectable teacher, in the long run her students capability to do well in the world as they grow older is much more important.
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