I recently read the pages in the textbook on home schooling, as I didn’t know much prior and actually haven’t thought about it too much. My friend made me start thinking about it when she brought up that she was home-schooled until Grade 9. Unlike the reasons given in the textbook for reasons of home schooling, her parents chose to do this because they were constantly moving. Her dad is a minister at a church and was always going from place to place to help those in need. She has lived in Australia, Philippines, and many other places around the world. When we were talking about being home schooled, she was very disappointed that she was home schooled, and she made that the reasoning why she felt she was so behind when she went to a high school in grade 10. Each to their own though because everyone’s experience as a home-schooled student, as well as in traditional school system, is going to vary a lot.
At the same time my one friend regretted having been home schooled, another friend brought up that she really enjoyed being home schooled. She has gone on in education and actually became a T.A. at a school. It is interesting to see the differing results that home schooling can give. This is what helped me become interested in the aspects of home schooling and allowed me to ask questions about it.
According to the text, it says that there are about 10 000 children who are being home schooled in Canada alone, but also that there may be 30 000 others who are unofficially being schooled at home. How are parents able to do this? And, does their education become recognized if it isn’t official? Unlike my first friend whose family was on the move, so she needed to be home schooled, there are other numerous reasons why parents choose to teach their kids at home. These ranged from reasons such as dissatisfaction with schools, they wanted their children to be able to communicate and not just the teacher and they wanted their curiosity and creativity to grow, both things they felt were not accomplished in traditional schools.
There are two main reasons why skeptics would not agree with home schooling which include the belief that a students social skills would not develop and they would not be able to compete with students who are in “regular” schools. Advocates would disagree and say that they become independent thinkers, and that their grades are equal to or greater than those in traditional schools.
I don’t believe that there is anything wrong with home schooling, but as it does take a lot of dedication and hard work, it is important to put the right amount of effort into it. It also makes me question the amount of time we spend in school. How are we in school for 5 years to become teachers, but still perceived as unqualified. It can be a very controversial issue though.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
My Posts...
I was just notified that some of my blogs are difficult to read because of the colours. Sorry to anyone who had to strain their eyes because of my lack of judgement. I didn't even realize that it was a challenge to read some of them. For the most part, in the later part of my blogs, I changed the colours to darker ones so that they are easier to read. Hope it is better! I wish I would have realized earlier. Sorry once again, and let me know if there is anything that is hard to read that I haven't changed. Thanks!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
New High-School Math Curriculum
I recently read a new article titled “New high-school math curriculum starting next fall in Alberta: Students get extra year to decide on career prospects.” It a fairly new article that was put in the Calgary Herald on November 30, 2009. At first glance of the title, I knew it would be interesting to see what this new curriculum would be and whether or not it would benefit future students or not. My first thought was that it would be a good thing because how many people honestly know what they want to do by grade 9.
This new curriculum is scheduled to start changing by next fall. Over the next three years, the curriculum will change to help students be better prepared for their careers. Students who are planning to go to college or university will take a class in Grade 10 called Mathematics 10C, and then in Grade 11 and 12, they will take math courses that are more designed towards the post-secondary program that they want to enter into. Again, how many not only don’t know if they want to continue with school, and even more, how many know exactly what program they want to enter? Then the article became clearer and addressed this question. There are two streams: 20-1, 30-1 and 31 will be taken by people who want to pursue careers in math subjects. And then 20-2 and 30-2 will be taken by students who will not need “higher-level math training” in university/college. So, as long as they know that math isn’t their main interest, which they probably will, they will be able to make their decision. I really like the idea of this because how many times have you heard in your own classes as a student or as a teacher, “when will we ever use this?”, or “what is the point of this?” where the teacher tries to desperately come up with an answer. Maybe this more directed approach will help students understand the relevance of what they are learning.
There is also another stream for “teens considering entering the trades.” They will learn specific skills that are required on the job. I find it really interesting that high schools are working with apprenticeship people in order to assist these students. This curriculum is trying to meet the need of students, which is awesome!
The article states “students who aren’t clear on what they wish to pursue after high school, or who change their career goals before graduation, will have the chance to switch streams to ensure they have the math needed to continue their studies.” What about after grad? What does the student have to do then? What are their options? This would be interesting to know.
At the end of the article, it says that the U of C and University of Alberta have been consulted about these changes. What about t U of L or other Universities or colleges that would be affected by it? What are their views?
Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
This new curriculum is scheduled to start changing by next fall. Over the next three years, the curriculum will change to help students be better prepared for their careers. Students who are planning to go to college or university will take a class in Grade 10 called Mathematics 10C, and then in Grade 11 and 12, they will take math courses that are more designed towards the post-secondary program that they want to enter into. Again, how many not only don’t know if they want to continue with school, and even more, how many know exactly what program they want to enter? Then the article became clearer and addressed this question. There are two streams: 20-1, 30-1 and 31 will be taken by people who want to pursue careers in math subjects. And then 20-2 and 30-2 will be taken by students who will not need “higher-level math training” in university/college. So, as long as they know that math isn’t their main interest, which they probably will, they will be able to make their decision. I really like the idea of this because how many times have you heard in your own classes as a student or as a teacher, “when will we ever use this?”, or “what is the point of this?” where the teacher tries to desperately come up with an answer. Maybe this more directed approach will help students understand the relevance of what they are learning.
There is also another stream for “teens considering entering the trades.” They will learn specific skills that are required on the job. I find it really interesting that high schools are working with apprenticeship people in order to assist these students. This curriculum is trying to meet the need of students, which is awesome!
The article states “students who aren’t clear on what they wish to pursue after high school, or who change their career goals before graduation, will have the chance to switch streams to ensure they have the math needed to continue their studies.” What about after grad? What does the student have to do then? What are their options? This would be interesting to know.
At the end of the article, it says that the U of C and University of Alberta have been consulted about these changes. What about t U of L or other Universities or colleges that would be affected by it? What are their views?
Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Abductions...
An issue that I have wanted to discuss since the beginning of writing my blogs is the issue of abductions that take place within the school environment. I haven’t written about it yet because I find I get so upset and angry when I talk about it! It is important to look at it in all situations, but when a student is taken from a school (a place that is designed to be safe), this is something that we as teachers need to look at. Why do things like this happen, and if anything, what can we do to prevent situations like this from happening? We have so many codes in schools that range from fire drills to bombing situations, etc, but do we have anything that can lesser the chances of this happening.
More specifically, I am thinking of a recent abduction that took place in Woodstock, Ontario last school year. For me, I was so entrenched in listening to the news, and reading everything about this little girl (Victoria Stafford) that I drove myself crazy. It completely broke my heart and I find that I am so naïve that things like this actually happen, that people would harm someone who is so incapable of protecting themselves, and that someone could take away the most important thing in a family’s life.
If you do not already know what I’m talking about, let me explain. Victoria Stafford was taken on April 8, 2009 while she was walking home from school. Initially, there was not an amber alert because the police did not think that it was an abduction, but that is a completely other topic. The only evidence that was found was a video of a woman walking Victoria away from the school. Days and days, there were search parties looking for her, then this turned into weeks, and then into a month. Her parents were outside of their houses on a daily basis with the news trying to get the word out that she was missing. It was not until late May that two people were arrested for the murder of Victoria Stafford.
There are so many questions that run through my mind when I think of this poor little girl. How didn’t anyone notice at the school? It also should make us think as teachers that we need to know where our students are, how they are getting home, who they are going home with, etc. My PS1 teacher had a list by the door. She had each child’s name on the list and wrote down each day, how they were going to get home, whether this be walking, taking the bus, or someone coming to get them, and who they were going to be with. These types of precautions are very important, as this can mean saving someone’s life. It’s really sad that we need to do this, that kids are not safe unless we take precautions like this.
Can anyone think of anything that we as teachers, or a school community can do to enhance awareness as well as safety in our schools?
These are just a few websites with an article and videos if you wanted to learn more about the case of Victoria Stafford:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/07/21/stafford-murder021.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxaKx6rlifI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdtt74frwnk
More specifically, I am thinking of a recent abduction that took place in Woodstock, Ontario last school year. For me, I was so entrenched in listening to the news, and reading everything about this little girl (Victoria Stafford) that I drove myself crazy. It completely broke my heart and I find that I am so naïve that things like this actually happen, that people would harm someone who is so incapable of protecting themselves, and that someone could take away the most important thing in a family’s life.
If you do not already know what I’m talking about, let me explain. Victoria Stafford was taken on April 8, 2009 while she was walking home from school. Initially, there was not an amber alert because the police did not think that it was an abduction, but that is a completely other topic. The only evidence that was found was a video of a woman walking Victoria away from the school. Days and days, there were search parties looking for her, then this turned into weeks, and then into a month. Her parents were outside of their houses on a daily basis with the news trying to get the word out that she was missing. It was not until late May that two people were arrested for the murder of Victoria Stafford.
There are so many questions that run through my mind when I think of this poor little girl. How didn’t anyone notice at the school? It also should make us think as teachers that we need to know where our students are, how they are getting home, who they are going home with, etc. My PS1 teacher had a list by the door. She had each child’s name on the list and wrote down each day, how they were going to get home, whether this be walking, taking the bus, or someone coming to get them, and who they were going to be with. These types of precautions are very important, as this can mean saving someone’s life. It’s really sad that we need to do this, that kids are not safe unless we take precautions like this.
Can anyone think of anything that we as teachers, or a school community can do to enhance awareness as well as safety in our schools?
These are just a few websites with an article and videos if you wanted to learn more about the case of Victoria Stafford:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/07/21/stafford-murder021.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxaKx6rlifI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdtt74frwnk
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