EDEL 1010

  Standards are the end goal of learning. Curriculum is the way to get to the standards. In my service learning classroom I have seen the teacher focus a lot on the Math standards. Because of the time frame I was there I really only saw the classroom work on Math. Often the teacher would discuss with her 5th grade class the Standardized tests they would have to take and the work they did each morning would help them do well on those tests.  It seems like this type of learning can go two ways. One is that it's successful and the other is that it's not. Due to the crowded classrooms in our schools, I worry that this type of testing doesn't meet each child's needs appropriately. The teacher mentioned to me once that my daughter used to be good at Math until I started attending the classroom, which confused me because my daughters testing and scores since 3rd grade have shown she's always behind. I don't think the teacher was able to focus on my daughters needs beca...

 I have noticed some diversity in my classroom. There are students who have learning disabilities that make reading and writing more difficult for them. Without being able to actually diagnose students, I can tell there are some students who probably struggle with ADHD. The teacher addresses some of the learning disabilities by having some of the students meet with a resource teacher each day. Some students with ADHD, or at least it seems they may have symptoms of ADHD, don't seem to have a lot of help for the short time I'm in the classroom. Most mornings I attend this classroom the instruction is exactly the same. And it's mostly sheet work. After reading the article on teaching students with ADHD this week, I realize that this morning work is probably not very helpful for those students. Occasionally there will be a different activity by a guest teacher. I believe these types of switches to the rote classwork help make learning knew and interesting for students who strug...

 The school I am working in has a program for children with disabilities. I see them in their own classroom where they are free and able to learn according to their needs. They have access to the lunch room and the playground at their own specific time. This allows them to eat and play safely and each teacher can appropriately watch her students. All of this would be a result of the Individuals with Disabilities Act, which makes sure they have appropriate and accessible education. It's also a result of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act with says that students with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodations.  Because of Brown v. Board, the school I coordinate teaching at has zero segregation issues. Every child is being taught in the same classrooms with the same equipment and supplies. Every student is given the same access to all facilities. It is really painful to imagine there was ever a time when students were led to feel inferior because of the segregati...