NJ CCCS

I was amazed when I opened up the website for the NJCCCS. I did not know the official website off hand because this is on our district's home page and in the high school. We have to navigate the pages here for our documentation and the CCCS that we write down in our plan books.

Last year the state came in to monitor our district. One of the most critical things that they were looking for was that all teachers were able to access the NJCCCS links through the computer. I mean every teacher had to be able to access the computer and many had the hard copies as well. I had my room full of the binder and on what page and the computer opened. It was just stressful because you had to be able to open the computer and at the same time go right to the designated area of what you were teaching.

The site in itself is user friendly. I like the site because the standards are broken down by grade and subject in neat columns and rows. It is really self-explanatory and easy to follow the system.

Saber Tooth Curriculum

In the time of necessity vs. schooling New Fist was really thinking ahead. While he was planning and doing what the community has been doing for years, he was reflective in the preparation and where it would take him in the future.
There has been little change in the attitudes towards change from the time of New Fist to the fast-paced times of today. When he mentioned "glimpses of a vision", I immediately thought of everyone in education who begins with a vision, but is afraid to implement things. Although our curricula may have a tendency towards the trade industry, it is only through bookwork and perseverance that scholars believe are the true openers. I think of the saber-tooth satire as having many facets of educational enhancement. The first thing that comes to mind is the student and being prepared for college. How many of the college courses are relevant to the career of the individual. College will only enhance the preparation and dedication that individuals need to succeed in the real world. The proof of the results is the diploma.
No matter how astute and keen our educational tools are, only new and improved techniques can be successful. A person can be an excellent note-taker, but it is only through the use of technology that things can expedited.

180 days

After careful reflections, I could not help but to think about the days that we lost from school after 9/11. If the video that we saw in class had been made back then, then we would have come to - days of instruction. Not only do we lose class time for all of the reasons mentioned, but also the attention that students require in certain areas are greater than others. I remember watching the movie where a student does not knock on the principal's door and therefore the principal turns him away. The student gets killed by rival gang members. If a student comes into my class distraught I am going to do whatever is possible so that I can get them re-focused and back on track.
There are numerous days that we lose instructional time. I believe that with this in mind we as educators have to have more extra-curricular activity that is relevant to students missing time in school. The boards of educations should have a policy in place that allows students to make up the work that they have missed. How this will be implemented is something for consideration

change

Subject: quieting the mind
I can honestly say that I have tried a few of these techniques with my students. I am a firm believer of Yoga and when you work in a high school with 3,000 students relaxation has to be in the curriculum for you and the students. Without it, we would all be stressed more than we are.
I, too, have special education students and they are on many medications at the same time. A day does not pass by without me playing classical music or mozart for my students. It is de-stressing to the students because I notice that they actually just do the work and are not as agitated as in the years before when I would not have music in my class. A few of my classes are a little more hyper than others. I make them stand and stretch and breath. We actually had a yoga group in school and many students participated after school.
It is important for us to adapt a few of Michael Fullen's theories and practices. I implement a few of them, but like everything else some things work and somethings don't. Everything goes through the implementation dip at first.

quieting the mind

Forum: Quieting the Mind Response
Date: Thu Sep 20 2007 16:49
Author: Zebi, Lizette Subject: quieting the mind
I can honestly say that I have tried a few of these techniques with my students. I am a firm believer of Yoga and when you work in a high school with 3,000 students relaxation has to be in the curriculum for you and the students. Without it, we would all be stressed more than we are.
I, too, have special education students and they are on many medications at the same time. A day does not pass by without me playing classical music or mozart for my students. It is de-stressing to the students because I notice that they actually just do the work and are not as agitated as in the years before when I would not have music in my class. A few of my classes are a little more hyper than others. I make them stand and stretch and breath. We actually had a yoga group in school and many students participated after school.
It is important for us to adapt a few of Michael Fullen's theories and practices. I implement a few of them, but like everything else some things work and somethings don't. Everything goes through the implementation dip at first.

Of course I read the wrong article at first. According to Prensky's article, I thought it was a little bit unrealistic. I did like however that he was willing to allow students to immerse themselves in all the materials and lessons that they were passionate about with technology. It made me think about learning another language. WHen I really wanted to learn Arabic, I spent 3 months in Jordan so that I can practice the language. Yes, I did use a few video tapes and the regular curriculum ideas that prepared me. It was not enough. Just like it would never be enough time to cram the semester into a shortened semester. I believe that we should go with Prensky's idea and we will see that students will learn more and love the learning that they will be engaged in.

MSU report

As I was reading this article I found myself thinking about my 16 year-old son. He is always playing the video games. I have to admit that what Presky mentioned is somewhat true. He is a very successful student at school, he plays fair, it causes him to be proactive and keep the end in mind. One of the most interesting things that I found out to be is that creativity is enhanced also. They can make and create their own characters and give them personaity.

The most crucial component to all game players is to be wary of addiction. Like most things in life constant game playing can be addictive. I have made sure to regulate a schedule where the child is only allowed to be on the games for a certain amount of time.

Lizette