A school district in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has recently implemented a new program to help junior high school students improve their reading and comprehension skills. The federally-funded program, called Read 180, teaches students reading skills and supplements the existing curriculum.
A Self-Appointed Teacher Runs a One-Man ‘Academy’ on YouTube
CAROL’S SUMMARY:
Salman Khan, 33-year-old began making lecture videos from his home studio in 2006; and has now become The Khan Academy on YouTube. Khan has created over 1,400 videos on various academic subjects. Khan states in the article below, “The Khan Academy explicitly challenges many of higher-education’s most sacred assumptions: that professional academics make the best teachers; that hour long lectures are the best way to relate material; and that in-person teaching is better than videos. Mr. Khan argues that his little lectures disprove all of that.†Khan has received over $150,000 in donations and has helped many students further understand classroom material. “When I called a couple of students who posted enthusiastic posts to Facebook, they said they saw it as a helpful supplement to the classroom experience,†said Khan.
YouTube is a great way to communicate with others and to share new ideas. Creative thinking is important in achieving academic success. Not every student learns the same way and having alternative teaching options is another way to help students become more successful. LifeBound’s materials designed for grades 5-12 promote students to be creative. Through tips and helpful strategies students can become more academically and career successful.. LifeBound is currently networking through Facebook, Twitter, and a blog page. To learn more about LifeBound’s materials visit www.lifebound.com or email contact@lifebound.com.
ARTICLE:
A Self-Appointed Teacher Runs a One-Man ‘Academy’ on YouTube
Are his 10-minute lectures the future?
The Chronicle of Higher Education
June 6, 2010
The most popular educator on YouTube does not have a Ph.D. He has never taught at a college or university. And he delivers all of his lectures from a bedroom closet.
This upstart is Salman Khan, a 33-year-old who quit his job as a financial analyst to spend more time making homemade lecture videos in his home studio. His unusual teaching materials started as a way to tutor his faraway cousins, but his lectures have grown into an online phenomenon—and a kind of protest against what he sees as a flawed educational system.
http://chronicle.com/article/A-Self-Appointed-Teacher-Runs/65793/?sid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
College awareness: How much is too much?
Carol’s Summary:
A Michigan School district has recently started a program to inform children about college options from as early as preschool and kindergarten, which begs the question: How early is too early for children to start thinking about college?Â
During the district’s week-long college awareness program, elementary school children write about what career they’d like to have and even take a walking tour of Eastern Michigan University. There are concerns that a program like this may put too much pressure on such young children.
In San Francisco schools, a program was announced to begin next fall that will provide a college savings fund for each child entering kindergarten in one of their public schools. Between $50 and $100 in deposits will be put in each child’s account annually, and they will also be encouraged to start thinking about college at an early age.
While it is important for children to think about college and what they would like to do in the future, what age is an appropriate time to do so? At LifeBound, we believe it is important to discuss the importance of all stages of education in all stages of life.
Our book Success in Middle School introduces students to the possibility of going to college and what steps to take to succeed throughout middle school and beyond, in order to build and maintain a strong academic basis for attending college. For more information about Success in Middle School and other Lifebound books, visit www.lifebound.com or e-mail contact@lifebound.com.
Article:
The Washington Post
June 3, 2010
College awareness: How much is too much?
By Valerie Strauss
How old should children be before they are asked to start worrying about going to college? Eight years old? Ten? Thirteen? Fifteen?
How about 5?
Here’s part of a story in the Detroit News about an early awareness program in the Kalamazoo School district:
At age 5, Jeremiah Kagumba spoke often of playing professional basketball. But after his elementary school held a college awareness week, he decided he would become a doctor.
To read the full article:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/higher-education/college-awareness-in-kindergar.html
IPS teacher goes from mutiny to best in class
Indianapolis Public Schools Teacher of the Year, Michael Anderson, 31-year-old math teacher at Howe High School, shares the method behind his success. Now in his third year of teaching, Anderson is a strong advocate of becoming a strong educator through an emotional connection with students and according to the Indy Star article below, “Anderson says his recipe for success in the classroom is simple: Earn students’ respect, create an environment where it’s safe for them to try and even fail, and then make the material relevant to their lives.â€
Anderson makes math come alive with real-life examples relevant to his student’s lives. Recently, he asked students about their cell phone bills while teaching systems of equations. These real-life connections are the basis for LifeBound’s materials and build on making emotional connections with students so that they become interested in the material and invested in mastering the skills. To learn more about LifeBound’s materials visit www.lifebound.com or email contact@lifebound.com.
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ARTICLE:
IPS teacher goes from mutiny to best in class
Indy Star
By Andy Gammill
May 21, 2010
Michael Anderson says his recipe for success in the classroom is simple: Earn students’ respect, create an environment where it’s safe for them to try and even fail, and then make the material relevant to their lives.
It’s a method Indianapolis Public Schools applauded Thursday when it named Anderson, a 31-year-old math teacher at Howe High School, the district’s Teacher of the Year.
To view this entire article visit www.indystar.com
Analysis Ties 4th Grade Reading Failure to Poverty
CAROL’S SUMMARY:
According to a new study, “eighty-five percent of poor 4th graders in predominantly low-income schools are failing to reach ‘proficient’ levels in reading on federal tests.†Prompting the Annie E. Casey Foundation to lead a 10-year initiative to improve 3rd grade reading levels.
“EARLY WARNING!: Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters,†reports that “It’s crucial that children master grade-level reading by 3rd grade, because that’s when instruction moves from a focus on learning to read to reading to learn.â€
LifeBound’s books, designed for grades 5-12, encourage reading by starting with topics such as self-awareness and building from there. Students are naturally interested in themselves and when students read about something they are interested in they enjoy it and ultimately read better. To learn more about LifeBound’s books visit www.lifebound.com or email contact@lifebound.com.
ARTICLE:
Education Week
May 17, 2010
Analysis Ties 4th Grade Reading Failure to Poverty
By Debra Viadero
Eighty-five percent of poor 4th graders in predominantly low-income schools are failing to reach “proficient†levels in reading on federal tests, according to a new study by a national foundation that is gearing up to lead a 10-year effort to raise 3rd graders’ reading proficiency.
“The evidence is clear that those students who do not read well have a very tough time succeeding in school and graduating from high schools and going on to successful careers and lives,†Ralph R. Smith, the executive vice president of the Baltimore-based Annie E. Casey Foundation, said in an interview. “The Casey Foundation is putting a stake in the ground on grade-level reading by the end of the 3rd grade.â€
To view this entire article visit www.edweek.org
Stumbling blocks remain for newly minted teachers, career-switchers
CAROL’S SUMMARY:
Career-changers currently account for one-third of all new teachers in the U.S. Despite massive budget cuts in education, according to the Hechinger Report article below new teachers are in high demand and, “both President Obama and U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, unhappy with the quality of teachers trained in traditional education schools, are pushing new models to attract career-changes into the field. In a series of speeches last fall, Secretary Duncan criticized education schools for not adequately preparing teachers for a global economy, saying they must focus on helping teachers learn the practical skills of running classrooms.â€
Many believe programs similar to a doctor’s residency would help career-changers, as well as traditional students, make connections between classroom theory and real life application and practice. No matter the career field you choose, classroom knowledge alone is never sufficient and this is especially true for teachers. New teachers face differing student demographics, school cultures and varying subjects. That’s why at LifeBound we recommend academic coaches training. This hands-on training imparts the importance of asking powerful questions and holding students and co-workers accountable to encourage success – an invaluable skill for educators of any subject, in any environment. To learn more about academic coaches training visit www.lifebound.com or email contact@lifebound.com.
ARTICLE:
The Hechinger Report
May 12, 2010
Stumbling blocks remain for newly minted teachers, career-switchers
By Alexandra Moses
Ana Arroyo-Montano spent the first year in front of her class fearing she’d be fired.
After training in the Boston Teacher Residency program, the business major with five years’ experience in financial aid services wasn’t prepared for a room of kindergartners who didn’t speak English.
“Here I had all these kids and they’re lagging behind all the general-ed kids, and I’m wondering if it’s me,†she says. “José can’t count in English yet. Is that because it’s developmental? Is it because he doesn’t understand a word I’m saying?â€
Career-changers like Arroyo-Montano are increasingly entering classrooms across the country. Their numbers have doubled over the last 20 years, in part due to alternative certification programs that welcome professionals from diverse backgrounds. There’s a new push to expand these pathways as states scramble to increase their chances of winning second-round money in President Barack Obama’s Race to the Top competition, which is aimed at reforming and improving U.S. education.
To view this entire article visit www.hechingerreport.com
Brevard school offers new take on tutoring
CAROL’S SUMMARY:
Since February, Brevard Public Schools in Rockledge, Florida has offered two online evening tutoring sessions four days a week for Kennedy Middle School students. The hour-long sessions with teachers from Kennedy Middle offer extra help in math, science, language arts and Spanish. Officials say they are so impressed with the program, they want to expand it countywide.
According to the Florida Today article below, “Previously, about 10 percent of the school’s more than 700 students attended traditional tutoring sessions held after school on campus. About 37 percent of the school’s students have taken part in the online tutoring.†Developed and organized by Kennedy teacher Amanda Van Ess, she says “It brings out the students who are afraid to ask questions in the classroom. The kids are really loving the interaction not only with their teacher, but also with their peers. It allows them to learn in a way they are comfortable, using the computer.”
Students aren’t the only benefactors. The online tutoring program gives parents a break from costly tutoring programs and scheduling/transportation conflicts with work. Teachers involved in the program also enjoy the convenience of working from home instead of arriving at school early and/or leaving late.
Tutoring is an integral part of education and in order to encourage, inspire and motivate students to succeed in difficult subjects, coaching skills are a must. LifeBound trains educators, administrator and parents on academic coaching skills such as asking powerful questions. To learn more about how LifeBound’s academic coaches training can benefit you in your role as a tutor visit www.lifebound.com or email contact@lifebound.com.
ARTICLE:
Brevard school offers new take on tutoring
More students participating in online program vs. traditional
BY MICHELLE SPITZER
FLORIDA TODAY
May 6, 2010
ROCKLEDGE — Once a week at 7 p.m., Carolyn Phillips, a Kennedy Middle eighth-grader, logs on to her home computer, and her Spanish teacher’s face pops up on the screen.
“How many of you remember what tener means?” Leonardo Nicaragua asks Carolyn and about a dozen of her classmates who participate in an after-school online tutoring session.
Some students use microphones attached to their computers to answer their teacher. Carolyn types the correct response “to have,” which pops up on the screen for everyone in the session to see.
“This is much more fun than being at school, because I’m home, and I can take breaks or get a snack,” the 14-year-old said while her 2-year-old sister played behind her and her mom peeked in from time to time.
To view this entire article visit www.floridatoday.com
Teaching Secrets: 10 To-Dos for New Teachers
CAROL’S SUMMARY:
In the below Teacher Magazine article online at edweek.org, author and middle school math and science teacher, Marsha Ratzel, provides 10 tips for new middle school teachers on how best to prepare their curriculum and become acquainted with their students and school community.
Preparation is the key to first day of school and year-long classroom success. As Ratzel states in her Teaching Secret #1, working with an experienced teacher several weeks before school starts to discuss goals is a must for effectively teaching curriculum new to you. That is why at LifeBound we work with districts to train faculty for summer academies, advisory courses and provide professional development on academic coaching. To learn more about LifeBound’s materials and services visit www.lifebound.com or email contact@lifebound.com.
ARTICLE:
Teacher Magazine
Published: May 5, 2010
Teaching Secrets: 10 To-Dos for New Teachers
By Marsha Ratzel
College commencements are in the air, and while the thoughts of some new teacher graduates are no doubt turning to the beach or summer jobs, other freshly minted educators are already envisioning their first classrooms full of students, each with his or her own special learning needs.
It’s an exciting but also anxious time, as the experienced professionals in the Teacher Leaders Network know well. So for those early birds lucky enough to have found a teaching position in the current down-sized economy and eager to begin, we offer our first Teaching Secrets article of 2010, tailored to the particular needs of new teachers in the “tween†grades.
To view the entire article visit www.edweek.org
Like Facebook, but for learning
CAROL’S SUMMARY:
Educational social-networking site, Grockit, discussed in the ESchool News article below, is part of a current trend to create “collaborative learning spaces online where students can help one another solve homework problems and study—all while building important 21st-century skills.†The social-networking study site currently offers 8-12 graders test-prep services and will eventually expand to include math, English, history and science.
According to the article, Grockit CEO Farb Nivi says “estimates point to a 25 to 27 percent learning loss during summer vacation…Logging onto Grockit just a few hours a week during the summer can help students bridge the gap between school years, so that come September they are ready to build upon last school year’s lessons with little review.â€
Students using Grockit use live chat services to “practice with, learn from, and compete with millions of their peers on the subject of their choice.†The site gives students points and recognition for achievements such as how helpful they are to peers and are displayed to the social-network’s community and motivates students to excel.
“Because of that social factor, the power in it isn’t just answering a question—it’s that positive peer influence on learning,†says Jeramy Gatza, a Florida Virtual School (FLVS) innovation manager working with Grockit.
Creating a positive culture of learning to encourage and motivate students to succeed is the inspiration behind LifeBound’s student success and transition materials. We are currently working on a new title, LEADERSHIP FOR TEENAGERS, due out this summer to inspire students to find good role models and become an effective leader in school, career and life. To review a sample chapter or reserve a copy in advance, call our toll free number at 1-877-737-8510 or email contact@lifebound.com.
ARTICLE:
Combining social networking with studying, Grockit encourages academic success through peer interaction
By Laura Devaney, Managing Editor
May 3rd, 2010
ESchool News
Aiming to engage students who are multitasking with different forms of technology, companies are creating collaborative learning spaces online where students can help one another solve homework problems and study—all while building important 21st-century skills.
One such social-networking study site is Grockit, which currently offers test-prep services and is expanding its focus to include math and English for students in grades 8-12, with history and science soon to follow. Grockit has opened enrollment for a free Summer Enrichment Academy, which is designed to keep students from falling behind during summer vacation as they participate in collaborative group study forums online.
Grockit’s appeal lies not only in the fact that academic support from peers is free, but also because students are motivated to learn through the company’s social-networking and gaming platform, said Grockit CEO Farb Nivi. As online social networking becomes a ubiquitous aspect of youth culture, sites such as Grockit could represent the future of education technology.
To view this entire article visit www.eschoolnews.com
Grade-A ideas
CAROL’S SUMMARY:
The Boston.com article below outlines five creative approaches some Boston schools are taking to “reinvigorate education for all ages.†Among them is teaching Arabic. Nancy Rhodes of the Center for Applied Linguistics says the federal government supports Arabic since “They see it as a real necessity for security and diplomacy issues,†but classes fill up immediately because many students see it as an opportunity to stand out on college applications.
Another approach was inspired by Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus. Researchers at the Harvard Graduate School of Education are developing hands-on virtual field trips for middle school students to study science. According to the article, “EcoMUVE, a multi-user computer program will enable students to immerse themselves in an ecosystem and gather data to solve problems.†Christopher Dede, one of the lead researchers, explains “We know that active learning is more powerful than passive learning. In virtual worlds, you are not only active, you are in the middle of it. You are wearing the shoes of a scientist.â€
Interactive learning engages students and enables them to practice their critical and creative thinking skills in order to apply new knowledge and experiences to information they already know. CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING FOR TEENAGERS promotes these skills and encourages students to apply them to the real world around them, not only academically, but in their personal lives and in their careers. For a free review copy call our toll free number at (877) 737-8510 or email contact@lifebound.com.
Lastly, even teachers need to take a break to find their centers and return to students more effectively. While the article mentions meditation for teachers, coaching your peers/co-workers is also another way to help guide them through sticky situations or ruts in their instruction. For more information on coaches training visit www.lifebound.com or email contact@lifebound.com.
ARTICLE:
Boston.com
THE EDUCATION ISSUE
Grade-A ideas
From virtual-reality science instruction to meditation for teachers, these approaches aim to reinvigorate education for all ages.
By Patti Hartigan
May 2, 2010
Art From the Start The current rage in education is STEM, or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. But creative types are working valiantly to turn STEM into STEAM – with the A standing for the arts. At the Boston Arts Academy, for instance, the arts are infused in every subject. While creative pursuits are often the first to go when budgets are cut, this high school continues to innovate as it engages students through the arts. The ninth grade just wrapped up a unit on African civilization with a multimedia celebration called “Africa Lives.†The students got their hands dirty. And they mastered the material.
“High school shouldn’t be a preparation for life,†says co-headmaster Linda Nathan. “It should be life.â€
To view the entire article visit www.boston.com