The WINGS Story: An After-School Program Helps Students Beat the Odds

This sounds like a good program as long as the schools have the money for it. A lot of parents are now in the mind-set that the teachers and school should be teaching their children how to respect people, appropriate behavior, and more that goes all the way to teaching their children how to tie their own shoes! It's a little ridiculous. If parents spent time with their children every day, most children would behave much better. Teachers are very busy and they have a state mandadted curriculum to teach. Students would not be so far behind if the parents spent more time with their children and teaching them. But now that parents are so busy trying to work so that they don't lose their house and so they can feed their children, it falls on the teachers to teach respect, manners and everything else because you can't teach curriculum if no one gets along and doesn't know how to respect or listen. It's great that the school is doing the WINGS program for their students but they shouldn't have to. I am one of those people who thinks that if you can't and aren't going to take care of your child than don't have them. The child suffers for your mistakes and it actually makes other children in the classroom suffer too if the child has not been taught how to sit still, be respectful, not blurt out and that they can't do whatever they want. Now there are some children who are very quiet and no one notices them and that child suffers inside. The schools feel bad for these kids and are trying to save them from living on the streets and dropping out of school even though the teachers are spent at the end of the day, everyone is under paid and schools are in jeopardy of being closed because there is not enough money to run it. I am happy that these kids are getting what they need but they should be getting it at home.

Rubenstein, G. (2012, July). The wings story: An after-school program helps students beat the odds . Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/stw-social-emotional-learning-after-school-wings-story?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: EdutopiaNewContent (Edutopia)&utm_content=Google Reader

Thank You, Sally Ride

This article was interesting because it is true that a lot of girls for some reason don't care as much about science as boys do. I am starting to see however, that boys aren't as interested in science anymore. Science lessons are becoming a bore or are rushed because of the lack of time. The students don't get to really explore anymore, rather they are told what to do and what the end result is. I know some of it is because of the lack of money and time because there are so many topics that need to be taught before the end of the year. But these kids are not enjoying science. I am glad to hear that Sally set up a summer science camp for girls. Girls do need that extra confidence and push to go into fields that are mostly male dominated. It's sad that Sally died at such a young age from cancer but at least she left a lot behind to help other girls to possibly follow in her footsteps one day.

Urry, M. (2012, July 24). Thank you, sally ride. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/24/opinion/urry-sally-ride/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: rss/cnn_topstories (RSS: Top Stories)&utm_content=Google Reader

Twitter's Credibility Problem

This article was talking about how people are saying that the articles on Twitter are not as credible as if they read the same article somewhere else. There was a study done and they are still not sure as to why people feel this way but they are now aware of this. One source posting articles on Twitter is the New York Times and apparently it is hurting them. The only thing I can think of is that people view Twitter as a means of communication with other people and not very serious communication. I don't have a Twitter account so I don't really know much about it but it seems like Twitter is a place to let everyone know what you are doing at the moment. I don't think the majority of people log on to Twitter to read the news. Twitter does not seem like a serious communication tool. Maybe that is why people seem to think that news stories that are published on there are not as credible.

Copeland, D. (2012, July 17). Twitter's credibility problem. Retrieved from http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/twitters-credibility-problem.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: readwriteweb (ReadWriteWeb)&utm_content=Google Reader

Is the Cell Phone the new Pencil?

I think that the cell phone is the new pencil. Most people, including young students, have cell phones now and they are on the phones all of the time. The children are technically "writing" throughout the day by texting their friends and family. However, I don't think it really counts because there aren't many people that type an entire word, use correct punctuation or even grammar. The skills they use on the phone are not comparable to ones they use when they actually sit down and write in school. If the students want something similar, I say let them write letters to their friends throughout the day. Yes, typing skills are valuable and texting kind of counts towards that but because of how it is done, I would have to say that no, the phone is not the new pencil.

Grabill, J. (2012, July 12). Is the cell phone the new pencil?. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/is-cell-phone-new-pencil-jeff-grabill?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: EdutopiaNewContent (Edutopia)&utm_content=Google Reader

Alaska drilling: From 'hell no!' to ... 'OK'

This is a very controversial topic. Drilling in Alaska could have so many benefits but there are also a lot of things put on the line if they drill. There is a lot of wildlife in the water there and that wildlife helps the culture survive. I would not want to be the person faced with this decision. I did notice that the Eskimo leader made his decision as he was leaving office. The Eskimo leader gave the "ok" to start drilling and I am glad that the company will stop if the whales are near the sites but there is one thing that raised a red flag for me. The article said that because of the ice they had to delay the work and now they are in a time crunch because they have to stop by October. From what I have seen, companies care more about profit than anything else and even though they promised to take every precaution and to treat this with extreme care, I could see them rushing to get as much done as possible so they are not too far behind and don't lose money. I could also see this "rush" creating mistakes in putting things together to drill and having another leak occur. I hope they do keep their word and handle this location with extreme care......even though they should technically be doing that for every location because the effects of a spill are devastating.

Vercammen , P., & Patterson, T. (2012, July 17). Alaska drilling: From 'hell no!' to . 'ok'. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/17/us/alaska-offshore-drilling/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: rss/cnn_topstories (RSS: Top Stories)&utm_content=Google Reader

Teens: Stop Photoshopping models

I think this is a great thing! I agree that teen magazines should stop photoshopping the models to make them look "perfect" because it sends the wrong message not just to the girls but also to the boys. Both of them see at least the covers of those magazines and that seems like it is the norm and that is beautiful. So the girls try to be like that but they can't because our bodies were just not made to be like that and the boys think that is how every girl should look and he may start to put the pressure on his girlfriend because she doesn't look like the girls in the magazines. I think it would help stop a lot of the eating disorders for teenage girls. The two girls that put the petition together are just amazing. It would be nice if this even went for all magazines. If all magazines stopped photoshopping the models so we look at real people and not half a person and half a computer made person. I myself and tired of seeing the false images out there and I am not ugly, overwieght or anything but they even make me feel bad about my looks. I can't even imagine how it makes others feel. The girls have their petition online and are trying to get more magazines to stop photoshopping. If you think this is a good idea watch the clip below to find their link and sign the petition to help them!

CNN. (2012, July). Teens: Stop photoshopping models. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/video/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: rss/cnn_topstories (RSS: Top Stories)&utm_content=Google Reader

Teachers: Are You Taking Time Off This Summer?

This teacher has a very busy summer but it seems that she likes it that way. Even if you like to stay busy, you eventually need a break. I know I was feeling that this year with everything I had going on. There were only three weeks left of school and I wanted a vacation now, not in three weeks, but right now. I was burnt out and my patience were gone. I like to stay busy like this woman  (maybe not quite as busy) but I know when it's time for a break. You need to re-energize for the new school year and you need to have some fun. Things are crazy throughout the school year with everything that is going on and I think in order to be a great teacher, you need to rest during your time off. I do know that things need to be done during the summer like house work or projects that have been put off during the school year, Just make sure you know your limits and you get enough relaxation so you don't end up being the teacher that loses their mind.

Aguilar, E. (2012, July 6). Teachers: Are you taking time off this summer?. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/summertime-work-rest-vacation-elena-aguilar?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: EdutopiaNewContent (Edutopia)&utm_content=Google Reader