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Should parents have the right to homeschool their children?

Should parents have the right to homeschool their children?

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To homeschool or not to homeschool?

When children become of school age, you as parents are faced with a decision; what school should you send your children to? Is a private school or public school a better fit for your child or is homeschooling the best for your family? What if you didn’t have a choice or the right to homeschool your children?

Homeschooling in Canada

In Canada people have the right to homeschool and it is quite common for families to do so.  There are different provincial regulations and standards for each province. These standards ensure that children who are home schooled receive an equivalent education as children in public schools. In some countries there are actually laws in place that prohibit families from homeschooling their children.

In Germany, parents do not have the right to homeschool their children

German law states that parents cannot choose to withhold their children from attending public schools and they do not have the right to homeschool their children. The government strongly enforces the mandatory attendance of public schools even to the extent that they will remove children from their parents in order to force them to receive a state education.

Homeschooling families fighting for the right to homeschool

At least two German families have been in the news because they chose to homeschool their children. In one case, the Romeike family moved to the United States seeking asylum so they could freely continue to homeschool their children. Originally they were granted asylum, but more recently asylum has been denied and they are no longer able to stay legally in the United States.

The Wunderlich family has been fighting for their right to homeschool for years and has paid thousands of dollars in fines to the government for this reason. Apparently the fines were not enough, and the government recently removed four of the children from their parents and will not let them be reunited until after a court hearing. The consequences for refusing to abide by these strict educational laws can result in the parents going to jail. This seems extreme, but yet it is happening in a country that is not so different from our own.

Do you think parents should have the right to homeschool their children?

Parents choose to homeschool for different reasons. Some families homeschool their kids because of their religious beliefs, others simply feel their children learn better in a homeschooling environment.  Learning is an amazing thing that can happen just about anywhere. As long as parents are abiding by the governmental regulations for schools they can provide the same education to their children within the home. Do you think parents should have the right to homeschool their children?

Anne Sullivan: a personal tutor who made history

Anne Sullivan: a personal tutor who made history

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To the devoted teacher, personal tutor, professor, parent or anyone who has dedicated their time to patiently and selflessly nurture and impart knowledge into young minds, thank you.

Helen Keller’s personal tutor changed her life

The inspirational story of Helen Keller has been featured in many plays and films because of what she was able to achieve regardless of overwhelming obstacles. Helen Keller truly was an amazing woman, but her accomplishments were made possible because of the dedicated instruction of her personal tutor, Anne Sullivan.

The beginning of a life-long companionship

As a young child Helen suffered from a severe illness that left her blind and deaf. She was unable to speak or communicate effectively and it was difficult for her parents to control her behavior. Her parents did not know what to do with her, so they hired Anne Sullivan to be her live-in personal tutor. Because Anne Sullivan was blind as a child and then was able to partially regain her sight she understood some of the challenges that Helen faced.

Developing a unique form of communication

Anne Sullivan was able to work with Helen to develop a way of communicating by making signs in the palm of her hand while allowing her to feel the object that corresponded with the sign with the other hand.  This was not easy to do and it took time and patience for Sullivan to endure with Keller through much frustration. In this way, over time Helen was able to communicate not only with her personal tutor but also with others. She was even able to read lips with her hands and she learned how to speak based on feeling the vibrations of the vocal chords.

Going on to do great things

With the constant support of her personal tutor, Anne Sullivan, Helen Keller went on to higher education and eventually made history as the first blind and deaf person to ever graduate from University with a degree. After finishing her education, Keller became a writer, a public speaker and a women’s rights activist. Through most of these accomplishments Anne Sullivan remained by her side as her loyal supporter and companion until her death in 1936. Keller continued to inspire the world until her own death in 1968. Her inspiring story continues to be remembered through the play and film titled “The Miracle Worker” that are both based on her autobiography.

A great teacher or personal tutor must possess patience, endurance and faith in their students

The reason why this story of Helen Keller’s personal tutor is so inspiring for many of us is because we may have had a dedicated teacher or personal tutor who made a difference in our life. All life-changing educators share the same characteristics of endurance and never giving up on even the most difficult students. Perhaps you had a teacher who believed in you and worked with you until you achieved a new skill that you never thought was possible. They encouraged you even when you felt you wanted to give up.

Where would you be today without that one teacher or personal tutor who believed in you?

What if Helen Keller’s personal tutor, Anne Sullivan had given up on her because the task of educating a young blind, deaf girl was too difficult? Where would you be today without that childhood teacher who helped you work through your reading disability and caused you to love reading or that crazy science professor who inspired you to pursue your career in scientific research? It is because of these instructors who have spent their lives helping others become the best they can be that we can now say that anything is possible.

5 lunch box ideas that are full of healthy fats for kids

5 lunch box ideas that are full of healthy fats for kids

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Have you ever heard of fat actually being good for you? Most people think that low fat and nonfat items are healthier, but you’ll be interested to know that some fats are necessary and are especially good for the brain. Here is a list of 5 lunch box ideas that contain healthy fats for kids that promote brain development.

Lunch box idea #1. Avocados contain healthy fats for kids to develop healthy brains

Avocados are full of good monounsaturated fats. Add avocado to your child’s favorite sandwich. It goes great on turkey, egg salad or chicken salad. Another great idea is to cut an avocado in half, remove the pit and then fill it with anything that sounds good. You could fill it with tuna salad with green onions sprinkled on top or bacon and tomatoes like a BLT. Whatever you choose to put in the avocado it is easy to eat with a spoon and it becomes something exciting and different from the typical sandwich.

Lunch box idea #2. Nuts and nut butters make great snacks full of healthy fats for kids

Nuts are full of good fats as long as you don’t buy ones with added oils and other additives. For kids with peanut allergies there are other nuts and nut butters available like almond butter and cashew butter that go great on sandwiches or as a special spread for fruits and veggies. Some schools do not allow peanuts on school grounds because of allergies; so make sure to check before sending nuts in your child’s lunch!

Lunch box idea #3. Fish is full of fatty acids, which are healthy fats for kids and their brains

Tuna fish is great because you can mix lots of yummy things into it to make your kid’s sandwich just the way they like it. Try adding diced up pickles, celery, green onions, apples, raisins or even cashews for additional crunch and more healthy fats. Another simple sandwich idea is smoked salmon with cream cheese on a bagel or a roll. Tuna fish and salmon contain fatty acids that are necessary for proper growth and brain development.

Lunch box idea #4. Grass fed butter is a good source of healthy fats for kids

Grass fed butter contains certain vitamins that are not found in other butter alternatives like margarine. By spreading grass fed butter on the sandwich bread before placing the other ingredients in the sandwich, the sandwich bread will be kept from getting soggy. Adding grass fed butter to cooked vegetables, scrambled eggs, desserts and more also adds rich flavor and nutritious vitamins and healthy fats to your child’s diet and will give them even more brainpower.

Lunch box idea #5. Full fat yogurt is a delicious dessert option full of healthy fats for kids

Full fat yogurt if full of healthy fats and probiotics that are not only good for digestion but are also good for your kid’s brain. Try making this delicious dessert for your kid’s lunch. Prepare a fruity parfait in a plastic container for your child’s lunch. These can be made by layering fresh or *frozen fruit between layers of plain, full fat yogurt, sweetened with honey. You can even pack a little container or plastic baggie filled with crispy granola that can be added to the parfait when it’s time to eat. This ensures the granola won’t be soggy before lunchtime.

School is now in session, so you can put these healthy lunch box ideas to use when making your kid’s school lunches. Here is an instructional video made by a health conscious teen that has even more lunch box ideas. This is especially helpful for teenagers who make their own school lunches and want some healthy ideas.

*Tip: using frozen fruit will keep the yogurt cold until lunchtime.

Adaptive learning: is this the future of education?

Adaptive learning: is this the future of education?

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Not all people learn the same way. This is an obvious fact and obstacle that educators have been dealing with since the beginning of classroom learning. We can’t expect children to sit in a classroom, under the same instruction and all progress at the same speed. For hundreds of years the typical education system has labeled some students as being smarter and more capable than the others and some students as being less smart and incapable of learning.

Time Management and Organization- SIE

Teachers and personal tutors have been trying to implement ways of broadening instruction to cater to each individual’s learning styles and needs. However, the way our schools are set up does not make this type of teaching and learning practical or possible. The exciting news is that in today’s modern world that is full of ever evolving technology there is now a way to personalize learning for each and every student in the classroom. Here’s where adaptive learning comes in.

What is adaptive learning?

Adaptive learning is a form of online learning that uses technology to customize subject material for each individual student. A company called Knewton has developed a way for an electronic device to actually keep track of how the student is learning based on how long it takes them to answer questions, how quickly they are reading sections of text and even takes into consideration what time of day the student performs better in certain subjects. Based on the information about that particular student, the computer or handheld device will then offer recommendations of what the student should work on next in order to strengthen their understanding of the subject.

How will adaptive learning affect the way we learn?

Adaptive learning allows students to learn at their own pace, with a customized curriculum that caters to their specific strengths and weaknesses.  If the computer can tell that the student is struggling with a certain concept and getting frustrated, then the program will adapt so the student can review other concepts that will refresh their memory, and build their confidence, before moving on to the more difficult concept. Adaptive learning programs, like the one developed by Knewton have developed a way to work with certain companies to turn textbook curriculum into interactive and adaptive learning tools. Knewton plans to expand this system even more to eventually encompass even more educational information available on the Internet.

How will adaptive learning change education?

This type of learning can not replace the need for classrooms and teachers, but it will help to facilitate learning and be a complement to classroom learning.  Adaptive learning focuses on the increase of knowledge and mastering subject material.  Classroom settings and working with teachers and tutors doesn’t merely supply knowledge, these are important factors that help students develop social skills and ways to handle life situations which are arguably just as important as learning the facts.

Knewton has been developing a program that eventually can be used by people all over the world as a tool to provide adaptive learning to anyone with access to the internet.  Based on an article from The Daily Beast, the owner of Knewton predicts that within the next ten years schools will no longer be using paper textbooks and homework assignments, but will do everything online. Knewton has already done a case study with Arizona State University students and the results are remarkable.  Drop out rates have decreased, more students are passing their classes, and the teachers are more able to provide personalized instruction to their students.

Adaptive learning will not only change the way students are learning, but it will also change the way educators teach. Rather than presenting lecture style lessons to the entire class, teachers will be free to help individual students as the others work on their computers or tablets.  It will be interesting to see how schools will receive these new advancements in technology and how they will be incorporated into classrooms around the world.

 

Thank you to DeSales University for their amazing photo!

Power Posing for Improving Self-Confidence

Power Posing for Improving Self-Confidence

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What if we could help improve self-confidence in children that would benefit them at school, on the playground and in the classroom?  What if this confidence went with them to university and helped them through their first job interview to land a successful job?  This is a common desire among parents and educators.  What if giving our kids confidence was as simple as a two minute exercise?

During a TED Talks event, Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist at Harvard Business School, presented the concept of how our body language can have the ability to shape who we are. Cuddy explains how we can hold our bodies in a way that not only makes us “feel” powerful and confident, but we begin to act and become more self-confident people.

What does the research prove about improving self-confidence?

Amy Cuddy discovered certain “power poses” that can improve self-confidence like holding your arms wide and high above your head for two minutes, or sitting back with your hands behind your head and your feet up on the desk.  These types of poses are what we might imagine someone with power doing. People who tend to be more timid might choose to sit in a hunched over position, or fold their arms in front of them like they were trying to hide.

According to  Cuddy’s research, the people who did “power poses” for 2 minutes had lower cortisol levels and higher testosterone levels than they did before doing the “power poses.” Cortisol is a stress hormone and testosterone is the hormone that causes people to feel more confident and willing to take risks.  The people who did not do power poses, but rather posed in timid, inhibited positions actually had increased cortisol levels and lower testosterone levels.  These tests were done by taking saliva samples before and after the 2 minutes of posing.

How can educators improve their students’ self-confidence?

If power poses can improve the confidence of university students and adults, they can also help younger school aged children and adolescents as they go through the stresses of life.  Some children struggle with being shy or not wanting to participate in class discussions.  Other children may suffer from being bullied.  Older students may have test anxiety or social anxiety.  By teaching students how to practice “power poses,” they can also experience feeling more confident and will have lower stress levels when they are at school.

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More Reading Comprehension Strategies

More Reading Comprehension Strategies

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Last week’s Blog post explained how making connections is a useful reading comprehension strategy.  This post will describe some other reading comprehension strategies that can be used to improve reading comprehension such as asking questions, visualizing and inferring.

Asking questions: Improve reading comprehension by asking questions

One problem some students have is not being about to understand or recall the information they just read.  Asking questions about the text while reading improves reading comprehension because it causes the reader to stop and consider what they are reading.  If a student is reading and there is something that doesn’t make sense, they should write the question down on a sticky note and place it on the page to ask a teacher or reading tutor later. Students can also write down vocabulary words that they are not familiar with and look them up in the dictionary while they are reading so they are able to gain a better understanding of what they are reading.

Visualizing: Increase reading comprehension by visualizing the text           

A common way that educators test students for reading comprehension is to give students a portion to read and then ask them questions about the text.  If a student has a hard time recalling events from the text, sometimes it helps to practice visualizing. Visualizing helps people to remember just about anything; including people’s names, places and events.  This principle of visualization applies to reading as well.  By asking students to close their eyes and picture everything that is occurring in the text it will help them to be able to recall the events and details from the text.

Inferring: Gain a better understanding of the text by inferring

Writers use foreshadowing to activate inferences and predictions from the reader.  If students are not interested in what they are reading in can be difficult to keep them focused on what is going on in the text. By encouraging students to make inferences about what they are reading they will be helped to stay connected and invested in the text.  Teachers and reading tutors can help draw out a student’s thoughts and considerations of the text by asking them questions like, “what do you think this character meant when they said this”, or “what do you think the character will do next”? These are things that might not be clearly spelled out in the text, but can be inferred by taking the time to consider what is happening. This practice of inferring while reading keeps the reader interested in what they are reading and wanting to read more to find out what happens next.

Practice reading comprehension strategies regularly

By implementing these reading comprehension strategies, students will begin to use these strategies unconsciously. Without the proper reading comprehension skills, reading can be difficult and frustrating.  However, once a student learns how to read using some reading strategies, reading can become an enjoyable experience.  Being able to read and understand the text is exciting and freeing, and it opens the door to unlimited knowledge, entertainment and adventure.

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