10 Thoughts a Teacher Hopes All Parents Know

Posted on by ojlowe

In my 15+ years of teaching 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students, I tried to keep a very complicated system as simple as possible. We kept our standards high and did our best to reach them. I only asked one simple question to determine the success of my students and their efforts….”Are you PROUD?”

Whether I was talking with the smartest kid in class, or the one who struggled the most, this one question was all I could ask for from each and every student. There is a connection when you look a student in the eye and ask this one question that any standardized testing will never be able to capture. Let’s remember that every student is an individualized learning anomaly. As parents, it is hard to keep an open mind when your child is grouped with his or her peers and is struggling in comparison. However, just like learning to walk, each child is able to rise on their own 2 feet when their mind and body are ready to do so. The main objective for both parent and teacher is to be a great supportive net to help each and every child when they are ready, and be there to support them in good and bad times.

With that being said, I always wanted my students’ parents to know 10 things when their child was in my care:

1. Your child does not treat me as they do you. You are their parent and they will test you 100 times more.  Don’t get me wrong, they will also test me in the classroom (it is a part of growing up), however, I have the power of peers, the Principal, and you on my side. If you teach your children to be respectful, chances are they are being respectful!

2. In Elementary School, your child will tell lots of stories of what goes on at home! We only believe half of what they say, but the question is what half do we believe?? 🙂

3.  I am not perfect. I, too, will make mistakes. I am sorry. If there is a problem, please approach me with a mindset of what is best for your child, and don’t hold it against me. (Remember I know we are both not perfect- see #2!)

4. Your child’s education is not about you and any embarrassment you may have. I simply want what is best for your child to be successful. This may mean being honest with your child. There is nothing wrong with being honest about negative behaviors you are observing with your child as long as you reassure them you are there to support. Please work with me if I approach you. I am doing so to help your child, not to inconvenience you.

5. Most important- Stop focusing on getting Straight A’s!! This is propaganda being pushed by society. If your child gets a C, it does not mean they are failing, it means they were average. There is nothing wrong with having a goal of A’s, but getting some B’s and C’s in 4th grade will NOT stop your child from getting accepted into Harvard as you may have planned. I do not give out grades, your child earns them. Be PROUD of a “hard earned C”, because it is better than an “easy A”!

6. Elementary School is NOT as easy as you remember it. Sure adding and subtracting is easy for you now, but can you find the mean, mode and median? How about naming the parts of a plant cell? Indirect objects? Prepositional Phrases? How about labeling all 50 States and their Capitals? Trust me, your child is not struggling to frustrate you. Take a deep breathe, remain calm, and listen. (Remember that I have to do this with 25+ students everyday!) Frustration is a fine line- It is good cause it means they still CARE and desire to be better! However,  you have to be careful, because the next step is to quit. Make sure your child knows “You are not allowed to quit!” No matter how frustrated they are, let them know you care too and will help or get help for them!

7. The most important skills your child needs to learn in Elementary school are- Study Skills! From flash cards, to note taking, your child must learn to study for Secondary and Post Secondary years. Especially keep an eye on your child if they are a straight A student- as elementary school may be too easy, but eventually the subject matter will become increasingly difficult and they will be ill-prepared to study and ill-equipped to handle failure.

8. Don’t compare your child’s learning to any other child’s learning. For both success and struggle, asking your child to be like another child is just wrong. Keep it focused on what your child can accomplish. Forming better study habits or asking for help, are reachable tasks that can help a C student shoot for a C+ or B on the next test/report card. If you know your child has worked hard, be proud, show encouragement and your child will continue to put forth the effort and blossom!

9. Don’t compare me to any other teacher your child has had, or will have. We, like the students, are unique in our own ways and styles of teaching. What makes this great is that it mimics the real world where your child must adapt to others in leadership. From colleagues to the boss, your child must use the experience of school to help adapt into the workforce. Social Skills are important to learn during these years, so empower your child by allowing them to handle their issues. Your support is important, but your personal involvement should be the last option.

10. Lastly, but most importantly, I care for your child as if they are my own (In my mind, they are a part of my family and always will be). I have but 180 days to instill a passion to be a life long learner and empower them to chase their dreams. It is NEVER about straight A’s, but rather taking steps forward, no matter how small. Failure is NOT an option.  I will be there to help out even when they have moved on to higher grades if ever needed.  I am just a phone call or email away, for help, or simply to update me!

Just like every other profession out there, 10% are bad teachers. Unfortunately you will have to experience one or two educating your child. Use it as a learning experience in adapting to make the most of a bad situation (for you and your child), and never hold it against your next teacher! Do what you need to support your child and document everything!  Lastly, if your child is struggling and you feel there is something wrong, ask for your child to be tested. Document all of your worries and things you see, approach your teacher, and don’t stop until you see results. Lastly- remember to “Thank a Teacher” when you appreciate the work they are doing. At a time of teacher evaluations based on standardized tests, government mandates, and the norm of teacher bashing, a simple handshake or a note is priceless in uplifting the spirit of a teacher.

To all of the parents whose children are now considered “my kids” also, I thank you!  Thank you for your support. Thank you for your input. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your efforts. I did my best everyday to be a positive influence on the students.  I am proud to say that your children have had as much of a positive influence on me!

Don’t forget to Follow, Like, and Share the message! Thanks!

Is Multiple Choice Testing Fair? A. Yes, B. No

Posted on by ojlowe

As I walked around the room watching my students take the “BIG Test” at the end of the year, I could see the frustration and confusion in their faces. I just didn’t understand why. They were one of my best classes and were well prepared. My belief was that if I prepared them in knowledge, the test would take care of itself; I never taught to the test.

I did however take a look at the test and what I saw made my blood boil to a huge issue with so much riding on these tests.

Lets see how you do: Problem on 4th grade test.

Directions: Estimate (Simple enough, right?)

37 x 8= ___             A. 400    B. 240   C. 320   D. 32

If one can’t see that there is a problem then they are blind to the fact to show understanding means to be able to explain their process and answer. As an adult, our thinking process has already been skewed by our experiences. Most will say that the answer is obviously C, and they would be correct by the test’s standards.  However, why even have A or B as a possibility? The directions simply state to “Estimate”- it does not ask for the “best estimate”.

For 4th graders, it is simply wrong for test makers to place the “correct answer” along with the “next best answer”. Not only does this confuse the child, but also produces feelings of anxiety over which answer to choose. I have had plenty of students who could explain choosing answer A because 40 x 10= 400 would be an acceptable answer!  Even though most would consider answer B wrong, a student does show ability and understanding of estimating by explaining that 30 x 8= 240 and the real answer would be higher.

Multiple Choice tests were developed to help save time and effort in grading. However, they do a disservice by not allowing the student to explain their thinking process and for the teacher to hear it, and help to correct it if necessary! Yet, this is one of the prime methods of testing and we are determining both student and teacher evaluations of understanding on them? I am not arguing that C is not the “Best Answer”, however, our concern should be whether or not the student can explain the process, while getting the right answer. Does a Multiple Choice test accomplish what is necessary to identify strengths and weaknesses?  A. Yes,  B. No, C. Never has, Never will.

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Children Dying at School

Posted on by ojlowe

I remember growing up with the knowledge that when an adult spoke, I listened. It didn’t matter if the adult was right, wrong, or respectful. It didn’t matter if I was just told something different by another adult. It would be disrespectful for me to state my opinion, or question an adult. Forget having an opinion or a side to a story if there was a problem. Should my parents be called in for an issue, I did not get a chance to explain my side, nor did my parents even care to hear one. Is this the right way? Sadly, as adults, we are preconditioned to continue to trust and listen to other adults who claim to be the experts. Sadly, as adults, we continue to ignore the voices of the little ones, the children. WHY? 

There is a hidden problem in almost every school across this great country, yet no one is talking about it. Consequences. Our focus is on the issues that the mainstream media feeds to us. Bad teachers, Common Core, Failing Schools, and Bullying are all issues being fed into our conversations and ideas about our public education system. Imagine if these are simply the aftermath of a deeper and deadlier issue. Are adults the ones to be trusted? Why aren’t we listening to what our children have to say? Placing children in harms way with consequences like restraining bags, electric shock, and scream rooms are despicable. We are trusting adults to make decisions about helping our kids with these barbaric means? When did it become acceptable for an adult to punish a child in a manner that would be unacceptable for a criminal?

Think back to your education and the most influential teachers you had. What made them special to you? Now think for a moment that your favorite  teacher on your worst day had stuffed you into a secluded “Scream Room”, or delivered shock therapy, would they still be your favorite teacher? When a child misbehaves, there is a reason for the misbehavior that must be understood and addressed for the situation to be rectified. Every day there are students who become disengaged with their education, their future. There has to be a reason behind it, and we must be willing to take the time and energy to stop and communicate this. 

Your most influential teachers are the ones who took the time and effort to listen and relate with you. Instead of handing you ineffective consequence after consequence, they were the ones who took the time to find a solution with you. Even the simple consequence of “missing recess for missing homework” can be idiotic at times. I once had a 5th grade partner teacher who sat a student out of recess for 3 months because of missing homework. Did the punishment deliver the right outcome? How did this help? Do you think the student wanted to miss recess? By simply sitting down and having a conversation, it was found that his priority after school was taking care of his siblings (laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc), not homework. After discussing options with him, the student began finishing his homework based on the guidelines that were agreed to. While he never respected the teacher (she never cared to listen), he felt empowered to know someone would listen and relate with him and put forth a better effort because of this simple offering. 

I am not saying there should be no consequences, and our children should do whatever they want. I am simply pointing out that we, as adults, should remember what it was like to be a child on our good days and our bad days. Remember that we should be using consequences only if they produce the right outcome, and never use them as punishments. Unfortunately there are cases where students are literally dying from these severe consequences, but we must also recognize that we are killing the inner spirit of the child by punishing them. Every child starts off their education by WANTING and LOVING to go to school to LEARN. The question we need to answer is “What stops a child’s passion for learning?”, or even more “Who killed the desire within the child?”

 

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Flipping over the Flipped Classroom?

Posted on by ojlowe

So the new rage in education has a label- The Flipped Classroom! There is a movement that believes that it is the perfect mix use of technology that has and will continue to transform the education of America’s students. The flipped classroom is based upon the use of technology to help deliver lessons outside of the classroom (the lesson is watched at home for homework), thus allowing students to spend class time fully focused on subject matter and the expanse of it.  No class time is wasted on the lesson, thus is fully maximized on the development of the understanding by the students. In the words of Wikipedia: Flip teaching (or flipped classroom) is a form of blended learning in which students learn new content online by watching video lectures, usually at home, and what used to be homework (assigned problems) is now done in class with teacher offering more personalized guidance and interaction with students, instead of lecturing.

I sure hope that we are NOT all so short sighted as to believe that this is educationally transforming.  The development of the textbook was in turn the first form of the “flipped classroom”. Teachers were able to assign students the task of reading the next lesson for homework so that they may concentrate class time on developing a better understanding. Was this revolutionary? I would argue that the introduction of using textbooks as homework reading simply increased the school day hours.  It no longer limited the time to read and study to the availability of the text in the classroom, but allowed the access to reading the text to 24/7.  Students today are so very thankful for this development.

The Flipped Classroom simply takes the concept of the textbook (reading/learning 24/7), and expands it with the introduction of technology. The ability of teachers to create video and audio lessons allows them to reach students while they are outside of the classroom walls. It may be created by someone else, with the objective to better prepare the students for the activities/ discussions of the classroom. So while many in America demand longer school days, there is already a movement that is providing just that. At what cost?

If we are to truly take advantage of technology, why do we simply have students watch a lesson at home? I would argue our students are provided LESS support: Lessons are stagnant, lifeless, with no ability to “Connect”. If a student has a question or comment to make during the lesson, he or she is then required to keep their thought process for 12-16 hours until they are back in class? It is easy to say students can write down those questions and thoughts, but what about the ability to capitalize on the opportunity to inspire and empower as it happens?

To be a proponent of the Flipped Classroom, one would have to use technology in a more prevalent capacity.  Combine social media/ discussion boards with the video lessons.  Allow the students to collaborate and share ideas in real time as they are watching the lessons.  How about having a video conference with students, or even with teacher as the lessons are watched.  This will provide a platform for real, meaningful learning to happen, and provide a platform for the following days activities to be truly based on feedback from the students. Instead of simply increasing the “learning” time by extending lessons to be learned for homework, teachers can increase learning by teaching a lesson, collecting information on lesson mastery, and thus developing the next days activities around what the students need.

The flipped classroom has a place in education, as it has been around for decades.  However, it is not revolutionary, and we should not treat it as such.  The education revolution will not be based around the use of technology, but rather on what technology can provide us. We must remember that true educational transformation will come when the revolution is based upon the needs of the learner. We must get back to caring for the students, to truly inspire and empower an individual is most powerful and the results (data, testing) will take care of themselves.

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Understand why its the Olympic Games?

Posted on by ojlowe

As an individual who has competed in many sports, and continues to partake in many activities, I would like to clarify the misconception of Sports.  ESPN has muddied the already murky waters between SPORT and COMPETITION. However, the network clearly identifies itself in it’s branding as an Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (thus, ESPN), clearly recognizing that there are differentiators between Sports and everything else it will cover.

 At the end, you can find the definitions and clarifying sub-points used as a baseline for categorizing the games played by humans and my writing:

GAMES:  Any activity, Physical or non-Physical, competitive or not, that provides entertainment or amusement is called a GAME.  While all ACTIVITIES, COMPETITIONS and SPORTS fall into the category of GAMES, not all GAMES can be classified as a SPORT.  This will be our starting point and broad overall term for and has been recognized as such:  i.e. Olympic Games, Winter Games, X Games, Board Games, etc.

ACTIVITIES:  An ACTIVITY is as simple as its definition- a thing that a person or group does or has done. The identifying quality of an ACTIVITY is a game that lacks competition. It should be noted that an activity may be viewed as competitive, however until competition is an added quality, you simply have a person or group of people doing something. It is simply an ACTIVITY.

ACTIVITIES include: Jogging, Swimming, Walking, Workouts, Throwing, Shooting, (physical play without competition), etc.

COMPETITIONS: A COMPETITION is an ACTIVITY that introduces competing. Because superiority is the goal, there must be 2 or more participants.  The participants understand what specific physical activity is being showcased and how the winner will be determined, ie Third Party Judges or dominant showing.  In a COMPETITION, participants have introduced guidelines to the ACTIVITY to showcase their physical talents.  It is understood that each participant controls their physical efforts that will determine their success (throw farther, run faster, etc).  Though at times “defensive” or “strategic” maneuvering may occur, it is done due to inferior physical abilities and playing surface rules (Auto Racing, Cycling), however at most times, simply possessing superior abilities wins out.

COMPETITIONS include:  Darts, Swimming, Golf, Running, Gymnastics, Cheerleading, Auto Racing,

SPORTS:  SPORTS are those COMPETITIONS that incorporate strategy and skill, both offensive and defensive, into the rules.  The biggest differentiator is the ability for participants to use strategic skills to both advance their physical abilities for superiority and to hinder the physical abilities of the competitor.  Strategic Skill is ingrained into the activity and the rules governing.  Participants’ physical abilities are used to advance their chances, and/or to hinder the abilities for a competitor to win.  A SPORT will have a winner declared based upon the score of the game.  Officials and referees are an integral part to enforce and interpret the agreed upon rules. Winners are determined by scoring that is controlled by the play, never based upon a judging scorecard. Every SPORT is a COMPETITION, but not every COMPETITION is a SPORT.

SPORTS include:  Football, Baseball, Basketball, Wrestling, Tennis, Soccer, etc.

Even though my own daughter is a gymnast, Cheerleading and Gymnastics fans out there will be disappointed to hear that they are COMPETITIONS.

This is not a knock against any GAME, ACTIVITY, or COMPETITION, as they all have a place in the world of entertainment, but lets not generalize them all as SPORTS. 

 At some time in the future, I will attempt to clarify the misconception that if your GAME, ACTIVITY, COMPETITION, or SPORT is covered by ESPN, this does NOT elevate the participants to be labeled an “ATHLETE”!

SPORTS GRAPH

GAMES: 1) An activity providing entertainment or amusement; a pastime: party games; word games.   2) a) A competitive activity or sport in which players contend with each other according to a set of rules: the game of basketball; the game of gin rummy.           b) A single instance of such an activity: We lost the first game.       c) GAMES:  An organized athletic program or contest: track-and-field games; took part in the winter games. [like the Olympics]      d) A period of competition or challenge: It was too late in the game to change the schedule of the project.  

ACTIVITIES: a thing that a person or group does or has done.

  • May or may not include Physical Movement
  • No competition- should competition with participants arise, no longer an activity
COMPETITIONS: the activity or condition of competing. Competing: strive to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others who are trying to do the same.
  • Specified Physical Ability or Abilities of 2 or more participants
  • Effort to be superior with the identified physical ability or abilities.
  • Competitors physical performance is based solely on their own physical ability(s).
  • Rules are developed for equality of circumstances outside of physical ability.
  • Competitors are judged by third party (Judges) and scored to identify winner.
  • Competitors may also win by outperforming the specific physical ability, at times needing to be  identified or declared a winner by a third party (Official).
SPORTS: an organized activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment
  • Head to Head Competition- either by individuals or by team (Ind v Ind, or Team v Team)
  • Competition winner/loser is determined by Scoring.
  • Competitors use physical abilities in an offensive manner, advancement of scoring
  • Competitors use physical abilities in a defensive manner, prevention of opposition scoring.
  • Competitors, to help advance offensive scoring opportunities by out-witting the competition’s defensive strategies, and vice versa, use Strategic Skill.
  • Multiple Physical Abilities are used, either by one individual, or a multitude of players showcasing a multitude of physical abilities.
  • Rules are developed for equality of playing circumstances.
  • Third Party (Official, Referee) only interferes to enforce/interpret established and agreed upon rules.
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