Articles of Interest...

Gender in the Education System
May 2014

One of the many things that has always intrigued me about schooling is the seemingly obvious difference in how boys and girls "do" school.  As a mom of boys and girls, I've spent many a day comparing how my children achieve in school.  Over the last year I've found even more interesting how my interaction with specific genders may impact their achievement levels over the course of a year.  While this article doesn't speak specifically to that question it does speak to the general conceptions we have of gender differences in our North American schools.

"I'm Sorry"
May 2014

When I first starting reading this article I was a little annoyed by the discussion.  As a parent I realized that sometimes you pick your battles and saying your sorry in a "nice" way isn't always a battle that needs to be fought.  But as I read further I began to fully understand the implications of what could be done in a classroom. I could imagine how this would help students understand their responsibilities and better provide a safe, welcoming and socially, healthy classroom.

Engaging the whole child
February 2014

As a parent I have often been perturbed by the number of rules enforced on the playground.  The constant removal of certain activities that are deemed high-risk or dangerous can be frustrating when you have active children who are keen to learn but are stifled by their inability to focus when their breaktime activities do not allow them enough energy release.  As a teacher I struggle with the accountability that is placed on me to ensure the safety of my students.  It's a fine line of protecting and hampering.  I think the following article is a good example of how far we've swung the pendulum of "protecting" and the reprecussions it's had on the next generation of children and why we must even the balance a bit.