Checklist of 12 Questions for Your Consideration about Year Round Schooling

Checklist of 12 Questions for Your Consideration about Year Round Schooling by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Often he or she who fulfills the need (s) of a person wins the heart, respect and often loyalty of that person (Mrs. Dorothy Barron).

 

My child will be going to school year round; as a Parent should I be concerned? As more and more schools move to year round schooling many Parents have expressed concerns? As a parent do you know what such entails for your child/ren and those involved?

As Parents, you have the job and responsibility of being vigilant and discerning; do not allow your role as a Parent to be usurped. Following is a checklist of 12 questions that have been compiled for your consideration about year round schooling.

Checklist of 12 Questions to Consider Asking about Year Round Schooling:

1.       What does year round schooling entail; how is my child’s present academic performance and disposition (from a psychological, physical and emotional standpoint)?

2.       Does my child like school; how does my child’s feel about such; what are his/her thoughts, concerns, etc.?

3.       What are the pros and cons; are they valid and foremost, in the best interest of my child?

4.       How do Educators feel about year round schooling for students? Will schools lose more of their best teachers as a result of year round schooling?

5.       Will students and teachers suffer emotional exhaustion and burn-out?

6.       Will such result with others having more control over my child and thus weakening and undermining my authority as a Parent and eventually reducing it until I have none at all?

7.       Most schools are struggling now (financially and otherwise); what are the expectations from a positive standpoint of students going year round to school?

8.       When one now views the state of Education and schools, what positive changes are expected with year round schooling?

9.       Will I as a Parent have control over who will be instructing my child and/or the instructions?

10.   Will my child and I even have a choice(s) should such prove to be too much, not effective for my child and his/her wellbeing?

11.   What about Educators; will such create more burdens for them? With more talk of teacher training, evaluations, etc., where and how are Educators going to find time to accomplish such and teach school year round?

12.   Who made the decision to implement year round schooling and who will be responsible for monitoring its effect?

From my experience of 16 years in our schools and the Education Arena in general, I think parents should be very concerned about schools going to year round schooling.  My position is that children need the 2 or so months of school summer break to relax the mind; dream; think, wonder, experiment, create and at times simply spend time alone. At times, simply knowing the school summer break was forthcoming allowed many students to get through the remaining school year. Educators need this time to relax the mind; refresh, regroup and plan for the next year.

 

Parents Taking Charge in Education Channel Video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtfZH3hXy-0

An Activity for Parents:

Parents get pen and paper and make a list of pros and cons on this issue and then you, decide.

 

Parents, Educators; what are your thoughts or position on the subject of year round schooling?

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

Parents Taking Charge in Education   http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsDBarronPTCnEd

E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com

 

School Education Administrators Leading the Way in Education - Digital Technology in the Classroom- Are the Strings Attached too Cumbersome by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

School Education Administrators Leading the Way in Education - Digital Technology in the Classroom- are the Strings Attached too Cumbersome By Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Many are aware of the great benefits of technology, but that which is occurring in Education with digital technology appears to be shaping up much like it did some years ago with the advent of computers in some schools’ classrooms. The strings attached were simply too cumbersome and not worth the effort in the long run for some schools.

The following short narrative recounts one school’s dilemma, which will follow with three considerations, which I feel School Education Administrators should give serious thought to before hopping on the Digital Technology bandwagon, especially if they do not have wealthy patrons, funders or excessive funding to contribute to their schools and academic and educational program.

Getting Computers

One particular school seemed to have waited an extremely long time before having gotten computers; eventually, grant applications, one after another written by school personnel finally paid off. The Computers were coming and they came. Wait! Crucial components did not accompany them; no training in use of the computers occurred and teachers did not have the knowledge or expertise; nor were they interested in learning with their already busy curriculum schedules. So we went to the classroom set aside as the Computer Lab and sat and sat and looked at the computers. In an effort not to inadvertently break them, they were not touched. After one teacher was relieved of her position because she adamantly refused to learn to operate the computer, other teachers made half-hearted attempts; some at least allowed students to turn on computers and we watched computer screens.

Quite naturally, such did not sit well with the students and having complained did not accomplish much for either students or teachers. I guess no one wanted to admit that the school had been the recipient of computers that did not include necessary components or training in the use of them.

As students will be students and fascinated as to how the computers worked, a few tinkled with them and created horror when they opened one and took it apart having assured us that they could put it back together. Mind you; these were Sixth Graders and they not only put the computer back together, but explained certain aspect in the building of the computer, the students had had no previous exposure to computers. The purpose for which the computers were intended did not take place that year and after a short time students lost interest in the computers. Quietly, computers were deemed a failure at this school without their ever having been given a fair trial or students a chance to succeed with them; they instead became a cumbersome burden on the school and to teachers. However and on a positive note, the computers did serve at least two purposes; some students were introduced to computer hardware and demonstrated to other students and teachers their capability in the area of Technology; here was Technology in S.T.E.M., at work, initiated by Sixth Grade Students.

School Education Administrators before you hop on the Digital Technology bandwagon:

Even though there are a number of things School Education Administrators should consider before hopping on the Digital Technology bandwagon in an effort to obtain and bring  digital technology into your schools’ classrooms, at this point I will place three considerations in the form of questions; they are as following:

1.       Will digital technology meet your teachers and students’ needs and enable them to accomplish the goals and objectives set forth in Education? In other words, does the digital technology for classrooms and your school come with all necessary components (both hard and software) and training in the use of, resources and maintenance?

2.       What is your back-up strategy when students lose interest in the newest digital technology? Should you place all your funding, resources and base your entire curriculum on digital learning and its technologies and will you be able to keep apace and on target academically when students become bored and lose interest in the newest digital classroom technology?

3.        Few even discuss the aspect of Digital technology in the classroom in terms of health and safety, but questions should be raised as to, what mode of transmission will power the technology entering your schools and classrooms and whether you as the school’s leader will/should place limitations on students’ exposure to this transmission, as well as how much time students will spend in front of the computer screen or monitor? With the use of digital technology; you, your staff and students are exposed to some form of transmission daily; it would be best to invest some time in inquiring and learning which form is safest for you, your staff and students.

School Education Administrators, you are expected to lead the Way in Education; digital technology in the classroom is becoming a major and driving force in Education and with the possibility of it entering and increasing in your schools and classrooms, you must determine as to whether it will benefit and be beneficial in accomplishing the goal in Education or will it come with strings attached which will become too cumbersome for you and your school? Digital technology is not the solution in Education; at least not in and of itself or if it does not accommodate your individual schools’ needs; meet the needs of staff and students and include all components necessary to enable those using it in accomplishing your individual school’s education goal(s). Will digital technology assist by helping you accomplish your school, staff and students’ goals in education or come with strings attached which will instead be too cumbersome for you and your school?

 

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

Parents Taking Charge in Education   http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsDBarronPTCnEd

E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com

Parents Taking Charge in Education Presents its 2013 Black History Month Celebration by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Parents Taking Charge in Education Presents its 2013 Black History Month Celebration by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Parents Taking Charge in Education Celebrates and presents Black History Month 2013 ~ Critical thinking and Analyses of Achievements and Contributions of Blacks and Negroes before our time – to the Present. The video for this presentation is being shown in 4 Pts.

One of the most important things a child and student can learn is the ability to think critically for self. We are using this year Celebration of Black History Month to introduce activities that will assist students with critical thinking as they analyze Achievements and Contributions of some Blacks, Negroes and African Americans.

This year as we focus on Blacks, Negroes and African Americans listed within our presentation, we want to focus not so much on their struggles and oppression which existed, but on each listed individual’s achievements and contribution(s) to society. 

We have also focused on Blacks, Negroes and African Americans before out time; too often society makes it appear that achievements and contributions by Blacks, Negroes and African Americans did not occur until after the Civil Rights Era (1955 – early 1970s), which is not true. It is also important to note that not all Negroes or Black were slaves or unlearned.

Finally, we want to encourage those who view the presentation to draw inspiration from those who earlier made achievements and contributions to society to motivate you to pursue your own goals and dreams.

I have also written a Theme Song for this series titled, “Believe and Achieve.”

Following is our 2013 Black History Month Celebration Activity Presentation Agenda

Pt. 1 Introduction……………………………………….

Pt. 2 Blacks & Negroes before our time and their Achievements and Contributions………………… Research and Analysis by Students

Pt. 3 Movie…………………………………………………

An Analysis by Students

Pt. 4 A Fashion Show – “Fashions Out of Africa" (written script)……………………………………

At the end of Pt. 4 of the Video Series, we have offered some “Education Tips for Educators.”

Before I provide the links to our 2013 Black History Month Celebration series at Parents Taking Charge in Education Channel on YouTube, I would like to thank the following for having assisted with having made this presentation possible. and mention two Education Resource Websites. 

Classroom Illustrations are by Illustrator Nikesh Sharma

Blacks and Negroes before our time and their Achievements and Contribution Listed within Parents Taking Charge in Education’s 2013 Black History Video Presentation Reference Sources:

African American Registry©. http://www.aaregistry.org.

Wikipedia. http://www.wikipedia.org.

Resources:

I would like to bring to your attention two of the most comprehensive educational Online Websites which houses and offers a plethora of resource and reference information on African History, African American Heritage and the Black Experience; those websites are African American Registry©, which can be found at http://www.aaregistry.org and Blackpast, which can be found at http://www.blackpast.org. I wish to thank the owner(s) of each site for having granted permission to include and/or reference your website.

This has been a wonderful learning experience and we hope it will be for you as well.

Part 1 of our 4 Pt. Black History Video Presentation can be found here: http://youtu.be/BdtdDMcPWbA

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

Parents Taking Charge in Education   http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsDBarronPTCnEd

E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com

 

Mrs. Dorothy Barron and Parents Taking Charge in Education Encourages and Celebrates Reading in its 3Pt.Series“When You Give Me a Book” Pt. 3 Featuring Author; Elaine Marlier

Mrs. Dorothy Barron and Parents Taking Charge in Education Encourages and Celebrates Reading in its 3Pt.Series“When You Give Me a Book” Pt. 3 Featuring Author; Elaine Marlier, Without A Home - Inspiring and heartfelt tales of small animal adoptions

Hello and welcome to Pt. 3 of Parents Taking Charge in Education 3Pt. Series “When You Give Me a Book.” On today, as we conclude our 3Pt. Series, we excitedly feature our second Author; Elaine Marlier’s and her book, Without A Home - Inspiring and heartfelt tales of small animal adoptions. Today’s video presentation can be found at our Parents Taking Charge in Education Channel at YouTube. You may be asking how I discovered Author; Elaine Marlier and the reason(s) we are featuring her book on today.

I met Author Marlier through her books. As a Book Reviewer, I had the privilege of reading and writing a book review not only on the book listed above, which is part of a Series, but all three of Author; Elaine Marlier’s books in her Without a Home Series Animal Adoptions.  One book in the series features dog adoption stories; another cat adoptions and the third which we are featuring on today is about small animal adoptions. We feature her book on today because the stories within are so engaging; can be beneficial especially to children and enjoyed by those of all ages. Her stories are heartwarming, heartfelt and emotion-filled; they can make you laugh; shed tears; root for, empathize and sympathize with each animal and its predicament. Author Elaine Marlier’s book(s) can serve to assist with helping children change negative behavior’ build self-esteem and confidence.  Each book consists of a number of stories and animals; each animal has a name and shares its adoption story from its perspective.

Without further ado, let us go to Parents Taking Charge in Education Channel at YouTube for Part 3 of our 3 Pt. Series, which features Author; Elaine Marlier and her book, Without A Home - Inspiring and heartfelt tales of small animal adoptions. To access the Video, please click the link:

 http://youtu.be/ktYYu-1KTIA

Parents Taking Charge in Education wishes to thank both Authors; Lois Lowry (Book – THE GIVER) and Elaine Marlier (Book - Without A Home - Inspiring and heartfelt tales of small animal adoptions) for being our featured Authors, along with their books during Parents Taking Charge in Education’s 3Pt. Series “When You Give Me a Book,” which we have presented to Encourage and Celebrate Reading. 

Thank you; the reader and viewer for having joined us.

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

Parents Taking Charge in Education   http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsDBarronPTCnEd

E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com

Parents Taking Charge in Education Encourages and Celebrates Reading in its 3Pt.Series When You Give Me a Book Pt. 2 Featuring Author Lois Lowry and her Book - THE GIVER by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Parents Taking Charge in Education Encourages and Celebrates Reading in its 3Pt.Series“When You Give Me a Book” Pt. 2 Featuring Author; Lois Lowry and her Book, THE GIVER by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Hello and welcome to Pt. 2 of Parents Taking Charge in Education 3Pt. Series “When You Give Me a Book.” On today, we excitedly feature Author; Lois Lowry and her Book, THE GIVER.  Perhaps, you are wondering how I discovered Author; Lois Lowry and why her Book, THE GIVER is being featured in our Reading Series?

I took a Children’s Literature Class a few years ago in college and discovered Author; Lois Lowry through her books; one of which was THE GIVER; it is one of the best books that I have read which intellectually challenges the child by offering a number of thought-provoking topics and issues.

Parents Taking Charge in Education Video presentation of Author, Lois Lowry and her Book, THE GIVER can be found at our channel on YouTube here: http://youtu.be/KN42vEwoDmg

Here at our blog on today, I want to share 4-5 facts about Author Lois Lowry; briefly share an overview of her Book, THE GIVER; share my perspective (12) of that which the Book, THE GIVER offers and provokes thought-wise and list 12 topics or issues which I feel the Author introduces to the reader. We will conclude and provide a link to an Interview which Author; Lois Lowry gave about THE GIVER and provide the URL of her Website.

Thought-provoking is the one word that best describes Author; Lois Lowry’s Book, THE GIVER.

About Author; Lois Lowry:

·         Author Lois Lowry was born in Hawaii, but has lived in various parts of the world.

·         According to Author Lowry “she writes for children.” She is a Children’s Author, however, her books appeal to all ages.

·         She has received the prestigious Newbery Medal twice; in 1990 for her Book, Number The Stars and again in 1994 for her Book, THE GIVER.

·         She writes books for children that are thought-provoking and intellectually challenging. Some deemed her Book, The GIVER, a controversial book and in some places the book was banned.

·         Author; Lois Lowry is both a kind and gracious Author as this Author has personally discovered.

About The Book, THE GIVER

The GIVER is a book about a seemingly perfect, yet, mundane futuristic society; a society in which there is strict Order for everything and a designated role for each person within society.  It appears to be a well-Ordered society, yet an abnormal one when viewed up close.  The book centers on a young boy; Jonas, aged 12 (a Receiver) who discovers through the powers and help of an aged man; THE GIVER, that their Ordered, colorless and superficial world where sameness abounds is not as it seems or should be. It is a world which shields its members of society from pain, fear, war, choices and love on a deeper level, because in their society such has ceased to exist.  Both use their combined strengths to bring about change to their Ordered and superficial society.

Remember, the book is thought-provoking. It may leave one asking such questions as; can man create a Utopian society and one in which all within view as a utopian society; what are the perils for such a society and if created, could a utopian society be or eventually become a nightmare for others?

Author; Lois Lowry’s Book; THE GIVER and that which it offers and/or provokes

1.       Provokes critical thinking

2.       Introduces  a variety of topics

3.       One realizes that one person or a small group’s idea of a society of utopia or nirvana can be a nightmare for another or others

4.       Effects of lack of choice or choice in the matter of making one’s own decisions

5.       Raises the question; can one be different and “March to his/her own beat” in a world where sameness has become the order of society?

6.       Shows that whether a person is young or aged, each person can make a difference.

7.       Begs the question; will citizens within our society ever be forbidden books or very strict limitations placed on access to them?

8.       Due diligence and sacrifices often must occur in order for a country to retain it freedoms and rights

9.       There can be dire consequences to a people or nation that forgets its past and is lackadaisical about the present

10.   Although written as a futuristic book; can we see parallels within our own society and will this ever become our society?

11.   Was written for children, but appeals to all ages

12.   Show that the abnormal can become or appear normal after a period of time

Author; Lois Lowry introduces a number of different topics/issues within her Book, THE GIVER; 12 have been listed here:

1.       Memories  - purpose(s)

2.       Family unit and its structure(s) – such issues as marriage restrictions and families prohibited having biological children

3.       Emotions

4.       Limitations on all aspects of life- acquired knowledge; number of children per family, that which one can achieve in life; extent to which one can travel, etc.

5.       Love – superficial v. sacrificial

6.       Effects of lack of Choices & Freedoms

7.       Children - their future and future roles within society

8.       Conformity

9.       Laws and rules that govern a society

10.   Structure of society’s leadership

11.   Role of individuals within society

12.   Euthanasia

As you can see, Author Lois Lowry’s book, THE GIVER can provoke much thought and discussion – not only discussion about the society she has created in her book, but about our own society in the Future and such possible questions as:

·         Of what will it entailed or be comprised?

·         What will be the role(s) of its Citizens?

·         Are we using today’s challenges to help us prepare for the future?

Thank you Author; Lori Lowry for having granted us permission to feature you and your BOOK, THE GIVER in Pt. 2 of our Parents Taking Charge in Education Encourages and Celebrates Reading in its 3Pt.Series“When You Give Me a Book.” Author; Lois Lowry, you have given us a thought-provoking book in THE GIVER. Author Lois Lowry’s website can be found here: http://www.loislowry.com  and the direct link to Lois Lowry’s Interview of her Book, THE GIVER on YouTube can be found here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYGGs2lxtjY

Credits: Parents Taking Charge in Education was granted permission by Author; Lois Lowry to feature the Author; her Book - THE GIVER, a book cover image of THE GIVER and links to her Website and Interview of THE GIVER on Parents Taking Charge in Education Channel at YouTube. Additional information and books written by Author; Lois Lowry can be found at her website.

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

Parents Taking Charge in Education   http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsDBarronPTCnEd

E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com

Parents Taking Charge in Education Encourages and Celebrates Reading in its 3Pt.Series“When You Give Me a Book” by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

Parents Taking Charge in Education Encourages and Celebrates Reading in its 3Pt.Series“When You Give Me a Book” by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

 

 

Hello; in an effort to encourage and celebrate Reading, Parents Taking Charge in Education presents a 3Pt. Series “When You Give Me a Book.”

In our series, we do not tell you why you should read, but instead list 5 advantages of Reading; they can be found in Pt. 1 of our series’ videos at Parents Taking Charge in Education Channel on YouTube at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAeZ24nCHn4


In this Series, a Theme Song has been written and composed by the same name which you will hear throughout the series and you will hear about two special people; they are Authors!

One Author takes us into the future; can you imagine a world without books; one in which you did not have free access to or choice of books or anything else for that matter, or you and your family were limited to only 3 or 4 during your entire lifetime? Unimaginable; yet, such was part of what was considered a perfect world – an emotionless, aloof, loveless and superficial world until an old man and a child 12 years of age decided to change their world or community? 

Another Author will provide just the opposite; her book(s) will evoke emotions galore! There will be tears; laughter; warm, fuzzy feelings and lots of love to share as people and animals bond.  

At this point, we are not going to tell you the Authors’ names. Please join us over the next two weeks; wherein, you will not only be provided their names, but also the title of their featured books for this Series; books, which continue to appeal not only to children, but readers of all ages. With one Author some controversy has been thrown into the mix!

We also want to thank our featured guest Authors for giving permission to feature them and their books. While waiting to discover the Authors’ names, why not share your favorite children’s book with your children or young relatives. Last, but not least, do not forget to take a moment and remember and/or thank the person that assisted you with learning to read.

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

Parents Taking Charge in Education   http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsDBarronPTCnEd

E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com

Fragile - Handle and Nurture with Tender Loving Care by Mrs. Dorothy Barron

                                                                  

Fragile - Handle and Nurture with Tender Loving Care by Mrs. Dorothy Barron 
                                                                  

Much of what children learn will be as the result of teachers - Parents, Educators, peers and society in general. Children are fragile; those things essential for proper growth and maturity are nurturing of children; tender loving care and time.

Nature teaches us much about the cycle of growth and maturity through plant life; we realize that time is an important aspect not only in the cycle, growth and maturity of plants, but all things.

When society took time to nurture and allow time for the natural growth and production of plants, vegetables, animals, etc., not only were they healthy, but people were healthier as a whole.

The discovery and the use of chemicals which rapidly increased growth and genetically modified the aforementioned have been applied to practically everything that can be grown. We see some of those adverse changes as a result throughout society.

Some foolishly think children can be pressured, rushed and forced to function beyond their years without adverse consequences. Just as we see the results and effects of foods and plants not given time for natural growth, we will continue to see the results of society’s actions upon its children should we not take time to handle and nurture children with tender loving care and allow for their natural growth and maturity. 

It is past time we return to some basic principles; we must ask ourselves, do the littlest and most vulnerable and fragile within our society have a proper place to live; nutritious food to each; adequate clothing, a safe and secure environment, quality and/or quantity time for nurturing, providing tender loving care and natural growth and maturing at his/her own pace? Such can greatly impact the little sprout of learners who have begun their journey toward mature adulthood.

P.S. Sorry, today's pictures for this blog post would not upload.

Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Founder

 

Parents Taking Charge in Education   http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PTCnEducation

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsDBarronPTCnEd  

E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com