Friedrich Froebel

Not one person is exactly the same. All people have different needs and are capable of different things. This holds true with children as well.

Friedrich Frobel believed that all children are unique. They don't all learn the same way; they need different ways to learn and different strategies. This is the same for anyone of any age. Everyone is different and learn in different ways. I agree with this theory very much so. I think it is the basis for the universal design of teaching, which will provide all children with everything they need to succeed. I also think is plays some part in differentiation. Through differentiation, is is apparent that all children and people are capable of different things, and sometimes they aren't all at the same level.

Frobel also came up with the idea of kindergarten. Kindergarten was a way for children to develop their relationships with their peers early. It also helped them find which ways of learning works best for them, without being under pressure to do so. I also believe that this is a good theory, and I'm surprised that Germany outlawed it at first.

Teaching the Truth

How does one successfully teach without biases? It is said that racial biases and discrimination is taught by what is expressed and heard around children. Children are very impressionable and often take on the ideas of their parents, and also their teachers. When teaching about controversial subject, such as Columbus Day and Thanksgiving, it is important to make children realize the common biases about these holidays, and understand that facts must be known, rather than the watered down version that most schools teach.

Columbus Day: I remember being Columbus Day being discussed in elementary school. We learned that Columbus Day was the day the Christopher Columbus found America on his three ships: the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. That is about the extent of my learning of Columbus Day until I got to high school. Native Americans were discussed very briefly. We learned nothing more other than that there were Native Americans living there when Columbus got there.

Thanksgiving Day: Interestingly enough, I do not remember much about being taught about Thanksgiving. The only thing I can really remember is being told that the Europeans and the Native Americans traded food and skills to have a delicious feast. Mostly we had just talked about what we were thankful for, and what being thankful meant. `

There are so many more aspects of teaching about Columbus Day and Thanksgiving Day. The role of Native Americans is so downplayed in the learning of both of these holidays, and that needs to change. Maybe there should be a lesson about what the Native Americans were doing in America before the Europeans arrive. Then after that lesson, another lesson about how the lives of the Native Americans changed after the Europeans changed should be taught. A brief but factual discussion about the treatment of Native Americans should be included, with content appropriate for the audience of elementary students. I'm not saying they should discuss such intense subjects such as the Trail of Tears, but they should know the truth.

How to teach social justice in the classroom?

One part of making sure a classroom is socially just is to make sure the classroom is culturally diverse. Diversity is important for the classroom in order to learn more about each other's difference and also to accept each other's differences. In the article "Creating Classrooms for Equity and Social Justice", it is explained that it is difficult for a white teacher to teach a predominantly non-white classroom because they do not have much to relate to. This is when the teacher will call upon the families of the students to better inform them of their cultures.

I grew up in Malden, Massachusetts. A few years ago, Malden was voted one of the best places to raise your kid in the nation.  One of the reasons was that Malden is racially diverse, which is completely true. In addition to having a good collection of different cultures and races in all of my classrooms, I also had quite a few teachers who were non-white. I thought that this brought a different perspective in the classroom.

I think that it's important to have students explain their culture to the classroom, if they are comfortable with doing so. It would be a great learning opportunity for the students to learn about a new culture and heritage There are many to do this, such as projects or presentations. This would put us on the path of creating a socially just classroom.

Election 2012

Tomorrow is a big day for the United States. Democrat Barack Obama and republican Mitt Romney have battled it out in three different debates. At this point, it may seem that either candidate could ultimately take the job as president, which also may seem a little unnerving. Being a college student, it is best to know where each candidate stands on education. I found this article which provides some really interesting information.

OBAMA: It's been observed that Obama's annual budget proposals continually increase funding for education. His college tax credit helped millions of students and their families able to afford going to college. The last point I have is that he promised to recruit 100,000 math and science teachers to accommodate his new technology jobs that will be put into place.

ROMNEY: Romney's plan would cut educational funding by $115 billion dollars. This would also increase the size of classes, as well as reduce the number of teachers in America. Also, this plan would eliminate Pell Grants for many college students. It has been said that it seems as if Romney only wants students to get as much education as they can afford.

It seems as if Obama is more for the college student and education in general than Romney is. Obama seems to understand the need for education for all students, not just the students who can afford it.

Whoever wins the election tomorrow will be in office for the next four years. Most of us will be in school for the next four years. Which educational plan would you most want to see put in place during the rest of your college career?