Teaching Our Teachers and Kids Advertisments

Through my observation to a Middle school class for my education major, I observed a health class for the ages between 8 through 10. I did not see this before, it was a candy for kids ages 5 years to maybe 11 years old. This candy is inside a backet looks exactly like a real cigarette backet, when the kids open it he will have the exactly cigarette shape and eat it.. wow it taste delicious. This back of candy cigarette was maybe made in the 1970's or around that period of time as the teacher mentioned.

However, what made me write this blog that unfortunately I saw my kid who is seven years old bring from his teacher's reward box, because he was doing good that day, a capsule and a round white bill but it is candy. I am wondaring if that advertisement was in 1970's and that period of time they did not reach what we are in nowadays from laws to technology and knowledge. Why we still have those problems with the all of knowledge we have now. Is it good to have bills or anything looks like it just to sell products and collect money for those companies or those are kind of advertisements go beyond marketing? What is the teacher role in this class? Is it to support those advertisments?

Whatever the reasons are the question here is how shall we protect our children inside the schools? And who is responsible for that? All in all just think of this question; How to teach our teachers?

Challenging the First Year Teacher

As a pre-educator, I often find myself wondering what it will be like to have my own classroom. What are some of the challenges I'll face? What kind of autonomy will I have? How much of a disadvantage will I be at because I'm new? I'm beginning to think I'm putting myself at a disadvantage by focusing on my newness. So, guess what? I'm not going to worry about it. Obviously, if I get hired, someone has faith in my abilities. I'm willing to go with them on this one.

That still leaves a lot of unknowns, though. Since I can't get anything done if I can't keep my zoo, so to speak, I think I'll focus first on classroom management.

"Always live up to the same rules you set up for them. Keep them simple and justifiable. 'Respect' is the only rule I have on my classroom wall." - Catherine McTamaney, 9th-12th grades, Tennessee.

I am big on respect and common courtesy, something I don't feel we have enough of these days. For whatever reason, people of all ages have decided it's perfectly acceptable to be rude, discourteous, and unappreciative. Respect, however, is a reciprocal process. They will give me their respect because I am their authority figure and that's what they're expected to do. However, by giving them that same respect in return, I'm hoping they will begin to learn the value of it and practice it outside of my class. Respect is a hydra; it's a single concept with many expressions. My students will show me the respect of being in their seats on time at the start of class. In return, I will be in class prepared to teach them at the start of class. They will raise their hands, and wait to be called on, not only showing respect to me but to their fellow classmates who may or may not be speaking already. In return I will do my best to remember who had a comment, or question, and call on all students who had something to say. If we run out of class time, and the raised hand was for a question, I will give that student time after class, or after school, if need be, to address their question. That's not to say class can't be lighthearted and fun. If respect is in place, then we can have a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can be comfortable participating.