Individualizing Instruction

As children are being increasingly identified with specific learning needs, teachers will need to individualize instruction for each one. This is especially true with students who are identified with special needs, such as autism, learning disabilities, processing issues and related obstacles. These children may require special interventions and accommodations in the classroom in order to have access to learning. This does not have to be a major undertaking for the teacher, but can be as simple as making a small alteration in an assignment or explaining a problem in a way that a child can understand.

The first step is to get to know each of your students, their interests, learning difficulties and learning styles. When you know how a student learns, you can help him or her to more easily access the subject that you are teaching. Children learn in various ways, with some doing best by hearing information presented, seeing it or touching it. Others absorb material better through reading about it or engaging in the subject through a hands on activity. You can mix these different styles into your presentation. For example, when presenting a math problem, you can have a visual image of the objects being added up, orally explain the process and then have the children see it on the page. You can have the children use counters to practice putting the numbers together.

Often, an accommodation that is made for one student can benefit the whole group. This is often the case with special education, where practices that are used with children with disabilities have found to be beneficial with regular education students. Work closely with other teachers to find strategies for meeting each student’s needs, and you will find a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips on the internet. The efforts you put into this will show in the increased learning and understanding of your students.

Filed Under: General, Science Tagged With: , , ,

Bringing Science into the Classroom

Science is one of the easiest and most interesting subjects that you can bring into your classroom each day. It also does not always require that you are engaged in a vast amount of preparation and acquisition of resources. The projects that you can do can be very simple in nature, quick and require only the resources that you have readily at hand. These activities can also be easily integrated into other subjects in order to teach across the curriculum. All that is required is a little bit of creativity and a small amount of planning.

Before you do any project in your classroom, you should carefully plan out the steps, how it will be presented to the class and what resources will be required. Safety should be the number one priority at all times, including having first aid supplies, proper safety equipment on hand and procedures to prevent accidents are occurring. You should always review any safety rules with your students before beginning and consequences for not doing so should be clearly explained.

To find projects that you can do with your students, there are a variety of resources available through the Internet and in various books that are designed for different age groups. Your teacher manual for math, reading and other subjects will often have suggestions at the end of each unit for projects that you can do in other areas, like science. When you come across a promising project, get a copy of it and start a file that you will have a ready resource to draw from.

When you plan your project, have your students practice writing, reading, critical thinking and study skills while doing it. Science activities are also excellent for teaching sequencing, cause and effect, problem solving and teamwork. With this variety of learning opportunities, you will find bringing science into your classroom a valuable experience for all of your students.

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Craft Projects for Early Childhood Education

Whether you’re an early childhood education professional or just a dedicated mom, these craft projects are fun and easy for any small child.

1.) Rocket to the Moon

This is a classic craft made out of everyday materials. You’ll need a paper towel roll, cardstock or scrap cardboard, and a cone-shaped cup (the kind you’d find beside a water cooler). Alternatively, you can cut and fold construction paper into a cone. Sketch some simple “rocket fins” on the cardstock or cardboard and have each child cut them out with safety scissors. Have each child paint and decorate the paper towel roll, fins, and cup with whatever craft materials you have on hand: markers, stickers, glitter, yarn, construction paper, etc. Glue the cone to one end of the paper towel roll. Arrange the fins around the base of the rocket and glue them on as well. This craft turns children into astronauts in minutes.

2.) “Stained Glass” Art

Any child can make stained glass decorations in a few easy simple steps. All you’ll need (besides scissors, paintbrushes, and glue) is tissue paper and acetate. Acetate can be found at any office supply store or craft store; it’s used to make projector sheets, so if you have a box of those you’re already set. Have each child cut out small squares of multi-colored tissue paper. Cut the acetate into whatever shape you want your “window” to be: square, heart-shaped, sun-shaped, etc. Each child can then dip a paintbrush into a white glue-water mixture and paint each tissue paper square. Have them then place each square onto the acetate at random to create a random “stained glass” effect.

These two crafts are the perfect way to round out the week’s lesson plan or provide some easy entertainment for kids on a rainy day.

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Education Suppliments: Science Documentaries That Educate and Entertain

Looking for science documentaries to suppliment your own education or to flesh out your science education lesson plans? Check out the following documentaries for an entertaining education experience.

1.) Who Killed the Electric Car?
This documentary examines the journey of the much-acclaimed electric car and what led to its demise.

2.) The Great Barrier Reef
Take a look at the complexities of the incredible ecosystem that is the Great Barrier Reef. There’s a lot more to this reef than “Finding Nemo.”

3.) Life After People
Discover what might happen to the Earth if the human race should face extinction in the future.

4.) Darwin’s Nightmare
This documentary shows some of the negative consequences and disastrous results that occur when a non-native species is brought into an ecosystem.

5.) Here Comes the Sun: Learn about the future of the sun and its implications for humans in this solar-focused film.

6.) An Inconvenient Truth
Al Gore’s now-famous film explains the facts and consequences of global warming.

7.) The Ape That Took Over the World
The history behind the human race’s evolution. Learn the impressive feats humans had to overcome to become the advanced species we are today.

8.) Swine Flu: The Science of Pandemics
It’s becoming an ever-increasing fear. Study up on the science of pandemics and how a worldwide pandemic could affect civilization as we know it.

9.) Sicko
Famed documentary maker Michael Moore takes a look at American healthcare and discusses the need for a universal healthcare system.

10.) The Origins of AIDS
This documentary explores AIDS’ deadly journey into becoming one of the biggest medical concerns in the world today.

11.) Super Size Me
Sure, America loves fast food. So a man named Morgan Spurlock went on a month-long diet of nothing but McDonalds foods to discover the ramifications of a fast food diet.

Filed Under: Education, Science Tagged With: , ,

Medical Education: Residency Interviews

You’ve done three years of medical school on top of four to six years of previous schooling. You’ve taken your first (and hopefully your second) USMLE exam. You’ve polished your personal statement and now you’re finally getting those prized residency interviews. Your residency interviews are a huge milestone on the path to becoming an M.D. By preparing yourself in advance, you’ll avoid becoming overwhelmed when interview season starts.

1. Get your application done early.
There’s no way to stress this enough. Since your application was submitted early, schools won’t have already filled their interview slots. You’ll have much more time to space out your interviews, instead of doing the last minute trek to Boston-Atlanta-New York City-Baltimore interviews in a week. Plus, if you get two or more interview offers for the same date, you’ll have more time to reschedule your interviews. If you get the dreaded wait-list status, there will be more opportunities for something to open up.

2. Keep track of your letter of recommendation letters.
You’re not done when you click submit on your application. Make sure the people you’ve asked to write your letters of recommendation are completing their letters of recommendation in a timely fashion. Many schools won’t look at your application until all of your letters of recommendation are submitted.

3. Strongly consider any recommended hotels.
Some programs will put you up in a hotel free of charge. If not, your best bet will usually be found when a residency program pairs up with a nearby hotel. The hotel is usually a leading hotel in the area who has (oftentimes severely) discounted their rate. Many hotels will offer a shuttle service to the hospital or university you’ll be staying at.

4. Do your travel research.
Many schools will provide travel information, but don’t be afraid to do your own research. Does the recommended hotel charge outrageous valet fees? Is it near public transportation? Read traveler’s reviews, too.

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Medical Education: Making Your Personal Statement Shine

If you’re a fourth year medical student, chances are you’re stressing about your personal statement for your residency applications. Relax. You’ve got other things to worry about (like USMLE exams) besides one page-long essay. You survived English Composition in undergrad, right? These tips may make the process a little easier.

1.) Be realistic.
No doctor is going to believe that your entire view of medicine changed because of one event. Don’t wax poetics like, “The moment after I rescued Mrs. Smith’s cat out of the tree, I knew I wanted to become a doctor because I wanted to help people just like I helped Mrs. Smith.” You didn’t decide to become a doctor in one instant, so why pretend you did?

2.) Be concise.
Medical journals may rely on ten-cent words, but you shouldn’t. This isn’t scientific writing. Residency programs are curious to see you, not your vocabulary. Besides vocabulary, avoid “fluff” words like useless adjectives or adverbs. Go through your statement at least three times and cut out all unnecessary words. Writing concisely is difficult, but it will vastly improve your paper’s readability.

3.) Outline first.
You’ve heard it a thousand times from past English teachers, but this is one piece of advice that’s worth following. If you make an outline and stick to it, you’ll ensure you have a solid paper from introduction to conclusion.

4.) Proofread, proofread, proofread.
Find that English major in your friends and family and beg them to look over your work. Any grammatical mistake will look sloppy and careless. They’ll also probably give you tips on how to improve the structure of your paper, too.

5.) Be yourself.
Personal statements are goldmines for interviewers. Don’t assume no one will read it. Chances are, every single person you interview with will mention something out of your personal statement and ask you about it (unless your statement was bland and lifeless). Make sure everything in there is true and real.

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Building Your Classroom Library: Even More Titles to Wow Your Students

If you’re still looking for great young adult books to flesh out your classroom or home library, these titles are sure to do the trick.

1.) “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. While this book is usually taught in schools, it remains many adults’ favorite books long past childhood. Harper Lee only wrote one book, but the one she wrote is a masterpiece. Race relations in the South clash and collide with tragic results.
2.) “Number the Stars” by Lois Lowry. Lowry isn’t known for writing kids’ books; she’s known for writing true literature. She doesn’t disappoint in this story about a family in Nazi Germany who hides a Jewish girl in their house.
3.) “Matilda” by Roald Dahl. If your classroom library doesn’t host any Roald Dahl titles, run right out to the bookstore and fix this immediately. Dahl is a genius at writing whimsical and hilarious stories, and “Matilda” is one of his finest books. The novel follows a remarkably precocious girl who develops special powers.
4.) “Tuck Everlasting” by Natalie Babbitt. This classic novel explores the concept of immortality and its consequences. Winnie meets a family of immortals who show her why immortality must remain a secret.
5.) “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” by Judy Blume. This quintessential story of a young girl dealing with growing up has struck a chord with millions of girls all over the world.
6.) “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen. “Hatchet” is a survivor wilderness story that follows the adventures of a boy who successfully runs away and lives in the wilderness by himself.
7.) “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster. Your students will love this tale of a phantom tollbooth that whisks the user away to foreign lands.
8.) “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl. A boy is offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tour a magical chocolate factory.

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Floods in Pakistan

The world is fast becoming a place for natural disasters on a large scale. Nothing is small anymore. The recent floods in Pakistan have so moved the UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon that he said, I will never forget the destruction and suffering I have witnessed today. In the past, I have witnessed many natural disasters around the world, but nothing like this.”

Pakistan stands forlorn. More than 25 percent of the country has been devastated. Millions of people have lost their homes. At last count, 1,600 people have died. At least 100,000 acres of crops have been destroyed.

It is a matter of days before water-borne diseases raise their head and spread throughout the land. Millions of children stand to risk these diseases more than the adults. Sanitation will add to the woes. Food distribution will be an arduous task.

If the readers are not very impressed by these figures, nobody can blame them. The disasters have been happening like clockwork around the world. Even so, the number of people affected by floods in Pakistan is more than the total number of victims combined in the tsunami of 2005 in India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, the Haiti earthquake of January, 2010 and Kashmir earthquake of 2005.

The rains have been keeping up relentlessly, hampering the flood relief work. Helicopters are ready to help the remotest part of the country that is also the hardest hit, the Northwest Pakistan. The weather is playing spoilsport here too. Southern part is home to very poor peasants and is under flood too. Rescue of these people have been going on for days on end but there is still work to do. As far as possible, people are being moved out of flood hit areas.

The government has been open about its inability to cope with a disaster on such a massive scale. The Prime Minister Gilani who had visited the Sindh province, which is one of the very hard hit, reiterated his call for international aid. He has been searingly honest and said, We appeal to the world to help us”

Filed Under: Climate, Education, Science Tagged With: ,

Scientists for Peace

Scientists are the people who immediately perceive the ill-effects of any new invention and try to make amends. Bertrand Russell was one scientist who had disagreements with almost all government policies in matters of science and its military applications. He and Einstein issued a joint declaration in 1955 which called for peaceful solutions to global conflicts.
In 1995, Scientists against Nuclear Arms, Electronic and Computing for Peace, and Psychologists for Peace, the three organizations merged and formed Scientists for Global Responsibility. The new organization implored the nations around the world to eliminate weapons of mass destruction. Disintegration of the Soviet Union greatly reduced the ever looming nuclear threat and the organization widened its scope to include environment concerns in its agenda.

It initiated many relevant actions. Science for the Earth Conference was one such initiative which sought to analyze the ill-effects as well as benefits that science had been able to bring to human society. A series of fora starting in 1992 and ending in 1996 was held with this agenda. Under the Climate Train program, scientists traveled from Europe by ships and over land to Kyoto, Japan in 1997. They participated in the UN Climate Convention and issued a report based on their experience during their travels and the progress made in the convention. This report was widely controversial and many say based on faulty science and manipulated data.

Military Influence on Science and Technology Program researches and publishes project reports on how technological solutions are the focal point in military science and in security issues. Delving into the social problems and getting to the roots of conflicts may have a better impact in the fight against terrorism and such social evils. Instead, an arms race ensued.

A report says that the military expenditures around the world are around $1.2 trillion. The issue is, this may not be enough considering Europe did not have the resources to prevent genocide in their back door in the mid 90′s. They do not invest enough to support NATO. Nevertheless, scientists have to work hard to spread peace around the world.

Filed Under: Advancements, Education, Science Tagged With: , , ,

Education and ADHD/ADD

Joy
Image by alancleaver_2000 via Flickr

While education has come a long way to understanding the needs of some of the special needs students there is still work to be done when it comes to ADHD and ADD students.  Most of the teachers in the educational world today have a decent understanding of what needs most of the ADHD and ADD children need there are still areas that need to be worked on.  Communication between the parents and the educators is vital to the success of the students.  While this is primarily accomplished with regular parent teacher conferences there is the occasion where added communication is beneficial to all parties involved.

Children with ADHD and ADD require continued attention and support in an effort to keep them focused and on task.  This can be difficult for teachers when they have 20 other students in their class also biding for their attention.  One way to accomplish this goal is by allowing parents to help more with class work.  Home work that is geared toward the student’s difficulties will go a long way to helping them achieve their goals.  Parents can help by spending time with the children going over this work and by having a good understanding of the classroom expectations. This will enable the parent to work with the children at home to reach goals in class.

Education for ADHD and ADD children is not impossible and teachers should not just take a stance of acceptance.  Assuming that the child is going to do poorly simply because it is how they are is not going to benefit the child in the long run.  It is important to challenge the child and make education vital to them.  Children with ADHD and ADD simply learn different than other children.  Their mind works in a different manner than most people.  Therefore they simply need the education handed to them in a different manner.

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