Poor in America: Not a Blessing in Disguise

                                                                                     

The rich and middle class try to minimize the status of the American poor by comparing the things they have, to what third world poor do not have. Yet the American poor often go to bed hungry, have no heat or air conditioning, and have no access to major food stores. In addition, they often have poor educational opportunities. They also frequently have limited access to laundry facilities and millions of them have substandard housing or no housing at all. American poor wish for 69 cents to buy a small candy bar at a dollar store.

Nevertheless, the worse thing about being poor is not the things: it is the lack of respect and self-esteem. If one is poor, it is almost impossible to hide your status. Other people think they are just a little better and say, "You shouldn't have a pet. You can't afford one."

The non-poor can be heard asking, "Why are you buying that? You should only be buying nutritious products."

Yea, if you have money, it is fine to see poor as “not poor.” However, if they don't have money but still have a few things, they still do not feel that good about life. Having second hand TV's, air conditioners, etc., is not the same as buying new things that money provides the wealthy.

Let's give the American poor a break. Millions still need food, shelter, medicine, clothing, respect, and dignity. This is especially true in classrooms, if we expect to see students achieve at the same level as their suburban advantaged counterparts.

The Journey

This would be writer, photographer and friend is on a personal journey. Being truly successful in these three areas is elusive, even with a positive heart, soul, mind, spirit, and passion. The world seems to prefer silence. However, silence does not reveal any thoughts, love, or compassion. Is the world afraid? Perhaps it is jaded by apathy that can no longer sense an inner positive spirit. Perhaps it makes the world nervous to see someone openly "dancing in the rain." As I say, we are traveling a beautiful path and we must learn to enjoy each step of the way. Since we have not traveled this path before, we do not know when it will end.

Teaching with the Brain in Mind

            Teaching without knowing brain and learning research is comparable to reading by candlelight. It can be done but not with much effectiveness.  There is little reason for a teacher to be unfamiliar with the latest learning research. Dozens of free websites pump out research results, proven classroom management methods, and techniques for teaching skills students need. Likewise, self-help ideas, original scientific and historical documents, and free courses are available by just a touch of a screen.

Teachers, who rely on a textbook and memorization of facts, need to go to a blog such as http://www.edutopia.org/spiralnotebook/ben-johnson. Once teachers and parents have assimilated this kind of information, education will never be the same. Ben emphasizes the importance of teaching by projects. Project-based learning helps students remember information and feel good about learning.

By using project-based learning, students function in the real world, producing a project that demonstrates what they have learned. This product can be a structure, play, website, technology project, or portfolio. It must be a hands-on project, based on research, collaboration, or other study.

Another site that can change parents, teachers, and students is http://www.radteach.com/page34/page34.html. Here Dr. Judy Willis, the acclaimed neurologist explains ten things parents and teachers can do to maximize learning. Reviewing her memory tips helped generate some dormant ideas which I have been blended with hers.

1.    A classroom needs to be a happy positive place free from stress. Chronic over-secretion of stress hormones has a negative effect on brain function, especially memory.

2.    Experience has shown that students enjoy being greeted by name and a positive comment. It is the respectful habit to have with everyone anyway.

Maya Angelou says, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

3.   Use music and posters to advertise what will be happening in class. Having renowned poets reading their poems as students enter class sets a positive tone for writing lessons. The Internet makes it possible to have the best authors, artists, scientist, and world leaders as virtual guests.

4.   Add color to PowerPoint presentations and encourage students to use different color of paper and ink.

“Complex as the brain is, it still loves the simple things (color, movement, and gentle music), to help it learn more easily and remember better, stronger, longer.” (Meeks, 2011)

5.   Students need to use variety in demonstrating what they have learned. Written reports have their place but Twitter, Facebook, websites, PowerPoint, cartoons, models, and email are just a few of the ways that students can demonstrate their new knowledge.

6.   Original research is often neglected but a valuable way for students to practice language skills.

7.   Provide students with time to study patterns. For example, we say history repeats itself. Encourage students to look for examples of this has happened in modern times.

8.   Students need opportunities to use what they have learned so that the information is stored in long-term memory. Whether they write, sing, dance, or make a movie about the new information does not matter. It is important that the information is used in an interesting and meaning way.

9.   Review information at the beginning of the next lesson. This helps keep the information available for immediate access.

Before the brain will store information in long term-memory, the information must be
meaningful. This is why items 1 through 8 are critical. They help students see the
information a relevant.

10.  Dr. Willis also emphasizes the importance of variety in learning activities. She says, "Neurotransmitters, brain transport proteins, needed for memory construction and attention are depleted after as little as ten minutes of doing the same activity. Synapses are brain-breaks where you change the learning activity to let the brain chemicals replenish."

If nothing else kicks us in the head, Dr. Willis’ number 10 must. Reminder: A classroom needs to be place where the teacher and students are having fun learning difficult things.

11.  Technology – iPod Option

Teachers who have an iPod only need to visit www.apple.com to see a multitude of applications that will make teaching easier and learning more exciting. For example, “TED presents talks from some of the world's most fascinating people: education radicals, tech geniuses, medical.” My imagination goes wild with the possibilities. There must be hundreds of educational applications for the iPad2. It makes my website www.rogcmh.web.officelive.com look like an orphan. However, it is a nice little orphan that you and others interested in studying almost any topic will enjoy visiting.

12.  The reason a classroom becomes a dull uninteresting place is because the teacher and students have lost their passion. Even without the boost that comes with technology, project-based learning and other hands-on learning can revive students and teachers. The teacher will no longer need to say, “I have to teach for the state test.”

Summary  

Judy Willis and other researches remind us that when students participate in engaging learning activities in well-designed, supportive, cooperative groups, there is a positive emotional response in the brain. The pleasure of learning with one's peers increases the brain's release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that increases pleasure, motivation, perseverance through challenges, and resilience to setbacks.

_______________________

Angelou, Maya (African American writer, poet; activist; born Marguerite Ann Johnson, 1928)

Meek, J Collins PhD, THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, July 20th,   
               2011http://www.docmeek.com/author/admin/, accessed July 23, 2011

Harry & Rosemary Wong: Effective Teaching - Teachers.Net Gazette

Harry & Rosemary Wong: Effective Teaching - Teachers.Net Gazette

Yin and Yang of Writing

      Many writers talk about how much fun they have writing. Writing about a topic that you have a passion sharing with others can be a wonderful experience. Maybe you see writing as an opportunity to help others, too. Learning about what has been happening by researching related issues can have intellectual and stimulating impact on a writer. The anticipation and discussing of issues with friends and other authors adds zest to one's life. These positive experiences alone may be reason enough to write. If nothing else, our brain is healthier and we have more fulfilling lives. This is the Yang, active, positive force, and may be enough to keep most of us writing forever. However, there is a dark side that writers do not like to mention.

The negative and dark yin, side of writing that authors tend to ignore needs to be considered. Five hundred thousand plus titles were published worldwide in 2009. One hundred seventy-two thousand of these were in the United States. Now that electronic publication, self-publishing and publishing-on-demand are popular, the number of titles may have increased. Therefore, the chances of someone becoming rich and famous have decreased. Most titles sell less than one hundred copies.

 Publishing and marketing is big business. There are companies and individuals eager to embrace you and ensure you that they can help you become an Amazon.com or New York Times best seller. They will bombard you with email offering free webinar and teleconferences. These free webinar and teleconferences often provide excellent resourses and information. They always conclude with a pitch for expensive offers for coaching, seminars, or other training programs.

 Writers will have no trouble finding a publisher. Some will pay a small finder’s fee without seeing your book. Others will charge a few hundred dollars because you are a "first time author." At all stages, "the buyer must beware" and pay no fees and sign no contracts without the approval of an “intellectual property rights attorney.” Experience taught me to use intellectual property rights lawyers before making decisions about book contracts, website, and copyright issues. Their expertise can save the writer in many ways.

 It is common for an author to have a sound educational background in writing, publishing, and marketing or have money to hire the support that will supplement the hard work and passion for his topic. Other ways to get the support include writing clubs, friends, and workshops. Determined writers can find a way to improve their craft and find the support they need. The Yin does not have to overpower the Yang.

Suggested reading:

Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction, Michael A. Arnzen  (Editor), Heidi Ruby Miller,
 

Heidi Ruby Miller (Editor)

› Visit Amazon's Heidi Ruby Miller Page

Find all the books, read about the author, and more.

See search results for this author

Are you an author? Learn about Author Central

(Editor)

 

Heidi Ruby Miller (Editor)

› Visit Amazon's Heidi Ruby Miller Page

Find all the books, read about the author, and more.

See search results for this author

Are you an author? Learn about Author Central

(Editor)

Come On, Speak to Me

Before writing about a topic, thinking, talking, and fantasy writing transpires for days. Then, dictionary.com provides a definition for the main words that have been running through the head. The left-brain needs to communicate with the right-brain more so that these steps are reversed. Communication¹ has been the issue bouncing around in grey matter for some time. Many thoughts and concerns have tried to determine whether the correct amount of water, oxygen, and fuel have been available to assist in all that needs to be happening. The reader will be the final judge.
One-way communication is a concern. Someone makes a comment and there is "dead silence," if there is such a thing. Guilt lies on these shoulders but that is a difficult habit to break. Nevertheless, it must be broken. When someone makes a comment, the listener needs to say something, at least nod his or her head, or at least smile. Nonverbal communication is better than no communication.
Many people have this crazy habit. It’s annoying in one-on-one conversation and it could have changed history. An acorn falls on Chicken Licken's head in an English fable and she says, “The sky is falling in.” If Cocky Lockey looks at her with a blank stare, that pretty much ends that conversation and the fable dies. Thank goodness, Cocky Lockey speaks up and everyone escapes from an enemy and live happily ever after.
      This blank stare response in a group meeting can be rather embarrassing. A discussion is going on and a participant says, “Similar programs have caused problems in at least one other community that had low income families.” Once again, six other participations were completely silent.
      In both examples, the communication was negative. Appropriate questions and comments usually eliminate embarrassment and hard feelings. Questions and comments also show respect to speakers. Respectful two-way communication is always preferred to awkward one-way communication. Adding a smile and eye contact are personal touches that help to make the communication more effective.

¹The exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior

Surprise Teacher

You are not "a teacher" but find yourself in a teaching position with a church or maybe a not-for-profit organization. Perhaps you are "reluctant teacher" or at the other end of the spectrum and thinking, "Anyone can do this." The significance to your position is not where you are teaching, how you got to this point, nor whether you receive pay or are a volunteer. Another fact that may be of interest is that teaching children, teenagers, and adults requires very similar skills. Following some basic principles of instruction will help you be an effective teacher and result in your students feeling good about their learning experiences.

The fundamental key to everyone’s success is preparation. If you are not prepared, no amount of charm, charisma, or positive thinking will hold the students' attention or give you the success you want. If you have a good instructor’s manual, you have a good foundation for your instruction. Most manuals usually provide many helpful hints.

Preparation begins with goal setting. Once you have established written goals for the course and each lesson, you can begin to determine course content details. After you have determined the goals or outcomes for your students; then, you can begin to determine how you want to get your message across.     

·                    Lectures

·                    Visual Presentations

·                    CSI Style Discovery Methods (hands-on
                   activities)

·                    Group Reading with Questions and Answers

·                    Internet Research followed by Group
                   Presentations

Lesson preparation and appropriate teaching methods go together to help students learn. However, even more critical is how teachers communicate with students. Communication, verbal and non-verbal, interpreted by students as negative, obliterate intended messages. Messages perceived negatively cause the learning brain to shut down.

For example, a student may ask, "Why are we studying this?" If the teacher says, “We will cover that later." Many students see this comment as being dismissive, causing the student to feel unimportant.

Alternative responses could be, "That is a good question. Can I get back to you in a couple of minutes?" or "Good question. If it's okay, I'd like to cover that a little later." These second responses reaffirm the student but still allow the teacher to meet her goals.

A couple of examples demonstrate how a teacher can show respect to a student. Another example: A shy student makes an incorrect statement, "The woman is working as a gardener, but earlier she worked in the governor's office."

 The instructor says, "No, the writer was talking about two different women." The student shuts down and offered no additional comments for the discussion that day.

The instructor could have shown respect to the student and been inclusive by saying something such as," I see how you could get that understanding. (Show acceptance of the student.) However, if you look at paragraphs three and five again, I think you will see the author is referring to just one woman." (Respecting the student's ability to see what the author wrote.)

In summary, teaching includes knowing the topic, knowing several ways to present the information, and most importantly, know how to communicate with students in a respectful manner. Showing respect verbally and non-verbally insures students will enjoy learning difficult things.

Be Alert – Write Now

There is no time like now to begin transforming your brain. In his book, 20 Years Younger, Bob Greene describes how consistently following a vigorous exercise program can transform our bodies. Even though we may have neglected to do so for many years, we can start now and the body will repair itself, once we do the appropriate things. I am proposing that to save our brain, one thing we can do is , write ten to thirty minutes per day, several days each week.

Writing for others is challenging but fun and it may be something you have had in the back of your mind for many years. It is not easy and requires discipline and learning. According to UC Irvine neurobiologists Lulu Chen and Christine Gall, everyday forms of learning animate neuron receptors that help keep the brain cells functioning at optimum levels. (Nauert, 2010)

An article in Newsweek reported that individuals who combined exercise and a healthy diet with mental exercises and stress reduction techniques showed significant improvements in both their brain functions and metabolism. (Barrett, 2006) Writing provides the mental exercise in this equation.

Writing is a perfect brain exercise. To begin with, many people think, "I have this personal story that I want to write about and share with my family. I do not care if anyone else ever sees it but I want to share my history. I also want exemplary writing." Others say, "I have had a very interesting career or fulfilling life. So much has happened to me, I need to share my experiences with others."

There are many reasons to write. Come on: you will find it fun and may bring joy to many people. On the other hand, just staying mentally active as we age can keep those neurons signaling at a constant rate, which may limit memory and cognitive decline. If these are the only benefits to writing, I say, "Let's do it."

_____________________

Barrett, Jennifer, HEALTHY CHOICE, Newsweek, 00289604, 6/12/2006, Vol. 147, Issue 24

Vasich, Tom. "Learning helps keep brain healthy, UCI researchers find." Uc Irvine Today - News Release. March 02, 2010. http://www.today.uci.edu/news/2010/03/nr_gall_100302.php (accessed June 11, 2011).

Reunion: The Big One

I just returned from a high school reunion. When I received the invitation my first thought was, “Someone made a mistake. I am not that old.”

This “crazy” brain went into overdrive: “Well, it’s been several decades since I’ve attended; so, I’ll go. It’s Memorial Day weekend and I’ll be in the area anyway. After all, the whole school had only 100 students. There will be few strangers at the potluck event. On the way, stop at Wal-Mart, purchase some snacks, show up, and see what happens.”

 Can’t you just hear the excitement and passion?

In a word, the event was terrific. Eighty-one percent of “the class” is still living and in pretty good health. Next, the 39% of “the class” that attended the event seemed to be rather content. In many ways, it seemed that those teachers of long ago did their jobs well. At the time, they did not know that they were teaching budding musicians, business owners, military men, politicians, government workers, educators, and others. I am proud of my fellow classmates and ole teachers.

 So, what does this have to do with education? In this small rural community, those teachers are not remembered because of the number of degrees they held. Those teachers, some still living, are respected because they loved their students and passionately taught subjects that they believed were important. How they expressed their concern for each of us and their love of teaching lasts a lifetime. If you have a chance to go to a reunion, it might be worth the effort.

Award Winning Teachers

Award winning teachers are pleasant people. They are passionate about life in general and they are especially passionate about their work. They know they could be doing other work but they love helping learners succeed. They not only help students, but also have that wonderful ability that seems to encourage parents, administrators, and colleagues to work as a team. I understand everyone cannot be in this category but we can learn from these positive examples.

Even though all of us cannot be the No. 1 teacher, we can can strive for effectiveness. We can ensure that each student has learning experiences that are enjoyable and prepare him/her for success. Each student must feel respected and believe the teacher has made a significant effort to get to know him/her so that instruction is appropriate. This needs to be our goal.