Reaction-Reflection

> > **March 16: Article Reflection/Reaction**
 * Assignment Due: Feb. 23**
 * **Link: @http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html**
 * **TED Video Titled: "Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity"**
 * **Summary:**
 * ** "Schools kill creativity", as stated by Ken Robinson. His speech touched upon the ideas that our educational system extinguishes creativity in children. No matter where you are in the world, the same subject matters are taught. For example, math, reading, and writing/language arts are the most important subjects taught. Where do the "arts" fall.... at the bottom. Ken Robinson states that we need to bring BACK the gift of imagination and educate the "WHOLE" being. Intelligence is not just knowing your multiplication facts, intelligence is DIVERSE, DISTINCT, and INTERACTIVE. Creativity allows for new ideas, wonder, questioning, and it allows for kids to take chances! Kids now are driven to think that they should not make mistakes. Mistakes bring new opportunities and teachable moments. Ken Robinson says that academic ability is all education is about (now). He feels that we are just producing "university professors". We need to look at each child and allow their strengths to shine. Allow them to think, move, and prosper! **
 * **Reflection:**
 * **Wow! When listening to him speak, I began to question my own style and I began to think about my 24 students. Am I allowing for all their talents to be practiced? He brought up so many good points!! Sometimes I feel like all I do is test, test, test! What are my tests over?... math, reading, writing, science, social studies. He referenced the idea that no matter where you are, the education system is the same.... art is always at the bottom. SO TRUE! I know there are many schools where an art teacher is not present, thus the classroom teacher is responsible for it. With everything that we have to teach, how much time do they really have for art? Creativity allows for so much! Creativity is what should and can take us into the future. Allowing kids to think "outside the box" brings imagination, wonder, questioning, and new ideas that need to be brought into the classroom! Let's create!**
 * **Article: __The Case for Slow Reading__ By: Thomas Newkirk**

**Summary**- "To be quick is to be smart; to be slow is to be stupid". Thomas Newkirk makes a case for "slowness" in reading. He has found that there is a real pleasure in downshifting, in slowing down. People can gain some pleasures and meanings no other way. He poses the idea that "schools need to take a stand for an alternative to an increasingly hectic digital environment where so many of us read and write in severely abbreviated messages and through clicks of a mouse." He feels that reading has become a form of fast food... consume as quickly as possible. He offers some strategies for slowing down. These strategies allow us to savor, enjoy, and become inspired by what we are reading. The strategies are: memorizing (enables us to possess a text in a special way), reading aloud (well-chosen and well-read texts are one of the best advertisements for literacy), attending to beginnings (do not rush through the beginnings of stories; pay close attention), rethinking time limits on reading tests, annotating a page (allows kids to think, write, and reflect as they read), reading poetry, and savoring passages.

**Reaction**- What wonderful points!!! I have felt that some of my students do "rush" through their readings just to "get it done". When in reality, how much do they really get out of it when they simply scan through the words and they do not internalize what it means? I have asked some of my students to "slow down" and what a difference it has made! I thought it was an interesting point about how so many of us read/write in abbreviated messages because of our digital age. Text messaging, "tweeting", and instant messaging are on the rise! Kids are so drawn to this "fast-paced" way of life that sometimes they forget to "stop and smell the roses"- stop and pay close attention to what you are reading. I do think some of the strategies prove to be successful. My students ABSOLUTELY LOVE read aloud time. They are so drawn in to the story and there are many times that my class is saying, "please don't stop, keep reading!" Also, I find that my students read the books that I have read to them OR they may find other books by that author. Excitement for reading is where it all begins! Rethinking time limits on reading tests.... absolutely! Tests place too high a standard on speed. There are many students in my class (especially with computer-based assessments), that take a little longer to read a passage. Should they get penalized for that? What makes a good reader? Speed? It really makes you think!

 April 6: Article Reflection/Reaction Link:http://www.ted.com/talks/shukla_bose_teaching_one_child_at_a_time.html **TED Video Titled: "Shukla Bose: Teaching One Child at a Time"

 Summary: Shukla Bose is the founder and head of the Parikrma Humanity Foundation, a nonprofit that runs four extraordinary schools for poor children in India. She brings much hope for the children and people of India! She found that there were millions of kids who needed help in many areas. Shukla Bose feels that it is not a numbers game, rather each child should be treated as an individual. It is important to take one child at a time. What a wonderful experience to see the child complete the "circle of life".

Her dream for the children that grow up in slums is to get them prepared for school and to live a peaceful life. Education is the stepping stone for the kids to feel a sense of peace.

All of her schools teach English. There are myths out there saying, "kids from the slums can't speak English" and "parents that live in the slums aren't interested in education". Shukla Bose's response to these....WRONG! Children that live in "tough situations" do excel and the parents want their children to lead a better life; change is possible!

 Reaction: The hope and inspiration that Shukla Bose is bringing to these children is truly amazing! These children have been given an opportunity to change what was previously destined for them. The possibilities are endless! I LOVE her statement that "it is not a numbers game", and that "each child should be treated as an individual". The sense of belonging that she is instilling in each child allows for much growth on many different levels. These children have always been told, "you can't do it". Yet, it is Shukla Bose that is creating the "I CAN DO IT" attitude in all these children's minds. The odds and statistics are against them, but it is the determination of Shukla Bose, the parents, the children, and many other volunteers that are providing an opportunity and future for these children.

It takes just one person and one opportunity to change the way for many, and I feel that Shukla Bose has achieved it!** media type="custom" key="5805659" width="156" height="156" align="right"