How Can We Make High Schools Better
Trying to make US High schools better is an ongoing question. There is a history of continuous failures in the last fifteen years to prove it. Our high schools require major overhaul in order to improve. In a 2013 report by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, they listed ten researched principles that are critical to building high performing schools:... Read More
Should We be Teaching Gun Safety in schools?
It was inevitable! In light of the recent shooting in Orlando and nationwide shootings across the country including Sandy Hook, it was bound to happen. Along with math, science, art and social studies we could see gun safety becoming a part of the school curriculum! Missouri public schools passed a law this week for gun safety to become a part... Read More
The Benefits of Outdoor Play for Children
Obesity is a grave concern in the US and elsewhere. But we seem to be growing fatter as a nation. Obesity among the student population seems to be growing. According to studies done by the CDC in 2012, more than one third of all children and adults are overweight or obese. This is an 18 % increase from the 1980s.... Read More
Activities to Do with Your Child Over Summer Break
It’s that time of the year when teachers bid farewell to students hoping that their previous students do not forget what they have learned over the past year. Parents are also left with the responsibility of keeping their children both mentally and physically engaged. As students break for the summer, parents can be left with a dilemma of how to... Read More
New York Expands Gifted Programs Will be Extended to Everyone!
The article, “New York to Expand Offerings as Disparities Remain”, by Elizabeth A. Harris points out that the Education Department recently noted that the number of students who scored high enough too qualify for New York’s gifted and talented program rose. However, the neighborhoods in which these children reside in, fall into a familiar pattern. In the wealthy districts, many... Read More
Brain Science in the classroom
According to How Children Succeed by Paul Tough there are certain characteristics that cannot be taught like academics in the classroom. The book focuses on how listening can change the brain. Qualities like grit, curiosity and character must be taught to children early on. However, for kids that face adversity this may become impossible. Tough refers to a study that... Read More
The Characteristics of an Effective School Team
Schools can rise and fall according to the strength of their teams. Well functioning leaders and their teams can be essential for the continuity of an educational institution. Effective teams strengthen leadership, improve teaching and learning as well as nurturing relationships within a school’s system. Team building and its leadership can synergistically secure the district’s achievement both academically and socially.... Read More
Anti-Muslim, Anti-refugee Growing Sentiments in Schools
There has been growing anti-Muslim, anti-refugee sentiment in US schools. Many high school students are experiencing tensions within schools and colleges. Many American students most of whom were not even born til after September 11, are coming of age in an era of “war on terror” abroad. In the months since the Paris and San Bernadino attacks have added to... Read More
Nurturing Creativity
During certain holidays like Halloween kids often display amazing creativity. You can help foster that creativity in your own kids. To some creativity is a vague concept that only a rare few multimillionaires and the successful population possess. But creativity is characterized by the ability to perceive the world in new ways. Creativity involves two processes: A) thinking then producing... Read More
Is the US Getting Dumber?
Upon self-reflection, I often thought to myself are we actually getting smarter? It sounds pessimistic but let’s really analyze the question. Once again this election season, I feel the need to ponder on the question at hand. Elections these days have focused on bullying, name calling or minority bashing instead focusing on the the issue of education amongst others. The... Read More