Six Needs

Lisa Guernsay recently gave a presentation regarding digital media in early education. But rather than jump in and begin discussing the pros and cons of using media with young children she reviewed what she believed to be the six needs that students have. They are as follows:

• "attachment and security
•  conversational partners
•  early exposure to new words and ideas
• physical movement and hands-on exploration
• practice at self-regulating
•  deeper learning."

http://ispilledthebeans.blogspot.com/2011/01/improve-your-vocabulary.html

Many times we get so wrapped up in a debate about a certain topic, such as whether or not we should use digital books or only physical books with children, when the whole time we aren’t focusing on what the students need the most. Guernsay made a good point in calling everyone’s attention back to the basics. If we are not supporting our children with these fundamentals then how much does it really matter if they are using a Kindle or a paperback?

I think we can all take a page out of Guernsay’s book and take time to reflect about what is the most imperative for your students at this time. Perhaps setting aside a certain time of the year to do so would be beneficial. You could take Christmas break to really assess whether or not you are giving students the basics that they need and then work to improve upon them and add the icing on top.

I hope to one day work in a school where I am supported in my reflective process.

Guernsay’s blog is found here: A Modest Proposal for Digital Media in Early Childhood

Budget Cuts May Cost Disadvantaged

In my blog post found at Early Ed - NC on the Verge focuses on a current issue going on in North Carolina. The state budget is in the process of being ratified and early education programs will be getting the ax if the General Assembly overrides the governor’s veto. 

http://community.mis.temple.edu/stephanierobinson/2011/04/07/hello-world/

The program known as Smart Start currently services under privileged children and “focuses on improving the quality of child care in the subsidy system and provides services related to children’s health and family engagement.” If this proposed budget goes through the program may stay open but it may take cut backs. They may also have to start charging for what they are able to provide for free currently. That would mean that the children who need to be in the program the most would face the most challenges to do so.

I don’t have the solution for this situation because I don’t know the all the complex details that go into putting together a budget but I do think that money should not be taken from educational endeavors. How do we expect our country to go forward and be competitive if we aren’t willing to invest in our youth? 

I hope Smart Start can continue doing the good that it does in North Carolina.

Quality Early Education Programs Correlated with Low Arrest Rates

Lisa Guernsey writes in her post entitled “Study Highlights the 25-Year Impact of a Chicago PreK-3rd Program” about the long-term effects discovered through a study done by Arthur Reynolds, child development professor at the University of Minnesota. Some preschoolers were enrolled in a program known as “extended intervention” the control group was cared for their parents or relatives and around 15% did attend head start. 

http://www.globaldailystar.com/at-what-age-should-you-send-kids-to-preschool/7598/preschool-kids/

The advantages of the “extended intervention” are reported to be widespread and have shown themselves even 25 years later. Those who completed the program:
• “Stayed in school longer
• Completed high school at higher rates
• Graduated from high school on-time at higher rates
• Had higher socio-economic status
• Had a job with higher prestige”

It is also reported that the experimental group had less involvement in the justice system and fewer arrests. 

I think that this study speaks volumes for ways to assist inner-city children. School systems located in large cities should take a look at these results and see if it is possible to adapt such programs for their own populace. 


(http://earlyed.newamerica.net/blogposts/2011/study_highlights_the_25_year_impact_of_a_chicago_prek_3rd_program-52909)

Book vs. eBook

My blog (20) is Early Ed Watch and the post I chose to comment on is entitled "Learning to Read: Will E-Books Help or Hinder?"

(found at this site: http://earlyed.newamerica.net/blogposts/2011/learning_to_read_will_e_books_help_or_hinder-52170 and continued on the following link: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/printissuecurrentissue/890540-427/are_ebooks_any_good.html.csp)

The blog, overall, deals with issues surrounding the education of all American children from birth to eight years old. This blog post, in specific, is focused on the pros and cons of using electronic books with young children. The blog post is connected to another site which hosts the entire article that the author, Lisa Guernsey, wrote for the “School Library Journal.” 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Laptop-ebook.jpg

Many different teachers and reading specialists weigh in on whether or not eBooks aid students or just cause more confusion. One good point that is made early on is delving into the definition of “eBook.” An electronic book could be anything from a PDF file to an animated feature that is 75% or more pure animation with very little actual text. Some eBooks have narration and mark what word is being said at what time. Others include games, quizzes and activities.

An advantage of an eBook is that more students can have access to many materials. At the same time, many fear that eBooks will be the demise of the appreciation and understanding of physical books, as well as the books themselves.

The one point that really resonated with me was what Julie Hume, a reading specialist in University City, MO, stated. She said, “When students repeatedly have a strong model of fluency, the more they hear that, the better they get it.” For this reason I think eBooks would be a wonderful resource for students who do not have English speaking parents at home. It is a well known statistic that children do better at reading if they are read to at home. When that is not an option an eBook, with a narrator could fill in some of those gaps.

I am excited to see where the electronic book will lead us and what benefits all individuals can receive from it.

CULT & SPED

My two online courses for this summer are currently both accessible and I am super pumped about it. The beginning of the semester is always the best. The enthusiasm for the new content is high, the smell of sharpened pencils is in the air, you know the drill! 

http://charlottesings.wikispaces.com/Diversity+Resource+Guide

My CULT class is Education in a Democratic Society and touches on many topics I've covered in education courses from Calvin. But I'm excited to revisit them and share my insights in the many blog posting assignments.


The SPED class is Introduction to Exceptionalities, a Special Education class, and is reminiscent of EDUC 202. I've already been so inspired and moved by the films and youtube clips provided for this online class.


All this to say: GET ME IN A CLASSROOM STAT!


And ps - I need more info on Teach for America and similar programs.