June 30, 2009 8:12 PM
annanderson said...
The time has come for me to post my professional comment concerning an issue of my choice. I would like to share my thoughts on National Standards. I recently was reminded via an article written by Randi Weingarten, who is the President of the American Federation of teachers,that we do not have national standards for the teaching and learning curriculum. Randi Weingarten is proposing that a broad-based group made up of educators, elected officials,community leaders, and experts in pedagogy and particular content-come together to take the best academic standards and make them available as a national model. Some would argrue that education is a local issue, but there is a body of knowledge about what children should know and be able to do that should guide decisions about curriculum and testing.I believe that all children can and should achieve at high levels, and that benchmarks should be defined. All children attending U.S. public schools should be taught to high standards regardless of where they live. In order for this to be accomplished, there has to be national content standards established. What do you think?
July 3, 2009 5:50 AM

annanderson said...
What do you think about the following case senerio? Which response is the best possible response?Mrs Anderson, a second grade teacher schedules daily unstructured time for outdoor activities when students are abled to express themselves freely and learn about outdoor environments. She makes certatin that there is equipment and space available for the children to play games and sports, and she supports the students' engagement in activities as necessary. Mrs.Anderson's approach to physical activity may best be described as:A: An inapropriate approach as it does not require each child to learn and follow specific rules for participating in organized games.B: An appropriate approach for providing the studnets with time to release excess energy during the school day. C: An inappropriate approach that fails to provide the adequate structure that students at this age level require to develop fundamental motor skills.D: An appropriate approach that promotes the students' motor development by allowing them to choose activities they find most appealing.

July 3, 2009 6:03 AM
SinD said...
I agree with you that there has to be national standards. Why is it so difficult to have everyone on the same page?I recall a study in which students from a class were randomly selected to be in three groups: gifted, average and remedial. The children who were taught as though they were gifted excelled and many made great strides even though they had previously tested below average. The children who were left in the average group did more or less average work, very similar to their previous year's performance. And, you've probably guessed the lack of success that was recorded for the students in the third group. If we treated all children as though they were gifted, they would be challenged without boundaries!

July 3, 2009 3:08 PM
annanderson said...
Which of the following best describes the primary significance of play for young children's social development?
A. Play involves situations where children must learn to solve complex problems andindependently resolve conflicts with peers.

B. Play provides opportunities to practice social skills with other children by engaging in situations that involve adopting different roles.

C. Play is a means of exploring a variety of activities that will provide enjoyment during leisure time later in life.

D. Play is a means of learning about the complex social skills necesary to gain peer acceptance and popularity in adolescence.