Essential Questions

I always found it difficult to understand articles in Wikipedia. i don't know what it is about that website- maybe I always have a negative approach to it because I know pretty much anyone can enter that site and type up anything they want about something they know nothing about. Anyway, in reference to the Wiki article, I thought the part about world literacy was interesting, mainly because it's something I am considering using in my Child Advocacy final paper. I also thought the definition of literacy was right on target. Regarding the debate of which practice is better in teaching literacy, I personally feel that no matter how many times you exercise lessons in the classroom, a kid isn't going to become a good reader until he, well- reads. Obviously, the student has to understand how to read, but I always felt that reading out loud with a child is the best experience in literacy a kid can have.

I think any event where child literacy gets the spotlight is a good thing. I thought The Greatest Art article was interesting; for awhile I was interested in illustrating books but then i realized I wasn't as good as an artist as I thought I was. I use children's books all the time at work (the NJ Children's Museum) and I always look for books that showcase great pictures along with a good story. That's what catches the kids' eyes- it's all about the pictures. If you read a story about ocean animals without pictures, and asked kids what animals were in the story, odds are you wouldn't get as many responses if you read the book with big, bright illustrations of whales, seahorses, turtles, etc. I was also obsessed with Eric Carle books when I was younger, so now I know there's a museum dedicated to his work from this article.

The third article really saddened me, and I know there are many districts with the same situation. The teachers fought hard to make a difference in kids' lives and to do their job- teach, help children learn, make a difference. When you become a teacher, one of your duties does not include being the lap dog of the superintendent or anyone else who makes such harsh and unfair decisions. Education should not go hand-in-hand with politics, but these days it does, and it's really sad that people threaten the education of children, especially of low-income families, just to try to prove they're right. Everyone has different beliefs and intentions, especially in education, but that does not mean that anyone has the right to interfere and control being who are just trying to do their jobs. This educator worked like crazy to assist non-English speaking children to achieve. When did that ever become such a bad thing? Why would the district allow for corporate individuals to just walk right into their schools and tell teachers how to do their jobs? Nothing in education should be so artificial and unfair, yet it's a problem educators deal with all the time. I'm happy for the educator in the article that she was able to step up and speak out. Sure, she lost her job by doing so, but she did the right thing, and for all the right reasons.

Overall, I'm really scared to teach one day. There's so many things you have to take in consideration- the politics of it, parents, lesson plans, testing, peers, etc. things that you don't realize are part of teaching until you're in your classroom. I think it's really important to stand up for what you believe in and to put children first. I also think I have a lot to learn about before I have my own classroom one day.

first post

Hello! My name is Rachel Dreifuss and I am 24 years old. I just finished my first semester here at MSU. I graduated from Monmouth University last year. I'm getting certified in Elem. Ed. and Child Advocacy. I'm trying not too be too overwhelmed between classes, work, and planning my May wedding, but that seems inevitable. I work at the NJ Children's Museum and I love it! I really have no clue what to be typing right now.
Cheers