Reasoning Capacity

Children do not have full brain capacity until the age of 25 years old. The brain of a teenager has not fully developed. The pruning process of brain development is most active during teen years. This is the time teaching, and developing critical thinking skills is most important. The brain is very social during this period. Many changes are taking place. Discipline, sleep, and novelty become major issues in the teenage life. Teachers need to pay attention to when a teenager is changing their behavior or critical thinking skills. It marks a major time in their life that will affect their adulthood.

Blogging in the Classrrom

There are many opportunities to blog about in the classroom. The topics could vary from classroom management techniques to assessments to computer classes. It is a good opportunity to allow educators to share information about instruction and the classroom. It is also a good opportunity to receive support from other educators. 

Music and Math

Students inclined to musical talents do not receive the support that they should inside of the traditional classroom. However, my school offers students the following options: general music, band, or choir. They must choose one as an elective and they can choose the another as an after school activity.

Math is often difficult for students. Sometimes it is because teachers have not received proper training, other times it is because students may not have prior knowledge of the subjects from home. Teachers need to understand in order to reach all students, they first must be well equipped in the subject area or find another teacher who is.  

Reading and Language

I taught ELL for many years in Arizona. There is a large population of 2nd language learners. I was always taught students should have as many opportunities to speak English outside of the classroom as possible. I always encouraged parents to find a tutor for ELD students for language arts. Many of the parents could not speak, read, or write English either. But, the video has given me a new way to view 2nd language learners. Many of them are reading delayed. Possibly if I placed more emphasis on embracing their native language while learning English I may have better results.

Relational

Relating with my students means connecting with them as a teacher, mentor, mother, and counselor. I have several roles that I use to motivate and teach them. I share my own stories of academic successes and challenges to help inspire them.  

Emotions and Learning

It is important to understand the emotional state of my students when they arrive at school. Some students come from stressful environments and are unable to learn. I need to seek new ways (routines, smaller tasks, and varied activities) to maintain a calm environment. Also, I need to stay in constant communication with parents and other teachers to help students with attention disorders receive the help that they need.

Vision and Hearing

Vision

Functioning eyes and a good working brain allows kids to interpret environmental information. Kids use street signs and books to understand how letters and words work. Parts of the vision that does not work properly cannot interpret environmental information and the brain may lose the information over time. For example, when kids are born with cataracts they lose the full function of seeing light and dark. If cataracts are not removed early, their brain may lose the ability to lose part of its function. The eyes are the camera and the brain must be able to use what the eyes sees. Kids need to go to the eye doctor regularly. Warning signs kids that kids should go to the eye doctor are: one eye drifts or aims in a different direction, turns or tilts head to see. Squinting or closing one eye to see, headaches or eye strain, and double vision.

Hearing   

Sound travels like waves. The ears translate the waves. Hearing is the ability to separate sounds and make meaning from the signals. The ability develops with experience with sounds during infancy and childhood. For example, loud repetitive sounds cause poor organization of processing. A child’s development is dependent on their hearing. Problems need to be addressed as early as possible. Good hearing is crucial for the development of a child’s learning. Kids born with hearing problems may have speech problems.  If a child receives a hearing implant early, the child has a good chance of never developing speech problems. Kids with long term hearing problems may develop reading and other delays later in their life.