Healthy Foods Lead to Healthy Minds

School lunch is something that I vividly remember about elementary school. I remember the smell of the cafeteria, where I sat in the cafeteria and with whom I sat with, and the types of food that I used to eat. These memories will be with me forever. I enjoyed going to lunch when I was a student. I got to get out of class and gain all my energy that had been lost during the course of the day. I still remember the food that they used to (and still do) serve: pizza, chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, nachos, french fries, etc. Are these the foods that schools should be serving everyday?
--I don't think so. I understand that it is not the school's fault about what type of food that is being served. It is the state/county in which the school is located. However, are schools doing anything to stop this food that is being served? I haven't heard of it. Students, especially at this age, need to have nutritious lunches that serve the function of getting their brains better able to think and perform in order for them to do well in their classes. On ABC, there is a reality show where chef Jamie Oliver goes around to different elementary schools in West Virginia and shows them that the food that they are serving their children is unhealthy. I think that all schools in the nation need to understand that the student lunch should be filled with only nutritional options so that students have less of an option to eat food that is not healthy for them.
--If schools started to serve healthier lunches than the U.S. obesity rate would decrease and maybe students would be able to think about their school work more because they are not full of the unhealthy options of the cafeteria. Teaching children might become easier...Healthy food leads to healthy minds.

Technology...What is it Good For?

Technology in the classroom is such an important aspect to many schools. Teachers can use computers, Smart Boards, overhead projectors, etc to enhance their student's learning. I believe that this is such an important aspect to schools because technology allows for a more interactive classroom. It allows students to be more engaged in the lessons and have a more hands-on learning environment.

--When I was in elementary school, computers were not used as much for instruction. They were there for personal use and for teachers to input grades. The only technology that I really used in these grades was the overhead projector. The teacher would place something on the projector that she wanted the students to learn and then the students were expected to pay attention.

--Technology has come such a long way since this point. Now, most schools in the country are equipped with Smart Board technology. Smart Boards allow students to be interactive in the lesson that the teacher is trying to teach. They allow for the teacher to make up a game and allow the students to play it on the Smart Board because this technology can allow for a simple touch of the finger to turn into a learning experience.

--When I become a teacher I hope to implement a lot of technology into my lessons because I feel that it allows teachers more freedom and flexibility within lessons. I really want my students to be engaged in the lessons and I feel that this is the best way possible for my students to be able to do just that.

Teachers vs. Athletes--Who's Going to Win?

--About a decade ago, teachers were in high demand. Schools all over the country were in need of great teachers to fill the many positions that needed to be filled. This was the time when teaching was the profession that everyone was after and all most anyone who had a degree in education would be able to get a job.



--However, now teaching is a job that is starting to fizzle out because of the economy. School systems are having to cut teachers and cut their budget in order for the state to have enough money to fund other projects that they find is a 'necessity'. I find this to be a tragedy. States need to realize that schools should not be the one to lose money or teachers because they are the ones that are going to be the future of this country. We need to be able to educate our students for them to learn the necessary materials to become successful.



--I know that when I graduate there will not be that many teaching jobs available because of these budget cuts. Does this really help students? I really think that these cuts are hindering the ability of the students and I don't think that it is right that new teachers are not able to find jobs.



--How come football players like Tim Tebow (or any other athlete for that matter) can find a job playing football and teachers can't seem to find work. I really do not think this is fair because teachers are how this world is going to succeed; teachers are the ones that help children learn all the necessary things that they will need in order to grow up and become doctors, lawyers, farmers, and even pro-athletes.


---I love this country but I think we need to see what the most important picture is: teachers/education or pro sports? Don't get me wrong, I probably love sports more than anyone but I know what this country needs at this time and sports should not be number one on the list.

Goals, Goals, Goals....and Sam Bradford

--Goal setting is such an important aspect of elementary school. Goals can help students achieve things in their lives that they never thought possible. It can help lead them to become successful adults and become whomever they wish to become.

--Teaching students to set goals for themselves is something that, as a teacher, I want to be sure to incorporate into my daily lesson planning because I want my students to be successful. To help students with goal setting, I might have them keep a personal journal or dream book that they can write in that allows them to describe what they want to accomplish and how they want to accomplish it. I may incorporate this into a writing circle setting that will allow them to share (if they choose) their goals with their peers in the group. This will help the students hear what types of goals and aspirations other students in the class have and wish to accomplish.

--Having students keep personal dream books will help students keep track of their dreams and it will also give them something to look at when they feel as if they are not fulfilling certain 'standards' that are placed on them. This goal setting activity can be taught alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and how he had goals for how he wished the world would look and how he thought these goals could be accomplished. Students would really benefit from goal setting to ensure they are understanding that they can and will become anything they want to be if they just put there mind to it. A perfect quote for this: Shoot for the moon because if you miss you'll still land among the stars.

--Quarterback Sam Bradford is a perfect example of how goal setting helps students succeed in life. Sam Bradford has always been one to follow his heart and his dreams and this has payed off. Not only is he following his dream and goal of making it to the NFL, but he has also fulfilled his dream of graduating from college at the University of Oklahoma with a degree in finance. He didn't want to just go to college to play football in order to make a lot of money---he did something that would allow him success no matter where he goes. He also has a goal of being an active member of his community and has done this through volunteering with countless organizations such as the Special Olympics. And this is something for students to strive for.

--On a personal note, I just bought my bridesmaid's dress for my brother's wedding and I am so excited!!! June 20th can't come soon enough! :) I am also in the process of putting together a dvd slideshow consisting of pictures throughout their life as one of their gifts for their wedding :)

Exercising for a Cause

Physical activity is an importnat part of helping children (especially elementary age) become healthier. With this being said, I think it's horrible how school divisions and states are deciding that physical education should be the first thing cut during the school budget meetings.

--When I was in elementary school, I had P.E. twice a week. I really do not think that this is enough phyiscal exericse for a child. P.E. needs to be that 'something' that children can use as a stress relief. For instance, on average children only get 30-40 minutes for P.E. during their scheduled block of time. And in this block of time, students are only moving for an average of 15 minutes. This just isn't enough.

--Schools should have students participate in some type of phyiscal activity such as P.E., recess, etc. every single day of the school year. This can relieve stress and get the students to have some fun and focus more on school work.

--For example, when I was participating in P.E. I look back and realize that I was more energetic and more focused on the work that I was given after I took a break to participate in the physical exercise. This just proves that this is what children need.

--Many states are only worried about having students pass their state mandated tests. This is important, don't get me wrong, but I think if testing was mixed with daily physical exercise then states would see scores improve. Exercise is the key to focusing.

--Speaking of exercising, this weekend is Relay for Life and I am really excited to be able to participate. I am relaying for a cure and for a purpose....because cancer never sleeps.

Creating Equal Bluedevils

--I believe that all students should be created equal. As a teacher, I find it hard to keep up with this equality on a day to day basis. One way I have seen numerous teachers trying to be fair in their teaching process is in the use of equity sticks and random number/letter generators. When I was in school, my teachers would make us decorate a Popsicle stick at the beginning of the year with our name on it. This way, when the teacher needed volunteers or someone to answer a question, she would not be asking the same students all the time.

--I believe that these various devises are needed in all classrooms. Not only do they give the students a feeling of having an equal chance at participating, but they also keep the students paying attention to the material and the lesson at hand because they are constantly wondering if their stick is going to be pulled out of the jar next or if the computer is going to pick their number.

--As a student, I dreaded these 'equality' demonstrations because I was always one to only volunteer an answer when I knew for sure that I was right...I never wanted to be wrong. However, looking back on the experiences that I had, these 'equality' devices allowed me to make sure that I understood the material and to make sure that I was paying attention at all times.

--It's sort of like a double sided coin: looking for equality while also making sure students are paying attention.

On a more personal note, I am very excited about the possibility of (once again) living up in Northern Virginia (Loudoun County) for the summer while living with my aunt, uncle, and cousin....I have already applied to numerous jobs and keeping my fingers crossed that one of them will want to hire me. :)

Spring into SOLs

Spring is such a wonderful time of the year and today is no exception! It was so beautiful with the warm weather, birds chirping, bees buzzing, and flowers blooming.

-Even though Spring is such an amazing time, many teachers in Virginia begin dreading this time of year because of three little words: Standards of Learning, or what many people call SOLs. I believe that testing a child to see what type of progress that he/she is making in school is a great thing: it allows for a teacher to get a sense of where he/she is at and what he/she needs help on the most. However, I don't believe these tests should determine if the child should be set back grade level wise or determine how a teacher is performing.

Measuring performance is fine...I just think that there should be other factors such as taking a look at work done throughout the year by each student to see if he/she is learning the material.

-My soon to be sister in law Jessica has been wonderful 7th grade math teacher for two years and she has a lot of students in her class that are below where they are supposed to be academically. When it comes around to taking the SOLs, the Principal sees the scores from her class and blames the teacher (Jessica) for not doing her job properly. I don't believe that it's any ones fault and no one should be blamed...Teachers and students need to be working together--not against one another.

-On a much lighter note, Jessica's bridal shower is this Sunday :) and there are 81 more days until David and Jessica's wedding...I can't wait to finally have a sister! :)