Learning to Take Tests

Recently, a number of students were asked what they were learning about in school? Most students responded by saying that they were learning how to take tests, and not much else. This has been an ongoing trend across the US. Assessments have pretty much controlled and influenced what school districts concentrate on. Most of their emphasis is to have higher scores on every assessment every year. Teachers are conditioned to teach to the test and students are conditioned to learn how to take each test, and that's it. Basic skills and knowledge for a solid foundation seem to no longer exist or matter leaving many students to just slip through the cracks, no thanks to No Child Left Behind. Also, physical education has been put to the side which is a crucial part to a childs development. But now without it, students are more lethargic than ever and are exposed to shallow questioning and mechanical drilling. This is leading the educational system on a downward spiral to disaster.

Vocabulary:
1) Shallow- (adj) Having little depth
2) Mechanical- (adj) of or relating to machinery or tools
3) Exposed- (adj) Opened to view
4) Lethargic- (adj) Sluggish, tired
5) Emphasis-(N) Consideration of something or insistence on something

1) Her weaknesses were ______________.
2) Be careful at the pool. It is very _____________.
3) Don't put too much __________ on grammar.
4) She seemed very _____________ today.
5) The movements of the pitcher were very ______________.

Grammar Point:
Adjectives are often called "describing words" because they provide information about the qualities of something described in a noun, a noun phrase, or clause.

Phone cheating?

It was recently discovered that more than a third of teenagers with cell phones use them to cheat. A Common Sense Media Poll had collected information regarding this new trend. Some teachers say that they can spend most of their class time being a "cell phone cop." The students are losing out on learning valuable information they will need to pass upcoming tests in all classes, nevermind the state tests. This becomes very frustrating for teachers. Especially when they feel that the administration of their school is not doing enough to help Cell phones are a great piece of technology that I feel should be embraced. At the same time though their does need to be a balance as to how we use them and how much time we spend on them. I would not be surprised if sometime in the near future students will have to hand in their cell phones every morning and will get them beack until the end of the school day. This seems like the only way this issued can be controlled. I don't agree with it but it just might have to happen.

Vocabulary:
1) Administration- (N) Performance of executive suties
2) Recently (Adv.) During a recent period of time
3) Embraced (V) To take or include
4) Controlled (Adj.) Regulated, restrained
5) Regarding (Prep.) With respect to

1. He wrote a letter __________ the inappropriate use of cell phones in schools.
2. We ______________went on a trip to London to visit family.
3. These new strategies should be ____________ by all teachers.
4. The machines were __________ by professionals who are trained.
5. The _______________ of the school has not been very helpful.

Grammar Point:
Comparatives- Are adjectives and adverbs that end in -er
Superlatives- Are adjectives and adverbs that end in -est.

Ten Hut!?

The wearing of school uniforms has often been a hot topic. Button down white shirt, tie, skirts for girls, dockers for boys. But military uniforms? six school districts from Atlanta to Las Vegas have inquired about opening public military academies. The students would wear the traditional army uniform as well as take military classes and join the JROTC. If districts get the go ahead the would receive millions of dollars from the military. They would also be able to prevent dropouts by utilizing new strategies. The only thing holding these districts back seems to be the parents. Many feel it would be too much like an actual battlefield.

Vocabulary:
Military- (a) Relating to soldiers, arms, or armed forces
Inquired- (v) To ask about, investigate
Utilizing- (v) To make use of
Strategies- (n) A thought out plan or method
Traditional- (n) Customs passed down through generations

1. They were so strict that I felt like I was in the ___________.
2. This is a _______________ feast that we have every year.
3. I was happy to see them ___________ all of the resources available.
4. We learned many new important ___________ for teaching ESL.
5. I ____________ about the new email system they have just set up.

Grammar Point:
Main Verbs:
- Do not need to be accompanied by other verbs
- Convey the key meaning in any group of verbs

Parental Control

I recently read an article that discussed the impact overzealous and overbearing parents have the teachers. People born between 1961 and 1981 are referred to as "Generation Xers." The article also referred to them as "Stealth Fighter Parent" for their "pull out all the stops" attitude. "Generation Xers want transparency and accountability... They expect access to resources, want satisfaction from teachers, and are less inclined to trust them and the public school system." This describes the overall attitude of parents who have children in school. At times this can often be more stressful for teachers and put a strain on the parent-teacher relationship. Parents who are constantly in your face make teachers feel like they are walking on eggshells and that they cannot fully do their jobs. Now, if a child does not do well on a test, their parent complains and goes above the teachers head resulting in a passing grade. All the pressure is now on the teachers. When I was a kid all the pressure was on the students to do well. It was our "job." Roles have changed and expectations are different. Hopefully in the future their is a happy medium where students, teachers and parents can all work together, without worries, instead of the he said, she said games that are currently played.

Vocabulary:
Overzealous- Very dilligent, driven
Transparency- Made visible, quality or state of being seen
Stealth- secretly
Over bearing- Domineering, of overwhelming or critical importance
Accountability- answerable or liable

1. Kathy is a very _____________ lawyer.
2. The fans wanted _____________ when it came to the daily routines of the team captain.
3. He is a very _______________ father, who is keeping his kids sheltered.
4. The army has many __________ fighters who they utilize in covert operations.
5. The students are responsible for their own __________________ in school.

Grammar Point:
Singles Adjectives- There are two usual sentence positions for single adjectives:
- Before a noun (within a noun phrase)
- After a noun or pronoun and a verb

Five Things To Do on the First Day of School

Eager, nervous, excited. This are just some of the words used to describe the feelings that most students feel on their first day of school. Many people do not think of how the teachers might feel. Little do people know that teachers often feel like the students. Some things a teacher can do on the first day is to suit up, smile, set the rules, make a friend, and write everything down. By suiting up and smiling it makes you look more on edge and professional. Smiling may also be comforting for the students who have you as a teacher. Meeting other colleagues and becoming friendsis a great way to exchange ideas, thoughts and feeling about lessons and experiences working with children. When setting rules in your classroom it is important to have the students create rules. By doing this they have a sense of community and belonging in your class. Writing things out on the board may be beneficial for the students as well as for a teacher. As years go by you can improve on things you did in the past to make future plans better. One last suggestion was to make your own personal teacher file. Everyday you write down one positive experience or thing you did. At the end of the year you can reflect on these experiences and utilize them while getting ready for next year.

Vocabulary:
Eager- Keen, zealous, anxious
Community- Neighborhood, district
Colleague- Co-worker, associate, partner
Exchange- Trade
Beneficial- Useful, helpful
Utilize- Use, benefit, useful

1. It is important to give back to the ________________.
2. It is very _____________ to have a healthy diet and exercise.
3. You should _____________ all your resources to help write your report.
4. We decided to ___________ our ideas.
5. I was very____________ to star my new job/
6. A ____________ of mine showed me how to use the copier.

Grammar Point

Verbs are often referred to as "doing" or "action" words (Hit, Paint). Verbs can also express other meanings such as existence (become, exist), mental processes and conditions (enjoy, believe), and relationships (depend, determine).