Sunday, November 6, 2011
So, Should School Days/Hours be Increased? My Opinion
Although I agree with President Obama's logic of students being the leaders of the future economy, and therefore they will have to compete with the rest of the world, I don't agree with him that having more school days like students in other countries would necessarily result in better student academic performance. Instead, I agree with Mr. Williams and Mr. Hess that longer school days doesn't necessarily mean better academic performances, but that it depends on the quality of the school day. A school day that consists of a quality schedule by the teachers is better than a longer school day where students and teachers aren't doing as much as they could. However, if the case were that every teacher were making the best use of their time but still found that the school schedule wasn't enough like Mr. Gabrieli stated, then I feel that those schools should consider increasing their hours. Also, although the chart shows that there was academic improvement due to more school time, it doesn't take into consideration the different qualities of the school's schedule. Therefore, as a student myself, I feel like school days don't need to be lengthened as we already have substantial amount of time to learn enough, with the addition of homework anyway, to perform well on standardized tests, it's just up to the student to put in that extra time on their own to improve their own personal skills as opposed to having the entire school day lengthened.
Should School Days Be Longer? Opinion 5
This chart shows that an increase in instructional school days does in fact improve average test scores. This is a main argument to why school days should in fact be increased, as more school time leads to students performing better on tests on average. Therefore, this chart supports the evidence that their in fact is a direct relationship between an increase in school time vs. an increase in education/ test scores.
Should School Days Be Longer? Opinion 4
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2009/04/27/expand-school-hours-and-you-will-expand-learning
According to Christopher Gabrieli, chairman of the National Center on Time and Learning and coauthor of the book Time to Learn, lengthening school days wouldn't only benefit students of all backgrounds, but it would also benefit their parents. He goes on to state that parents are more comfortable having their children have more teacher supervision throughout the day to improve their schoolwork while they're at work. He also argues that it's just not possible for teachers to fit everything they want to in the short amount of time they have and points out that evidence even shows that longer school days do in fact improve students' performances.
According to Christopher Gabrieli, chairman of the National Center on Time and Learning and coauthor of the book Time to Learn, lengthening school days wouldn't only benefit students of all backgrounds, but it would also benefit their parents. He goes on to state that parents are more comfortable having their children have more teacher supervision throughout the day to improve their schoolwork while they're at work. He also argues that it's just not possible for teachers to fit everything they want to in the short amount of time they have and points out that evidence even shows that longer school days do in fact improve students' performances.
Should School Days Be Longer? Opinion 3
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2009/04/27/to-fix-education-school-hours-and-money-need-to-be-better-spent
Frederick M. Hess, the director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute and author of Tough Love for Schools, disagrees that more necessarily means better. In his opinion, lengthening school days would require a lot more money being spent on paying teachers and to schools in general, although it may not show much improvements in students' performances. He believes that more time isn't really the issue, but just how much quality is going into each school day is what really makes a difference, and that adding more time except with the same quality won't bring out much benefit. Therefore, he believes that if this is the case, students won't benefit from the "tedium" and that it will "disrupt fruitful activities for millions of youths who have rewarding lives after 3 o'clock."
Frederick M. Hess, the director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute and author of Tough Love for Schools, disagrees that more necessarily means better. In his opinion, lengthening school days would require a lot more money being spent on paying teachers and to schools in general, although it may not show much improvements in students' performances. He believes that more time isn't really the issue, but just how much quality is going into each school day is what really makes a difference, and that adding more time except with the same quality won't bring out much benefit. Therefore, he believes that if this is the case, students won't benefit from the "tedium" and that it will "disrupt fruitful activities for millions of youths who have rewarding lives after 3 o'clock."
Should School Days Be Longer? Opinion 2
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/09/26/should-the-school-day-be-longer/let-teachers-teach
Vern Williams, a middle school math teacher, believes that the topic of lengthening school days has certain benefits depending on what the extra time will be used for. He agrees that lengthening the school day would be worth it if the added time were to the core classes, but that it wouldn't be of any use if such time were added to help prepare students for state testing because it wouldn't be anything better than a "glorified recess or unstructured study hall." He also goes on to mention that the factors of if homework load as well as teaching duties will be lowered or not due to the extra time being spent at school.
Vern Williams, a middle school math teacher, believes that the topic of lengthening school days has certain benefits depending on what the extra time will be used for. He agrees that lengthening the school day would be worth it if the added time were to the core classes, but that it wouldn't be of any use if such time were added to help prepare students for state testing because it wouldn't be anything better than a "glorified recess or unstructured study hall." He also goes on to mention that the factors of if homework load as well as teaching duties will be lowered or not due to the extra time being spent at school.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Should School Days Be Longer? Opinion 1
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/27/obama-proposes-longer-school-day-shorter-summer-vacation/
President Obama believes that schools throughout America should not only lengthen school days, but also add more days throughout the year. This means that schools will be open on weekends as well as shorter summer breaks. He argues that although this new proposal isn't ideal to students, it's necessary for us to further our education because of the challenges we will have to face with the new century. Lengthening school days also not only better prepare us for the future, but also put us up to par with students in other countries who already have more school days. It's also beneficial to poorer students who don't have the same opportunity to continue with their studies while students from better off backgrounds have a chance to maintain if not become further educated during the summer through summer school, camps, sports, and other activities do.
President Obama believes that schools throughout America should not only lengthen school days, but also add more days throughout the year. This means that schools will be open on weekends as well as shorter summer breaks. He argues that although this new proposal isn't ideal to students, it's necessary for us to further our education because of the challenges we will have to face with the new century. Lengthening school days also not only better prepare us for the future, but also put us up to par with students in other countries who already have more school days. It's also beneficial to poorer students who don't have the same opportunity to continue with their studies while students from better off backgrounds have a chance to maintain if not become further educated during the summer through summer school, camps, sports, and other activities do.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Columnists Ahoy! Week 3
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-perspec-1023-page-20111023,0,954198.column
-many Republican party members/candidates don't seem to have a clear understanding of the current U.S. foreign policies, which discredits them greatly during interviews and debates
-such lack of understanding causes people to advocate against the U.S. being involved in foreign affairs, but they don't realize that it's not just charity but helps to maintain our relationships with the countries we help, not to mention that it only takes up about 1% of the national budget
-as of now, the pre-election focus seems to be on finding which candidate fully understands and credibly expresses their views and ideas on such policies
analysis: 1.)Clarence Page is concerned about the lack of political leaders in our county's awareness of world affairs
2.)-diction-" Rep. Michele Bachmann accidentally raised that question"-reflecting on how she shouldn't of done so as it made her lose credibility
-glib tone-"went on to say something..."-showing that he doesn't take what she was saying seriously because of her lack of knowledge
-mocking tone-"and I'm going to say, 'how is that going to create a job?'"-in reaction to Herman Cain's statement making him lose his credibility by saying "president of Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan"
-mocking campaigning in general through diction as he says, "he's trailing badly in the polls anyway because he, like Romney, has not excited the party's conservative base"
-many Republican party members/candidates don't seem to have a clear understanding of the current U.S. foreign policies, which discredits them greatly during interviews and debates
-such lack of understanding causes people to advocate against the U.S. being involved in foreign affairs, but they don't realize that it's not just charity but helps to maintain our relationships with the countries we help, not to mention that it only takes up about 1% of the national budget
-as of now, the pre-election focus seems to be on finding which candidate fully understands and credibly expresses their views and ideas on such policies
analysis: 1.)Clarence Page is concerned about the lack of political leaders in our county's awareness of world affairs
2.)-diction-" Rep. Michele Bachmann accidentally raised that question"-reflecting on how she shouldn't of done so as it made her lose credibility
-glib tone-"went on to say something..."-showing that he doesn't take what she was saying seriously because of her lack of knowledge
-mocking tone-"and I'm going to say, 'how is that going to create a job?'"-in reaction to Herman Cain's statement making him lose his credibility by saying "president of Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan"
-mocking campaigning in general through diction as he says, "he's trailing badly in the polls anyway because he, like Romney, has not excited the party's conservative base"
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Columnists Ahoy! Week 2
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-oped-1016-page-20111016,0,541461.column
-Tea Party member Herman Cain seems to be making racist comments about Blacks, even he's one himself
-Cain goes on to make comments about how Black people aren't capable of making smart choices in politics and government
-Cain also goes on making derogatory comments about how Black people could be more successful if they would just work harder, although the author believes that this doesn't even apply to a majority of their race
analysis: 1.) Clearance Page is questioning American society as they don't seem to be aware that Cain makes such racist remarks and gets away with it while others don't
2.)-sarcasm to mock American racial progress- "it says a lot about American progress that the former Godfather's Pizza CEO has surged to first place"
-use of examples to back up his claim as well as compare different reactions- "yet we did not hear about conservatives complaining about a race card..."
-mocking through irony- "it is ok to talk about race, as long as you only criticize Black people"
-Tea Party member Herman Cain seems to be making racist comments about Blacks, even he's one himself
-Cain goes on to make comments about how Black people aren't capable of making smart choices in politics and government
-Cain also goes on making derogatory comments about how Black people could be more successful if they would just work harder, although the author believes that this doesn't even apply to a majority of their race
analysis: 1.) Clearance Page is questioning American society as they don't seem to be aware that Cain makes such racist remarks and gets away with it while others don't
2.)-sarcasm to mock American racial progress- "it says a lot about American progress that the former Godfather's Pizza CEO has surged to first place"
-use of examples to back up his claim as well as compare different reactions- "yet we did not hear about conservatives complaining about a race card..."
-mocking through irony- "it is ok to talk about race, as long as you only criticize Black people"
Monday, October 10, 2011
Columnists Ahoy! Week 1
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-oped-1009-page-20111009,0,2507545.column
-although Steve Jobs didn't invent the internet, he changed the way people used it and applied it to their everyday lives
-his motto was to "think different" and this could also apply to Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth because they both changed the way of their respective areas
-although not all people may not like them, they can't help but accept their impact on society today
-people should be willing to "think outside the box" and be willing to try new things because that's how we make new discoveries and move forward
-although Steve Jobs didn't invent the internet, he changed the way people used it and applied it to their everyday lives
-his motto was to "think different" and this could also apply to Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth because they both changed the way of their respective areas
-although not all people may not like them, they can't help but accept their impact on society today
-people should be willing to "think outside the box" and be willing to try new things because that's how we make new discoveries and move forward
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Monday #3
This image is captured right after the collapse of the North Tower during 9/11 and is able to capture the chaos and confusion, while also showing what a somber experience it was. The photo captures people covered in dust from the destruction of the tower and shows that the people were completely covered in it, showing that everyone around the event was affected in some physical aspect, along with the mental trauma they felt, by being completely covered in the building's ruins. It also shows the apparent chaos with all the debris on the ground, and confusion with the man who seems to be looking the other way from the photo, possibly in hopes of trying to look for someone or something amidst the destruction that lays back there. Yet, there's also a somber tone that lowers the energy of the chaos, showing that the people are truly horrified and shocked by the event that just took place before them, as we could also see that they're not running away, but walking with looks of disbelief and remorse. Also, although it was daytime during the attack, the picture is captured in black and white, capturing the mood of the people as they are walking through and portraying their state of mind that was most likely in a state of not being able to see the beauty of the world, but muffled in reflection of what just happened. The smoke from the remains also adds into the confusion and muffled state of their minds, and the mood of the entire event itself.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday #2
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/09/17/3916574/rising-poverty-should-bring-a.html
The economy in the U.S. is getting progressively worse, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better in 2011. As the gap between the rich and poor get bigger, one out of six Americans are suffering through poverty everyday, managing to get by with food stamps and security checks.
Many more, especially minority ethnic groups and single mothers, have it much worse, contrary to the "American Dream" and how every citizen is entitled to equal opportunities. In reality, these minority groups are suffering unemployment and a staggering income, just managing to get by for themselves, which means those with families have an even harder time. Many young adults would also account for this group if it weren't for the support of their parents, as job opportunities for them are hard to come by at a time like this.
Americans shouldn't expect poverty to all of a sudden turn around and take care of itself, and we shouldn't push the government to be the only one to fix it either. It's the effort of other Americans to support the their fellow citizens and help them get on their feet, as well as private businesses and nonprofit groups, to ease the situation of poverty and get the economy running and prospering again.
The economy in the U.S. is getting progressively worse, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better in 2011. As the gap between the rich and poor get bigger, one out of six Americans are suffering through poverty everyday, managing to get by with food stamps and security checks.
Many more, especially minority ethnic groups and single mothers, have it much worse, contrary to the "American Dream" and how every citizen is entitled to equal opportunities. In reality, these minority groups are suffering unemployment and a staggering income, just managing to get by for themselves, which means those with families have an even harder time. Many young adults would also account for this group if it weren't for the support of their parents, as job opportunities for them are hard to come by at a time like this.
Americans shouldn't expect poverty to all of a sudden turn around and take care of itself, and we shouldn't push the government to be the only one to fix it either. It's the effort of other Americans to support the their fellow citizens and help them get on their feet, as well as private businesses and nonprofit groups, to ease the situation of poverty and get the economy running and prospering again.
Monday #1
http://news.yahoo.com/behind-poverty-numbers-real-lives-real-pain-151738270.html
Poverty in the U.S. is getting much worse, and things don't seem to be getting better. The poverty rate is now 15.1 percent, the highest of any major industrialized nation. That means that almost one out of six Americans live in poverty, but people don't seem to see just how much people are suffering since they only see the numbers. However, the Associated Press wrote this article to put faces to the numbers and showed real people and communities in our country to show just what they have to go through on a day to day basis to survive. Many are surviving with less than $20,000 a year, and even whole communities, like Pembroke, are suffering with their entire community shutting down due to schools, banks, gas stations, supermarkets, and many more shutting down. Many people don't realize what poverty means, and many more don't think it's ever going to happen to them, like with Kris Fallon who once earned $100,000 a year combining with her husbands income, but now her husband has to work out of state and she admits that she fully understands what it's like to struggle in poverty and just how hard it is to get back up from it.
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