Resources to check out this summer

When I began this blog for a class entitled Social and Cultural Politics of Education Personal and Contextual Perspectives, I had a hard time at first coming up with topics to write about. However after a couple of weeks of discussing and researching current political and social issues in the U.S. educational system, I had more then enough factors to reflect on in my blog. Looking back some of the most important topics that need to be addressed by policy makers include:
-Funding and how to make public schools more equal.
-Testing as a means of accountability and the impact it has on schools, teachers and students.
-Curriculum-what should be taught in school and how we can prepare students for the challenges of the future.
-Out-of-school factors that affect achievement and how schools and communities can support students in more effective ways.
-Capitalism and its impact on American society and public schools.

There are many books that have been recommended to my class by our insightful professor, Craig Cunningham. For anyone who wants to better understand the political and social issues of the public school system and find ways to improve it, here is a list of resources:

• Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire and Myra Bergman Ramos
• Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto
• Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Schoolteacher's Journey through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto
• Learning All The Time by John Holt
• So Much Reform, So Little Change: The Persistence of Failure in Urban Schools by Charles M. Payne
• The Unschooling Unmanual by Nanda Van Gestel, Jan Hunt, Daniel Quinn, and Rue Kream
• Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom by Bell Hooks
• The Undiscovered Self by Carl G. Jung
• Where We Stand: Class Matters by Bell Hooks
• How Children Learn (Classics in Child Development) by John Holt

Summer is a wonderful time to read and learn about new ideas and theories in the public school system. This list includes books that are not only filled with new information they are interesting as well.

Craig’s blog is also very informative about current issues. You can check it out at http://technopaideia.blogspot.com/.
Another blog that I have become very interested in is http://educationpolicyblog.blogspot.com/.
Remember that in order to change the current education system we have to first understand it and familiarize ourselves with the ways that policy makers manipulate the it and the public. As educators we must strive to enhance the school system and ensure that all students are given equal educational opportunities.

Don't Do Away With Recess

As schools are doing anything possible to pass state tests and raise test scores, recess time seems to be dwindling and some schools have even done away with it altogether. Schools in Atlanta, New York, Chicago, New Jersey, and Connecticut have eliminated recess, and new schools are being built without playgrounds! I find this very upsetting and I am still searching for research that indicates a correlation between canceling recess and raised test scores. I believe students need a break in school and actually perform better when given the chance to excise. Obviously these administrators have forgotten that running around increases blood flow and oxygen consumption, which helps to stimulate the brain and increase functioning. Kids need to have time to play and socialize; it is part of their nature. Recess is the perfect environment for these interactions because there is supervision and if a child has a problem, an adult, usually a teacher, is around to mediate. Let’s also keep in mind that childhood obesity is getting worse, and too many parents and children consider playing video games and watching television types of “play”.

There is lots of research that supports the idea that recess is invaluable, and most teachers will agree that it is a necessity for everyone’s sanity. Last year I worked at a suburban school that was one of the top performing schools in the state of Illinois. Everyday the students, grade K-3, got 3 recess breaks. There was a 15 minute morning recess, then a 25 minute lunch recess, and then another 15 minute afternoon recess. The students knew the routine and would always come back from each recess refreshed and energetic. However, they were able to settle down immediately and get right to work. This experience has made me a believer in the power of recess as an educational tool.

Here is an interesting article about recess if you are looking for more information - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/health/24well.html?_r=1&em
Blogs to check out on the importance of recess:
http://readersareleaders1.blogspot.com/
http://mrpullen.wordpress.com/2008/01/29/the-importance-of-recess/