Top-Dog Phenomenon

For all of you that have once attended elementary school and then 
 S
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             D


Into the big halls of High School will relate just fine to proposed thoughts on none of than.....
                                   Top Dog Phenomenon 


Now I am certain there are many of us scratching our heads pondering those 3 words in wondering just what that means...well its easy... Its simply from going from the "top dog" at one particular school and then transferring to a lower position. This "phenomenon" quite popular with students from an elementary school transferring to a high school position. Personally the experience was thrilling as well as extremely nerve racking.


To give you an insight on my experience my elementary school Philip Sheffield consisted of grades from 4 to 7... quite small indeed. Now the high school I was about to embark an adventure upon was grades 8-12. Going from a student population from 250(ish) to around 2500. yes i said it 2500..... with having such a huge high school I feel it had quite a positive affect on me.
Firstly, among the student body I was integrated  with multiple elementary schools in the district. Meeting many new faces and life long friends.
Secondly,  you are interactive with the same teachers throughout your whole mature education experience . Instead of say perhaps attending a middle school in-between. Furthering connections and developing relationships.
Thirdly, you gain a sense of comfortability. Meaning, your around the same surroundings for 4 years of your life, the same kids  4 years of your life. This I believe having such a positive influence on a student since they are in that "Identity versus Identity confusion stage" trying to find themselves and figure out who they are. Having the same environment makes it easier for children to adapt to be themselves. Instead of welcoming new schools every 3 years.


I believe that eliminating middle schools are a good idea. Kids I believe have a better school experience in general when they are within an familiar area for learning and making connections. and lets face it.. that's the point isn't it?

Adolescent Challenges

Violence......
So many kids these days are surrounded with bullying and violence that they can't help but become victims to.Maybe not in any schools in Alberta per say.. or even Canada. East Detroit is known for its "ghetto" reputation that children can't run away from the violence. Everyone has an enormous chance of getting hurt. Below I attached a link of a video I found so inspiring. About a 15 year old boy growing up in Detroit and is a victim to gang related violence. There needs to be outreaches for this kids to stop joining gangs and turning their life around. There needs to be love.




http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhROD3Chq9n03JaPd4

Student Contact....

As referring to my previous blog about parenting we see a problem that surely raises some eyebrows...


If a child is being neglected at home and is looking for comfort from a teacher is that okay...


School Policy at some schools states : Absolutely NO contact of any kind


Now I agree... to some extent..


Last week I was teaching grade 5 kids for my KPED class at the college.
The clock strikes 12 and hyper-active grade 5's come storming in the gym. I 
was approached by 3 young girls, whom all gave me a hug as they introduced 
themselves.


Now would this be acceptable? If the school's policy is so firm, how could I 
turn down three little children? 


My thoughts on this is simple.. Using your own discretion. 
I don't agree with school's having a policy of no contact. A lady I was 
talking to the other day mentioned that in her grade 4 class there was this 
little boy who got absolutely no attention at home, no hugs, no love. And everyday
he would come to class and give her the hugest bear hug. How could she refuse?
After being so neglected in his home life ,why wouldn't you want him to feel that
he is loved?


Real thought should be placed in this subject... It is a serious situation that needs to be addressed.

Parenting Styles

What makes someone a parent? What makes someone a great parent?
Is it someone who is intertwined throughout every part of their child's life?
Is it someone who allows their child to have endless amounts of freedom?
Is it someone who is strict and allows no freedom whatsoever?
Is it someone who is far from knowing what is going on in their child's life?
We may not think of it, but how our students are parented reflects tremendously on their behaviour and progress at school. As we read in our assigned text for the class we actually learn that their are actually 2 fundamental skills for parenting...
              one being
                                 Control              and the other


                                                         Acceptance 


In other words :    its a mixture of how restraining you are as a parent and how well you 
                                 comfort and love them


Growing up with Authoritative Parents really shaped moulded  who I am today


Authoritative parenting... our text describes as this.......


               Parenting style that encourages children to be independent but still places limits   
               and controls on their actions. 


I have truly been blessed in life with having them both as my support figures.


As a teacher you will come across children who are not as grateful and who do not have anyone in their life that they can talk to or look up to as role model.
Hence why it is so important to always being nurturing and caring for your students. No matter how neglectful a parent may be or how pushy a parent may seem, always be that extra support system for whomever needs you.