Saturday, December 21, 2013

Resiliency= Dealing with life


'A Child Called It' was a story about resilience, it was never about boo hoo hoo, it was about a kid that didn't quit.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/d/davepelzer445457.html#GYtj8kkHMeExfm61.99
 The book A Child Called It is often described as a true story of an abused child, and it is, but the author Dave Pelzer wants people to see it as a story of resiliency.  What a strong man he is, his story proves that resiliency can win in the end, there might be healing moments that need to take place, but a child that goes through such a hard life can survive and be more than a victim. In Mr. Pelzer own words he said, 'A Child Called It' was a story about resilience, it was never about boo hoo hoo, and it was about a kid that didn't quit.”  I encourage you to read it or reread it with the thinking that it is not about abuse but a young boy’s resiliency.  I am going to do the same I bet it will teach me something new. Throughout our life resiliency is how we deal with life situations. I want to leave you with one more quote from Dave Pelzer that is in my opinion powerful!

"To help yourself, you must be yourself. Be the best that you can be. When you make a mistake, learn from it, pick yourself up and move on."
 

 
 


Saturday, December 7, 2013

Blooms Taxonomy- German schooling examination

Bloom’s Taxonomy should be used when evaluating school agers. Bloom’s Taxonomy has different ways of thinking, critically  not just spitting out knowledge. I believe this is important because every student learns differently. Additionally, I feel that this will show more practical skills, and knowledge in action. Critical thinking will benefit students more when they get out in the real world. I have seen students that have great knowledge, but can't think critically or practically. It is debilitating when students do not have practical skills.
 

  
Germany
 
In Germany students are evaluated after 5th grade with a test called the Mittlere Reife examination. From their score they can either go to:
Secondary level
  • Hauptschule
  • Realschule
  • Gymnasium
Students that score high go to the Gymnasium will eventually attend the university and are considered the smartest in the bunch. These students futures are determined by a test that is given after only 5 years of school. Can you imagine?

Description of schools taken from http://www.ukgermanconnection.org/schools-german-education-system.

Hauptschule
In the majority of the Länder (federal states), children spend five years at the Hauptschule (grades 5-9 or 10). The main objective of the Hauptschule is to prepare students for their entry into the world of work. From the first year of Hauptschule, all children learn English (sometimes French). They are also taught German, mathematics, physics / chemistry, biology, geography, history, religion (or a substitute subject), music, art, politics and sports, and are given an introduction to the world of work (Arbeitslehre). Once students have obtained their leaving certificate at the age of 15 / 16, they can go into practical vocational training, start work in the public service at basic or secretarial level, or attend a Berufsfachschule (full-time vocational school).

Realschule
Students attend Realschule for six years (grades 5-11). Unlike the Hauptschule, the Realschule gives children a broader general education and expects them to show greater independence. They also have a chance to learn a second foreign language (usually French), in addition to the first compulsory language (generally English). In comparison with the Gymnasium, the pupils are given a more vocationally-oriented education. At the end of their 10th year, successful pupils will obtain the Realschule leaving certificate. With this certificate, they have access to several training options: in-company vocational training, work in the public service at secretarial and executive level, further education in school at Secondary Level II or at a Fachhochschule. The Realschule is very popular in Germany.

Gymnasium
Those school students who leave the Grundschule and go straight on to the Gymnasium still have another 8 or 9 years of school education before they take their final examination (Abitur or Hochschulreife). The Gymnasium is designed to provide students with an education which will enable them, once they have passed their Abitur, to study at a German university or equivalent. Students receive intensive specialised instruction to prepare them for academic work at a higher level.
Secondary Level II, i.e. the last 2 or 3 years at the Gymnasium, consists of courses, which students select themselves, depending on certain conditions and on their own preferences (with certain restrictions). All pupils have to select 2 Leistungskurse (special subjects) - 3 in the Saarland and Rhineland-Palatine. Students following Leistungskurse have to attend five hours of classes each week. The Abitur is based on the assessment of the subjects chosen as Leistungskurse and of two other subjects.

The Gesamtschule (comprehensive school)

The Gesamtschule combines elements from the Hauptschule, the Realschule and the Gymnasium. This type of school was introduced later than all the other types, mainly on the initiative of the education ministers in Länder governed by the SPD (Social Democratic Party).
Children usually spend six years at the Gesamtschule, from the 6th to the 10th grade. Depending on their ability, they either obtain a Hauptschule or a Realschule leaving certificate. Pupils wishing to sit the Abitur attend school for another three grades.