Kick Bullies off the Bus!

July 24, 2012

Of course I am not referring to literally kicking bullies off the bus, but the truth is I am sick and tired of reading about cases of bullying on buses.

Children deserve to feel safe on the way to and back from school. It is shameful that the school bus has become a hotbed for bullies.

The bus driver in this shocking story should have stopped the bus and called the police:

This video shows the shocking torment suffered by a 10-year-old boy on his way to school.

For 40 minutes Cequan Haskins was abused by a pair of 15-year-old bullies in May 2011.

They called him names, made sexual and racial slurs and held a scorching cigarette lighter to his skin.

‘My son, he was a special needs child and he didn’t deserve this. He was entitled to a safe transportation just like any other child in the Appomattox County Public School System.’Cequan was left with physical and emotional scars in the aftermath of his ordeal, Ms Haskins said. He continues to suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and has undergone hours of therapy.

In the chilling footage Cequan can be heard screaming and pleading with the bullies to stop but they are relentless, clambering over seats to get at him.

They are visibly much larger than their victim and he is unable to get away from them as they yell at him to ‘sit down and shut your mouth’.

Cequan’s mother, Roxanne Haskins, released the video at a press conference on Friday, telling wset-tv that she wanted people to know just how bad bullying can be.

‘I wanted parents to be aware, that when I speak out, I’m speaking out for all kids. But unfortunately, this did happen to my child, and I want parents to be aware of what’s going on in the school system,’ she said.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Bullying | 2 Comments »

10 Best Websites for Teaching ICT

July 24, 2012

Author Ian Addison recommends his favourite online tools for getting creative in class:

Photo editing – Tuxpi Photo Editor or BeFunky
These sites allow you to take a simple photograph and then convert it into an artistic masterpiece. They provide tools to edit the photo and reduce blurring or red-eye but can also turn your photograph into a collage or provide additional effects such as speech bubbles or clipart images. The final images can then be downloaded to the computer and printed out or used elsewhere. These sites do provide additional tools for a fee, but the free elements are more than enough for most users.

Making music – Isle of Tune or Sound Nation
Isle of Tune is a site that provides a blank canvas in the form of fields and grass. A road is added to represent the path of the music and beats are added in the form of trees, bushes and houses. Once the car is driven along the road, the music is played. This all sounds much more complicated than it actually is and it is very simple to get a basic tune but using the gallery provides a selection of well-known tunes including the Harry Potter theme tune, YMCA and songs from Bruno Mars. These have been created and saved by other users of the site.

Sound Nation provides hundreds of audio clips that can be combined together to create a larger piece of music. The clips can be trimmed or repeated as necessary. Anyone can be a DJ within a few minutes.

Create a game – Sploder!
This website provides a range of characters, objects and walls that can be dragged on to the playing surface and manipulated to provide an area for the main character to explore. This is a great way to introduce game design with younger children as there isn’t any coding involved but they will need to think about the different elements that will make a good game. This includes creating a high-enough level of challenge to interest the player, but not too high to make the game impossible. This can then be used as a precursor to paid-for software such as 2Do It Yourself or free tools such as Scratch or Kodu.

Design an avatar – Unique by Rasterboy or Clay Yourself
There are lots of sites that give tools for creating a new online character. This could be saved and used as part of a display or it could be used instead of a real photograph when using tools such as email but it is their use in literacy that makes them a bit more creative. Use these sites to create characters for a story. This could be the main character or it could be the enemy, the person who has stolen the diamond. What will they look like? What features will they have? Print out the avatar and then give the children time to use descriptive vocabulary to describe their characters.

For the younger audience The Fungooms or Poisson Rouge
These sites are amazing for one brilliant reason, they give children the chance to explore, investigate and experiment with very little (if any) instruction. Often the activities on these sites require clicking, dragging or a bit of thought and young children love exploring the different games and puzzles available. These include making pop-art, learning French, counting games or playing snakes and ladders. These sites are a little bit mad, but truly beautiful. Oh, and can you go through the window on Poisson Rouge and find all eight of the hidden fruit?

A bit of help – Under Ten Minutes
And lastly, some help guides. This site has been created to aid teachers (and children) when they use different tools. Many of these are free but it also contains videos for tools such as Google Apps, ActivInspire and Movie Maker. The idea being that any tool can be shown in around 10 minutes and this is the perfect length of time to show the videos as part of a staff training session or even in a lesson. Why not point children towards the video before a lesson on Scratch or Sketch-up?

Click on the link to read Are High-Tech Classrooms Just a Lot of Hype?

Click on the link to read The Problem With IT in the Classroom

Click on the link to read There is Still Some Love for the Forgotten Class Whiteboard

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Technology in the Classroom | Leave a Comment »

Leave Imperfect Parents Alone!

July 24, 2012

Is there anything worse than judgmental people who attack hard working, yet imperfect, parents?

A few days ago I wrote about the despicable Twitter and Facebook campaign criticising the grieving parents of the Colorado movie theater massacre for allowing their children to attend a midnight screening. Even so-called ‘experts’ were claiming that this was an appropriate time to be highlighting the importance of enforcing strict bedtimes.

Now we have a case where columnist Susie O’Brien confesses to finding her role as parents quite challenging. Does she get support and useful advice from her readers? No way! She becomes the victim of a backlash ‘of epic proportions‘.

WHY do some people hate mothers so much?

I was totally blown away by the reaction to my piece last week about how I sometimes can’t cope with my kids.

I’m not like model Elle Macpherson, who came out as a “bad” parent this week because she makes her sons do too much homework.

No, my version of monster mothering involves my daughter doing a juicy raspberry spit in my face, and a noisy toddler planking on the floor of a very busy tourist cafe.

In my heraldsun.com.au blog, the backlash against my epic parenting failures was breathtaking.

Andy said: “You really need to teach them some more respect, it’s that simple.”

Alzee said: “You demonstrate the woeful parenting skills of many of today’s parents.”

Mother of 4 Big Kids said: “Your children will understand that you would rather go to work than parent them.”

And Kim C said: “I certainly wouldn’t want my children associating with any six-year-old that treats her mother in that appalling manner.”

It’s evidence, apparently, that I am both a terrible mother and a very bad woman. I love my kids.

Parenting is the hardest task in the world. Harder than brain surgery. Certainly more difficult than teaching. The best parents realise that all children are different, with different skills and needs. This means that we are constantly trying to get the balance right and require many adjustments to our approach along the way.

Those parents that judge others are often hiding their own insecurities. It’s time they reflected on their own parenting skills and learned to mind their own business!

Click on here to read The Unexpected Rewards of Parenting

Click on here to read 5 Humourous Comparisons Between Parenting and Journalism

Click on here to read It’s Not Spying on Your Children, It’s Called Parenting

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

New Tablet Being Designed Specifically for the Classroom

July 24, 2012

I hope this new innovation proves inexpensive enough for public school students to enjoy as well:

NEWS Corp says it will launch a new tablet computer with AT&T aimed at the education market to bring “digital innovation” to US classrooms.

The media conglomerate headed by Rupert Murdoch says the effort will come from its education division, which is being renamed Amplify.

“Amplify is dedicated to reimagining K-12 (elementary and secondary) education by creating digital products and services that empower students, teachers and parents in new ways,” the company said in a statement.

“It is our aim to amplify the power of digital innovation to transform teaching and learning and to help schools deliver fundamentally better experiences and results,” said Joel Klein, chief executive of Amplify.

“Amplify will introduce new products in a thoughtful way, so that technology can finally live up to its promise to advance learning and augment teaching for students, teachers and parents everywhere.”

Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T Mobility, said the effort would include “a 4G mobile tablet-based experience that we believe will significantly enhance teaching and learning for grades K-12”.

Click on the link to read Top 10 Educational i-Pad Apps

Click on the link to read Smartboards Must Become More than Just Classroom Decoration

Click on the link to read There is Still Some Love for the Forgotten Class Whiteboard

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Technology, Technology in the Classroom | Leave a Comment »

Don’t Even Try to Huminise James Holmes

July 24, 2012

The speculation that gunman James Holmes was bullied as a child used to try and understand his motives for firing on unsuspecting people is quite unseemly.

Firstly, there is no proof he was ever bullied.

Secondly, even if he was, it wasn’t the system that failed him – he is completely and utterly to blame for his actions. No school system, classmate or schoolyard bully caused him to act this way. As much as I abhor bullying, the victims of bullying can never use it as an excuse to justify murder.

The argument that if we knew he was bullied as a child, it would help us to understand his mind frame and motives  is most irresponsible:

Many of us need to know what was going on in the mind of this man so that we can prevent this type of tragedy from repeating itself. I wondered if he was the victim of bullying since that seems to be the thread of commonality in crimes of this nature. Was James Holmes the victim of bullying and if so, how long did it go on? I’m sure that no one may care at the moment about his state of mind at that time that this horrific incident occurred. At least not until it happens again.

But still, if James Holmes was the victim of bullying, could this all have been avoided? If this were the reason for his actions, could it have been prevented if someone recognized the warning signs and took the appropriate actions? Or am I reaching too high to make sense out of the senseless? Because the simple reality is, if there were no bullying and the only signs that he exhibited is being a loner, then this makes this crime even more terrifying in its randomness. In the days to come as the citizens of Aurora pull themselves together, we will find out more about what made this man do what he did.

Click on the link to read Insensitive ‘Parent Bashers’ Take Aim at Grieving Colorado Parents

Click on the link to read Explaining the Colorado Movie Theater Shooting to Children

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Bullying | 4 Comments »

Should This Movie Be R Rated?

July 23, 2012

According to a new recommendation, films that feature smoking should receive an R rating. That would therefore deem the movie above, Lassie (1994), an R rated movie. It features teenagers smoking in a non-glorified way.

Whilst I agree that the film industry should be pressured to resist glorified presentations of smoking in family films, it is important that we don’t go overboard. After all, our children will see smoking frequently, if not at home, then in the street, shops, sporting events and restaurants.

Or will those activities get an R classification as well?

A recent study published in “Pediatrics” entitled “Influence of Motion Picture Rating on Adolescent Response to Movie Smoking,” explained how adolescents are affected by smoking in movies. The findings indicate those teens that watch movies featuring smoking are more likely to try cigarettes. The study goes onto demonstrate what steps can be taken by society to prevent this. But the health conscious study misses the point of raising a child.

The conclusion of the study states: “An R rating for movie smoking could substantially reduce adolescent smoking by eliminating smoking from PG-13 movies.”

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Child Welfare | Leave a Comment »

How Wealthy Will Your Children Become?

July 23, 2012

It seems that parents have high expectations of how much money their children will earn:

A QUARTER of Australians expect their children to become high-income earners when they grow up, while two-thirds of parents think their kids will be middle-income earners, a new study shows.

According to the survey by Fidelity Worldwide Investment, parents say the key to their children’s future wealth is a good education, financial skills and a hard work ethic.

The researchers surveyed Australia and other Asian and Pacific countries about income expectations for their children. The survey has found 8 per cent of Australian parents say they expect their children to have a low income as adults.

The biggest factors for expecting a low income are a lack of economic opportunities and no “financial benefits” from the family, Fidelity Australian managing director Gerard Doherty says.

Click on the link to read Schools Enlisting Debt Collectors to Make Parents Pay “Voluntary” Donations

Click on the link to read Cash-Strapped School Auctions Itself on eBay

Click on the link to read Never Too Young To Learn the Value of a Buck

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Money Matters | Leave a Comment »

The Drug Companies Are at it Again!

July 23, 2012

The drug companies are ruthless. Here they are again peddling any opportunity they can to get more children on medication:

Should all U.S. children get tested for high cholesterol? Doctors are still debating that question months after a government-appointed panel recommended widespread screening that would lead to prescribing medicine for some kids.

Fresh criticism was published online Monday in Pediatrics by researchers at one university who say the guidelines are too aggressive and were influenced by panel members’ financial ties to drugmakers.

Eight of the 14 guidelines panel members reported industry ties and disclosed that when their advice was published in December. They contend in a rebuttal article in Pediatrics that company payments covered costs of evaluating whether the drugs are safe and effective but did not influence the recommendations.

It also is not uncommon for experts in their fields to have received some consulting fees from drug companies.

‘Experts’ or lackeys for the drug companies?

Click Here to read Doctors Create a New Normal by Over-Prescribing Drugs

Click here to read ADHD Diagnosis a “Convenient Out For Lazy Teachers”: Dunham

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Child Welfare, Children and Medication | 1 Comment »

Token Gestures Devalue Women

July 23, 2012

She may claim to have been joking, but here ‘joke’ clearly had a serious overtone. When volleyballer Natalie Cook claimed she would protest if a woman wasn’t given the honour of being the Olympic Games flag bearer, she was trying to influence a decision that should never be made on gender lines.

Australian beach volleyballer Natalie Cook says she won’t take part in the opening ceremony of the London Games unless a woman is chosen the carry the flag.

The 37 year-old says its about time a female was named as our flag bearer and is prepared to stage a protest if another man is selected as the flag bearer.

If a female is chosen to be flag bearer, Cook’s comments have the potential to devalue that athlete’s achievements. It could be seen as a decision made out of political correctness rather than merit. That wouldn’t be fair to the athlete.

If a male is chosen, they would have to face unnecessary guilt at depriving a woman from getting the honour. This too would be completely unfair.

Token gestures are disrespectful. Australia’s female athletes are exceptional. Should one of them be given the honour of holding our flag, they shouldn’t have the honour diminished by a feeling that it was bestowed due to political correctness rather than merit.

Click on the link to read It Isn’t Just the Kids that are Freaked Out by the Olympic Mascots

Click on the link to read Soon School Teachers May also be Fired for Banning Cell Phones in the Classroom

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Political Correctness | 1 Comment »

Insensitive ‘Parent Bashers’ Take Aim at Grieving Colorado Parents

July 22, 2012

It is absolutely disgusting to criticise the judgement of the Colorado parents who took their children to the midnight screening of the new Batman movie. How dare they even broach the topic of whether or not children should be up at that time. This is none of their business!

These grieving parents don’t need any more guilt on top of what they are already going through:

Facebook and Twitter have been blowing up the social boards with tweets and posts on the horrific event that took place Friday morning. The social media world is swirling with comments on the children that were at the midnight screening of WB’s The Dark Knight Rises.

Although most have agreed that this massacre could have happened during normal daylight hours as it did at midnight, it does bring to light parental judgments overall. Questions as to why parents would take their children to see a movie at the wee hours of the night, have arisen.

Many others have argued that now is not the time to discuss this issue. But to mimic CNN’s Pierce Morgan: now is the perfect time to expose this because it was due long before yesterday.

Wrong! Now is not the time to be discussing such issues. This topic should never be addressed. It’s time for people to mind their own business!

Click on the link to read Explaining the Colorado Movie Theater Shooting to Children

Click on the link to read The Unexpected Rewards of Parenting

Click on the link to read Study Reveals Children Aren’t Selfish After All

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Parenting | 14 Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »