Maria Montessori

Maria Montessori was born in Chairavalle, Italy in 1870. She graduated from medical school in 1869. She was the first female physician in Italy.She has a strong interest for children with diseases and children who were said to be "ineducable." Aside from her medical practices she analyzed children and how they learn.

She came to the conclusion that children learn from their environment. She focused her on the mind and went back to school in 1901. She studied psychology and philosophy. Her will to help children grew and in 1906 she gave up her medical career to work with sixty young children in the district of Rome. She found the first "Children's House" which was a place that provided a good environment for children to live and learn. This is where the Montessori method of education was developed. This method was based on Maria's observations of the child's tired interest in managing materials along with effortless strength to take in knowledge from their surroundings. Everything that Montessori looked at, all her methods, and exercises in daily living were based on what she saw from the children, and what they do "naturally" alone with out the help from adults.

The exercises practiced where to create a ladder effect on children. This was supposed to let children pick up a challenge and to then judge their process. This assignment was to catch the child's interest and engage the child's whole personality. Montessori had a full dedication to forwarding the self-creating child. This was influenced by Montessori's pursuit of methodology, educational reform, psychology, teaching, and teacher training. Attention was also placed on self determination and self realization of children.



She conducted a series of teacher training courses in London and opened a Montessori Training Centre in 1938 In Laren, Netherlands. She also founded teacher training courses in 1939 in India. shortly after she also founded a Montessori Training Centre in London in 1947.

Montessori was nominated for a Nobel Piece Prize three times. She died in Noordwijk Holland in 1952. Her work moves on through the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Which is the organization that she founded in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 1929.

http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-mont.htm

http://www.montessori-namta.org/NAMTA/geninfo/mmbio.html

ADD / ADHD

Attention Deficit Disorder

ADD is known a a biological brain based condition. It is characterized by bad distraction and attention skills. It is also characterized by impulsive and hyperactive behaviors.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD is the official name used by the American Psychiatric Associations and it surrounds hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive behaviors.

• Both terms are used interchangeably for those who do and those who do not have symptoms of impulsiveness and hyperactivity.

• "It is estimated 3-5 percent of preschool and school age children have ADD or ADHD or approximately two million children in the United States"

Symptoms

Having a hard time concentrating
Mental focus
Careless or disorganized
Forgetful
Can't follow directions
Spacey
Speak before thinking
Have a slow time processing information
Interference of impulses/behaviors are pervasive and chronic and usually affect an individuals daily function settings
- Examples : At home, school, relationships, or work.
Or even lose things a lot.
These symptoms are seen in early childhood usually through school. The symptoms can affect through adulthood and if it is untreated it can lead to poor behavior, social relationships and bad performance in school or work and low confidence. In order for a child to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADD or ADHD their symptoms have to be to much then what would be appropriate for the child's age and educational level. Some inattentive symptoms are also over looked because they are harder to identify and not as disruptive.

Causes
Exact cause has not been determined. This condition can thought to be through genetics. ADHD also tends to occur within family members. Close relatives are 5 times greater at having ADD or ADHD. Boys are also three times more likely to be diagnosed as children. Studies focus on genes that may cause a person to be more affected of getting ADD or ADHD.
Risk Factors
Genetics and hereditary are the major risk factors because it can run in the family.
Structural differences
Brain Abnormalities
Depression
Struggle in school/work

Treatment
No major cure but there are alternatives. For example counseling, support services, and educational support services. There are medications that can help reduce symptoms like Adderall,Concerta, and many more. Settings that are structured and motivating also help. There is also social skill training with helps individuals learn more appropriate behaviors and better ways to interact with others.



http://add.about.com/od/adhdthebasics/a/ADHDbasics.htm

Schools and Special Education

Special Education is an individually planned arrangement of teaching methods. It is also accessible settings and adapted materials for students who need the extra help. Students who would benefit from this program are students with special needs, for example learning differences or mental health issues.

To be a special ed teacher you have to be licensed. This requires a bachelor's degree and the completion of a special education teacher training course. Special ed teachers are in high demand and there is a lot to look into when thinking about special education.

The Nature of Work.
Special education teachers with with children with a variety of different disabilities. Some focus on sever cases, but the majority of teachers work with children with mild to moderate disabilities. They use the general education curriculum to meet the students needs. First students classified under different categories, that can include, speech and language impairments, hearing or visual impairments, brain injury, or any other heath related problems. Teachers need to learn how to identify a student with special needs because it is important for the teacher it is essential to educate that child.
The teacher focuses on the student by different techniques. They can do individualized instruction or even group work with other students. An example of this can be, when it comes to taking a test so students need extra time and the special education teacher will help them get the extra time and if the student needs the test to be read to them, they will also do that.
Each student also has something called an Individual Education Program also known as an IEP. This will set goals for the student and works with the students individual needs and ability. This program also helps students get ready for middle school, high school, or college. The environment teachers work in can vary. Some special ed teachers have their own classroom while others could share a classroom with a resource room. The environment can sometimes be stressful because the teachers are always busy, but it is rewarding.

Training, Qualifications, and Advancement.
Other than elementary, middle school, and high schools some colleges offer programs in special education. Teachers going into this field do a lot more training. Some courses offered are educational psychology, child growth and development, and strategies for teaching students with disabilities. The last year of the special education program would be getting involved in a classroom by actually teaching with a certified teacher. Special ed teachers must stay motivated and learn to be very patient. They need to understand the students needs and respect their differences. They need to have good communication and cooperation, because they will have to get involved with parents.
Employment.
Special education teachers held a total of about 459.000 jobs in 2006. The jobs are to increase by 15 percent from 2006-2016. The number of students who require special education programs has also increased and parents have also done more to seek special services for their children.

Earnings. (in May 2006).
Special education teachers who work in preschools, kindergartens, and elementary schools were 46,360. Middle school teachers were 47, 650 and secondary school teachers were48,330.

Special education programs and its teachers are very essential to schools. They really can impact a student greatly and are very appreciated for everything that they do.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos070.htm

Getting Parents Involved with Schools

It is very important for parents to get involved with their child's education. When this happens there are rewarding results. A child not only needs the support from the teacher, but the support and help from their parents. It is common for children to hate getting up in the morning and going to school. If Parents are involved with school activities it shows that they are interested in their child's education and that going to school is an important thing. Research has shown that children do better academically, emotionally, and socially when their parents are involved with school activities. Schools struggle to get parents involved because parents just don't seem to want to participate. They say they don't have the time or energy and might not feel comfortable being around a school. Some parents just might not know how exactly to get involved. It is important to know about successful parent involvement. This is defined as the ongoing active participation of a parent in the education of their child. Involvement does not have to be anything drastic. This can include helping with homework, attending school functions, volunteering, or even discussing school related events. there are a few ways in which schools can get parents involved. The first is through communication. This is the major factor. One reason for lack of parent involvement is the lack of information. Schools need to actually make contact with parents through phone call, in person, letters, and they need to talk to them reasonably with out using educational terms. Parents want to know what their children are learning how they can help in school and at home. If teacher regularly keep in touch with the parent by giving them all the necessary information I'm sure a lot more parents will be helping out. Another way to get parents involved is though accommodation. Parents need to know that schools are sensitive about there demands and needs. Teachers should be cooperative and try to work around parents work schedules, so they can be involved with meetings and conferences. Teachers also need to let parents know that their involvement doesn't have to a time consuming hectic process. Lastly schools need to be resourceful. Parents who actually want to learn more and become involved with school activities and their child's education should be given resources by the school. An example of this could be providing a resource center for parents with brochures, tips, textbooks, or even Cd's. Anything to help parents become more aware. At schools, sessions can be provided to also help children with homework, study skills, child care, or other opportunities that parents can be involved in. Along with the support from the school and teachers parents can play a huge role in the success of children's education and the best part will be seeing the smile on their children's face.

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Get-Parents-Involved-With-School-Activities&id=137426

http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Getting_Parents/

Comparing and Contrasting Public/Private Schools

Now a days people have an option of where their child goes to school. The two most popular picks are either a town public school or a private school. When it comes to sending a child to either of these kinds of schools, there is a lot to look in to. A school is not just a place to send your child to learn it is an place and environment that will fit a child's needs. Private schools and public schools are both great options, but they are very different.

Public Schools

• The first thing to look at is enrollment. A public school will take every child, and it has to by law let any child be apart of the school. They do not charge tuition. The only thing that must be done is to fill out the necessary paperwork for your child to be registered.

• Each teacher must follow all federal state law when it comes to teaching. An example of this is curriculum. The curriculum for a public school is very basic and general. Each teacher teaches math, English, reading, science, physical education, reading, and writing. They also are involved with teaching art and music.

• When it comes to the teachers of a public school they are state certified and that basically means that they have gone through some training by the state. (example: student teaching).

• Public schools brings a huge diversity of different children. The children are from the local community of where the school is located. Sometimes students are split up in to different classrooms by certain ability or interests.

• Children with learning disabilities are very much taken care of in a public school. There are special education laws that they have to follow and they must take in all children. Public schools have special education programs and trained teachers who take care in working with those children.

• The size of a public school classroom is small, but when the grades get higher and students get older they tend to get bigger.

Private Schools

• To get into a private school it cost money. They are funded through tuition fund raising, donations, and grants. They are also selective when it comes to admitting students in. It is competitive to get in and they do not have to let everyone in.

• Like public schools, private schools do not have to follow state regulations. They are able to make up their own curriculum. The curriculum is very flexible and they are allows to go on trips with the children put lessons together.

• The teachers that teach in a private school do not have to have certification. They just need to have an undergraduate or graduate degree.

• The students that are part of a private school must apply and be accepted to the school in order to go there. They can be from different communities but share the same interests.

• A lot of private schools do not have a special education program and they do not have to admit a child with special needs. They although have other resources for children and do try to help everyone.

• The classroom sizes are always small and they are big on focusing on individual attention.
  

There are a lot of differences when it comes to public and private schools. The most important thing is to pick which one will better fit your child. They are both great schools and children learn a lot no matter which one they are in, but the main focus is of the interest of the child.

http://www.greatschools.net/find-a-school/defining-your-ideal/private-vs-public-schools.gs?content=59

My Introduction and Educational Outlook

Hey my name is Corina. I am a bright 20 year old with the world ahead of me. I am a very smart kind out going person with a good head on my shoulders. I love to be with family and friends and there is never a dull moment in my life. I have a very big family and I have learned a lot in my life. I try to always have a smile on my face and I do my best to put a smile on somebody elses face.



Ever since I started babysitting when I was in seventh grade I knew that I loved being around kids. It's a tough job, but there a so many benefits to it all in the end. To me children make every bad day into to better one. They are so precious and although tough to handle, they really something special. When it comes to my education I am proud to say that I am a junior at Salem State College. I just transferred here and I have already been to two other colleges. Salem state is by far my favorite. I am studying to become a teacher. My major is Elementary Education and I can not wait to work with little kids. Although I don't have a minor yet, I do know that I want to go in to the Special Ed department. When I was in elementary school all the way to high school, I was in my special ed program. I have a learning disability in reading, math, and it is a lot harder for me when it comes to taking tests. This made me face a lot of challenges but I was able to get threw it all with the help of a few of my special ed teachers. I admire them for everything they have done for me. They really have made me open up as a person and I've learned to be more confident when it comes to school and learning. I want to be able to help little children with learning disabilities and let them know that know matter what, nothing can stand in their way. I want to encourage them to not let their disabilities overcome them, and I want to be there for them because I think that's what they really deserve.