MOTIVATIONAL WEBSITES

Student Motivation

The drop-out rate is high in the black community, and I often wonder why black students are not doing better. I told black students they lived in a country where everything was available for them. A girl shook her head and said, "It doesn't matter if you can't see it."  However, black students are not the only ones who are unable to see it; many students lack motivation.  They are easily discouraged and they are quick to give up.  This site contains many resources for motivating students in all education settings.  It also has valuable links and resources for educators.
Reference
Iowa State University. (2012). NDT Resource Center. Classroom Tips. Motivating Students. Retrieved from http://www.ndt-ed.org/TeachingResources/ClassroomTips/Motivating_Students.htm

Too many people, with limited vision, are quick to kill your dreams.  Don't let them! 

This is a great motivational video!  It is about  famous celebrities who got discouraging words, but they kept on going!  You'll never guess who they are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tjYoKCBYag&feature=email

SEX EDUCATION IN OUR SCHOOLS

April 28, 2012

Why are Pregnant Teens Showing Off Their Baby Bumps on Facebook?  

This morning, I was shocked to read about four Black, teenage girls who posted pictures of themselves, with their baby bumps, on Facebook.  I wondered what messages they had received about self-image, relationships, and sex education.  As I read the article about these girls, I was reminded of a high school where I once worked.  So many girls had babies, the day care center at the school had to be expanded.  All of the seats on the baby bus were filled with girls and their babies in car seats.  The boys were never in sight and the buses never had any boys on it.  One winter, as students waited for the bus, I saw a heavy-set girl running for the baby bus.  I was afraid for her as she ran, carrying her baby in one arm and a tote bag in the other.  The baby was bundled up in so many thick blue blankets, you could barely see him.  Her baby bag was strapped across her chest, and her back-pack bounced up and down as she ran.  Her over-sized coat was slightly awry; and she was oblivious to the students who laughed at her.  She was on a mission to catch that bus, and I was relieved when I saw the bus driver stop for her.  I was sure that girl would make it in life; catching the bus showed that she would.  But surely, her experiences were altered forever with the birth of her child.  I wondered if those girls on Facebook knew what to expect once they had their babies.

THAT FIFTH PERIOD CLASS--EVERY TEACHER HAS ONE

Every teacher has that class.  You know the one...the one where half the students are disruptive or out-of-control.  These students interrupt the educational process and the classroom is suddenly filled with negative energy as you try to maintain order.   Every year, disruptive, out-of-control students drive teachers away from the profession.  That class consists of  students who lack self-control and appropriate social skills.  I knew one teacher who got heart palpitations whenever that class was due to arrive.  Another had a panic attack and had to be rushed to the hospital.  A young teacher had a mild heart attack when that class arrived.

As for me...I prayed before, during, and after each session.  That class came during 5th period, right after lunch.  They were loud, rambunctious, and full of energy.  Some students arrived with their lunch.  "Didn't you eat lunch?" I would ask.  "Yeah...But I'm still eating."  I chose my battles; they were exempt from the No Eating rule.  They were often off-task and had to be re-directed many times.  They were angry and defensive, they misinterpreted my motives, and they questioned my intentions.   One day, a boy asked me a question.  I answered it as I headed towards the board.  "Here...I'll write it so you can know how to spell it."  "Oh!  Now she's mad!"  I tried to stay calm and rational:  "I'm not mad.  I just want to show you how to spell it..."  But it was too late. He insisted that I was disrespecting him, and he began to complain. That class was very difficult, but I survived. I learned three things: (1) teaching is not for the faint of heart,  (2) prayer is not enough, and (3) you need effective strategies.


Classical Music Helps Increase Test Scores

Sometimes, students do not always know how to calm down if they experienced stress in their last class.  Bach, Bethovan, and Mozart has been shown to stimulate a child's brain development.  My students increased their FCAT practice scores after listening to classical or meditative music.  We even did a short meditation or I allowed students to do a free write journal assignment while listening to music (without words).  I have allowed students to put their heads down or close their eyes and have a silent meditation.  I found that playing classical music (brain food!) not only helped to improve the mood of my class, it also helped my students to increase their test scores. 

Turn on the Radio to Help Students Focus with Classical Music

Live 365 is an online radio station that offers a variety of classical, meditative music in addition to jazz.

http://www.live365.com/index.live

Classical Music Forums and Information: "The Effects of Classical Music on the Brain," Sylvia Maglione

The author states, "The commonly known 'Mozart effect' is a phenomena that suggests the improvement on the performance of spatial-temporal reasoning and short- term memory through the listening of complex music, such as Mozart’s two-piano concertos."  In other words, Mozart helps to develop reasoning skills and short-term memory.
Reference 
Classical Forums. (2012). Classical Forums. Music Articles. Effect of Classical Music on the Brain.  Retrieved from  http://www.classicalforums.com/articles/

Classroom Management

Here are a few web sites that offer strategies for classroom management:

1. The NEA has an article with a list of strategies that have worked for elementary and middle school teachers.

NEA (2012). National Education Association. Classroom Management. Retrieved from

http://www.nea.org/tools/ClassroomManagement.htmld

2. "How to Control a High School Classroom" has strategies for high school teachers.

eHow Family. (2012). Demand Media, Inc. eHow Family. "How to Control a High School Classroom." Retrieved from

http://www.ehow.com/how_2087132_control-high-school-classroom.html

3. Parentguide News has strategies for educators and parents.classic
Parentguide News. (2012). Network Corporation. Parent Guide News. Music and the Mind.  Retrieved from

http://www.parentguidenews.com/Catalog/ChildDevelopment/MusicandtheMind

THE HAITIAN MAN ON THE TITANIC: JOSEPH LAROCHE

As the country commemorates the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the Titanic, I  would like to include a little-known story of the one Haitian man who was there. I was surprised to learn that the Titanic was supposed to stop off in Haiti before heading for New York.  I enjoyed "Titanic", but I believe that Joseph and Juliette's story is a real love story.  The Cincinnati Herald states, "The life story of Haitian native Joseph Phillippe Lemercier Laroche is far more intriguing than the movie’s lead character, but no one knew of his existence until recently." (2012).


  Juliette and Joseph Laroche and their two daughters Simonne and Louise. The formal photograph was taken before the family decided to emigrate to Haiti, Joseph's native country. Louise is seated on her father's lap.



The RMS Titanic, April 15, 1912
 


Joseph Phillip Lemercier Laroche  was a  Haitian-born, French-educated engineer.  Joseph Laroche was born in Haiti in 1889 into a powerful family — his uncle, Dessalines M. Cincinnatus Leconte, was the president of Haiti. When he was fifteen, Joseph Laroche left Haiti to study engineering in Beauvais, France.

Several years later, he met Juliette Lafargue, the 22-year-old daughter of a local wine seller. The two eventually married. Despite having an engineering degree, Joseph's skin color left him unable to find employment in France. The Laroches decided to return to Haiti and booked second-class reservations on the Titanic. After the ship struck an iceberg, Joseph loaded his wife and children onto a lifeboat and he went down with the ship. His body was never recovered.  Shortly before Christmas of that year, Juliette Laroche gave birth to their son, Joseph Laroche Jr. Juliette never remarried.

Resources
The  Cincinnati Herald. (2012).  The Cincinnati Herald. "Nephew of Haitian President Perished in Titanic." Retrieved from http://www.thecincinnatiherald.com/news/2010-03-20/Section_B/NEPHEW_OF_HAITIAN_PRESIDENT_Perished_on_Titanic.html

Chasing the Frog.com. (2012). Chasing the Frog, com.CTF Media. Titanic (1997). Retrieved from
http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/titanic.php


The Titanic Historical Society has an excellent article about the Laroche family, including letters and postcards sent by Juliet Laroche.  The site includes an interview with the youngest daughter, Louise Laroche, who was an Honour Member of the Titanic Historical Society.  She died in 1998.
 Reference
Titanic Historical Society. (2012). The Titainic Society, Inc. Miss Louise Laroche.  Retrieved from
http://www.titanic1.org/people/louise-laroche.asp


The Chicago Tribune has an interesting article about Christine LeBrun and how she found out that she was related to Laroche. The article states, "How she came to know about her ancestor is a story that begins in a hair salon in 2000." 

Reference

Chicago Tribune News Column. "Black passengers add another facet to Titanic story.  A twice overlooked passenger has local ties."  Retrieved from
 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-met-trice-titanic-0409-20120409,0,2696114.story