I read an article about a middle school offering birth control to its female students. When I read the title of the article, I was like...you've GOT to be kidding me. But it was no lie--a school in Maine is actually going to do that. Here's the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/18/us/18portland.html?ex=1350360000&en=7fb352244936243a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
First of all, whose idea was that? I know that society's morals have plummeted to extremely low standard as a whole, but do we really have sexually-active eleven year olds? I don't believe we do! So, we don't need to be giving contraceptives to middle schoolers. Can't they keep their innocence a bit longer? A school providing birth control is not only inappropriate for the age group, but it's also not the job of the school to hand out such things.
I was offended when, at the University of Central Florida's orientation, they took us incoming freshmen to a room, and said, "Here are a whole bunch of free condoms. Have at them." Not only was I disgusted, but I was angry because---were we supposed to be going to college to engage in immoral acts with people we're not married to or to get an education? I don't know about you, but I'm sick of being lectured on 'safe' things to do---JUST DON'T DO IT, PEOPLE, and quit talking to me about it!
I think people have lost focus. School is for teaching and LEARNING--it's not a place where we offer contraceptives to young people who shouldn't be involved in such a lifestyle.
First Grade
Posted by
Kristy Zabel's Blog
comments (1)
Well, today marked my second day (on the 16th day of the tenth month) in my second placement in the first grade class. Hehe--how do you like all those ordinal numbers? :) Already, in working with the first grade class, I have found it to be quite--um--different (?) slash challenging (?) compared to fifth grade. OF COURSE, I expected it to be different, but I guess I somehow figured first graders would have good behavior mostly--just because they are sometimes known for just wanting to please the teacher and follow directions. In my internship, though, it was the fifth grade class that was good, and the first graders who are having a bit of difficulty with behavior. Right now, I'm thinking that teaching grades two through five is more for me. (I've worked with second and third graders in the past, so I know what they're like.) I'm leaning toward the upper grades though--third through fifth.
Don't get me wrong---the first graders are very cute, and some of the things they say are just amazing for their age, but with the lack of self-control, the baby-like needs, etc. ---it is not the ideal age group for me. I realize, however, that a lot of that depends on the teacher's discipline and classroom management, but it also depends on the individual child's maturity level at such a young age. Also, it seems to me that with the upper grades, since the kids are more mature and know more, there is an opportunity for more in-depth activities and higher expectations behavior-wise.
I am enjoying my time with the first graders--even though I am seeing and experiencing quite a few behavior issues. Ijust have come to the realization that I wouldn't want to teach them full-time for an entire school year. A few of the students are quite a handful! :) I'm not sure about my supervising teacher's methods of discipline yet....It seems like she's constantly correcting the kids, which takes time away from the others who are behaving well, but I'll see as time goes on what the real core of the problem is. My supervising teacher (Mrs. Preshong) said that the two days I've seen them have been bad days for the students and that they normally aren't acting like they did when I saw them, so I hope they'll be better next week when I come. It could be that they were just acting out for attention, since I was a new guest in the classroom. Who knows? Only time will tell.
Mrs. Preshong is very nice, and I am enjoying working with her. She is not as organized as Mrs. Abel (my first placement supervising teacher) is, so that's a bit different. But I think she is a good teacher overall, and she cares a great deal about her students, and that shows.
I look forward to learning more from this experience--even though I now know that teaching first grade full-time is not my cup of tea for the future.
Don't get me wrong---the first graders are very cute, and some of the things they say are just amazing for their age, but with the lack of self-control, the baby-like needs, etc. ---it is not the ideal age group for me. I realize, however, that a lot of that depends on the teacher's discipline and classroom management, but it also depends on the individual child's maturity level at such a young age. Also, it seems to me that with the upper grades, since the kids are more mature and know more, there is an opportunity for more in-depth activities and higher expectations behavior-wise.
I am enjoying my time with the first graders--even though I am seeing and experiencing quite a few behavior issues. Ijust have come to the realization that I wouldn't want to teach them full-time for an entire school year. A few of the students are quite a handful! :) I'm not sure about my supervising teacher's methods of discipline yet....It seems like she's constantly correcting the kids, which takes time away from the others who are behaving well, but I'll see as time goes on what the real core of the problem is. My supervising teacher (Mrs. Preshong) said that the two days I've seen them have been bad days for the students and that they normally aren't acting like they did when I saw them, so I hope they'll be better next week when I come. It could be that they were just acting out for attention, since I was a new guest in the classroom. Who knows? Only time will tell.
Mrs. Preshong is very nice, and I am enjoying working with her. She is not as organized as Mrs. Abel (my first placement supervising teacher) is, so that's a bit different. But I think she is a good teacher overall, and she cares a great deal about her students, and that shows.
I look forward to learning more from this experience--even though I now know that teaching first grade full-time is not my cup of tea for the future.
What are you going to name him?
Posted by
Kristy Zabel's Blog
comments (1)
Before I begin with tonight's featured topic, I have to respond to Krystina and Olyvia's recent comments/questions left on my a couple of my recent blogs...
Krystina, you gave a very kind response to my last poem post. You really are toooo polite! I thought it was terrible, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. hehe :)
Olyvia, you asked if there is anything else I do in my church besides sing in the choir. Yes, I am the "webmaster" and web designer for the church website. (Check it out if you wish--http://www.geocities.com/fumcpinehills.) I am the 'youth minister' even though, right now, we don't have a youth group, and I am the Sunday school teacher for the youth also. And during the summer, I teach a class at Vacation Bible School, and I'm kind of their official decorator for the event too, which is always fun. I'm also on the Leadership Committee and a couple of other committees. I think that pretty much covers it! :)
You also asked what grade I would like to teach and at what school, and for the grade part of that question (which everyone asks), I usually just say third grade because I like all of the grades, but 3rd is in the middle, so I just stick with that answer. I just started in my second placement for internship in a first grade class today (Monday, October 15). Already, I'm thinking I might change my tune and stick with the upper grades, but I'll explain that later in an upcoming blog. As for the school I'd like to teach in, I would like to go back to the school I attended - Ridgewood Park Elementary--which is a very troubled school to say the least. I also like Fern Creek, though, which is where I'm interning right now because, even though the students there have issues, the school is great and holds high expectations. But we'll see where God places me to teach.
Okay--even though my responses themselves took up a good chunk of my 20 minute blog requirement, I will now move on to the subject of the night... :-P
"What are you going to name him?" a friend asks a couple expecting a child.
"We were considering these," the pregnant woman exclaims, pointing to the names "Tylar" and "Taiylor" on the list of baby names the couple had compiled.
Well, according to an article (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/08/international/europe/08names.html?pagewanted=1&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/B/Babies&_r=3&oref=slogin) I recently read, Denmark might refuse to allow the parents to name their child either one of those names without written permission from a government review board because they are not typical names and definitely aren't typical spellings. I was kind of surprised when I read this article. Here in America, we can name babies whatever we want -- whether it's the infamous "Apple" or "Pilot Inspektor"--without question.
Even though it is the American way to be able to choose whatever unique name or spelling of a name we want for children, I'm thinking maybe some people DO need to ask permission first. For example, one real-life couple named their child "Lemonjello!" First of all, what were they smoking when they thought of naming their child that? Were they inhaling powdered lemon Jell-O? In my middle school yearbook, I remember seeing a child whose name was "Seaborn Algae." He was an adorable little child, but I would like to know how many times he was made fun of for that name. I'm sure he has probably lost count by now.
The fact is, people need to take the naming of a baby seriously. They are going to be stuck with it the rest of their lives! It's not something that should be taken lightly or be given little thought. Denmark is quite extreme in its handling of the situation, but for some parents that don't have good judgment and plain old good sense, maybe I should name their baby for them. :-P ;)
Krystina, you gave a very kind response to my last poem post. You really are toooo polite! I thought it was terrible, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. hehe :)
Olyvia, you asked if there is anything else I do in my church besides sing in the choir. Yes, I am the "webmaster" and web designer for the church website. (Check it out if you wish--http://www.geocities.com/fumcpinehills.) I am the 'youth minister' even though, right now, we don't have a youth group, and I am the Sunday school teacher for the youth also. And during the summer, I teach a class at Vacation Bible School, and I'm kind of their official decorator for the event too, which is always fun. I'm also on the Leadership Committee and a couple of other committees. I think that pretty much covers it! :)
You also asked what grade I would like to teach and at what school, and for the grade part of that question (which everyone asks), I usually just say third grade because I like all of the grades, but 3rd is in the middle, so I just stick with that answer. I just started in my second placement for internship in a first grade class today (Monday, October 15). Already, I'm thinking I might change my tune and stick with the upper grades, but I'll explain that later in an upcoming blog. As for the school I'd like to teach in, I would like to go back to the school I attended - Ridgewood Park Elementary--which is a very troubled school to say the least. I also like Fern Creek, though, which is where I'm interning right now because, even though the students there have issues, the school is great and holds high expectations. But we'll see where God places me to teach.
Okay--even though my responses themselves took up a good chunk of my 20 minute blog requirement, I will now move on to the subject of the night... :-P
"What are you going to name him?" a friend asks a couple expecting a child.
"We were considering these," the pregnant woman exclaims, pointing to the names "Tylar" and "Taiylor" on the list of baby names the couple had compiled.
Well, according to an article (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/08/international/europe/08names.html?pagewanted=1&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/B/Babies&_r=3&oref=slogin) I recently read, Denmark might refuse to allow the parents to name their child either one of those names without written permission from a government review board because they are not typical names and definitely aren't typical spellings. I was kind of surprised when I read this article. Here in America, we can name babies whatever we want -- whether it's the infamous "Apple" or "Pilot Inspektor"--without question.
Even though it is the American way to be able to choose whatever unique name or spelling of a name we want for children, I'm thinking maybe some people DO need to ask permission first. For example, one real-life couple named their child "Lemonjello!" First of all, what were they smoking when they thought of naming their child that? Were they inhaling powdered lemon Jell-O? In my middle school yearbook, I remember seeing a child whose name was "Seaborn Algae." He was an adorable little child, but I would like to know how many times he was made fun of for that name. I'm sure he has probably lost count by now.
The fact is, people need to take the naming of a baby seriously. They are going to be stuck with it the rest of their lives! It's not something that should be taken lightly or be given little thought. Denmark is quite extreme in its handling of the situation, but for some parents that don't have good judgment and plain old good sense, maybe I should name their baby for them. :-P ;)
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