Trespass - to help the child become the best version of oneself
The teacher profession is very varied. To have knowledge in the subject-field you are teaching in, is just one part of your profession. Having the ability to see the pupil as a whole and give him or her individual help and support is another part of the profession, which is extremely important. I believe a teacher´s mission is to help the pupil become the best version of oneself. But how far can a teacher take this mission without trespass the pupil´s family-territory?
It´s incredibly important to remind us of, that we as teachers interfere with the pupil´s future. What we are doing today and how we treat the pupil can affect the pupil many years ahead. I think we all can look back at our days in school to see how certain teachers have affected us in any way. Perhaps a teacher forced you to eat some kind of food, which you still can´t eat today. Or a teacher encouraged you in a special way, which made you dare do something you wouldn´t have done otherwise. This is why we have to be aware of that our manner can affect a pupil´s future, either negative or positive.
Let´s simulate there is a pupil who has big difficulties with his/her social-behavior. The pupil is often violent and gets in conflict with his/her friends. You as a teacher know he/she very often watch hideous, horrific films and play nasty video-games at home. The pupil don´t seem to be able to handle the films and the video-games. The violence from the films and video-games reflects the child´s play. Of course the school must work with the child to help him/her become a social individual with positive relations. But I wonder; is the pupil´s social-behavior something we only need to focus on during school hours, or is it alright to say to the parents that the child can´t handle the movies seen at home? In a situation like this I feel much divided. Of course I want to do everything I can to help this pupil succeed with his/her social relations and become more positive. But on the other hand, I wonder if I´m trespassing into the family-territory by telling the parents I believe their son/daughter ought to see films allowed for children only.
Trespassing or not, I must say I cannot be quiet in a situation like this. I would try to cooperate with the parents and probably tell them to not allow horror-movies and war-video-games. I would do this to help the child succeed and become the best version of oneself. As I wrote before, we as teachers interfere with a pupil´s future. I can´t stand on the side watching a child become more violent and social disturbed, when I may have the power to help him or her to a more positive social life. I believe interaction with the parents is mostly the best. If the parents can trust we are making it to help the child, they will agree, I think.
To summarize; I can´t answer how far we as teachers can go before trespassing the family-territory. I only know I would trust my judgment and try to cooperate with the parents. Our goal ought to be the same; help the child become the best version of oneself.
söndag 10 maj 2009
söndag 26 april 2009
Assignment 5
Big Brother- Nothing is black or white
The day when the world trade center crashed, was a day which chocked us all. Suddenly the world changed. People who lived their everyday life were unexpectedly killed or in great danger, due to a huge terrorist-attack. Fear and anxiety was spread all over America and Europe. People wondered if, this could happen again. After this dreadful day in 2001, the rules for traveling have changed, along with several other safety regulations to protect democratic countries and citizens from terrorists. How far are we willing to go to protect democratic countries from terror-attacks?
Nothing is black or white. On the one hand, of course most people will do everything to protect our democracy. We value free thoughts, different opinions and general elections. But on the other hand, the question is; do we really want to be spied on to preserve our democracy. As you can see, this is a very tricky issue.
We must take care of the democracy very gentle. If there seems to be a threat to our democratic world and there is suspicion of a terrorist-crime, then I believe it is important to investigate the suspects. In that case Big brother´s eyes and ears can be very useful. But it is incredibly important to not abuse one´s power. For that reason it is a very thin line of when to use Big brother’s eyes and ears. It is extremely essential that there are special rules for this issue and people with good judgment who control this matter.
I can see parallels between preserve democracy at any price and USA´s weapon-politic. In USA almost every man and women have the right to own weapon for protection. USA also has very high number of death-shoots, due to their weapon-politic. It is important to remember that the subject sometimes can counteract itself.
To summarize my thoughts, I say that we must treat and protect our democracy very gentle. We must also keep in our heads that the subject can counteract itself. Nothing is black or white. There is always another point of view…
The day when the world trade center crashed, was a day which chocked us all. Suddenly the world changed. People who lived their everyday life were unexpectedly killed or in great danger, due to a huge terrorist-attack. Fear and anxiety was spread all over America and Europe. People wondered if, this could happen again. After this dreadful day in 2001, the rules for traveling have changed, along with several other safety regulations to protect democratic countries and citizens from terrorists. How far are we willing to go to protect democratic countries from terror-attacks?
Nothing is black or white. On the one hand, of course most people will do everything to protect our democracy. We value free thoughts, different opinions and general elections. But on the other hand, the question is; do we really want to be spied on to preserve our democracy. As you can see, this is a very tricky issue.
We must take care of the democracy very gentle. If there seems to be a threat to our democratic world and there is suspicion of a terrorist-crime, then I believe it is important to investigate the suspects. In that case Big brother´s eyes and ears can be very useful. But it is incredibly important to not abuse one´s power. For that reason it is a very thin line of when to use Big brother’s eyes and ears. It is extremely essential that there are special rules for this issue and people with good judgment who control this matter.
I can see parallels between preserve democracy at any price and USA´s weapon-politic. In USA almost every man and women have the right to own weapon for protection. USA also has very high number of death-shoots, due to their weapon-politic. It is important to remember that the subject sometimes can counteract itself.
To summarize my thoughts, I say that we must treat and protect our democracy very gentle. We must also keep in our heads that the subject can counteract itself. Nothing is black or white. There is always another point of view…
fredag 17 april 2009
Assignment 4
Grading - an ingredient to conquer goals
Grading in school has been a lively discussed topic since Sweden had a new government 2006. Our new government wants to introduce grades in school earlier than today. Now pupils get their first grade in 8th grade, however this is about to change. Our Swedish pupils will soon get their first grade in 6th grade instead. The new government has also introduced written reports from 1st grade to show a pupil`s progress. I believe introduction of grades earlier is a good thing, because I think it will put more focus on the goals of the Swedish Curriculum and Syllabuses for compulsory.
Grades earlier forces teachers to make the goals more visible to the children and to the parents. I know most teachers are well familiar with the goals and many teachers are very good at making the goals visible to pupils and parents. But grading will force more teachers to make the goals noticeable. I believe it is very important for the children to be aware of why they are doing things in school and also see their own progress. If the goals are visible and often discussed, then the children will also be aware of what goals they achieve. Conquest of new goals will make the children grow and get more confident. The pupils need to feel, they succeed every day.
Teachers can´t hide children who have difficulties reaching the goals, so easy. I don´t believe teachers in general have tried to hide pupils´ difficulties before. But when you as a teacher have a conversation with a pupil´s parents you want it to be nice and friendly. It is then easy to tell some of the difficulties the pupil has and then also smooth things over, because you don´t want to upset the parents or put a label on the pupil. With grading you can´t hide difficulties. You must put the cards on the table and try to communicate and collaborate with the parents.
Not reaching a grade can help the pupil getting more help. All schools want to have a high level reaching the goals. If a pupil tends to not pass the lowest grade, the pupil needs some kind of extra help. Grading on a paper is making a pupil´s progress very clear. If the pupil´s progress isn´t what it ought to be, grading shows this. Perhaps this can make our pupils get help with their difficulties in time. It is very important that we teacher´s don´t wait for the child to mature. The pupil needs help.
I can agree with those who are afraid of putting a label on the pupils. But we must remind ourselves about our mission as a teacher. We work in school, because we want to make all our pupils reaching the goals. We must help the pupils succeed. Perhaps grading is one of the ingredients to make it happen?
Grading in school has been a lively discussed topic since Sweden had a new government 2006. Our new government wants to introduce grades in school earlier than today. Now pupils get their first grade in 8th grade, however this is about to change. Our Swedish pupils will soon get their first grade in 6th grade instead. The new government has also introduced written reports from 1st grade to show a pupil`s progress. I believe introduction of grades earlier is a good thing, because I think it will put more focus on the goals of the Swedish Curriculum and Syllabuses for compulsory.
Grades earlier forces teachers to make the goals more visible to the children and to the parents. I know most teachers are well familiar with the goals and many teachers are very good at making the goals visible to pupils and parents. But grading will force more teachers to make the goals noticeable. I believe it is very important for the children to be aware of why they are doing things in school and also see their own progress. If the goals are visible and often discussed, then the children will also be aware of what goals they achieve. Conquest of new goals will make the children grow and get more confident. The pupils need to feel, they succeed every day.
Teachers can´t hide children who have difficulties reaching the goals, so easy. I don´t believe teachers in general have tried to hide pupils´ difficulties before. But when you as a teacher have a conversation with a pupil´s parents you want it to be nice and friendly. It is then easy to tell some of the difficulties the pupil has and then also smooth things over, because you don´t want to upset the parents or put a label on the pupil. With grading you can´t hide difficulties. You must put the cards on the table and try to communicate and collaborate with the parents.
Not reaching a grade can help the pupil getting more help. All schools want to have a high level reaching the goals. If a pupil tends to not pass the lowest grade, the pupil needs some kind of extra help. Grading on a paper is making a pupil´s progress very clear. If the pupil´s progress isn´t what it ought to be, grading shows this. Perhaps this can make our pupils get help with their difficulties in time. It is very important that we teacher´s don´t wait for the child to mature. The pupil needs help.
I can agree with those who are afraid of putting a label on the pupils. But we must remind ourselves about our mission as a teacher. We work in school, because we want to make all our pupils reaching the goals. We must help the pupils succeed. Perhaps grading is one of the ingredients to make it happen?
tisdag 31 mars 2009
Assignment 3
No one can do everything - Do something!
The debate of Climate changes is a very pressing issue. Strangely it has been a pressing issue for several years, but still the problems aren´t solved. Every week we can read in newspapers, hear on the radio and TV about how we humans do to destroy the environment and how climate changes are ongoing. Still, the consumption is increasing, we travel more and so on. Why have people in general had such slow awakening regarding climate changes?
The orders must come from the top. I believe that the government and our world leaders must react and give orders to the countries, to the communities and to the people. Ordinary people hear parts of the debate regarding climate changes, but scientists say different things. A good citizen don´t know what to do, because lack of enough knowledge about the matter. I wouldn´t like to say people are ignorant, but when it comes to an issue of this size, I believe people in general need guidelines. However, I believe Sweden is one of the countries having climate changes on the political agenda.
In a stressed society it´s easy to not pay attention to things you can´t see the result of today. Even if you know a few things which can spare the environment, such as taking your bike to work instead of the car, using environmentally friendly colour when painting your house, perhaps you still choose to go to work by car, because it´s faster and painting with colour wich is harmful to the environment, because it lasts longer. You don´t have time or money to paint your house again in just a few years. I think you will agree with me when I write, we are time chasers. We often complain over lack of time, time flies and so on. What can help me now? How can I get this quickly done? Those are questions we often ask. Perhaps we also live in a stressed society with mobile phones and fast travel communications, so when we want to take time off, it isn´t enough to go to the countryside, because you can too easily be back at work or at home again within an hour or two. Many instead choose to travel far away, travelling by plane. We look at our essential needs for the moment; turn a blind eye to the consequences.
The world economy is depending on our consumption. Factories and their workers and owners, middle hands etc. Everyone is in some way or the other slaves under the consumption. Now when the world economy isn´t on top and affects the Swedish economy, our Swedish minister of finance says; Buy, change kitchen and so on. At the same time, most of us know how consumption affects our environment and in the long term led to climate changes. Questions we need to ask us, are for example; how is our new kitchen made, what do we do with our old kitchen?
The climate changes issue is far too complex to be summarized in the three categories above. It seems impossible to only look at one of the categories above, because the three categories are linked together in one way or the other. Of course there are a lot more factors affecting the climate changes and why people in general have acted slowly. However, I believe we as teachers have a big responsibility to help our pupils and prepare them for a life, where they can hopefully make choices on the basis of what is good out of an environmental perspective. I also believe it´s important to not feel guilt for how we act in this matter or to judge other people. The most important thing is, to be aware of the issue and do what we can and is possible for us. We can´t carry everything on our shoulders, but all of us can do something.
The debate of Climate changes is a very pressing issue. Strangely it has been a pressing issue for several years, but still the problems aren´t solved. Every week we can read in newspapers, hear on the radio and TV about how we humans do to destroy the environment and how climate changes are ongoing. Still, the consumption is increasing, we travel more and so on. Why have people in general had such slow awakening regarding climate changes?
The orders must come from the top. I believe that the government and our world leaders must react and give orders to the countries, to the communities and to the people. Ordinary people hear parts of the debate regarding climate changes, but scientists say different things. A good citizen don´t know what to do, because lack of enough knowledge about the matter. I wouldn´t like to say people are ignorant, but when it comes to an issue of this size, I believe people in general need guidelines. However, I believe Sweden is one of the countries having climate changes on the political agenda.
In a stressed society it´s easy to not pay attention to things you can´t see the result of today. Even if you know a few things which can spare the environment, such as taking your bike to work instead of the car, using environmentally friendly colour when painting your house, perhaps you still choose to go to work by car, because it´s faster and painting with colour wich is harmful to the environment, because it lasts longer. You don´t have time or money to paint your house again in just a few years. I think you will agree with me when I write, we are time chasers. We often complain over lack of time, time flies and so on. What can help me now? How can I get this quickly done? Those are questions we often ask. Perhaps we also live in a stressed society with mobile phones and fast travel communications, so when we want to take time off, it isn´t enough to go to the countryside, because you can too easily be back at work or at home again within an hour or two. Many instead choose to travel far away, travelling by plane. We look at our essential needs for the moment; turn a blind eye to the consequences.
The world economy is depending on our consumption. Factories and their workers and owners, middle hands etc. Everyone is in some way or the other slaves under the consumption. Now when the world economy isn´t on top and affects the Swedish economy, our Swedish minister of finance says; Buy, change kitchen and so on. At the same time, most of us know how consumption affects our environment and in the long term led to climate changes. Questions we need to ask us, are for example; how is our new kitchen made, what do we do with our old kitchen?
The climate changes issue is far too complex to be summarized in the three categories above. It seems impossible to only look at one of the categories above, because the three categories are linked together in one way or the other. Of course there are a lot more factors affecting the climate changes and why people in general have acted slowly. However, I believe we as teachers have a big responsibility to help our pupils and prepare them for a life, where they can hopefully make choices on the basis of what is good out of an environmental perspective. I also believe it´s important to not feel guilt for how we act in this matter or to judge other people. The most important thing is, to be aware of the issue and do what we can and is possible for us. We can´t carry everything on our shoulders, but all of us can do something.
onsdag 11 mars 2009
Assignment 2
Feel-good-feeling
What makes me love watching TV-series? And why do I love the series I follow?
When I was I child I had a friend who had moved with her family to Karlstad from Uppsala. You can call them an intellectual family. I experienced a cultural chock and I am sure of that they felt the same. My friend´s family had a little TV behind a sofa. They only took the TV out sometimes to look at the news. The family walked around bare foot reading Svenska dagbladet, while my family had both large TV and even a VCR with remote control. Our family gathered around the TV watching Dallas, Falcon Crest, Little house on the prairie and Fame.
I think you can´t see this difference as clear today as for over twenty years ago. All social groups have a lot of technique today, I think. It doesn’t matter if you are high educated, upper class or working class; you have at least one TV. The fortunate ones have a flat screen hanging like a piece of art to frame a kind of hotel-lobby feeling.
I do not have a flat screen hanging on my wall, but we do have two big and thick TVs. Mostly my husband and our children gather around just one TV. I like the feeling of watching TV together in our sofa. Even though conversation is out of focus, I still think it is pretty social sitting close together and getting body-contact. When my family is sitting together it is mostly entertainment shows such as Let´s dance we are watching. We talk about the dancer´s clothes and performances. That kind of shows gives us a happy feeling.
When I can choose TV-series by myself I choose Desperate housewives, Men in trees, Lipstick jungle. One of my favorites, which has ended, is American dreams. All of these series turns to a female audience, I think. Desperate housewives is in my opinion absolutely fantastic with very different female characters who all have their own problems and methods dealing with their issues. Desperate housewives fascionates me because sometimes I laugh watching it and in the same episode I can also get a little frightened or even burst into tears. The creators of the series have done a fantastic work finding all the right elements to create all of these moods and settings. As you may understand, Desperate housewives has really made an impact on me.
Men in trees is a feel-good-series with nice and warm characters. Lipstick jungle is more city-chic New York story. Even though American dreams isn’t broadcasted anymore I can´t leave that series out. It is a TV-series about the Pryor family living in Philadelphia in the nineteen sixties. The series contains a lot of American history such as Kennedy being shot, first moon-landing, racism and much more. The Pryor family is warm with high moral. It has been wonderful following this made up family through the nineteen sixties. I am dreadfully sorry I can´t see them anymore.
To summarize my thoughts; What makes me love these TV-series? I think these TV-series touch my heart and mostly leave me with a feel-good-feeling. I also believe I can identify with some of the characters while other characters are more chic and elegant which gives my structured life some glamour. In our stressed lifestyle I think it is important to not underestimate TVs ability to just step into another world while relaxing in a sofa irrespective of you are alone or with friends or family. Lean back, relax and enjoy!
söndag 15 februari 2009
Taste the world
Blog assignment 1
What experiences you would like the children of the world to have as they grow up? What are the adults responsibilities?
If I assume that the children have all the physical needs along with safety and social community and I focus beoynd that. I think, it is one of the most important things for a child to taste and be a part of the world.
As a parent of two children and as a teacher I would like to give my own children, but also my pupils the whole world. By that I don´t mean to be a curling parent or to spoil the children. I mean that I would like to show the children as many sides of the world that I can and is possible for the children to grasp. By writing the world I mean the environment close to us, but also the whole world. I want the children to get a taste of different worlds. Have the opportunity to try dancing, skiing, play an instrument, visit a museum and step into other worlds by reading books and so on. The children needs to be guided by the adults to experience new worlds, so that a child later on can see that he or she can choose the way meant for him or her.
Some children have the fortune to grow up in stabile homes and other children are not that lucky. Regardless what home you are coming from it is important that you have experienced enough worlds so you can choose your own way. You do not haft to be a bank manager, an alcoholic, a hairdresser or a mechanic as your mother or father. I believe that school as an institution and teachers have a very important mission here to open the world for the pupils.
The world is full of different cultures, justice and injustice and so on. By tasting the world you also get a little bit more tolerant I think. You can taste the world by reading books, news papers, travel, meet new people etc. It is seldom that issues are black or white. I think one of the most important things is to see a person´s value, to respect and be tolerant to that person regardless the person´s heritage. We can help children be more tolerant and open to other by letting the children taste the world. Hopefully this is a recipe for friendly manner and the children´s socialization, because having friends and experience love is extremly important to every child.
On one hand, I argue for giving the children the world. On the other hand, the children of today have a lot more choices than any generation before. Our responsibility as adults are to guide the children through the world. We should to this carefully, with encouragement, with love, but also very important with a steady stabile hand. The children need frames otherwise they get anxious. The adult should not forget who is adult. Sometimes I think that adults are stressed and say yes to things they didn´t want to say yes to, which in the end isn´t good for either the adult or the child. It is the most normal thing that children ask questions loudly and are defiant. It is our responsibility as adults to answer the questions.
So, is it okey with TV-games for an 8-year old? In my book, absolutely, but not war games and not several hours per day.
Is it okey to be bored? It is wonderful for a child to be bored! Time for reflection and as you know time for imagination.
Okey I´ve ended up by moralize a bit. My attitudes to children´s up-bringing is of course influenced by my experiences and perheps lack of different ingredients during my own up-bringing. Don´t forget the most important on your "world-journey"; give your children and pupils a lot of encouragement and LOVE and have faith and belive in the them!
tisdag 3 februari 2009
Camillas blogg
Welcome to my blog!
My name is Camilla and I have for the first time started a blog. What will you read here? I´m not sure yet. You just have to wait and see...
I can start telling you that I have recently started an English course and to start a blog is one of my assignments in the course.
My name is Camilla and I have for the first time started a blog. What will you read here? I´m not sure yet. You just have to wait and see...
I can start telling you that I have recently started an English course and to start a blog is one of my assignments in the course.
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