Please respond to one or both of the questions:)
1. What are some obstacles you feel are facing our students at Smithfield?
2. What are 5 skills you feel are important for students to leave Smithfield with?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Smithfield America
I think one of the biggest obstacles for many of our kids is home life. Don't get me wrong- we have some great patents, and we couldn't do what we do wihout them. But when we look at our kids that struggle all the way through the grades with both academics and behavior, these are kids with parents who have poor skills, do not emphasize character values, do not encourage academic success, do not help with (or often know how to help with) homework. These are the kids for whom something like Leader in Me is essential if we want to change these kids' lives.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you Teri. Many students come from broken homes with one parent (usually a very young parent) raising multiple children. These parents sometimes work more than one job, work late night shifts, and are too exhausted by the time they come home to sit down and work with their kids. With survival being their main priority, homework becomes their last.
ReplyDeleteFive skills—(1) the ability to build relationships (social skills) (2) honesty & integrity (3) respecting others and resolving conflict (4) responsibility (5) confidence
Home life is one of the obstacles that many of our students at Smithfield face each day. I agree with the book in that the family unit and the church once shaped and molded the character and life skills of children. Now we as educators now are taking on that role. Another obstacle is the world in which they are growing up in. The peer pressures to be cool and fit the world's standards are something they begin to face as they get into the older grade levels. Technology has brought them into a whole new era of the "real world." They are no longer just surrounded by the great commmunity of Smithfield Elementary and North Richland Hills.
ReplyDeleteThe five skills they need when they leave us:
Well developed communication and collaboration skills (social skills).
Values and Beliefs that reflect good character toward themselves and others.
Balanced work ethic.
Problem-solving abilities.
Confidence in their own abilities.
I think a big obstacle for our kids is that they have not been given the tools to solve problems that arise - from math problems to conflicts with friends. It's often easier for parents (and teachers) to "fix it" quickly rather than help the child fix it themselves.
ReplyDeleteFive skills our students need:
1. interpersonal communication
2. conflict resolution
3. problem solving
4. self discipline
5. confidence in self & ability to "figure it out"
Lisa - great point! In order for us to meet these needs we need to change our mindset too. The poverty mindset is something that is very hard for us to comprehend. We've got to try to understand more about where the kids come from and how the parents think.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what everyone else has said so far. I do believe our school has a mixed culture, socioeconomically and economically. That is why I can see where teching the leadership qualities of 7 Habits would be very beneficial for everyone including us, the staff.
ReplyDelete5 skills- 1. Trustworthiness 2. responsible 3. honesty 4. creativity 5. self-reliant.
Hi everyone! I waited for a road trip to read my book, and I am on Chapter 8! Now that I'm home, I'm excited about blogging with you! I agree that so many of our children are facing the obstacles of their home life. Not all but many are left to be raised by siblings or no one at all. It is becoming our jobs more and more to teach communication skills, conflict resolution, personal hygeine and manners, all things that were once taught in the home. I'm ready for us to go to a resort and get the training on the 7 habits. Is that possibly going to happen?
ReplyDeleteI concur with all of you about many of our children and their home life. Certainly, we can become that more loving, safe, and caring place for them at Smithfield. On their departure from our "home", I would desire for them to have a healthier self-concept, becoming more responsible, willingness to be students of honor and integrity, to appreciate and respect one another, and to recognize there is a standard for right and wrong behavior.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree the greatest obstacle our kids face is the lack of support they receive at home. In today’s world our classrooms must offer so much more than just academics. The five skills that I hope that our students walk away with are: honesty and integrity, self motivation and initiative, interpersonal skills, strong work ethics, problem solving skills.
ReplyDeleteThere are many students at Smithfield who have obstacles:
ReplyDelete1.non-supportive parents/missing parents - They don't support the child or the classroom teacher.
2.lack of self-discipline
3.no leadership skills
4.lack of direction
5.no self-confidence/self-worth
6.broken homes/poor home life
I wish students could leave Smithfield with:
1. basic academic skills
2 self-confidence/self-worth/self-motivation
3.teamwork skills
4.empathy
5.love of the arts (remember,I teach music)
Sadly, we have become the "active" parents for some of our chldren at school. It is definitely a different culture from the milk and cookies mom smiling and waiting for the child to get off the bus. I definitely appreciate my parents and all their sacrifices.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, it is a two parent working society and at the end of the day they are tired. I sympathize with them. Even so, the most important job the parent can do is to raise the children in a loving environment and instill self worth and value into the child's heart and psyche. The pay off is the greatest of all.
To me, respect is a key word; respecting yourself and those you come in contact with.