Every year has its share of stories that profoundly impact us. And stories about our schools and our children particularly touch our emotions.
With a new administration in Washington, a global economic recession and the increasing influence of technology in our society, 2009 was bound to have more than its fair share of stories that would impact our schools.
Here are 10 we believe most profoundly impacted the education world in 2009.
Although forest kindergartens—kindergartens that require students to spend several hours outdoors each day—are common in Austria, Germany and Scandinavia, the concept is a new one in the United States.
The Waldorf School, a private school in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., has taken the concept to heart, and opened a forest kindergarten in September. According to Liz Leyden, writing for The New York Times, the school requires students to spend three hours outside every day and focuses on nature-based, outdoor education. Students plant gardens, study animals and insects, and enjoy the fresh air. Sigrid D’Aleo, a teacher at the school, says the students have improved their motor skill development and social skills through “more imaginative play,” Leyden reports.
Play-Based Learning
Play-based learning has been implemented in Norway, Scotland and Australia. The concept makes environmentalism accessible to toddlers, while giving their brains a break from the rigors and monotony of the classroom. Play-based learning also incorporates aspects of the “green” trend. School gardens, for example, give students playtime outdoors, and provide lessons in horticulture and environmentalism.
Outdoor Playtime in Danger
Forest kindergarten is in stark contrast to research reported in May 2008 that showed that U.S. day care programs were not letting children play outside for surprising reasons. The research added to concerns over childhood obesity and inactivity. Researchers from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center found that children are kept indoors if they are wearing flip flops instead of sneakers, or are not wearing the appropriate clothing or coat for outdoor play.
Torrey Maldonado in a photo by Allison Maletz.
Torrey Maldonado is an author, a sixth-grade social studies teacher at Middle School 88 in Brooklyn, N.Y., and a trained specialist in conflict resolution. Maldonado, who describes himself as a Black Puerto Rican, says he was inspired to become a teacher by his mother, who gave him homework she created herself, and by a few good teachers in Red Hook.
“I had a lot of teachers who encouraged students to become factoid regurgitators, and then I had a lot of teachers who encouraged us to learn the stories in history and see the humanity behind the facts and behind the dates,” he told findingEducation.
Maldonado’s first book, “Secret Saturdays,” will publish in April 2010. Learn more about “Secret Saturdays” at torreymaldonado.com.
David Lee King by Amy Miller Photography.
In Topeka, Kan., the library is the second favorite place for teens to hang out. “We’re sort of kicked out at the mall,” they tell David Lee King, the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library’s digital branch and services manager. As a result, the building, particularly the new media area and gaming room, are a little noisier than your average library. But King, a former DJ and assistant recording engineer, and now an author, blogger and librarian thought leader, takes pride in all the bustle. “Not too many people can say, ‘Yeah, teenagers think that the library’s cool.’”
On Oct. 28, King is launching the Library 101 Project with fellow information specialist Michael Porter. The project will include a music video, educator essays and 101 resources.
Josie Carbone, founding principal of Girls Prep Bronx.
Josie Carbone, the founding principal of Girls Prep Bronx, an all-girls charter school for pre-K through first-grade students in the Bronx, New York, got involved in teaching while volunteering to teach Spanish at a local elementary school during high school. After graduating from college in 1997, she worked with Teach For America in New York. Carbone taught for six more years before becoming involved with the New York charter school movement in 2003.
fE: Why did you choose teaching?
JC: The main reason I chose teaching was because I felt that there is a real disparity in this country between who has access [to good schools] and who doesn’t.
My parents are immigrants. My mother had an elementary school education. My father was unable to go to college, because he had to make some decisions to help support the family. But all through my childhood, no matter where we moved, he always sought out areas where the public schools were strong. And so the message that education is important is something that has been instilled in me since I was very young. (more…)
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On May 9, 1994, South Africa's newly elected parliament chose Nelson Mandela to be the first president of the post-apartheid era.
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On May 8, 1945, Germany officially ceased military operations, ending the European conflict of World War II and prompting massive celebrations in Allied countries.
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Many teachers have yet to fully embrace the potential for the Internet to transform the social studies curriculum. Whether your class is named History, Government, Civics, Economics or Psychology, there is a great wealth of material available online that will engage your students. We’ve assembled just a smattering of the best of it here.
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The Invisible Children campaign has brought a lot of attention to the issue of child soldiers. Here are some other ways that concerned students can help child soldiers in Africa.
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Invisible Children’s Kony 2012 video has received criticism for being misleading and factually inaccurate. How can students properly evaluate its accuracy?
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The Kony 2012 film has become one of the most watched videos on the Internet. How were the filmmakers so successful in gaining the attention of American youths?
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Historically rich, geographically diverse and culturally intriguing, Latin America is a fascinating place. Discover online resources for Latin American studies, including journals, information on specific countries and current events, and advice for pursuing a career or college major in Latin American studies.
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During the 1950s and ‘60s, African-Americans campaigned for an end to racial discrimination through a series of non-violent protests and marches. The Civil Rights Movement culminated with the passage of federal laws banning discrimination in voting, employment, housing and other sectors of American society.
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Derided by some, held up as a technological savior by others, Steve Jobs helped launch a wave of personal computer use that has redefined the world’s economy and the way people interact, and he started it all from the comfort of his parents’ garage.
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Rebel, patriot and politician Samuel Adams helped organize protests against the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Tea Act of 1773 and developed a base of resistance that would eventually lead to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
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In 2004, Wangari Muta Maathai became the first African Woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Maathai is known as the founder of the “Green Belt Movement” to reforest Africa.
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During his short career, Harry Houdini’s “death-defying” feats astonished his audiences. People from all walks of life came to watch Houdini escape from shackles, milk cans and water tanks. Their fascination with his act continued his legacy long after his untimely death.
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