Internet Filtering

Everything has its own controversy now and it gets kind of tiring, but at the same time it is understandable because most of it has to deal with the well-being of our youth. Internet filtering does have some legitimacy, no matter how badly people want to argue the freedom of speech right. There are just some areas of the internet that are not necessary for the students to be visiting for research. If their parents don't mind them looking at certain things at home that is their right and personally business. But it is definitely inappropriate in the school setting. What I do think needs to be done is the filtering software needs to become more sophisticated and I am sure it will. Then the sites for Breast Cancer and the History of Nevada and even the Declaration of Independence can be accessed. I do think that filtering can be taken to far and the above are perfect examples. But I do think some type of filtering is necessary because students are curious and they are going to try and skip out of what research they are supposed to be doing to try and look up things that are inappropriate.  

Instructional Planning

       No one teaching method is absolute for Language Arts, especially at this level because of the wide range of concepts to be learned. I use a variety of methods including traditional, self guided discovery and Socratic discussion. I also incorporate hands-on methods for students who haven’t developed higher thinking skills, as well as peer guided instruction where the students form groups and discover concepts together. Together these methods facilitate a learning environment where students feel comfortable to stretch their minds and water their ever-growing knowledge.  

            I also make sure in my traditional teaching that I help the students apply these concepts to everyday life. This not only reinforces the concepts that they have already learned but also provides valuable information for the students, who at this age are discovering who they are as well as setting up a concrete belief system of their own.