Maria Lee's Blog

Violence In Primary Schooling

marialee87 — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:48:54 +0000

Obtained from: http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/ksc/lowres/kscn978l.jpg

Australian statistics reveal:

- Violence in both state and private schools is at its highest ever.

- Girls among the worst offenders. From the end of 2009, 383 high school students were arrested for assault, including 111 girls – an increase of more than 150 per cent.

- Assaults by boys rose 76 per cent.

- Primary schools challenged with violent behaviours, with more than 130 attacks reported to police.

Media

- 2009 Daily Telegraph released an article titled “Dad Threatened School Girl”, which also unveiled an additional incident, where a mother paid money to a student to harm a Year 3 boy who had been bullying her son.

- A 13 year old student was stabbed and killed (Sunherald, 2010.)

- Year One student initiated an attempted knife attack on another child because of a previous day quarrel over a paper airplane (Sunherald, 2010.)

Policies

National Safe Schools Framework (Aust. Wide)

Anti-bullying Plan for Schools (NSW )

Whole school approach

Rigby (2003) claims that a ‘whole school approach’, in which the resources of the whole school community are drawn upon and coordinated in a systematic manner in addressing the problem of bullying, is much more likely to be successful than single-factor interventions

Programs

Anti Bullying Club

Bullying No Way

Advocacy

Save Our Schools
The National Centre Against Bullying (NCAB)
Take A Stand. Lend A Hand. Stop Bullying Now!

Parents, Families and Schooling

marialee87 — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:45:24 +0000

Effective parental involvement

Effective parental involvement requires educators and parents to acknowledge that a child operates within a complex system of interactions and influences, in which numerous elements- child temperament, peers, parental dispositions and environmental context- all have a bi-directional influence on the learning process.

FIGURE 1. Four Forces Influencing Family-School Involvement.

Taken from Hiatt-Michael (2008) “Families, Their Children’s Education, and the Public School: An Historical Review”, Marriage and Family Review, 43 (1), 39-66

Taken from Hiatt-Michael (2008) “Families, Their Children’s Education, and the Public School: An Historical Review”, Marriage and Family Review, 43 (1), 39-66

Media

Truancy: Parents of truants put on notice over Centrelink Payments by Melanie Christiansen From: The Courier-Mail April 05, 2010 5:56PM http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/parents-of-truants-put-on-notice-over-centrelink-payments/story-e6freoof-1225850014369

Gay parents media article http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/22/2549106.htm

Julia Gillard- NAPLAN boycott www.theaustralian.com.au/news/gillard-speaking-for-parents-children/story-e6frg7b6-1111117321449 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/parents-to-check-schools-via-internet-under-education-plan/story-e6frg6no-1225699718136

Key Issues

Divorce
Single sex parents
Parents dispositions
Home schooling
Unconventional learning situations
Rural

Medicalisation Of Student Behaviours Focus: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

marialee87 — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:41:14 +0000

What is ADHD?

“A persistent pattern of inattentive behaviour and/or hyperactivity impulsivity that is more frequent and severe than is typically observed in individuals of the same developmental level. Children and adolescents with inattentive behaviour problems make careless mistakes with school work, find it hard to persist with tasks and are easily distracted. Those with problems in the area of hyperactivity/impulsivity often fidget and talk excessively, interrupt others, and are constantly ‘on the go’.”

There are three sub-types of ADHD:

ADHD predominately inattentive symptoms
ADHD predominately hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms
ADHD combined: inattentiveness and hyperactivity-impulsivity

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSMIV).

Key Issues and debates

Differing perspectives- Does ADHD really exist?
Is ADHD misdiagnosed / over diagnosed? And Is ADHD medication over prescribed?
Is the medication beneficial?
But what about the side effects of medication?
Bio-psychosocial Approach and Alternative Therapies for ADHD
Opinion-based treatment is being practiced, rather than evidence-based treatment

Policies

Australian Guidelines on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 2009- The Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Advocacy

Brain Gym Australia
Move To learn
Next Challenge

Marginalised students

marialee87 — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:38:43 +0000

According to the National Equity Program there are 6 groups of marganilsed students. Each group have their own successes and limitations regarding identification and support.

The first group is students with physical, intellectual and emotional disabilities and/ or difficulties. Students with physical disabilities are easy to identify and they are usually well supported in the classroom. Students with intellectual disabilities are slightly harder to identify and thus not always appropriately supported. Students with emotional disabilities are the hardest to identify and therefore support.

The second group is students whom are at risk through adverse circumstances. This consitsts of students who have family unemployment, domestic violence, abuse, experiences of war and refugees.

Students from low socio- economic backgrounds or those living in poverty are another group of marginalized students. These students may have difficulties as their parent’s level of education is generally low, they may have to work to support the family and look after younger siblings.

A fourth group of marginalized students are those who are Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islanders. Generally Aborignial and Torres Strait Islanders perform below their peers. Some students may live in the country but go to school in the city.

Students with English as a Second Language form a fifth category. These students have to overcome the disadvantages of not speaking English, many lack parental help with homework and assignments as they too do not speak English.

The sixth group consists of geographically isolated students. This group contains not only those who are physically distant from school, but also those who have no/ limited internet connection so have difficulties with school assignments and homework.

Policy Documents

Global – UN Rights of a Child

National – Australian Government: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy (AEP)

State – NSW Department of Education & Training: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Training, Multicultural (ESL), Gifted and Talented, Disabilities and Learning Difficulties

Advocacy Groups

Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW

Disability Advocacy NSW

Disability Advocacy Resource Unit

Programs

The Payne Program

Accelerated Literacy program – ESL / Indigenous students / Students with reading difficulties

Issues In Australian Schooling For Indigenous Students

marialee87 — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:36:42 +0000

Key issues

Creating positive partnerships between Aboriginal communities and schools
Bridging the gap of academic achievement between Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal students
Raise the levels of employment of Indigenous people in education and training.
Language
Location
Community acceptance
Socio economic
Relevance to students’ life
Maintaining student’s attention and attendance
Hearing ability

Media

Behind the News

“School Boarders” (03/11/2009) http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2730877.htm

“Indigenous Language” (17/11/2009) http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2744198.htm

“Didgeridoos” (30/03/2010) http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2857394.htm

“School Scheme ‘could hamper’ Aboriginal Kids” ABC News (01/03/2010) Written by Gina Marich

“Teacher backs Aboriginal education” The Queensland Times (01/03/2010) Written by Zane Jackson

“Back to Basics” Key for Aboriginal Schools The Australian (11/02/2008) Written by Luke Slattery

The Silent Epidemic: NT Kids Cant Hear, Can’t Learn ABC News (27/04/2009) Written by Margie Smithurst

Advocacy

NASCA- National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy

Generation One

Policies

Aboriginal Education Policy NSW

Girls in schooling: femininity, learning and behaviour

marialee87 — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:20:12 +0000

“Gender is about what it means to be male or female in daily life. The way we understand gender is influenced by many things, including our culture, our own experiences, media and society.”

NSW Department of Education (2008). Boy’s and Girl’s Education Strategy. Parent Information Sheet.

“Gender is identified as a social construction…….it refers to the beliefs, behaviours and expectations of self and others in relation to being masculine or feminine.”

NSW Department of Education (2008). Leading the way in school and classroom practice. Boy’s and Girl’s Education Strategy support document, p7.

Recent Research

The media, marketing, and single sex schooling. by Martin Mills (2004).

Gender inclusive policy developments in Australia. By Evelyn Johnson (2002).

Learning gender in primary school playgrounds: findings from the Tomboy Identities Study. By Carrie Paechter and Sheryl Clark (2007).

Policies

NSW State

Boys’ and Girls’ Education Strategy (2008)
Gender Equity Strategy: Girls and Boys at School (1996)

Federal

National Action Plan for the Education of Girls (1993-1997)
National Policy for the Education of Girls in Australian Schools (1987)

Media

Girls ‘Disengage’ From High School Science YourKidsed November, 2009 http://www.yourkidsed.com.au/info/girls-disengage-from-high-school-science

Teen boys outdo girls at maths, science SMH June 30, 2009 http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/teen-boys-outdo-girls-at-maths-science-20090630-d3gi.html

Girls as good at maths as boys Wendy Hansen, Los Angeles The Age July 26, 2008 http://www.theage.com.au/world/girls-as-good-at-maths-as-boys-20080725-3l2k.html

The great maths divide Herald Sun (2007) Blanche Clark

Cyber bullies run amok at top school, Anna Patty Education Editor SMH May 8, 2009 http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/cyber-bullies-run-amok-at-top-school/2009/05/07/1241289315388.html

School expels girls over cyber bullying Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Broadcast: 07/05/2009 Reporter: David Mark http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2008/s2564087.htm

Top girl’s school call police on bullies Bruce McDougall Education Reporter March 08, 2010 Daily Telegraph http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/top-girls-school-call-police-on-bullies/story-e6freuy9-1225838449008

Resources

Enough’s Enough! Sexual Harassment and Violence: A resource kit for primary schools Department of Education Queensland (1994)

Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy Support Materials: Understanding gender diversity Department of Education Tasmania.

In the classroom use texts that challenge stereotypical gender roles eg The Paperbag Princess

Obtained from: http://rgr-static1.tangentlabs.co.uk/images/bau/97809202/9780920236161/0/0/plain/paper-bag-princess.jpg

Cyber Bullying and Online Conduct

marialee87 — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:16:58 +0000

Online conduct consists of more than cyber bulling:

Cyber Bullying
Predatory Behaviour
Publication and distribution of illegal and offensive material
Plagiarism
Piracy
Breach of Privacy

“The greatest threat faced by children online is not, as is widely feared, adults soliciting sexual contact; it is bullying perpetrated by other young people” (Kowalski, 2009)

Cyber Bullying

According to NSW Department of Education and Training “Cyber-bullying is an intentional, repeated behaviour by an individual or group to cause distress or undue pressure to others using technology.”

The types of cyber bullying are: flaming, harassment, cyber stalking, denigration, impersonation, outing, trickery and exclusion.

Media

Sun Herald Article (9^th May 2010) Prosecution options available for students under 15

Privacy Issues on sites such as Facebook news.com.au story from 14^th May 2010. http://www.news.com.au/technology/facebook-users-search-for-how-to-delete-accounts/story-e6frfro0-1225866756133

Sunrise Interview- Banning sites as solution

http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/play/-/6788592/facebook-ban-on-kids/

A Current Affair – Experience of the victim

http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/stories/liambartlett/444908/cyber-bullies

Policies

Schools need to have their own policies

Anti-bullying Plan for Schools (2005).

Advocacy

Enough is Enough
reachout.com.au
WiredSaftey.com
AMTA (Australian mobile telecommunications Association)
Brave Hearts
Child Wise
Alana and Madeline Foundation

Boys in schooling: masculinity, learning and behaviour

marialee87 — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:11:36 +0000

Boys in schooling issues

Boys are falling behind the girls; performance gap is widening

Boys in CRISIS, underperforming/ underachieving

Education has become feminised; a girl’s domain

Which boys?

There are lower expectations for boys

Boys, the new disadvantaged group; need to be empowered

Masculinity in conflict with school discourse

: Image obtained from: http://www.truthdig.com/images/reportuploads/boycrisis.jpg

Media

“The Boy Crisis” in Newsweek

BBC (2000) “Why Girls Are Beating ‘Lads’”

CBSNEWS (2006) headline “Are Schools Failing Boys?”

Policy

Boys: Getting it right: Report on the inquiry into the education of boys (2002)

Gender Equity Framework 1997

Sex Discrimination Act

Programs

The Boys’ Education Lighthouse Schools (BELS) program:

Success for Boys initiative:

Teacher Training for Boys:

The Boys’ and Girls’ Education Strategy:

Guys Read

Yes he can – Schools where boys write well

Summary

Girls are performing better; boys are not doing worse

Boys and girls benefit from the constructivist learning approach

Hegemonic masculinity prevents boys from achieving their potential

Good teachers can teach regardless of their gender

Teachers have lower expectations for boys as a result of media sensationalisation

The category ‘boys’ is limiting and discursively produces the category it refers to

Masculinity conflicts with school discourse

Introduction and purpose

marialee87 — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:05:55 +0000

This blog contains my notes from the student presentations in the lectures this semester. As a graduate teacher I need to be able to “Demonstrate knowledge, respect and understanding of the social, ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds of students and how these factors may affect learning.” (NSW Institute of Teachers Teaching Standards 2.1.1 – Graduate Teacher) . As a group we have covered many social and cultural issue s and backgrounds of my future students. The following topics have been covered:

• Boys in schooling: masculinity, learning and behaviour

• Cyber Bullying and Online Conduct

• Girls in schooling: femininity, learning and behaviour

• Issues In Australian Schooling For Indigenous Students

• Marginalised students

• Medicalisation Of Student Behaviours Focus: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Parents, Families and Schooling

• Violence In Primary Schooling

These topics are in addition to my hot topic subject of Social Inclusion of Students with Special needs.

Marcia Tate- Active Learning

marialee87 — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:39:20 +0000

Students are different, thus students learn differently. Dr Marcia Tate highlights the importance of active learning.

Tate, M. (2009) Dr Marcia L Tate retrieved 8th March 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUnb7xEy-ws&feature=related