I've watched this video in some of my ECS classes.  For those of you who haven't seen it, I suggest you watch it.  Makes you think about the state of education.

Standardized testing has been the topic of discussion in all of my classes recently.
What do you all think about the idea of standardized tests???

...Here's the latest from Leader Post: http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Form+Sask+standardized+tests+still+undecided+minister/8004056/story.html

If any of our students ever ask, just show them this!!

I find this soo true in many schools today!!!

I was reading an article when I came across some facts

1. One in five adults in the developing world — almost 862 million people —
   cannot read or write.


2. Most illiterate persons are female. In more than 20 developing nations,
   illiteracy rates amongst women exceed 70%.


3. As much as 115 million children of primary school age are not enrolled in
   school.


4. More than 226 million children do not attend secondary school.


5. Many children who do enroll in school do not graduate with even the most
   basic reading and math skills because their schools do not have enough teachers,
   books or facilities to provide a quality education.


6. Across the world many children miss out on their education because: 
   

• They are made to work to help support their families,


• They are recruited into armed forces and become child soldiers,


• Their families do not have the means to pay for schooling,


• Discrimination and racism undermine their chance to receive an
  education,


• They face violence as they pursue their education. This is the case for
  girls in areas where they are threatened with extreme physical harm (eg. acid
  attacks) for the seemingly harmless act of attending school.

I am very excited to be working with Paul Park for my Mentorship Assignment.  He teaches in Rouleau, SK.  I am a health major and a social studies minor, and those are two classes that he teaches.  We've made a few plans for what we both want out of this project.  Can't wait to really get started!!!

I don't know how many of you have seen this yet, but if you haven't TAKE A LOOK.  So cute, makes me excited to work with kids everyday.

This show gives me a good laugh!! Even though this is how NOT to be a teacher!!

In class the other day, my teacher read out some tips that we should try to do everyday to make our life better.  I started looking at different articles and came up with my own list of things that are important to remember every single day.

1) Do something for yourself.  I think that it is important to take time each day to do something that you truly enjoy. 
2) Look at people directly when they are talking to you.  There are too many distractions in this world.  With my busy schedule, I find myself constantly multitasking.  Pay attention to the people around you!
3) Try something new.  We get pushed into the same routines, do something different - take a different path to school, have something different for lunch...
4) Believe in everything you do.  If you aren't confident in yourself, how are others supposed to be?
5) SMILE.  It can change your mood, as well as others who you encounter during the day.

I encourage all of you to do the same! It's amazing how the smallest thing can change your day, or a strangers day!!

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"Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose." - Bill Gates
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/teacher.html#Z2akV0M5MHQqhc1J.99

I can relate this quote back to my transition from high school to University.  In high school, I was used to being on the honor roll while balancing teenage life, several different sports teams and extra-curricular activities.  I had this false sense of success that I never felt like I ever failed at anything.  The transition I was about to embark on as I entered University was difficult for me.  For the first time in my life I felt as though I wasn't successful.  This poses the question I have for you. 

"Is there anything that can be done to smooth the transition between High School and University!?"

Photo Credit:     <a
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