1. According to research cited in the paper, what was the most important variable mentioned for school success?

The research paper clearly states that there are two main strategies these schools used to help increase the learning by students. However, the first and most important variable mentioned in school success would be how many indicated a culture focused on student learning and the increase in, and protection of, students’ learning time.

 

2. Describe why you think this might be the case?

I think that many indicated a culture focused on students learning and the increase in, and protection of, students’ learning time because teachers want to make sure that the students actually learn the material to the best of their ability. The teachers would rather the students understand the material rather than trying to get through more of the curriculum. It is important for the students to take their time to understand the material in school because they will probably do better on exams than they would to be racing through material and not understanding it fully.  

 

3. Describe how some schools celebrate their academic success?

Some schools celebrate their academic success by rewarding the students. For example, if a student was to do well on an exam they could be rewarded with extra recess. They could also be rewarded with candy if they get a question correct in group work. The teacher could give them the responsibility of being the line leader. Finally, they could get to leave class early for lunch. All these are great ways of celebrating academic success because then the students know they are doing well and they should keep doing well. However, it might not be fair on some students because they might feel left out just because they are not as smart rewarded as much as another students. There are some sacrifices that have to be made and rewarding one student for doing well without rewarding another who isn’t doing well may just have to be that sacrifice.

 

4. Should there be a National curriculum for all students? Why or why not?

In my opinion there should be a national curriculum for all students. Students that move from one state to another are considered behind because the two states have different curriculums which is unfair to these students. If all the states were on the same page the process of getting into the colleges would be 100 times easier for not just the students but the colleges too.  

 

5. List and describe some challenges for school success.

Location is a challenge for school success. If a school is in the middle of a bad area, like the projects, then the students will not strive to achieve for greatness. They will find it hard to focus in school because of what is happening outside of school, such as: guns, drug dealing, gangs, and loud noises. Teachers are also huge contributors to successfulness. If the teachers are not fully qualified for the subject they are supposed to teach students then the students won’t succeed. Some schools struggle for qualified teachers for certain subjects. For example, the school might need an English teacher so they put a qualified math teacher to do the English class. Lastly, funding plays a role in challenging students in their school success. This would cause the school to not succeed because if the school does not have any funds to buy things like computers, instruments and appliances every school needs then the students won’t have anything to work with and complete their curriculum every student needs to have. 

 

6. What was the purpose for this research study (Elementary School Research)? Describe.

The purpose of this study on Elementary School Research, I think, was to make upcoming teachers more aware of the school success, academic success, curriculums and challenges for school success in elementary schools. Also according to the elementary school research paper, examples for sustaining school success are: family instability, budget constraint, loss of staff positions, instructional coaches and paraprofessionals, lack of buy-in by some teachers, lack of professional learning funds, increase in the special education and English language learner populations, complacency by some educators, high student-teacher ratios. This allows teachers to understand the reason why children could be failing or falling behind, as well as, inform them of what not to do in order to have school success.

 

Summary:

This lesson has made me think about being in a school setting and about the things I will have to deal with when I become a teacher. I will have to focus on the main strategies these schools used to help increase the learning habits by students as well as trying to help improve them. Another thing I will need to do is focus on how to reward the students to make them aware of when they are doing well. I need to understand how the school curriculum works and make sure I stick to the curriculum when I am teaching. Finally, when I am teaching I need to make sure the students and the school are succeeding and the challenges in the school decreases.  

 

Research Question:

Should teachers reward students with candy? Why or why not?

 

Research Analysis:

According to my research, I found that 36% of the population say yes to rewarding students with candy. Many people have said that candy is motivating for students. They believe that the students will work extra hard to get good grades and their parents will be happy with the results which is all parents and teachers are concerned about. Someone mentioned on a website that teachers should be allowed to use whichever rewards they prefer. They do not see a problem with rewarding the students with candy as long as it is low in fat. They believe that a single M&M or skittle would do the trick as a reward. They think it is a good way to teach children to eat in moderation from a young age and enjoy the small things you get in life.

 

The other 62% of the population disagree about giving students candy as a reward. Plenty of people have said that stickers are just as effective as candy and I agree. I believe that candy can get addictive and it is not good for children to have. It can give them diabetes, cavities or even lead to obesity and nobody wants that for a young child going through the education programs. Giving the students candy could also mess up their eating habits, the child may choose not to eat lunch or dinner. If the teacher is giving the students any food to reward them it should be fruit like apples or oranges. Doing this would encourage them to eat healthy things. Also, fruit is not sickening like candy is so it shouldn’t put the children off eating their lunch or dinner at their regular timings. If I was a teacher I would make sure I had plenty of stickers and fruit to give the children when they did well. I would also try and educate the children about healthy fruits. Maybe bring a new type of fruit to every class to see if they enjoy trying new fruit. However, I would need to get a letter from the parent to approve me doing this.   

 

Reference:

http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-teachers-be-allowed-to-give-students-candy-as-a-reward