Blog 7 (3/24) Natalie Gianvecchio, Chapter 6, Roles: Vocabulary Concept Vitalizer and Essence Extractor
Vocabulary:
1.) Uniforms/Dress Codes- The idea of uniforms and dress codes was also mentioned in this chapter for high school students. Gurian states, "Both boys and girls dress in ways that we might consider inappropriate for developing a cohesive team-learning environment" (280). He explains that it is natural for these students to dress in such a way to make a statement or to show that this is who they are. High school is very much about appearance for this age group and relating to their peers. Gurian recommends a uniform or even a simple dress code so students can still wear what they want, but in an appropriate manor.
2.) Sex education- This was an important theme of the high school education chapter. This is the age group that needs this the most! Teenagers are confused and curious. They need to be educated not only at home, but in school as well. Gurian states, "Sex is one of life's most confusing and crucial activities; it is in no way merely the responsibility of the family. It has never, in fact, been only the family's responsibility" (294). He recommends bringing in males to talk with the boys about sex as well as females to talk with the girls about sex. Gurian also recommends having co-education discussions. High school students really need to understand sex education because this is the age that many of these teens begin to explore. It must be taught in high school!
3.) Standardized Testing- This area is another important vocabulary term mentioned in this chapter. High school puts a large focus on standardized testing such as the SATs for students getting ready for college. Gurian states, "There are two important things to know about test scores. First, students are getting higher grades in high school today without similar increases in SAT scores. Second, males outscore females by ten points in the verbal and forty points on math" (307). He also mentioned that recently, the SAT test added a writing section. "Girls have consistently outperformed boys on this test" (Gurian, 307). To do well on standardized tests, it really just depends on the student. Students who can think and reason quickly will do well on the multiple choice sections and the student who really likes to take their time on tests will not do well since it is timed and responses must be quick.
Essence of the Chapter:
In secondary education, teachers must prepare young men and women for the real world; life after school.
Natalie Gianvecchio
Natalie,
ReplyDeleteYou and I are on the same page this week regarding school uniforms and dress codes. Students difinitely dress to impress, only they are trying to impress the opposite sex because they can and I am not sure if school administration and/or parents want to tackle this issue; maybe each is hoping the other is going to step in and take care of the problem. I would like to see some kind of uniform for schools because I do not think dress codes hold very much weight; students are getting away with too much today.
This takes me to the sex education piece you wrote about. I agree with what you wrote; especially that this is the age group that need sex education the most because yes this group is exploring and experimenting all the time and I like the fact Gurian mentions bringing both males and females together to discuss this issue.
Great work, Natalie! Those uniforms, again, even just changing the dress code. Or making it more cohesive and the same for all students, is going to make a difference. No midriff, no tank tops. You want to take the silliness out of school, this can be one way to do so. (At Mary Kay, I definitely think that it's a silent issue. Nobody really wants to come to the front of it, and tackle it themselves. But having the discussion as a whole will make a difference).
ReplyDeleteWith sex education, I believe in it 100%. There's no way that these topics shouldn't be addressed. At least this way, through discussion and learning, they are able to make their own decisions as far as what's right and what's wrong. We can't stop it, but as their teachers, we can at least give them the proper education and knowledge to go out into the world and make decisions on their own... (and continue to have our fingers crossed that they make the right ones!).
Meghan Koch