WebLog 4

Timeline Entry:

1935
In grade school, we had to take the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS). Each student had to take them because they were a basic assessment of our basic skills in different subject areas. The ITBS assessment test allowed the teachers to determine how the students were intellectually compared to the other students of their age in the United States. Also, the teachers used these tests as an evaluation of how well they taught the students as well. If the majority of the class wasn't doing well, then the teacher was teaching poorly. If the students tested high, the teacher was doing his or job well. This idea of evaluating the teacher has encouraged me to try to be the best kind of teacher that I can be. I want my students to learn the best of their potential.


Writing Circle Discussion:

I believe that by having a writing circle, it will allow us to write better papers. Because each person has his or her own opinions, it allows us, as writers, to meet the needs of all the audience members who would potentially read our research papers. In addition, the members' feedback will help us to only include information that is beneficial to our papers. Also, the writing circle can help us to make sure that our papers are grammatically correct. Each person in the group can provide a different talent that they have to our papers. One person may be good at proofreading, while another person may be good at making sure the paper itself makes sense. Also, the writing circle is there to make sure each person participates. Overall, the writing circle is a beneficial element to writing our papers.

Timeline II

In 1838, Charles Darwin introduced the theory of Evolution. Evolution became a controversial idea that was taught in classrooms across America. Because of this theory, many people are unsure of what to believe, and it created a large impact on Science.

In 1873, Child-centered reforms appeared. This form of student involvement in the classroom began to raise test scores. It allowed students to learn and participate in class work that was not just reciting and memorizing. Instead, it engaged the students in the material (Chapter 3 of textbook)

In 1989 the National Research Council (NRC) found the United States to be lacking in the mathematics department. Students in America were far behind students in other countries across the world in math. People believe this is caused by the traditionalist methods of the teachers. (Chapter 4 of Textbook)