Archive for category: Classroom Ideas

Education is the action or process of learning. It is equally the process of acquiring knowledge and improving the mind. From basic levels of complexity in knowledge acquisition to complex levels of analysis, education imparts different levels of understanding which could be determined by different indicators. In this vain, education entails different categories and levels, which could be primary, secondary, vocational or tertiary education, otherwise known as the university education, which comes either as a diploma, bachelor, masters or Ph. D degrees.

This article is thus aimed at using some set of questions to determine your level of education. It includes some relatable questions designed to figure out your educational level. We hope it gets your educational levels right!

1. Is it true that the heart pumps blood?

True     False

1. H20 is often used to represent

Oxygen                        Helium             Acid     Hydrocarbon   Water

1. The most populated country in the world is

USA     Brazil   China   Russia  Egypt

1. The administrative head of a university is called

Chancellor       Vice Chancellor                       Director           Chief Academic Officer

1. Animals with back bones are referred to as

Vertebrates      Reptiles            mammals         Apes

1. The longest river in the world is

River Niger      River Amazon River Nile        River Jordan

1. What is 999 times 100.0?

199.0     999.0     9999       99900

1. Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin have something in common

They were all famous American artist

They were all famous poets

They were all famous scientists

They were all notorious American criminals

1. The internal organ that is most affected by alcoholism is

Heart    Lungs   Artery  Liver

1. Which is the smallest fraction among the following

¾         6/7       ½         6/5       3/2

1. Jane was the cynosure of all eyes at the party. This means that

She attracted everybody’s attention

Everyone looks down on her

Everyone was surprised to see her

No one even looked at her at the party

1. How many sides does a pentagon have ?

Six       Seven   Four     Five     Eight

1. A citizen of Isreal can also be referred to as an

Israelian               Isreali    Israeli   Israelis  Isrean

1. The number “14” can be written in word as

Forteen fourteen forten fourtin

1. Jamaica is located in what continent?

Asia Europe America Africa

1. The Sahara desert is located in what continent?

Asia Africa Europe America Australia

Bonus Question:

The first university in the world is in

Nigeria Brazil America Russia Morocco

How many questions did you get correct? 80% + score will generally have a Bachelor’s degree and above. Below that could reflect primary level. However, context is everything; it will be presumptuous to generalize. Hope you had fun answering the questions.

Bipolar Disorder and ADHD (Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder) have a lot of similarities and due to this, there may be difficulty in differentiating them. In this article, we shall be learning about six ways to spot the differences between these two conditions.

1. Irritable Moods vs. Explosive Rage

Kids experiencing ADHD do not usually destroy property or lose touch of reality when they have temper tantrums. Additionally, their burst of anger is usually for a short period of time. Kids suffering from bipolar disorder on the other hand always have an explosive rage. This is different from regular anger because it comes without any signal and without any apparent reason behind it. It usually lasts for hours and is quite hard to control because it is more like a seizure instead of an emotional episode.

2. Behavior/Attention vs. Mood

Teens and children who are experiencing ADHD usually have issues with distraction, cognitive functioning as well as finishing assignments/tasks. Bipolar disorder has an impact on mood. It can result in mood swings which can move from hyper maniac to depressive lows. A bipolar kid may be inattentive if going through a state of depression because the desire to care about any activity has been lost while an ADHD child is inattentive because of the lack of the ability to focus on a specific thing at any given time.

3. Mood Intensity

The way kids suffering from ADHD react to life events is basically seen as expected and is usually less intense and serious while in a bipolar child, reaction to life events is usually exaggerated when compared to the events themselves.

4. Mood Swing Duration

Bipolar kids experience abstract feelings which can be life disrupting and deep. Their depression can stay for long periods of time and can lead to serious issues in aspects of their lives like at school, home environment and friendships meanwhile the kids experiencing ADHD have moods that appear and vanish and usually do not remain in a constant state of depression.

5. Treatment

A kid experiencing ADHD is usually provided a stimulant which works faster than an antipsychotic medication or antidepressant and is able to focus better with lower levels of energy within a short period of time. In the case of a bipolar kid, an antipsychotic medication is utilized when suffering from a panic episode; this helps in reducing the energy level of the kid. Additionally, when a kid who is bipolar and in an episode of depression is offered an antidepressant, their moods will become better in some weeks (longer period of time) and their attention and energy comes back.

6. Hyperactivity vs. Mania

Kids who suffer from ADHD are also known to be energetic when they are hyper than kids suffering from Bipolar disorder.

Generally, teens and children suffering from ADHD and bipolar are more likely to have low self-esteem because of the poor feedback they get from adults about how they behave. Keep and eye out and make sure you track the behavior patterns of kids to see if they need extra help. Unfortunately, the tendency is for teachers to focus more on the disruptive behaviors of these kids rather than sympathize with their predicament. More empathy will go a long way to hep them better integrate in the group.

As teenagers grow up and head towards adulthood they will want to become more and more independent .

They will often feel embarrassed by the way their parents dress and act .Teens feel that parents interfere too often in their lives.Teenagers brains are still developing and this combined with hormones and social awareness can contribute to heightened feelings of embarrassment.

Seeking Independence

It is normal that teenagers want to create their own identity ,one separate from their parents .This is often where parents and teens can clash.They want their friends to see them as being independent of their parents. I.e being dropped off a block from school or popping in at school to visit them .

Difference in Clothing Styles

Teenagers are influenced more by their friends than by their parents.Many teenagers feel embarrassed by the clothes that their parents wear .In particular teens are not comfortable if their parents try and dress themselves as a teenager would . Teens don’t want to be embarrassed in front of their peers and seek to express an identity different from their parents.In fact most teens want their parents to dress similar to other parents.

Privacy is important

This is very important to teenagers.This is why a teen rebels if parents check on their room and cleanliness. In particular teens abhor the idea that their parents may be checking their mobile phone texts or watching their social media sites.Parents should avoid posting on their teenager profiles in case they embarrass them . Online offenses top the list of the most embarrassing things parents can do .Posting baby pictures and writing comments that all their friends can see is why parents on line embarrass their teenager.

Teenage Brains are still developing

Research has shown that teenagers respond to embarrassing situations with a different part of their brain when considering potentially embarrassing situations .This will alter the older they get.

Over affectionate in public

If parents are overly affectionate in public then a teen will be embarrassed that they are being made to look  like a baby in the eyes of their friends. Teens are striving to be independent and as such it best to keep affectionate hugs etc for home .Allow your teen to become an independent adult .Don’t mother them ,allow them to take care of themselves .I.e Don’t force them to put warm clothing on when its a chilly day . let them decide that for themselves particularly in front of friends.

Don’t yell or correct teens in public

If a parent yells at their child in public the teen will feel belittled and embarrassed.As a parent maintain your composure and keep complaints about their behavior to yourself until you can discuss it one on one . This is important so that a parent raises a confident independent teen .

Embarrassment for teens is not a trivial emotion.It is very real for them . Parents have to learn to accept that from the age of thirteen most things they do will embarrass their teen . Think before you speak and act and allow your teenager to grow up as an independent emotionally stable adult .

Whilst a few public schools in America had uniforms in the 1980’s it wasn’t until 1994 when Long Beach in California adopted a rule that all pupils in elementary and middle school would be required to wear school uniforms .

Statistics show that a higher percentage of city public schools than suburban  public schools require that children wear uniforms. As at the beginning of 2017, 23 % of public schools required students to wear uniforms with the cost to each parent being calculated at $ 249 per student .( Statistics Brains March 7 2017)

However the debate as to whether it should be mandatory for students to wear school uniforms still continues. There are several points which can be considered as advantages to this.

Security

After the dreadful shooting at Columbine School in 1999 many schools started to adjust their uniform policies ,using it as a way to help keep students safe and secure .

If students are wearing uniforms it helps to identify any intruders on school property .

It has been noted that wearing school uniforms helps to reduce the forming of gangs. Schools that do not have these policies find that gangs form and can dress to identify their group .I.e colors ,caps etc.

• Long Beach CA implemented a mandatory school uniform policy in 1995 . After a few years they found that overall the crime rate at schools dropped by 91 %.School suspensions dropped by 90% ,incidents of vandalism reduced by 69 % and assaults in the K-8 grades decreased 28 %.
• Statistics from Norfolk VA who also introduced mandatory school uniforms show a similar picture .They found that the incidence of students leaving class without permission dropped by 47% and fighting at school dropped by 38 %.
• These figures provided by Statistics Brains report March 2017 clearly show that the wearing of school uniforms can have a positive benefit in a school .

Sense of Community

It has been found that when students wear a uniform they develop a strong sense of community and pride in their schools .If a uniform is worn with pride then it usually means a deepened respect to both fellow classmates,teachers and the surrounding community .

Reduces Peer Pressure

The wearing of school uniforms can help unify a school no matter what their family income and upbringing . There is intense pressure on school going age children to conform .This way there is no competition as to who has the most expensive item of clothing or who is wearing clothes in fashion . In schools where there is no uniform policy many students feel picked on for having different clothes leading to poor self esteem .

Reduces Expenses

Once the one time  expense of school uniforms is managed, there is more money available to families . There is no pressure for parents to make sure that their child does not stand out from others with a particular item of fashion .It can add up to a lot of money .Students should be more focused on their education than their wardrobe .

Wearing school uniforms give a sense of belonging,takes away the pressure of what to wear and gives students an increased feeling of security .It may not be the most fashionable but the advantages of schools introducing a uniform cannot be denied.

Disadvantages of school uniforms

Based on the arguments raised earlier, it can be agreed (to a large extent) that the advantages of wearing school uniforms outweigh the disadvantages. However, some disadvantages of school uniforms that have been mentioned across different literature are as follows:

1. Uniformity (in dressing) leads to a lack of creativity in self-expression and style.
2. One style in some cases does not fit all. People feel and look good in different styles and this varies from person to person.
3. Parents must maintain a routine of making sure uniforms are always clean before the start of the week. It is not uncommon to find students who fail to wash their uniforms and have to repeat dirty uniforms to school.
4. Schools are taking advantage of students to promote their brands without any form of compensation.
5. Uniforms add an extra cost to parents especially at the start of every school year.

The school uniforms debate hence rests on the individual circumstances of every parents and student concerned.

Bullying is a very real problem in many schools in America .Statistics indicate that approximately  2.3 million students are victims of bullying each year. This results in over 160 000 teenagers missing  school every day because of bullying .When questioned 90% of students between 4^th and 8^th grade report that they have been victims of bullying whether physically  or verbally .These facts alone indicate that bullying is still a huge problem in our schools .

The best way to address bullying in a school is to stop it before it actually starts.There are a number of things that teachers ,principals and parents can do to that will make schools safer and prevent bullying .

Educate Students about Bullying

As part of a teaching curriculum students should be taught to identify what bullying is in themselves or as they see it in others.They should be taught to be able to communicate positively .Having these skills will help create a more positive environment at schools.This will in turn ensure that bullying is less likely to occur.

Classroom discussions can be held about the motivation and effects of bullying .Students should be taught that bullies are usually children who have experienced bullying themselves.Those bullies suffer from low self esteem .They try to make themselves feel better by making sure that they can control children around them . It is important that students understand the terrible effects that bullying can have on the victim.

Hopefully this education will help children understand the effects, supporting any school anti bullying campaign .

System in place to report bullying

All schools should have a system in place for a child to report bullying ( anonymously if need be ).This must be well advertised at the school .If there is no system in place parents should lobby for one .These systems should be drawn up with the advice of a professional counselor .All reports must be taken seriously.

Counseling must be available

Counseling should be available through the school for children who are victims of bullying and for those that do the bullying .If need be these children should be referred to therapists outside of school for on going assistance .

Bullying Awareness Campaigns

Regular awareness campaigns should be held at schools both in assemblies as well as backed up by support in the classroom .Poster competitions  can be held highlighting Anti Bullying .Classes and groups of children could act out play situations where bullying may take place .Teachers can assist by helping children to understand the impacts of bullying.

Consequences of Bullying

Schools should have in place systems where there are strong consequences for bullying.Bullying is actually an illegal in 49 states.Zero tolerance should be shown .However once reported,efforts must be made to get to try and establish why the bullying is taking place .

Family relationships and Bullying

Parents also need to be educated and pass this onto their children that bullying is not acceptable behavior. Families should examine their family relationships and make sure that there is no bullying at home .

Cyber bullying

Mention should be made of the growing trend of cyber bullying . Children must be taught never to respond to this form of bullying.Report any bullying on social media to parents and teachers . They must be taught to protect their accounts and save evidence if necessary .

Bullying has been part of our society since the beginning of time and it is not going to disappear very easily.Hopefully with a joint effort between schools,parents and children it eventually will .