Arts High School # 2 Dec.11/07

I finally received my e-mail from the teacher at Arts High School this week after sending four e-mails. My visit was enjoyable I was introduced to the music staff and I started my observation. I met with my assigned teacher Dr.Carter who has been teaching there for four years. He said to me that he likes it here, but the commute is getting tough. We spoke for a while about things than his advanced Choir came in the classroom. I was told there were going to do their vocal warm up than go into the auditourium to work on there Holiday Music. I went to watch them practice, and I must say they are very good. The girls solo choir set up and performed a song and combined with the piano accompaniment and the feel of the song brought tears to my eyes, that's how good they were.
Over all I was a little disapointed that my e-mails were unanswered weeks ago, but the visit this week was worth the wait also meeting such a talented and devoted staff, there warmth towards me and there approach towards teaching was productive for me. RL peace

Outline for final Project

1.) w the same classroom structure?

5.) If all schools have the same teaching philosophy?

6.) The types of students goes to these schools?

7.) What the classroom look like in these school and how the
Teacher was teaching. (Example: Did she use videos, the internet, textbooks, schools.

10.) Conclusion Intro

2.) What are school districts approaches to different classroom management
a.) Passaic School District
b.) Newark School District
c.) Bayonne School District

3.) Are these schools Abbott?

4.) If all schools follo
etc.)

8.) The major components that differ classrooms from different
school districts.

9.) Some school statistics about these three

Classroom Structuring

A teacher must structure the classroom in order to effectively teach students. The physical layout of the classroom is an important consideration when planning learning experiences. Even the arrangement of the classroom furniture can help or hinder a student's independent functioning and his recognition and compliance with rules and limits. Keep in mind the when planning the physical arrangement of the classroom so that it will be structured effectively. Many students have organizational problems, not knowing where to be and how to get there by the most direct route. Structuring the environment gives them visual cues to help them understand. Teachers need to structure the environment so it is not as distracting.
Schedules are a part of the classroom structure. A schedule can help a student organize and predict daily and weekly events. Their schedule lets them know where they should go next.
Utilizing clear and consistent schedules facilitates a smooth running classroom and grants more time for real teaching and learning. As students learn to comprehend and follow schedules, they develop good independent functioning skills and direction.
Another way structure is used to help students function successfully is in the setting up of teaching tasks.
RL peace

"Abbott v Burke"

According to a report in the New York Times in February 2002, “Abbott v. Burke may be the most significant education case since the Supreme Court’s desegregation ruling nearly 50 years ago.” Another article was also published in New Jersey Lawyer in October 2001 stating, “Abbott is one of the most remarkable and successful efforts by any court in the nation to cut an educational break for kids from poor families and generally minority-dominated urban neighborhoods.”
In the Abbott v. Burke case the Education Law Center (ELC) in Newark, NJ, served as attorneys for the plaintiff-class of over 300,000 school children and 60,000 preschoolers who were from predominately low-income and minority students who attended schools in 31 poor urban communities across New Jersey. The New Jersey Supreme Court in the landmark rulings, Abbott IV (1997) and Abbott V (1998), ordered a set of education programs and reforms to be the most fair and just in the nation – the “Abbott education adequacy”. The goal of these programs is “to give every child the opportunity to attain his or her own place as a contributing member in society with the ability to compete with other citizens and to succeed

No Child Left Behind Act..

Historically, the job of educating people has been left up to both local and state governments. However, in 1965, recognizing the universal importance of education, the federal government took on a larger role in financing public schools with the passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
ESEA has continued to assist the states through reauthorizations, and in 2001 it included No Child Left Behind. It asked the states to set standards for teacher quality and student performance.
According to a January 2007 U.S. Department of Education report titled, “Building on Results: A Blueprint for Strengthening the No Child Left Behind Act”, on January 8, 2002, President Bush signed the landmark No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) into law. This act was passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in Congress. It was designed to end bigotry and low expectations so that, as the President said, “All students will have a better chance to learn, to excel, and to live out their dreams.” Academic standards would be set by states, schools would be held accountable for results, and the federal government would support them. This Act is challenging our students to succeed and our schools to improve.
The report also states, “No Child Left Behind is a work in progress; every day, we learn what works so students can make greater progress.” The data and information collected over the past five years after the law’s passage helps to determine what actions must be taken to continually succeed.

Arts High School 11/01/2007

I left Montclair University at 10 am and I arrived at Arts High School at 10:40 am. I was early so I sat in my car until 11 am than I went inside. I was met by the principal of the school and at that time she did not introduce her self as the principal and she did not tell me her name. Just to have a seat here in the office. Later I found that to be kind of rude that I had to guess that she was the principal. I was the first one there from MSU. Slowly as the faces from my class became familiar I was asked to go into another room so I followed a MSU student who introduced herself and said she was doing her student teaching here and she loved it.
When I sat in the auditorium the choir was practicing. I love singing and I minored in voice at my other University years ago. I found that this High school group was there advanced group. I found this out when I introduced myself to the lead director. His group was wonderful and the students sounded really professional ,singing in odd meters. For high school students that is hard to pull off. So I complement them and there talented staff at the school and the students.
Now, at 11:45 we started the Q&A part before the tour of the school. Many questions were asked by the students and also I had a few questions. Overall In the notes I took I was very satisfied and I feel I covered all that I need to know about Arts High School from my questions and questions other students asked. I was also pleased to see my old friend of 29 years Dennis Argul. He teaches Band and Brass classes, and he has been there for years. My overall view of this day at Arts High School was one I am glad I was a part of. Thank you RL peace

The Power of Students and their Teachers