Unrealistic Teacher Films

My mother is currently a literacy coordinator for Barlow Elementary School. Almost every day I see her bring home another slew of movies based on teaching techniques in the classroom.

Although these movies are simply making suggestions in order to help teachers, they hardly touch base on the reality of teaching in the classroom. These films show cookie cutter families dropping off their children for a perfect learning experience. Although it would be nice to believe that all public schools are like this, however it is far from the truth.

Previous to her career as a literacy coordinator, my mother had taught at a inner-city public school in Philadelphia. The teachers there were lucky if the children even attended full week of class. Many public schools today face limited resources and unruly children and nothing is being done about it. Teachers in today’s society need to take control of the classroom, but videos that show well behaved children in a perfect environment is hardly a reliable resource.

Little Miss Sunshine

    This past weekend I got the chance to rent Little Miss Sunshine.  The movie is about a dysfunctional family who comes together on a road trip in order to enter young Olive in a children’s beauty pageant. The movie as a whole was brilliantly written, although I would have chosen one of the four alternate endings(I won’t give it away, but I’m partial to the third one).  It is by far one of the funniest movies of 2006.  Alan Arkin is hilarious, and Abigail Breslin is simply adorable. Even though I would consider the movie a comedy, it has a sentimental value to it also. During the movie your heart goes out to the characters, even though they are a little crazy. Also there is an irony between the vintage VW bus and the family that is amazing.  The movie is also up for four Oscars.  This movie is a MUST SEE! I promise, you’ll end the movie with a smile on your face.

Child Discipline

These days, parents have an endless array of professional resources available to them then ever before. Yet every day the children of our society seem to push the boundaries that their parents attempt to set as a means of discipline. Kids are throwing more tantrums and breaking the rules, and they are getting away with it. The fact is that the line that parents have always set for their children has nearly faded away. It is almost crucial that we ask ourselves if kids have simply been more difficult to control these days, or have discipline skills and parental authority just been disregarded? Twenty years ago it was almost unheard of for a child to talk back, or bad mouth a parent. Nowadays it has become a daily routine, and parents do not seem to mind that this is happening. My own parents and grandparents would have never stood for this, but young working parents just do not have the time to discipline their children.

The temperament of children has not changed; it is simply the fact that the goals of parenting have appeared to revolutionize, possibly for the worse. Yesterday’s parents have targeted their discipline toward building character and respect toward their elders and others. Today’s parents seem to have other expectations for their children. According to “Parenting Guide to Positive Discipline”, a book by Paula Spencer and Parenting Magazine Editors, They have put their effort into building their children’s academic career and self-esteem. Although having a good self-esteem is extremely vital in child’s life parents often focus too much on rewarding their children and giving them encouragement that kids seem feel that they are entitled to these things and have low self control. The minute a parent gives into a child who is pleading they loose all authority that they have worked so had to build up in order to control their child. It is unacceptable that having a lack of respect for parents is slowly becoming a norm for most families.

Another contribution to the disrespect found among younger children these days is the fact that there is not always an ideal mother and father figure around. Single parents, working mothers, and day care centers are a common factor in today’s communities. In most families both the mother and father have full time jobs. After working a full time job, parents become drained and simply don’t have the energy to argue with their child. Therefore, more and more children are becoming spoiled and expect to get their way, even if it means talking back or throwing a tantrum. Even if a parent knows what their child is doing is wrong and they should be punished, they can’t bear to see the disappointment in their children’s eyes. Even though these children are receiving their every wish due to parents spoiling them, they are no longer taught the importance of gratitude and appreciation. Although it may be easier to give a child what he/she wants, it is a parent’s job to keep their authoritative position in order to discipline their child. As a role model and parent, reaction is everything. How you react to a child being disobedient may have an influence on how the child misbehaves in the future.

Some parents these days seem to feel helpless and exhausted by the outburst and tantrums that the majority of young children have on a frequent basis in today’s society. You should not have to force your child into a battle every time he or she wants something. The expectations for our children dealing with respect have become so low that it is now an average custom for a child to talk back or disregard a parent’s authority. The values of personal character and good manners are disappearing day by day. Parents need to pick up the pace and realize that they have to regain their position as parents and stop letting their children take over the household. Disciplining your children should not be a task so easily overlooked.

First Post

    As my first post, I’ve decided just to go over what my interests are and what types of blogs i’ll be posting in the future. I am a English Education major at Kean University, so naturally i love to read. Although i’m no Shakespeare, writing also comes naturally.

Although i love my major and cannot wait until I get to teach, i’m not one of those people who has always known what they wanted to do with their life. Since I started at Kean University in fall of 2004 i’ve changed my major three times. I’ve finally found my niche and am very excited to begin an internship next year. Other then posting about English and education. I am also a self admitted movie fanatic, so i’d like to eventually get some book and movie reviews up here.