Education101today

How To Find Equivalent Fraction in 2 Ways

As a teacher, I have seen a frown on the faces of my students when I introduce equivalent fractions in the class. For them, it’s another difficult step they have to learn. Students panic at fractions.

And, I’m not the only teacher in this position. Many teachers agree too that their students are battling with understanding deeper fraction concepts.

But it doesn’t have to be so. To understand how to solve for an equivalent fraction, let’s refresh our memory of what a fraction is.

What Is Fraction?

Almost every kid from grade 2 can tell you that a fraction is part of a whole. So if you break an object into parts, one piece of the broken part is a fraction of the entire object. The most common explanation has always been a pizza or divided shapes.

Look at this Illustration,

You buy a medium-sized chicken pepperoni pizza that comes in 6 slices. If you’re three friends that share the pizza. Each of you’ll have two slices right?

Now, each person’s share is a fraction of the entire pizza. so yours is 2/6 of the pizza, because you took 2 out of the 6 slices.

But where does the equivalent come in?

Let’s find out.

What is an Equivalent Fraction?

Fractions can have different numbers but they still represent the same value, the same amount, when you multiply or divide them.

Their numerator (top number) and denominator (bottom number) are different but when you reduce them, they give you the same answer. They’re equal to each other. For instance ¼ = 2/8 = 4/16.

How?

Here’s how.

How to find an equivalent fraction

You can follow these two steps to solve questions on equivalent fractions.

Step 1

Multiplying or dividing the top and bottom number of the given fraction with the same whole number.

For example, the 2/6 pizza in our first illustration. If you multiply or divide the top and bottom numbers with the same whole number, you’ll get an equivalent fraction.

Let’s see,

If you are given 2/6 of an object, and you choose to multiply by 2 what do you get?

2×2 = 4

6×2 =12

This means 2/6 is equivalent to 4/12. This is because if you divide 4 and 12 by 2, you’ll get 2/6. Because 2, 4,6 and 12 have a common factor. That is, a common number that can divide them evenly.

To get a correct answer, you must always apply the rule. And that is, whatever you do to the numerator you must do to the denominator.

As long as you multiply or divide the numerator and denominator with the same whole number, you’ll get a correct answer.

See this example,

Write the fraction three-seventh as an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 21.

Here is the solution:

3/7 = /21 =

Let’s multiply with (3), the same number that if we use it to divide our answer will give us the same fraction we multiplied without a left over.

3 × 3 = 9

7 × 3 =21

Now go ahead and divide 9/21 by 3 and see if your answer is the same as our given fraction.

Step 2,

Another step to finding equivalent fractions is to use the cross multiply method. Here is how:

Multiply the top left number with the bottom right number
Multiply the top right number with the bottom left number.

Here is the formula;

a/b = c/d if a×d = b×c

4/16 × 3/12 =

4× 12 = 3/16

= 48 = 48

Try this exercise.

If you’re given 2/6 and 3/9 how would you cross multiply to get a correct answer?

Follow the cross multiply method to solve this.

Note that a fraction is equivalent if its values are the same.

Conclusion

A fraction is a part of a whole. An equivalent fraction is a fraction that has

different numbers but when simplified end up with the same value.

Fraction is an important part of maths that must be perfected. Most often, students are scared of fractions because they haven’t mastered the practical concepts.

But as with everything, practicing daily is what will help you get the hang of it.

Is Your Teenager Safe From Suicide Or Fleeing Home

Are you bold enough to say your teenager is safe from suicide or fleeing home?

Many teens in the U.S are attempting suicide. More girls are involved too. A recent report is shining light in this dark area.

But the report is on Americans alone right?

Yeah right, Think again!

Just because you haven’t noticed the reports in your country doesn’t mean it’s not happening around you.

I live in Lagos and months ago, a teenage neighbour of mine left home for days and was declared missing.

The reason?

Home doesn’t seem like a place to be anymore. Home isn’t fun, no one to share her teenage thoughts with and probably, no one gave her attention as well.

Some months before she left home, someone heard her discussing with another teenager who was saying she also was tired of home and felt like running away.

Good thing she was found safe. But that’s one in many.

Some say these incidents are triggered by the covid-19 situations. Yes, but that’s only partly true.

We share in this blame as a parent as well.

Try to answer these questions honestly.

Do you notice your child and the changes they face?
Does their irritable habit make you feel they’re just being stubborn (as expected from teenagers)?
Have you taught them what they need to know about teenage? ( like some discomfort they could face during puberty, having feelings for the opposite sex, peer pressure and general self-care).

Or you’re waiting for the school to do it for you?

Now the question is, why do teenagers attempt suicide or flee home?

Because there’s an underlying problem you haven’t noticed as a parent or guardian.

Let’s dig up some reasons in this post.

Parents are constantly working hard to give their children a better life.

Yes, we already know that. But a good life is far more than what money can provide. At the top of the list is attention, support, love and care.

A teenager doesn’t just wake up one day and thinks ‘I am gonna kill myself or run away from home. Something must have triggered it.

So as a teacher, I am asking how it is that no grown-up around that boy or girl ever noticed it. Because these are school-age, young boys and girls.

If a teenager takes their life it’s shattering and depressing for the family, their friends and the school. If they attempted it once and failed, they could do it again if corrective measures aren’t put in place.

Consequently, if teenagers run away from home, they are highly prone to danger. They become homeless and move with the wrong group. They could be involved in drug abuse, sexual exploitation, rape, murder, mental breakdown and crime.

The reported numbers

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) in a online post of The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report says when compared to 2019, over 31% increase in mental health-related emergency department cases were registered in 2020.

And this is between adolescents of 12-17 years old. The case is even higher among girls.

More reports also say the weekly mean range of emergency department visits from February 21- March 20, 2021, for cases of suspected suicide was 50.6% up among girls 12-17 years old.

This is too alarming!

I wonder what could have triggered these numbers among teenage girls.

A teenager might not attempt suicide but what if they run away from home?

The triggers: why do teenagers attempt suicide or run away from home?

The problem was there before but has been triggered by the covid pandemic.

Lockdown meant schools shut their doors to students, so no avenue to leave the house and find peers who can easily relate with them.

Physical distancing means the time spent with playmates was limited and controlled. Those locker room gossip was reduced. They had no one to tell how they felt.

If you haven’t built an ‘ I’m your friend too’ kind of relationship with your teenager before now, it means they’ll have no one to share personal burdens with. And so, they’ll feel alone.

Families were also financially stressed at the same time. your teenager could see this. And for some of them, it’s overwhelming.

How unique are teenage years

The teenage years are a very important growth window in your child’s life. Attention and being available for teens make this period of development easy, fun and memorable for them.

Being available doesn’t mean well, “my job gives me time so they can come to ask me anything” because chances are, they won’t.

But why?

Well, because you’re their mom or dad and not their peer.

It is you that will make the first move. It’s you that will ask and insist that you want to know and be a part of your adolescent’s life. Show them you want to share and make a good memory with them like you did when they were infants.

There are many different reasons why teenagers attempt suicide or run away from home. But there is no one size fits all. The reasons are unique to each person.

For some,

The absence of support at home. When teens start feeling that no one cares about them. and that their parents are not available or paying attention to them, that can lead them to take wrong actions as a way of escape

What you can do

Spend time doing activities with your teenagers. Let it be what they enjoy and let them pick what activities they like best. You can only suggest what you think is also beneficial for their age.

Abuse of every form. Sexual, physical abuse or bullying in school is a no1 reason for young ones to attempt suicide or run away from home.

What you can do

Put your eyes down! Notice the changes in their body and mood. Ask them questions regularly. About happenings in school, whom they’re hanging out with, whom they like and do not like and why.

If they do spend time with family relatives when you’re not available, find out what happened when you were absent.

Simply cultivate the culture of talking with your teen always.

Struggling too much with school grades. Please give attention to your teenager if you notice they are struggling too much in school. Falling grades can cause teens to run away from home or commit suicide as a way of avoiding school.

What you can do

Watch their reaction to low grades and offer your full understanding. Let them know you don’t love them less because of this. And find the help they may need. Like extra one to one tutoring and any accommodation plan that fits their learning needs.

4. Disorders and puberty changes. Teenagers who have disorders may struggle with issues related to the disorder they have. From depression to behavioural health, emotional, social or education issues.

Puberty is no exception. Puberty changes can be stressful to teens. Those growing bigger breasts than their peers may feel awkward and ashamed to even go to school. Meanwhile, you are telling them that they must be in school now.

For girls, menstruation can be a big turn off as well.

I remember at 12 when I started my menstruation, I cried whenever it’s that time of the month. I hated doing chores then. I always told my mom I want it to stop. That I hate it so much because mine comes with severe cramp

What you can do

This is when showing extra care, and being extra attentive can help avert those frustration feelings young ones could have.

Don’t wait on the school to teach them before you do. Help them speak with a professional and let them rest a lot.

5. Sexuality issues. young ones may be too scared to speak up about sexual position. because they feel they won’t be accepted.

” I feel like a boy or girl” Whatever!

Who cares whether you’re a boy or girl. What matters is what and who you become. The character that shapes your personality.

How parents and teachers handle it is more important. It’s a time to give support not backlash.

You can’t just accept this sudden change. Okay!

If you don’t want an adolescent who attempts suicide or runs away from home as a way of escaping your taunting, you must find where the balance lies. For you and your family.

What you can do

Set them up for counselling, therapy or let them take a vacation break to re-find who they are. But whatever you do, know that your child is struggling with their sexual identity. So give you care and support.

6. Inability to follow rules. No way! Every young boy or girl hate rules. Or should I say too many rules at home!

When they break the rules and you complain, it sounds like you’re ‘nagging’ them.

Teenage is the time where our children want to fly. If the rules are too rigid, they’d feel caged. They would see you like a ‘helicopter parent’, and look for an escape from the rules

What you can do

Simply don’t set rules that are too restrictive. Rules that forget the fact that teenagers still need to know the world around them.

First, give them the benefit of the doubt.

Speak with them about every rule you set. and give them the chance to set it with you. Plus the punishment they get if they break the rules. Then it will be easier for them to obey it.

This is one trick that teachers use in the classroom. Which makes them have good class control.

7. Substance Abuse problem. This isn’t easily noticed. Sometimes until the side effects start. Substance abuse can cause teens to commit suicide or run away from home.

And it’s highly widespread now in the U.S and all over the world. Destroying young people.

That’s why you must not hide any information from your child.

If you think not telling them about these things means they won’t find out until eighteen, then you have another thing coming. Especially those very religious families.

They will easily learn it elsewhere. And they will learn the wrong side of drugs.

What you can do

Come on, speak to them about the dangers of substance abuse and allowing peers to influence them. Teach them how to resist and mean No when they say No.

Keep educating them on this monster.

The signal they send

If you are a parent who observes your children a lot or a teacher who is observant of the students in their class, some of these signs may help you notice that something is wrong with the teenager in your care.

Feeling easily irritated
Feeling hopeless and sad
Looking overwhelmed and stressed over little things that young ones can handle
Showing signs of withdrawal
Feeling neglected
Making comments and notes relating to freedom, suicide or death.

The tell signs are many, depending on what has prompted a young person’s reason to want to take their life or run away from their homes. But when you notice your child acting different from their normal behaviour, then it’s time to leave no stone unturned.

Some prevention steps you can take

These steps should only serve as a suggestion to how you may be able to avoid the pitfalls of your child fleeing home or attempting suicide.

Behavioural management. Watch the way your teen behaves and reacts to issues and teach them ways to manage them. I recommend the book “a little peaceful spot” by Diane Abler. It helps young people learn to manage their emotions

Start teaching problem-solving and coping skills early enough

Talk, talk, talk. Always find the time to have a heart to heart talk with your adolescent. Build a home where no one is allowed to bottle up their feelings but to say it out instantly

Be flexible when setting house rules and make it together with them

Be more accepting of their grades, personality, needs and opinions. Talk about your reservations with them and deal with them as a grown-up.

How teachers can help

Our job as teachers puts us in the position of a guardian. Not exactly, but somewhat like a second parent. After all, students spend almost the entire day in school– 8 am-2 pm for some.

They interact more with the school environment. From the school field during extra-curricular activities to the classroom during lessons to the locker room, school cafeteria and among peers.

If adults in these different school areas are observant and show care, they may notice changes in the teenager and eventually alert the parents.

Teachers could also help to notice when a young boy or girl in their class is battling with something. They could get depressed and it would reflect in their school work and behaviour as well.

As a teacher, you also want a school that is free from depressed, troubled, substance abuse teens. It makes teaching easier. You would like to be known as a school with a working pastoral care unit.

So, your efforts in observing students and informing parents coupled with an effective counselling unit will help parents find the support they need.

A parent can’t do it alone. It takes a community to raise a child and in a generation like this, the school is that community.

Finally, if anyone says it’s not a piece of cake to raise a teenager, I second that. because the truth is, it’s not.

I am beginning to think it’s the toughest job on the planet. Plus, it’s full-time. But still, we have to learn everything we need to carry out this job well.

Whether as a parent or teacher, everyone wants a healthy-minded, well-balanced teenager. That’s why in a joint effort, parents and teachers can rid our adolescents of the monster of suicide and running away from home.

IS YOUR CHILD BEING BULLIED?: What You Need To Know About Bullying

According to statistics by the pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center via National Center for Education Statistics 2019, out of every five students, one suffers bullying. And 41% of students say they fear it will happen again.

As a parent, I’m always hopeful that my kid meets lovely people when he starts school. And as he moves from preschool to Nursery, I’m even more concerned that he doesn’t experience bullying.

But this is merely wishful thinking. I still need to teach him ways to avoid being bullied.

Many parents can relate with me on this.

If so, what’s the best way to help your child deal with bullying and also prevent them from being bullied?

This article takes a deep look at bullying and why it happens in the first place.

What Bullying Is

Bullying is intentionally causing harm to another either physically or psychologically.

Bullying can take the form of name-calling, threats, intimidation, inflicting physical injury on others, spreading rumours about others or preventing them from taking part in school social activities.

This has become a common trend in schools today. And it happens at all levels of schooling.

From Nursery school, kids can start to pick on other kids, deprive them of sharing in school play areas and toys and also physically hurt them. By pushing, scratching them or knocking down their things.

Bullying can get as far as involving serious threats to the safety of your child. That’s why as a parent, teacher or school authority you must be alert and be observant of your kids or students.

Know when they seem distressed and scared. And find out why. Every child has a right to be free and safe in school. There’s no good enough excuse for taunting other kids.

And I’m not talking about scenarios where kids are just playing and laughing over silly things. This is normal. However, there’s always a red line.

And kids and teenagers must be taught to know the borderline.

Why Children Become Bullies

Some children enjoy being bullies because of the power they feel it gives them over others. They enjoy control over their peers and just want to have victims.

Others are bullies because they want attention. They want to become popular and feared in school.

Meanwhile, some have been victims before. They are from aggressive homes and have been deprived countless times.

How Can You Tell Your Child Is Being Bullied?

Oftentimes victims of bullying are too scared to report the incident.

They are afraid that the bully may find out they reported and that could make matters worse for them. Or, maybe the adult they report to will see them as weak.

But that shouldn’t be. Adults must be alert around kids.

Don’t say, “It’s difficult to know because my child isn’t telling me”.

While the evidence of bullying may not be black and white – except in cases where there are physical injuries – you know your child; their behaviour, how they socialize.

Something will change in them.

According to expert counsellors, visible bruises will make it easier to pinpoint.

Still, without injuries, there are signs to help you know what’s happening with your child. Some of the red flags are your child doing the following:

Behaving anxious or scared
Displaying withdrawal signs and not wanting to socialize
Not sleeping or eating properly
Not willing to talk about their day in school
Not wanting to go to school (or anywhere where the bullying is happening) and giving excuses when the need arises.

Effects Of Bullying On Kids And Youths

Bullying leaves negative effects on kids.

Both the victims and bullies can suffer lasting effects in the cases of chronic bullying.

In 2004, when the US secret service carried out a study, it revealed that about three-quarters of school shooters have faced bullying and harassment in the past.

Victims of bullying can become:

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

Withdrawn and avoid social circles
Develop a fear for school and desire to quit
Lose their self-esteem
Develop lasting emotional scars
Become sick or depressed.

The bullies can go on in future to become:

Troubled and abusive adults
Violent adults
Involved in drugs and crime and maybe go to jail
Display anti-social behaviours.

Preventing Bullying

Victims of bullying may not want to speak up but if your child or student does, it’s your responsibility to teach them how to fight it and overcome it. Don’t just assume it’s normal and will go away with time.

Never tell a child who reports bullying to you, “oh don’t worry you will get over it soon or your classmate will soon get tired and leave you alone”.

Thousand times no! Take it seriously and find a lasting solution.

What Solution Is There?

First off, develop your child’s emotional strength. Teach them to look into a person’s eyes while talking to them. Teach them body language that shows bravery. A bully can’t stand that. They won’t pick on someone they perceive as bold.

Always be a good listener if your/a child speaks up and confides in you. Tell them you trust and believe them. And offer comforting words immediately.

Speak to your child’s or student’s emotion and tell them you believe in their strength and ability to defend themself.

Explain and practise with them how to be bold and to face one’s fear when it shows up again. Make play scenarios where you show them to be strong, bold and firm.

Teach them to tell the bully to “BACK OFF this time/ STOP picking on me because I don’t find it funny” then walk away.

Teach kids not to show anger, fear or cry but rather practice how to calm down and walk away or focus on something else. What the bully wants is to see them show signs of weakness.

Kids who are bullied shouldn’t be alone, especially in troubled spots like the bathroom, school bus, locker room, or hallways. They should always pair up with a buddy.

According to a 2017 report by the US National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), about 20% of students reported that they faced bullying. With a whopping 42% taking place in the hallways, 10% in the bath/locker room and school bus respectively.

What Is A School’s Role?

Because about 90% of bullying happens in school, it’s expected that schools will set rules that discourage bullying. School authorities should educate students on the consequences of bullying and the legal actions involved.

The very simple steps you can take as a school head and teacher is to:

Teach good morals like empathy and kindness
Teach self-esteem development as part of the extra-curricular class

Encourage other kids to speak up if they notice or witness bullying
Put adequate supervision in places where bullying happens a lot
Always pair and change children in teams and utilize group work regularly. This will help promote team spirit and friendship.

As a teacher, you should make your classroom a community of learners. Where everyone must care for the other and work together.

Make your class as safe as possible. Keep your eyes and ears open and act quickly should you notice or suspect anything.

Many governments and districts have adopted policies against bullying. You should implement them for safety purposes. And provide in your school counsellors who can help victims and bullies alike.

When Your Child Is The Bully

Imagine a report comes from your child’s school accusing them of being involved in acts of bullying.

How will you react?

Brush it off? Or get angry. Pick a fight with the school and say “it’s not possible, my child can’t do that”?

Rather, you should investigate. Go speak calmly with the school.

You’re a parent who knows your child very well right? You know what they can and can’t do.

And if you find that it’s true, talk with your child. Find out from them why they are involved in such an act. Spend time to bond with them.

Avoid aggressive display of attitude at home. Just ensure you’re an example you want them to model.

Get help from a counsellor. Speak with your child and caution them. Learn the policies against bullying and use them to caution your child.

Be firm with your child and set rules to discourage them from such behaviours.

Conclusion

Bullying can occur because of a person’s race, social status, sexual preference (LGBTQ).

This is dangerous.

Bullying can cause serious injury and hurt children and young people emotionally.

In serious instances bullying has caused fatal school shootings.

The 2004 report that was released by the Secret Service found during their studies that some teenagers who were involved in school shootings were at one point badly bullied.

The study also discovered that some were taunted, called homophobic names, and were told things that made them uneasy.

For this reason, you must teach your child to be emotionally strong, because tyrants pick on those who can’t defend themselves; those that appear easily intimidated.

The school exists to offer a safe learning environment for kids.

Therefore, you should work with parents and counsellors to stop bullying.

I encourage parents to take legal action if it doesn’t stop.

Because in the end, your child’s safety and welfare is the only thing that matters.

WHAT’S THE CONNECTION BETWEEN OUTDOOR PLAY AND VITAMIN D LEVELS IN KIDS?

Imagine a child who is always playing indoors, most likely, glued to the TV screen whenever it’s playtime?

Won’t this kid have physical development problems?

Vitamin D makes it easy for our body to absorb calcium. If vitamin D level is low in a child, the result is a low calcium level in that child.

But what has this got to do with kids playing outdoors?

You will find out in this post.

Calcium is essential for a healthy bone. With the help of vitamin D, the body can draw in the calcium that it needs for healthy bone and teeth.

Because your child’s bone is still in its formation stage, a lack of these nutrients may cause weakness and pains in their bones.

This kind of condition is called rickets.

Rickets or weak bones occur when you do not allow your child enough time outdoors and for their skin to be exposed to sunlight.

An imbalanced diet can cause low vitamin in a child. But the focus of this post is on another cause, which is lack of adequate exposure to ultraviolet rays — the outdoor opportunity a child gets.

As a parent how often do you allow your child to play outside the house?

What about as a school owner?

Do you have such provision in your school program for pupils to come out and run around often?

Well, you should!

Research has found that children who spend most of their time indoors have a higher risk of having a vitamin D deficiency.

Being a parent means you are responsible for a child’s health. Even a school is also responsible. Providing ample opportunity for kids to play regularly outdoors helps their bone strength and gross motor skill. It helps them take in Vitamin D from sunlight.

80% of the Vitamin D our body needs comes from the sun! Only a little amount is gotten from food. And truly, not many of us can commit to a Vitamin D supplement daily.

So allowing young ones to get it from nature is our best bet.

But how can you tell that your child is Vitamin D deficient?

Here are some pointers to take note of:

Some Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency

If you notice any of these signs you should take your child to see a doctor because it may just be a lack of Vitamin.

Weak muscles
Pains in the bones
Dental issues.

How Does This Happen?

When children don’t take in the right amount of Vitamin D it becomes difficult for their bodies to draw enough calcium from the food—Medical News Today.

Therefore, if a child spends more of their time inside the house, inside the classroom, or uses sunscreen whenever they’re outside, this can prevent them from getting the Vitamin D from the sun, thereby leading to a deficiency.

Kids need to play outside, so the school must provide this opportunity.

This is the era to start ditching the screen and couch time and take your kids outside the house for their well being.

Children spend five days a week in school. Most of them are in school from 8 am to 4 pm. It’s not beneficial to make them sit in the classroom all the time.

In recent times, parents have seen pupils come home with daily communication reports that read “I played indoors with my friends”.

Indoors for five days!? This is completely harmful to kids’ health.

Schools and parents need to change this pattern.

These are many benefits of playing outside.

Benefits Of Outdoor Play

Outdoor play is a form of exercise that helps kids to be active and stay healthy. Notice when your kids are outside the house, they will run, kick, jump, roll over and even climb if they find the chance. Forget about getting hurt, it’s part of the process

They build risk-taking skills as they take part in these activities. They know they can fall over, get a scratch or bruise, but they go ahead anyway. For the fun of it. They fall and learn that maybe they didn’t balance properly

Self-discovery. When outdoors, your kids will discover themselves. They learn what they can do. They build their socio-emotional skills and learn to be team players. When schools and parents let children play in the open field, they help them learn to be independent and understand how others feel

Health and well-being. When children spend time playing outside, they develop a fitness lifestyle, burn calories that may otherwise lead to weight gain. They become flexible and most of all, take in needed Vitamins.

A 2020 study by Jenna R Chalcraft et al on vitamin D synthesis following a single bout of sun exposure showed that there was an increase in serum D₃ when participants of the study were exposed to the outdoor sun. The study says further that “sunlight exposure is still a significant source of vitamin D₃ “.

Conclusion

Helping kids come out when it’s play time will help their development and increase their Vitamin D level. While it is understandable that high levels of sun can lead to sunburn, you can also take advantage of the recommended safe hours when kids can be outdoors without sunscreen.

As a school or parent, you need to find where the balance lies. One thing can’t offset the other.

Let’s look for where there is a balance of sun exposure and sun protection for our kid’s sake. And utilize this chance for better bone and teeth development, and a healthy immune system.

Because playing outdoors in the sun helps improve our mood and physical outlook.

LAUGHING IN SCHOOL : How Humor Helps Learning

A good laugh can’t be resisted. What caused the laugh sticks to our memory.

It’s easy to remember that experience that made us smile, the thing that makes us laugh so much.

Now, what if you make your students laugh just so they can remember that concept you are teaching? They can tie the laughing incident to the concept you’ve taught, aiding their recall.

How’s this possible? Well, let’s dive in and see.

This article sheds light on how humour in class can aid learners’ learning level and recall.

Are you thinking I’m asking you to become a class jester before your students can learn? Okay, maybe a bit.

Laughter is contagious. If I laugh so much, you’ll laugh as well. If I smile at you chances are, you’ll smile back.

This kind of attitude is needed in the class to put kids in the right mood. Because the truth is, it’s not everyday your students leave home in their best mood. You can help lighten things up and put them in the right atmosphere for learning.

Humour is a way of being amusing and lighting up one’s mood.

Humour activates a chemical in the brain called dopamine. This dopamine stimulates our mood and makes us feel good.

Dopamine, when released in the brain, keeps us motivated, focused and aware of ourselves. It boosts our memory level and how we pay attention, which is what is needed in class.

Dopamine release affects how a child learns.

According to a 2005 study by Ohio University psychology professors, Frank LoSchiavo and Mark Shatz, humour used even in a virtual classroom can relatively increase the attentiveness and participation of learners.

” Humor is a tickling of the mind,” said Charles Darwin.

Our stress hormones like cortisol are reduced to a when we laugh. Amusing events provide a relaxed atmosphere in class.

But how exactly does laughing help children learn?

Research has shown that the attention of students is sustained when something humorous is said and this is what every teacher wants. Right?

A teacher who makes the students laugh regularly in class helps them to create a trusting relationship with them. “They experience pleasure with a sense of openness to discussion and interaction”- (Lovorn, 2008).

When we laugh, endorphins, a neurotransmitter that relieves pain and stress are released. It goes further to stimulate the brain’s frontal lobes thereby increasing attention level.

Therefore, if you want your students to be focused and to pay attention in class, you have to use humour when teaching. Find reasons to make them laugh in the process of learning.

Because you want to make your learners laugh doesn’t mean anything goes.

How to Use Humor in Class

Humour should complement the content being taught. There must be a way that what you’re joking about relates to what you’re teaching

It should be quite simple. Don’t go giving stories that will take up learning time and kids start getting bored

It should go well with the age of learners you’re teaching

Avoid sarcasm, you don’t want to bring any child down in the process.

If you plan to include jokes in your class you’ll find many ways with which it will benefit your students.

The Benefits of Humor in Class

Humour creates a feeling of community among students in your class

It enhances the retention and motivation level of your students

It makes recall easy. Because they will remember that joke that was tied to the explanation you gave, making it easy to remember

Humour removes tension and unnecessary subject anxiety in your class

As a teacher uses humour, it creates a teacher-student interaction and friendship.

In the presence of all these jokes and laughing, you still have to find the right balance. Students don’t want a Mr. Bean–Rowan Atkinson teaching them.

It shouldn’t be overdone that learners start throwing jokes at you during lessons or taking everything you say as a joke. “Teachers don’t need to be comedians” says Professor Shatz, (mentioned earlier) but if humor can make students comprehend what they learn, then it should be included during lessons.

When to Use Humor in Class

You can start up with a light, simple joke to get your students attention when you’re about to start a lesson. But take note of those times when they appear confused and stressed out.

You can observe your students and identify that time when the lesson seems difficult for them to understand. or get into the moment when they are thinking “I wish this class will be over now”.

It’s another best time to make them chuckle and release some tension, then get their attention again.

Some people hold this idea that if you laugh with your students always you will lose their respect and not be able to control them.

I think a teacher with good class management skill won’t find this a problem, because they can strike a balance.

Do I want to sit in class all day with a ‘stone’ faced teacher? No way!

So you should start planning your next lesson to include humour.

No, you don’t want children giggling like jokers in your class?

That won’t help either.

As a teacher, it’s ideal you understand children in your class, and ways to help them learn. Create a family of learners in your class.

In the end, absolute comprehension and recall are what every teacher wants from their students.

Further Information

Humour in the Home and in the Classroom:, The Benefits of Laughing While we Learn.

Michael Lovorn (January 2008)

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228665694

How laughing leads to learning.

Zak Stambor (June 2006)

https://www.apa.org/monitor/jun06/learning

Learning With Laughter.

Rose Senior ( December 2007)

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2007/dec/05/tefl

Distance Education: Is it Important in Times of Crisis

Introduction

Distance education is the kind of education where students do not need to be physically present in a traditional school environment before they can take classes and learn. In the past, colleges offered correspondence courses where they would send educational materials by post office mail to students registered to take their courses. When students were done reading the materials and answering questions they would send their responses back to the college.

One of the first such distance learning programs was a shorthand course taught by Sir Isaac Pitman in the 1840s, which he used to teach via postcard.

Today, also called distance learning, distance education has evolved. It now involves making use of technology such as the internet, websites and videos to facilitate teaching and learning (Allen and Seaman, 2011 as cited in Kentnor, 2015).

This essay reviews the importance of distance learning presently and in the future. It also highlights the advantages and disadvantages.

Merriam Webster defines distance education as a “method of study where teachers and students do not meet in a classroom but use the internet, e-mail, mail, etc, to have classes”.

Distance education has become a crucial part of today’s education system. There has been a steady rise in the number of courses higher institutions are offering to interested students because of the growing demand for online learning.

According to reports from America’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), about 6.9 million students enrolled in a distance education course in fall of 2018. Primary and secondary school learners have also joined, with video conferencing and homework given online.

Technology is currently closing the physical space between learners and instructors. As the technological communication system evolves, and the need for more knowledge and skill increases, the demand for distance learning will continue to soar and change the face of education. Distance learning will adapt to the digital culture of our future world.

(Sener J, 2012 as cited in Kentnor, 2015 pg 30) notes that “education has been, is being, and will continue to be cyberized”.

Importance of distance education

Distance education meets a vast level of education need that can be utilized wisely in times of crisis.

Nations of the world have in the past experienced different crises that have directly or indirectly disrupted education and affected how students learn. Situations like political and armed conflict, natural disasters and health epidemic, sometimes may cause schools to be destroyed and shut for some time.

The current coronavirus pandemic like other past crises creates an urgent need for learning to continue online, to avoid a decline in education.

According to an April 2020 Unesco report, global school closures because of covid-19 has affected about 90%, that is I.6 billion students across all levels of education. In these times, taking advantage of pre-existing distance learning models is the only reasonable option available.

Presently, distance education has dramatically changed how the world learns. Every institution all over the world is now taking classes via digital platforms because of the pandemic.

(Dhawan, 2020) asserts that “online learning serves as a panacea in times of crisis”. Given this, academic institutions all over the world must include online learning as part of their teaching model. The traditional face to face method of learning can no longer stand on its own.

Whether in times of crisis, distance education has many advantages that can benefit the world presently and in the future in times of crisis. Some advantages are outlined below.

Advantages of distance learning

Distance learning is very flexible. It offers a self-paced learning environment where students learn at a speed comfortable for them. Learners that are busy and working can plan their time of taking classes and completing the program.

Distance education is easily accessible and with the help of current internet and web coverage, students can have access to multiple learning resources. They can sit in the comfort of their homes and take study programs in distant towns or foreign countries, access lecture videos, study materials, conferencing and meetings with instructors.

Distance education is costing both institutions and students less. For students, the elimination of, cost of commuting to school, materials in print and school accommodation provides them with a cheaper option to learn.

In the same way, schools are cutting out the cost of physical structures and other expenses that comes with it.

Many schools are running a blended online program. This provides a better-learning opportunity for students, as it gives them more options, and the chance to learn with the inclusion of technology in their studies.

Students have the privilege of viewing recorded classes again, which can serve as a revision (Basilala et al, 2020 as cited in Dhawan, 2020 ).

A study by the Research Institute of America says student retention jumped from a 25-60% rate when they took part in e-learning (online). This is because of the opportunity to re-view lecture videos.

Although the availability of distance education is meeting the needs of today’s ever-changing, technologically driven world, the disadvantage can not be disregarded.

The disadvantage of distance education

One disadvantage of distance learning is that students are beginning to feel it is the full responsibility of the instructor to stir up motivation in them. (Community College Research Center, 2013 as cited in Nash, 2015 pg,81). With this kind of perception, learners will not put effort into their studies. The result of which may be poor grades.

The flexibility in, and self-paced structure of distance learning might one day bring about a low quality in education, as students’ grades may decline if they do not possess the skill of self-discipline and personal motivation towards their studies. The future of this may also mean that schools may lower the bar just to ensure students are still signing up for their courses (Cote and Allahar, 2011 as cited in Nash, 2015 pg, 80).

Technical issues like insufficient bandwidth, low network strength and lack of knowledge to navigate web information can hinder effective learning (Favale et al, 2020 as cited in Dhawan, 2020).

Lastly, the online nature of distance learning may make it less engaging and interactive enough for students to fully participate. Instructors can overlook the use of materials that aid in teaching and learning.

Conclusion

Distance learning is a concept that promotes learning in a way where the student and the teachers are in separate locations.

In times of crisis, it is the go-to solution for learning to continue. The recent coronavirus crisis has pushed further the need for institutions to adopt a fully digital learning model.

(Dhawan, 2020) states that “Situations of crisis are the hardest hurdles in the path of education”. In view of this, schools have to adopt distance learning as a way to safeguard education presently and in times of crisis in the future.

Reference

Allen I and Seaman J, (2013). Changing course: Ten years of tracking online education in the United States. The online consortium Available at: https://onlinelearningconsortium.org/survey_report/changing-course-ten-years-tracking-online-education-united-states/ [Accessed:] 8 March 2020

Bojovic Z, Bojovic P, Vujosevic D and Suh J, (2020). Education in times of crisis: Rapid transition to distance learning. Computer Application in Engineering Education vol (28), pp, (1467-1489) Available at:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cae.22318 [Accessed:] 8 march 2020

Dhawan S, (2020). Online Learning: A Panacea in the Time of Covid-19 Crisis. Journal of Educational Technology Systems Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0047239520934018 [Accessed:] 9 March 2020

Kentnor H, (2015). Distance Education and the Evolution of Online Learning in the United States. Curriculum and Teaching Dialogue vol 17 Nos, (1& 2) Available at: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=law_facpub [Accessed:] 9 March 2020

Nash J, (2015). Future of Online Education in Crisis: A Call to Action. The Turkish Online Journal of Education Technology, Vol 14 Issue (2), Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274640281_Future_of_online_education_in_crisis_A_call_to_action [Accessed:] 10 March 2020.

Palvia S, Aeron P, Gupta P, Mahapatra D, Parida R, Rosner R, and Sindhi S, (2018). Online Education: Worldwide Status, Challenges, Trends and Implications. Journal of Global Information Technology Management, Vol 2 Issue (4), Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329201766_Online_Education_Worldwide_Status_Challenges_Trends_and_Implications Accessed 10 March 2020.

Disclaimer: This article is 100% the property of this writer. It was done for someone who couldn’t use it because the research topic was later changed. This essay was eventually never paid for. The writer has changed the original title

THE ADMINISTRATION OF A SCHOOL: What’s The Best Way

Today’s school system has more demand and expectations to meet.

People change as the world changes; so do children and young ones who need education. Schools demand individuals who can play active leadership roles, display excellence, and have an understanding of modern education principles while moving the goal of the school forward.

That said, are there specific expectations from a school administrator? Do people look up to the school administrator as they do a teacher? How can you as an administrator tell what best practices will benefit your school?

Well, read on to find out more.

Who Is An Administrator

School administrators are those who run the daily affairs of a school. They manage and organize the activities and programs that keep the school running smoothly.

The administrator, who may also be the school head, will mostly require a master’s degree (M.Ed.) in educational administration. Prior administrative and teaching experience is vital for this role, as it helps one understand the entire job responsibility.

So how will a school administrator be expected to carry out their role?

What Is Expected Of An Administrator

The administrators role cut across many areas.

One of the duties of the school administrator is communicating effectively with parents; generally managing the effective operation of the school.

School administrators should keep their institution well-run by learning and improving on new technology in order to provide value for the school.

In the process of administrating the school, school heads have to communicate effectively and regularly. They have to serve as a link between students, teachers and parents.

An effective school head is a critical thinker. They think ahead of time and find a solution to whatever issue is on ground. If you are a school administrator you have to look for ways to keep improving efficiency within the school system because you have the privilege of enriching lives and passing on good values to them.

Being a school administrator can be challenging but fulfilling when you are able to instill value in the staff. And impact those you are working with including student.

As a school head, providing appropriate feedback to staff and parents is a key role.

Important information should be presented in a timely and easy manner. This will help teachers focus on their lessons and not get entangled with administrative issues that will affect their teaching time and efficiency.

Some school heads tend to assign their own responsibilities to teachers, claiming a sort of supervisory role. This won’t help the teachers focus on their responsibilities.

In order to achieve the best result in an administrative role, consider following an organized step.

How A School Is Organized

Organization is what makes a school grow.

Everyone has a role to play, you just can’t sit around and delegate your role to others because you think you are ‘the head of school/Admin’. It will be to the benefit of students when teachers and school head work on time and together in getting and sharing information.

The following steps can serve as a guide:

Think and plan on time
Review your plans regularly before the set day and notify anyone that should be notified early enough
Call for periodic meetings and discuss issues with teachers, from challenges they may be facing in carrying out their jobs, to dealing with a difficult student/parent and of course, teachers personal well-being.
Be open to suggestions and opinions and agree on a solution together. The school head can’t just call teachers on their phone and say, “I need you to go do this and this, and report to me immediately” without prior notification.
As the administrator, you have to discuss any new development with the staff, reach an agreement and implement the agreed upon decision. Then you can set deadlines for feedback.

A decision that concerns parents will require a meeting before implementation. You can hold a physical meeting with them or a virtual meeting if it’s a matter of urgency.

This will show how much you value and respect the parent of the kids in your school. It’s also a way to build trust, get the best from your teachers and grow the school.

The job of a school administrator requires you to put your best foot forward.

When you value and respect the human resources you have, it brings excellence and promote a healthy work environment, which transmit to the students.

Year Closure Activities for Kids

The year closes with schools shutting down and parents going off work (well for most). So you have time to stay home with kids, what do you do at these times?

As the year closes and holiday season sets in, staying at home to watch tv all through may not be the most fulfilling and healthy activities for kids and young ones. Parents and care givers should dig up activities that can enhance children’s self development and also, make their holiday a fun-filled one as well.

But there is no size fits all, children are different and also in activities they find fun and rewarding. You just need to discover what makes your little one or teenager excited, indoors or outdoors. But I can guarantee you that a mix of both is good for self development.

What activities can you indulge in with your kids as you stay home together during the end of year season? Here is what you should try.

Arts and craft activities. painting, drawing, paper craft, needle work and crocheting are all fun things to do with your kids. don’t set procedures, just let kids try out what they can in these activities on their own

Gardening and visiting a natural plant store. kids can start learning to grow a plant and care for small gardens. learning to weed, water and prune plants is an amazing outdoor time together. Encourage then to ask questions on their own when they visit a plant shop and jot down what they’ve learnt and discovered
Outdoor or indoor sports and exercise is the go to when looking to spend a good bonding end of the year time with your kids and young ones. Do yoga together, cycling, morning running, and taking new sport and fitness class together
Play mind building games together. From Sudoku to Mancala, Chess to Scrabble and Lego. Sort puzzles together as they help to develop your child’s brain and problem solving skill

Volunteering, visiting care centres, cooking and baking together are quite rewarding as well ( Although care must be taken when visiting and volunteering this season because of the global covid-19 pandemic).

The time you spend together with your children at the end of the year will always be treasured as it will help strengthen your bond and provide gainful fulfillment for young ones, plus they get to look forward to it the next year.

Happy holidaying.

How Can You Help Your Childs Brain Develop?

Children develop right from the point of birth, so also does their brain. How smart a child is depends on how developed their brain is.

But what if you are mistakenly not helping your child’s brain develop in the right way?

Do you think you are doing the right thing to help your little one develop properly in their brain?

Continue reading and find out from this article.

Research has shown that your kid’s brain develop to its 90 percent capacity by the age of five (5).

Many early childhood specialist will agree that a child who has the opportunity to an early brain development tends to be more successful academically.

During these early years of a kid’s life, the growing up experiences shapes the way their brain develops.

So you complain about your child being a slow learner or is slow to recall.

And you don’t think you also have a hand in this?

Okay, don’t get worried and go blaming yourself. Most parents don’t even know this, Yes!

There are lots of things that parents and caregivers take lightly and in the end deprive a child from proper brain development.

These are some of the pitfalls that can stop your little ones brain from growing properly.

What deprives the brain

Negative experiences at an early age interferes with the brain’s growth
Lack of the right supporting learning environment affects your child’s brain development
The quality of food you give your child. diets that lack the necessary nutrients hamper a child’s brain formation
Your child’s health. Prolonged sickness and deprivation of the required vaccines can cause a sickness that will affect your child’s brain development.

Pregnant mom’s are ad iced to take the prescribed pre-natal supplements without fail. Because they help your child’s brain grow as well.

Some parents will agree that they have made mistakes but can they be corrected? Totally yes.

We must help kids develop well, just as we help them learn to walk.

Your role as a parent, school, or community

It is the number one role of a parent to ensure that their child develops wholly, but also the school is responsible for a child’s growth as well.

Also the community, I mean, doesn’t every community want to be known for having smart brains? so what should we do?

What you should do

As parents, prepare your child early from birth to kindergarten age by providing early learning opportunity for him or her. Starting kids out early will help build their foundation for number and literacy, social and verbal skill.

Research proves that kids who attend preschool are more ready for kindergarten than those who did not attend preschool. so let your child start preschool early enough
Ask your child questions even at a young age and talk to them regularly in a clear manner. Don’t think they are too young to understand. From age 18 months when my son started preschool, I always ask him what he was taught in school whenever he comes home and he always mumbles something unclear but now, at age 3 he tells me what activities he did in school

Play with them, even roll on the floor and run around with them
Read and sing rhymes to them daily, especially nighttime before bed. please don’t tell me you can’t find the time
Get them involved in simple chores with you like cleaning. For example I make my 3 years old pick beans with me. sorting out the dirt from the real beans takes a lot of his brain energy. Its problem solving skill when he picks a dirt and I say no, don’t put it with the beans, that goes into a different bowl. He asks “why” and I explain to him
Create routine for smart games and creativity. Use building blocks (Lego), puzzles, drawing and painting and outdoor activities like gardening and sport. explain everything you are doing to them. don’t worry, they understand even at age 1
As a school, involve children in light competitive games and activities that build problem solving skill, Lego being one of them
As a community member, helping to provide necessary kits that aid brain formation to schools and a safe community kids sport will help build a smart community we want.

In the end, your child’s growth is all that matters. Try out these steps and observe how smart your child will become.

Why Is Discipline Still Needed In Schools Today?

Discipline helps to train the mind and character of a person, building a sense of self control. Discipline is, training a person to obey rules.

Not everyone sees a benefit in discipline and having thousands of rules guiding students in a school. Some even think it should be totally removed from schools.

And you can actually find that discipline has been given a back seat in homes and schools alike in recent times.

The question is, what moral and ethical values does discipline impact on a school child? what is the best form of discipline that equals whatever offence?

The truth is, no student want to be disciplined, nobody likes many rules.

I hate too much rules as well. It makes me feel like I am living in a military zone 😂😂.

And I bet many parents don’t want their child to be disciplined either, at least not in today’s world. This has put schools in a difficult position, thinking of what best ways to curb student’ excesses.

As a teacher, I have often wonder what best corrective measures to adopt in class.

While studying for my education degree, I was taught a different discipline style but it is called “class management”. It’s almost as though “discipline” is not a word to be spoken to avoid being misinterpreted as too uptight as a school.

I asked my lecturer at the time what best way to discipline a student that has committed an offence and he turns the question into a research assignment for everyone. And I just concluded it’s every teacher that finds the style that suits their class, depending on the age and background of the students in your class.

So you use a word of correction for a child who has offended on three different occasions, who by the way is disrupting class. Or you have a child who would refer to the back of a textbook to supply answers for a class work, what discipline is best for such student?

Setting The Rules

>. As a class teacher, you have to set the rules from the first day you enter a class. Its nice to set the rules together with the students and reach an agreed upon penalty for any rules broken

>. Make an update of the rules every new term, changing the ones that didn’t work, depending on the changes you see in your class

>. Always refer to the rules as a form of reminder and send copies home for parents to be aware and also remind their children of what’s to be expected when they intentionally break school rules

>.Implement the rules. At this point, students are already aware in their subconscious of what’s coming if they mess up in class.

The 1990’s was the period I was in elementary school. Then laws weren’t so strict on what punishment style you use on a kid. So, all sorts of discipline was used at the time. Of course, the biggest of all then, was for the school authorities to send for your parents, and you just knew you were in big trouble. Or being suspended for two weeks.

Next to that was to be apportioned a part of the school field to cut the grass, weed the school farm, clean your class and polish the furnitures for one week.

Most of the times, a student will serve their punishment during break period- the fun time in school.

Seeing your friends having fun outdoors while you work can pretty much change a child who is disruptive in class. Everyone dreaded such punishment and never wanted to be found wanting.

In today’s schooling system all that has given way for counselling. A student is sent to the school counsellor when it’s noted that they are beyond control. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t, depending on the child and the factors playing out.

For some student they just enjoy the prank of breaking rules and trying to show they are the boss around. for some, its a way of getting attention.

What should you do

As a teacher, you can actually help that student channel their excess energy used to disrupt the class for a better use. Get them busy working with you.

<. Ask them the most question during lesson

<. If they are fast learners, get them to assist those who are slow-paced in class

<. Get them busy with things like cutting and pasting class decoration, make it fun though

.Keep them busy by assigning tasks like helping to share classmates book with them.

Discipline and good class management can impact a child’s behavior positively even outside school. It can instill positive moral and ethical values in a child, teach them to compose themselves in public and to respect others.

Disciplinary measures that are in line with the states law can be beneficial if teachers know and understand their students. Everything a teacher does to a learner should be out of love and to the child’s best interest.

A teacher is mandated to also discipline her/himself by not picking on any tiny mistake that a student makes. Know how to use humour in class. Being firm but not too hard on students.

If you know when to discipline, your student will compose themselves after understanding the rules of the class.