The End

I always feel torn at the end of the term.  I really do love school, even with all the work.  However, by the 7th week or so, I am kind of running out of steam.  By the final week, I am completely ready for a break.  But by the time my next term starts, I am ready for it.  I have learned alot in this class and I know it will help me in my future, at Kaplan and in my career.  I have really enjoyed doing research for this paper because it is important to me personally.  I think it makes a difference when you can select your own topic instead of having one handed to you.  It makes it more meaningful.  I have enjoyed this class and doing this blog.

Nearing the End

I have enjoyed posting blogs in this course.  I thought I might post more than I do, but I have just been too busy to keep up with it outside of what is assigned.  I really like the peer reviews we do in class.  I think they are helpful.  I would like to have more feedback than what I get though, in terms of how many people give me feedback.  Sometimes I only have one person respond to my discussion posts.  While that person may be very helpful, having different people comment would be more helpful.  They can catch things that you don't see yourself.  They also bring their own ideas that might be beneficial in writing my paper.  I probably won't keep up with my blog after this class is over.  I think it's a great idea, and a great writing tool, but I really don't have time to keep it up. 

Peer Reviews

This week in class we are showing the rough drafts of our papers to the rest of the class for constructive criticism.  I actually like this process because I get some insight into my paper that I may not see for myself.  They are unbiased reviews from a fresh set of eyes.  I like to hear what I'm doing right, and what I need to work on.  It's really nothing to be afraid of, because we are all here just to help each other.  Sometimes it's hard to give constructive criticism to another person, because we don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, and we know that they are doing their best.  However, when the intention is not to hurt feelings, and the response is worded correctly, it can be very helpful.  I'm looking forward to having others read my paper and help me, and I hope that is what I will give out also.

Dealing with ADD

Although school has only been going for 2 weeks, my kids are ready for the holiday weekend.  I think they just need to take a breather from all that has been going on these past 2 weeks.  My little guy is adjusting to kindergarten and still doesn't realize when the weekend comes and when he has school.  My oldest son is homeschooled and hasn't started his studies yet (one more week).  Then there's my 7th grade son who has ADD.  In spite of the fact that he's very smart (most ADD kids are, by the way), school has been a struggle every year since kindergarten.  He does well, then he doesn't do well.  It's up and down. He started on ADD medicine toward the end of second grade (on school days only), and while it does help him focus, the side effects for him are disturbing to us as parents, and to him.  But even with the medicine, his grades are still all over the place.  So, so far this year, we are seeing how things go at school without any ADD medicine.  I know it's going to be a struggle this year too, but I want to give him a chance to function on his own if he can.  It really angers me that my child should have to be medicated (drugged) in order for him to fit into the mold that the public school system has for students.  Why can't the schools accommodate him?  Why can't they teach him the way that he learns best?  Why should I have to send him to a private special school in order for him to not be treated like he's abnormal?  Did you know that the majority of kids in special education services in public schools are in those programs because they have ADD or ADHD?  Is that really a disability, or do they just need to be taught in a different manner?  Most of them are actually very smart and learn best orally, and by doing things hands on.  Maybe if they weren't forced to sit in a chair all day with their hands in their laps and not talk at all, they could function better.  I realize this would take effort on the school system's part, but wouldn't it be worth it to raise the self-esteem of these kids who believe that they are dumb because they don't learn the way most other kids learn?