ADHD - Deficit or Evolutionarily Gifted?

Interesting article about recent ADHD research. I think we've always known that students with ADHD were "late bloomers", and now new research proves that their brains are normal but develop later. The author mentions that ADHD kiddos are more playful, creative, spontaneous, imaginative, and slower to grow up. Instead of viewing this as a deficit, we should value them.  These wonderful "child-like" qualities are what our society needs in order to transform and evolve, according to the author. Some of the greatest minds of our time were ADHD - Einstein, Edison, Van Gogh, and on and on. Instead of labeling them and considering them a nuisance, how do we create an environment in our classrooms where all students, including those with ADD/ADHD, thrive and flourish? Does our current educational framework match the ADHD learning style? What are your thoughts on this?

http://thomasarmstrong.com/blog/2012/08/10/adhd-as-a-developmental-issue-not-a-medical-one/

Not Enough Time for Science?

This article discusses the fact that our schools are not spending enough time teaching science. As a result, our children are not being prepared for careers in the sciences, such as technology, medicine, engineering, inventing, etc. We are preventing students from exploring, discovering, and being innovative. I feel that my district does not currently place a significant amount of time, resources, or funding into the sciences. I have no curriculum to teach science. I have very few hands-on manipulatives to make science exciting. I'm curious...does your district provide resources, materials, manipulatives for science? Is science considered a crucial component?

http://www.kansas.com/2011/01/26/1691151/test-us-students-failing-science.html

Classroom of the Future?

Interesting article about a non-traditional classroom in Sweden. I like the idea...a cozy, creative environment instead of a boring classroom.

http://www.good.is/post/is-sweden-s-classroom-free-school-the-future-of-learning/

Dyslexia Document

Since my passion is Reading and Dyslexia, I couldn't resist this article. In my prior research on Dyslexia, I had never heard of a problem with "the medial geniculate body in the auditory thalamus not processing speech sounds correctly" as the main cause. This was new to me...very interesting. With 5-15% (this number varies depending on the researcher) of our students suffering from Dyslexia, I feel educators should do more to learn about the causes and effects on our students. How can we help them succeed? How can we help them feel confident with this unique dilemma?http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/248758.php

Philosophy of Education

I just learned today that my main teaching philosophy is "Progressivism". I did not even know what this was until I researched it. :) I would not have initially considered myself a progressivist. However, after studying the definition, I would have to agree: students are "actively engaged", lessons are designed to "evoke curiosity", and lots of "cooperative learning" takes place.