Return-Path: <nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id h9NBaNV15039; Thu, 23 Oct 2003 07:36:23 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 07:36:23 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <5CA5603D.025AA51A.00180527@aol.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: RMALCUS@aol.com To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-FOBASICS:831] Re: Youth in ABE X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 X-Mailer: Atlas Mailer 2.0 Status: O Content-Length: 2156 Lines: 34 In a message dated 10/20/2003 10:31:39 AM Eastern Daylight Time, ngriffis@bellsouth.net writes: > Mary, > As a former member of the "underclass" I theorize that there is a large > group of youth who need a set of tools and a learning environment that is > more effective than the traditional class and curriculum. > > 1. I would offer concentration exercises given along with the knowledge that > it is possible to increase your ability to focus. These exercises would give > attention deficit prone students a feeling of what it is like to control > their focus. It is quite an insight for some that they can control their > focus at all. How many teens, or for that matter, adults do you know who > would not benefit from increasing there ability to concentrate of the > problem at hand? This calls for a simple "Relaxation Response" as coined by > Dr. Benson or in eastern terms this exercise would be nothing more that a > simple educational focused meditation. > > 2. I would offer a Study Tools class on a proper level to any student our > society does not want to leave behind. This could be couched in an > atmosphere of remediation that is already taking place in our schools. > > I believe that immaturity, lack of family scholastic support, street > environmental stress and developed attitudes of low scholastic ability all > open a door to the need for giving certain needy children a new set of tools > in a new type of environment to help them cope. > > Nick Griffis > Adult Education > Inlet Grove H.S. > Riviera Beach, FL > 561-882-9967 > Nick, I would like to add a couple of things to your lists of activities and "causes". Test taking skills and opportunities to engage literature and math so that learners come to understand that the ideas and concepts that they encounter in a classroom setting were created by PEOPLE LIKE THEMSELVES; and let's not forget that a classroom is an extension of the society in which learners live. It is a cultural setting and thus can subject its members to the same type of bias they would encounter in the bigger world. Some learners can feel frustrated and alienated by teachers.
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