Disability by Shaoyi and Jolene

T2W8 Read the 3 articles & write 1 para (counterargument & rebuttal) to address this Qn: It is essential for children with disabilities to be integrated into our mainstream education system. Do you agree? Links : http://goo.gl/IXyL1K http://goo.gl/VRSUJ7 https://goo.gl/rLxnvC  Label: names, disability

I agree that students with disabilities should be integrated into the mainstream education system.
However, the inclusive of students with learning disorders in the mainstream education system will result in teachers being unable to cope with the special coachings these students will require. This is so as there is a lack of manpower in schools that specialise in coaching the disabled students. Although there is at least one teacher that is trained in the field to coach the disabled students in around 40 percent of the secondary schools in Singapore, this amount is insufficient considering that there is a high 2.7 percent of students with learning disorders out of the whole student population in Singapore. Therefore, with a lack of specialised coaches in the mainstream education system, students with learning disorders might not be able to learn to the best of their ability and might have slow down the pace of the class when the teacher pays too much attention to them whilst neglecting the other students. To solve the problem of teachers being unable to cope with the special coachings the special needs students will require, more teachers are being trained to teach special needs students and allied educators are also deployed into schools specially for the special needs students. There are about 3,000 teachers trained to meet special needs, up from fewer than 80 a decade ago. Parents have welcomed the MOE’s initiatives, including having allied educators at schools to provide support for children with special needs. This will solve the problem by having more manpower in schools to help with the mainstream teachers in teaching the special needs students. Parents will also be content as their special needs child will be able to receive the same level of education as the others and be cared for at the same time. Hence, I agree that students with disabilities should be integrated into the mainstream education system.

Education News by Jolene and Shaoyi

Link: http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/03/24/how-meaningful-feedback-for-teachers-and-students-improves-relationships/
Summary: Normal teachers do not usually ask for the students feedback, however McComb is challenging himself to do a better job by tailoring how he teaches individuals. As a way of fostering strong relationships and student voices, McComb asks his students for specific feedback about how he is serving them as a teacher.
Opinion: I think his method of getting feedback from the students is an effective way to improve his teaching styles. Not every teachers teaching methods can cater to every students needs and abilities. With such a feedback system, teachers can better understand what they should work on in order to allow students to get the most out of every lesson.

2015 news: Shaoyi and Jolene

Link:
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-confirms-evidence-that-liquid-water-flows-on-today-s-mars/

Summary: NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) detected signatures of hydrated minerals on slopes where mysterious streaks are seen on the Red Planet. The lead scientist of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program at the agency’s headquarters in Washington said that it seemed the more Mars is being explored, the more we can learn how life could be supported and where there are resources to support life in the future.

Opinion: This is an interesting article that deserves to be on the headlines as humans have been searching for life in outer space for many years. Now that they have found water on Mars, they are more hopeful to finding life and possibly travelling there after a few more years. Water is essential for humans and all other living things to survive. Finding water on Mars is a great breakthrough for us humans.S

Valentine's Day: Jolene and Shaoyi

Summary (Article C): Whether the attachment is real or to a much-kissed poster on a bedroom wall, falling head over heels before the age of 17 has a significant effect on a child's vulnerability to both depression and alcohol abuse. 

Opinion: One significant point that we agree on is that romance increases a girl's risk of developing symptoms of depression by up to a third. According the article, girls are more vulnerable to romances, and this might be a critical reason why some girls are found to be overly committed in a teenage romance. In the teenage years, many girls and boys do not seem to have a mature mindset and thinking. With girls being too engaged in a relationship would result in them feeling heartbroken in the end when both parties are unable to make wise decisions and sustain the relationship. Thus the feeling of being heart broken might land girls in a state of depression.

Introduction: Jolene and Shaoyi

Jolene:
I am currently in River Valley Girl Guides and I enjoy the time I spend in this CCA even though getting scolded at by our seniors is inevitable. I took up swimming as a hobby ever since I was four and thus explaining my tanned appearance. However, as the year goes by, the workload in school gets heavier and I hardly ever have the time to swim anymore. I also have a brother whom is two years younger than I am. Coming to River Valley High School is a choice I do not regret because it is here that I have met friends and created wonderful memories that would most likely stay with me for the rest of my life.

Shaoyi:
My name is Xu Shaoyi and my CCA is Girl Guides. I do not have a particular hobby but I enjoy watching movies and sleeping without an alarm to wake me up. Although I do not have a hobby, I have been playing badminton with my father since I was in Primary 4. I also have a younger sister that is currently in Primary 3. Coming to River Valley and joining Girl Guides as my CCA has allowed me to make many more friends that have brought happiness and joy to my life.