This week, it’s all about ‘The Week’ – I really do love this magazine. It gives me a little bit of everything.
Ivy League Preschool
http://theweek.com/article/index/213260/school-suspends-student-for-possession-of-acne-medication-and-more
Yes, both of these little tidbits have to deal with education; and yes, both are slightly ridiculous. However, my attention was focused on the mom worried about pre-school. That’s right, pre-school. I honestly don’t know who I feel worse for: the mom – who is obviously so stressed out and concerned about perfection in pre-school that she is suing that school for mishandling her daughter’s education; and furthermore, is genuine in that concern; or the daughter – whom I am sure is a tiny ball of stress at the tender age of 4.
Teaching Math Better
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/18/a-better-way-to-teach-math/?ref=opinion&nl=opinion&emc=tya1
A student’s mom gave me this article; and I have to admit, at first, I was a little skeptical. More focus on math? Pushing kids even harder to keep up with the demand for technologically savvy students in America? But, I do like this article. It was created by a math tutor who saw a real need, plus it talks about the various ways in which people learn – which I’m a big advocate of, and lastly, it’s a non-profit that is working to help students – and I’m more for that than a for-profit company wanting to turn out little math machines in the form of children.
School reform and testing are fraudulent
http://theweek.com/article/index/214013/testing-scandal-when-school-reform-is-a-fraud
What? Test scores are adjusted falsely to meet the need of NCLB? No way! Say it isn’t so?! DUH! Of course scores are fudged a bit. Billions of dollars are at stake, teachers professions too, and children’s futures clearly depend on great testing scores. In a school I used to work at, if the testing scores don’t dramatically increase this year my favorite principal is going to be transferred to another school. All because of test scores that are not a clear indication of what children know. Fabulous.
Facebook and Depression
http://theweek.com/article/index/213966/health-scare-of-the-week-lsquofacebook-depressionrsquo
Although I’m not obsessed with Facebook, I could see how it could lead to depression and self-loathing. Heck, I read the nasty comments people leave on online articles and it’s sad. I think it’s something to not be brushed off by families, but also don’t let it set you off on panic mode.
Increasing Teacher’s Pay
http://theweek.com/article/index/213268/the-solution-to-educational-mediocrity
Nicholas Kristof offers a honest and researched opinion on a solution for America’s education problem — increase teacher’s pay. It’s a little different from my idea – reduce classroom size – but I don’t think there’s any teacher who would deny themselves being paid what they are worth.
Wisconsin’s Union Debacle
http://theweek.com/article/index/213286/wisconsin-who-won-who-lost
Okay Democratic Senators – you left when it came time to vote? Really? I get that you were worried about your safety, but aren’t you more concerned with the future of your state? And don’t you care enough to stand up for what you believe in? I’m a bit ashamed.
Obviously we all know who lost, the people who are the backbone of the state. I’m glad that there are others there to help and fight back. Yes, I too have concerns with unions. I will admit that I have more to learn about the complexities of unions and their pensions. BUT, when I see that teachers, fire fighters, and police officers aren’t paid adequately, I have a hard time denying them a pension years down the line to sustain them in retirement.
NPR and Subsidies
http://theweek.com/article/index/213290/npr-does-it-deserve-taxpayer-subsidies
I am probably showing all my political cards, but, I really love NPR. It’s one of my non-profits that I donate to yearly. And yet, I think I’m okay with it not receiving federal subsidies anymore. Yes, it does present both sides of issues and does reach over party lines to talk about what is happening in our country and around the world. However, it does tend to lean to the left. And, if I would (cough) have to have (cough) Fox News receive federal monies I think I might just cry. Plus, if it really is $430 million that NPR is receiving yearly, that money could definitely be better used for Medicaid or Social Security, or, hey, education.
4th grade quizzes
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Houghton-Mifflin-4th-gr-Theme-5-Vocab-Quizzes
I’m a member on Teachers Pay Teachers and this is a popular set of vocabulary quizzes that are tied in with the Houghton Mifflin Reading Stories from 4th grade (I used to teach 4th grade). The quizzes include: Happy Birthday Dr. King, Lou Gehrig the Luckiest Man, and Gloria Estefan
London’s Rally
http://theweek.com/article/index/213743/the-week-at-a-glanceeurope
Okay, so London has a rally of 250,000 people who are fighting the government, who wants to slash spending to social services. 250,000 people… people getting together for a cause and standing up for what they believe in. Awesome. Why can’t we do that? Why can’t we get the politicians to listen to us? We’re the voters, they are supposed to work for us. I wish we would rally like this more…
America’s Angry Youth
http://theweek.com/article/index/213529/america-has-angry-young-people-too
Last week I wrote about an article from Bloomberg BusinessWeek about the anger that is rising in the youths across the world. Here it’s more specific, in location, to America.
Mother’s Board of Shame
http://theweek.com/article/index/213532/florida-mother-explores-the-power-of-shame-and-more
I don’t know where I read about this first, but it’s great. A mother used a unique way to shame her son into realizing that taking his education from granted wasn’t such a great idea after all. Personally, I don’t understand the uproar over it; with the bombardment of the internet and technology – sometimes parents have to do something so different to get their child’s attention. And since there was no physical pain involved, I don’t see why the critics are being so critical.
And for all the educators out there:
http://www.gocomics.com/stonesoup/2011/04/24/
