Working with Your Hands

Posted by on
Uncategorized

by Brian

Images

Labor Day is here, and while it has come to represent the end of summer and the imminent beginning of school, we should remember that it constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions
workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. 

I
went back to working with my hands this summer, and I thoroughly
enjoyed myself.  I worked with one of my former students (he is 29
years old now), only our roles have been reversed.  Sixteen years ago I
was his middle school math teacher.  Now he is the master and I am the
apprentice.  He started learning carpentry when he was about 14, and it
is amazing to watch him at work.  It's not just the tricks of the
trade, although those are pretty cool.  It's the way he approaches the
problems that always arise when you're building something.  He can come
up with three solutions, weigh the pros and cons, and make a
decision in less time than it takes me to figure out that we have a
problem.  And he's happy when he's working.  He never went to college,
but he didn't get left behind.

Continue reading →

The Obama Speech: How Should Schools Handle Hot Politics?

Posted by on
Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy, Life in the Classroom, Science, Social Issues

Campfire_j By Mark

Let me be clear from the outset: I'm not here to argue about whether Obama's speech is good, bad, ugly; propaganda, motivation, or mind control. There are too many unproductive shouting matches going on about that elsewhere on the web. Missing from those shouting matches is reasoned discussion of what I think is a more important question with a much larger impact on what I do as a teacher.

The controversy about the broadcast of Obama's "work hard" speech has precipitated some interesting responses from school districts across the country, ranging from the superintendent of schools in Tempe saying all teachers shall show the address and parents are "not allowed" to opt out, to districts like mine who instructed teachers to get parent permission before showing the speech. These policies have an impact on classroom instruction–much more of an impact than the speech itself–because it brings up the question about how schools should handle politically charged and divisive content, and what the school's role is in mediating that content for students.

Many an educator who attempts to make content relevant will want to connect to current events. Whether its genetic engineering, military endeavors, alternative energies or health care, it is easy for a curriculum to turn into a volatile tinderbox, because these topics and others have clear political implications.

How should schools handle hot political topics?

Compulsory Education: Do we need it?

Posted by on
Current Affairs, Education Policy

Picture 4

By Travis

It is September and for most families, that means school. I can imagine the thousands of children who have their backpacks filled with pencils, paper, and folders. Going back to school was a high point of the year for me.

But this raises the question: Should we have compulsory education? Should a state force children who do not want to go to school, to go to school? In Massachusetts, it became law to do so in 1852.

Now, I understand that this topic may just be too crazy for polite conversation. However, I urge you to consider what compulsory education does to schools. In essence, it turns schools into jails. There are cells; a warden or two; guards; and a schedule. 

If only students who wanted to learn, who wanted to further their skills for those better paying jobs and greater appreciation of life, came to school, those would be classes. Take out the trouble makers. They don't want to be there anyway and by being there, ruin it for the rest. 

Eventually, the school would pull more students in as they realize how little their preparation for life is. Parents will now become more involved, encouraging their student to go to school, going to great lengths to get them there (whether it is for a better life, or a need to get them out of the house at least the parent is more involved).

But what if it doesn't? What if very few students showed up at school because they did not have to and their iPods and games and friends were more enticing? Would these students loose out on an education and we would have a several generations of ignorant, unproductive citizens? 

Then again, would that be so bad? I could hire low wage workers paint my fence or sweep my sidewalk. 

But what effect will this situation have on the children of the low wage workers?

In theory, I don't think that school should be compulsory, yet I do not have a better way to apply this in the real world. There is not a practical application.

Pre-K Education – Worth More Than Me.

Posted by on
Uncategorized

0447-0809-3011-5445_TN By Kristin

The Obama Administration is looking to give grant money to states that show commitment to early education.  I hope Congress passes this piece of legislation, because the gap between kids who are ready for kindergarten or not ready for kindergarten continues to widen over the years.  By the time I see them, the four-year old who doesn't know his ABCs has often become a 15-year old who has no confidence, no academic curiosity, and no faith in the system.  Everything that can be done for a child's academic life before kindergarten is worth more than anything that is done after.

Continue reading →

Five Ways to Improve Education

Posted by on
Uncategorized

52724695_d48cf0dc80

By Tracey


Since Travis used only one, can I have his remaining four?  Because I can think of at least nine things I would do to improve education if money wasn’t an issue.  I realize that’s a little unfair.  Maybe it’s a perk to being the last blogger to post to this meme?  The teacher in me can’t stand by and watch four perfectly good, fully-funded ways to improve education go to waste.  But, I’ll play fair.  I’ll follow the rules and attempt to squeeze in all that I can with some broad categories.  The 5 ways I’d improve education is by opening the school to serve the community, team teaching with smaller class sizes, authentic and meaningful learning through field experiences and community connections, an educator attitude check, and learning 21st century skills.  

Continue reading →

5 Ways to Improve Our Education System….I only need 1

Posted by on
Current Affairs, Education Policy, Teacher Leadership

Picture 2 by Travis

Hmmm, five ways I would improve our education system if money were not an issue? I like that. It is a timely topic, often discussed. However, I only need one way. It's a big one. One with huge, sweeping results. But the good news–this one item will not require more money, per se. This one item is something we already have. This one item is nothing that we have not already known for decades. Bonus, improvements will be made quickly and with continued success regardless of levies or measures, politics or procedures. Is it too good to be true? No. It is a reality we already possess.

Continue reading →