The Holiday Concert

Tonight is Tyler's big night. It's the holiday concert and he participates in both band and chorus. While he is not so happy about the music chosen for chorus, I am very pleased that he loves band. It should be nice to hear the music that surrounds the trombone rather than just the trombone. I wonder if Tyler is better than his classmates in band. He sounds quite good at home. I suspect that since he likes it and is doing well with it he enjoys playing the trombone. (Next year we have to come up with the chips to purchase one.)

They are calling for rough weather this evening. I enjoy the cold and how it brings the holiday to mind. The prospect of snow, cold air, and a holiday concert just make me embrace the holiday. (Only 16 shopping days left.)

Lack of Intelligence

I often wonder why people my age have such apathy toward the future of the country. Many I know don't give a hoot about recycling. Many don't care about what's ahead for the young people of the country. Some, because of their closed-mindedness, just don't know the difference between boring and dislike.

Case in point: when the President spoke at West Point last week, several of the cadets in the audience were sleeping. Rod and I spoke about this and how it made West Point look bad. Let's face it, the President was speaking about the war in Afghanistan. A war, by the way, that these same cadets would be fighting in. Still, because of their schedules and the rigorous life they lead at West Point, sleep was too strong a pull. When we watched the news, Rod and I knew something would be said at West Point the next day. It was. The powers that be were not pleased that their students were sleeping.

My friends' reaction? "I'd have slept through the speech too." Or, "the speech was boring." Boring? What about the continuation of an already long war is boring? What about the steps that are next in asking Americans to give life and money for an already costly war is boring?

I have never heard a President speak in person. Rod did (GW). Although he did not like Bush's politics, Rod still found the opportunity to be a highlight.

The bottom line is this. While I recognize that speeches can be boring, I suspect that if the speech is about your future, the ability to listen with attention should be there. When I attended a sports awards night at the local high school, I found the entire process to be long and boring. Right up until I realized a coach was talking about my daughter. Then the three hour evening seemed less difficult to get through. When I have attended faculty meetings that talk about finances, I find my mind wandering. The minute I know jobs may be on the line, however, I am focused and listening for any message that may be between the lines.

The cadets in attendance at Obama's speech last Tuesday night should have been able to muster an attention span that indicated they knew how important the speech was for their future. My friends who claim they'd have slept? I guess they just lack the intelligence to realize that our future is on the line too.

The Things I Need to Learn

Now that Christmas is in less than a month, my fingers are just hanging on my hands with all the knitting I've been doing. Projects, by the way, that have been just about finished but not quite. For example, I finally plan to finish the Wrap I'd been working on for over a year. I am in the final stretch. Thanks to Julia for urging me on. But there's so much more I want to do.

On Friday, I purchased a copy of Interweave Knits Holiday Projects. There are some nice ideas in there, but I am afraid to tackle them. I really need to learn how to use several colors in my work so I can do some Fair Isle knitting. A handsome pair of mittens in two colors would be so much fun to knit, but I am afraid (I don't know why) of using more than one color at a time. I know the local yarn shop could teach me, but right now I'm too busy to ask. Maybe it's something I could learn in the new year.

I also need to learn some new cast-ons. One sweater I found for Rod requires an "invisible provisional cast-on". I read the directions for the cast-on, but I don't get it. More help needed. since I cannot finish the sweater by Christmas, I will wait to learn the cast-on in January.

Knitting with beads that have been strung on the yarn prior to knitting is another skill I want to learn. Again, a pattern in the magazine has several ideas for knitting with beads but I'm having difficulty understanding exactly how to do the job. Another January project, I suppose.

For now I think I should just focus on what I have accomplished. Truly I have tackled some neat projects this year -- projects I will return to again and again. For example, socks. Julia has used hers quite a bit and has requested another pair from me. Tyler has outgrown his socks and wants a new pair too. I still need to do a pair for Rod as well. I also knitted a really great sweater for Tyler. Not only does it fit, but he wears it whenever he's cold.

I am pleased with what I've done but I have so much more to learn....

The Squeaky Wheel

In my years as teacher I've dealt with some tough parents. Mostly, they just want what's right for their child and the balance is finding a way to address their needs while sticking to my own practices. It is very difficult for me to be a parent in parent teacher conferences, however. I enter with guns blazing and can be downright mean. Sadly, though, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. In short, that behavior can reap rewards.

Case in point. Two years ago Tyler had a teacher for math who was quite disorganized. The following year she was no longer teaching her own class because there was, so the rumors went, some question as to her certification. Further, many parents had serious concerns about her as a teacher: she lacked organization, didn't communicate well, didn't hold the bar high enough for those who needed it. So, imagine my dismay when I learned that Tyler was assigned to her class for 5th grade. I wrote a letter to the principal and superintendent of schools. Basically, I put her on notice and said if my child was to be in her class, I would scrutinize every single thing she did.

I kept my promise. NOw, after a rough parent teacher conference, Tyler has been moved into the class with the strongest writing teacher.

But who was the squeaky wheel?

The assistant principal called last night to find out how my conference went. She must have been given a heads up as to my displeasure. With me out of her way, the teacher with the questionable track record may continue the year without further fear of the crazy mom with time to write letters looking too closely at what is happening inside the classroom.

My job is to look out for my child. I do that with a fierceness that's scary. But if I were more calm and easy going (which I truly wish I were) would I have gotten my child out of that writing class?

The Good Old Days

Yesterday I walked with my friend Joni. We discussed, among many other things, how simple things were back in the days when we didn't have computers (personal ones that had internet) and cell phones. Things seemed more genuine. And, in this economy, is sure was cheaper!! I find myself missing the old days.

On snowy days, kids would stop by to see if we needed our paths or driveway shoveled.

Young kids could get a job before the age of 14 by delivering newspapers.

Families had dinner together.

People still wrote letters.

HOuses sold for what they were worth.

It seemed that more people lived within their means.

These days, I see efforts to get back to grass roots. More people are hand-making gifts. It's cool to knit. The library seems more active than ever before. No one seems too willing to spend five bucks on a cup of joe.

I'd like to see small communities come back. I live in a place where there are no shops. Available retail is used by nail salons and laudromats. YOu know what that says about my community...poor, poor, poor. When I first moved here we had a bakery, two clothing shops, a shoe store, gifts shops, a florist that sold flats of flowers for outdoor planting, hardware stores owned and operated by its owner.

I cannot change the world, but I can slowly go back in my own life. I don't need much. I do, however, need to raise my son to realize that he doesn't need much either. Otherwise, he'll be wishing for the old days of today. Yikes!!

The second book

Several years ago my sister-in-law highly recommended I read The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. I did and fully enjoyed it. In fact, I recommended it to many friends who also liked the book. I used the early pages in my 8th grade classroom as an example of how to write a "hook" to grab a reader's attention. In short, the book was worth my time in many ways.

Now that I am a Barnes and Noble "member" (what took me so long, I don't know), I receive emails on a weekly basis highlighting new books and events at the store. Today I learned that Jeannette Walls has another book. I wonder if it'll be as good as the first. Sometimes the second book lacks the shine and pure cleverness of the first.

First Day of School

I remember feeling excited about the first day of school. Both when I was a student and as a teacher the prospect of a new year and a new attitude made me feel hopeful. Today is Tyler's first day of school and while he is excited, I feel sad. I wish I had more time with him -- the summer passed far too quickly. I feel deflated because I am not experiencing a first day. I don't feel good about not teaching. I keep hoping I'll get a phone call from my old school asking me to come back because one of their teachers didn't show up or gave last minute notice. I don't really know what to do to feel better about the first day of school. Do I need to feel like this every year???

Books

I just finished reading The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde and loved it! It was recommended to me several years ago by one of my student's parents. I bought the book immediately, but it sat on the shelf for years. Lately I have come across the title on recommendation lists -- you know, if you like this book then you'll like this other book. Anyway, I finally got the hint and got reading.

Basically, it's a science fiction book for people who do not necessarily like science fiction. The main character, Thursday Next, works for LiteraTec a Special Ops organization in England. Her job in this book is to track down the person responsible for stealing original manuscripts and altering the outcome of the book. To enjoy this book one needs to allow a certain leap of faith. There is time travel, the ability to enter and become part of literature, and the ability of characters from books to enter our world. In short, it's fantastic! Go get a copy from the library and enjoy!

A Teacher Shortage?

Julia and I were talking the other day and she brought up some interesting points about teaching.

First, she has a friend whose sister is a part of Teach for America. She is supposed to have a job in the city this fall, but there are problems since a hiring freeze was put into place. (Only teachers in the system can get hired unless the position is in a charter school.) so, her friend's sister doesn't really know what is going on. Since Julia is also going into teaching, though from a traditional path, she wondered if Teach for America is good for anyone but itself.

Lately, Teach for America is hiring only students from Ivy league schools. I don't have a problem with well educated teachers, but what makes a social studies teacher from Princeton better than a social studies teacher from New Paltz? Furthermore, the students following the traditional path are being schooled in the subject matter as well as best practices for teaching students. They are training in schools. they are spending a portion of their time studying what makes kids tick. In essence, students who are studying to be teachers now, are following two majors: their subject matter and education. Teach for America is taking students from fine schools and throwing them into very difficult educational environments. How, exactly, does that help anyone?

I know I am bitter about being unemployed and not finding employment, but I feel that Teach for America would be better if it took teachers like myself and my friend Gretchen -- people who know at least the basics in teaching -- and put them in difficult educational environments.

I think that would better serve the students in the schools that underperform.

More importantly, I don't really see a teacher shortage. They claim there is a shortage in Special Education but they will not hire a teacher like me -- certified -- to teach in that environment because I don't hold the proper certification. If that's what's needed, how the hell can they justify other uncertified teachers? I already have the bulk of the study done; I need a little more. Isn't that a better offer for students in schools that are failing? Isn't experience in the classroom more valuable than a degree from Harvard?

If there is such a shortage in teaching, why don't all education students get certified in special education too? It's true there is a seeming shortage of math and science teachers, but when I attend career fairs, I talk to plenty of math and science teachers who cannot find a job.

Teach for America seems to be robbing jobs from well-qualified teachers in an effort to claim that education is getting a needed boost. I am not buying it.

Knitting Supplies

I have begun knitting a new pair of socks with fingering weight yarn. Since the yarn is skinnier, the needles must be thinner. I am using a size two double pointed needle for this project and it was quite difficult getting the whole thing started.

Using different needles -- this time made of metal -- requires some adjustment. Some needles, such as wooden needles, are less slippery with the yarn. It's more difficult to move the project on the needles as you knit, but there is less likelihood of losing stitches. The size two needles I am using are nice to knit with, but the project is moving more slowly because the stitches are smaller. Still, I am interested to see how the whole project works out. This pair of socks is going to be like socks one would wear with shoes. We'll see how it works.

This project also has me thinking about needles in general. The Additurbo needle is supposed to be the circular knitting needle. I am considering asking for a set for Christmas. Circular needles are versatile and really nice to work with if they're constructed well. Some people in my knitting class have additurbos and they swear by them. I did once purchase a cheap set of circular needles and where the needle meets the connecting wire I had trouble with the yarn getting caught instead of smoothly moving along. I have since gotten rid - at the thrift shop - of those needles.

I cannot believe how many needles and supplies there are for knitting. And it matters. I knit a washcloth with a size four needle though the yarn is made for size eight needles. It will be interesting to see how this washcloth washes in the machine. will it shrink to be the size of a coaster? Will it maintain its shape because I used smaller needles? Time will tell.

Who LIkes School?

I was a little surprised when my daughter told me that she didn't have fun at school this past year.  In fact, she indicated that she didn't like school.  Though I kept my mouth shut, I immediately wanted to suggest she go to a different school next year.  That is a really dumb idea.  Still, in the interest of keeping my kid happy, I thought it anyway.

As we talked yesterday, I felt bad that she was experiencing the same thing I did when I was in college.  I was okay there but did not really like it.  I always thought it was because I didn't belong there in the first place so I just didn't fit in (like a kid on a team who can't play).  Also, I had no help deciding what path I wanted to follow or what I wanted to do with my life.  Since I no longer lived where my friends did (divorced parents mess things up in so many ways), going home had no lure.  There was no one there for me anyway.  So, I just dealt with the hand I had.

Julia benefitted from my experience.  Or so I thought.  We did look at a variety of schools that offered the majors she wanted.  And, she really enjoyed being at school last year.  What changed?  What could I have done differently to avoid this?

The change is in having a boyfriend who does not attend the school where you go.  This is probably the reason I didn't want to stay at BU until graduation.  Another problem is that Julia's good friend had a boyfriend taking the friend away from the fun activities of  the year before.  There was nothing I could have done for her.  Personally, I am finding that difficult to swallow.

Kids have fun at school but they shouldn't have too much fun.  Julia is not sacrificing her school work for parties and that is as it should be.  Still, she needs to find fun.  She also needs to broaden the range of people with whom she spends all her time.  She has been with the same girls for two years.  Adding to that, she will be living with them next year.  I hope she finds others in her field of study to befriend.  In that way, perhaps the experience will be fun again.

I guess she'll be another one who doesn't look back on her school years with fondness.  How many really like school?

Schools Where Children Learn

Browsing my paperback book swap site, I saw a book titled Schools Where Children Learn.  I had to stop and consider what might be in that book.

To me, a school where students learn is one that is small enough so the students don't fall through the cracks.  At the Independent schools where I taught, I knew all the students and they knew me.  This enabled me to exchange a personal greeting or reprimand.  Students knew the teachers were watching them -- not in a creepy way, but in a way that indicated that they were safe and it would stay that way.  If I saw a student who should have been in class but was a known "floater" I would say something.  Although that did not always work, at least the students knew the adults had their best interests out front.

I also think a good school is one where people care about one another.  A school where kids feel safe being who they are -- even if they are totally nerdy and weird -- and recognized for their strengths is one where students can focus on the learning that goes on in the classroom.  Is it possible to create a school where popularity is no longer the most important thing?  I doubt it.  But students can learn better when the teacher set the stage for learning and expect all to grow as learners.  Sometimes teachers are guilty of allowing the squeaky wheel to get the grease.  What we need to do is call on the calm and quiet ones too.  Allow all to have equal time.

After the Brown v. Board of Ed. decision in 1954, much has occurred to appear that schools are equal.  but they're not.  I think we should all pay the taxes for schools as we do, but then divvy up the pot so all schools spend the same per student.  That way you can live in your own neighborhood but know that the schools your kids attend offer the same as those who live in more affluent communities. Imagine if poor schools could have access to state-of-the-art science labs and computer labs.  That could really make a difference for the poor children.  Poor schools need money for books.  If children arrive without the background in literacy that more rich students receive at home, it should be available to them at school.  This is not the case either.

I believe we need to spend more on poor districts but I won't argue that.  If we could just give the same to all that would certainly help.  Imagine if teachers got paid the same regardless of the district in which he/she taught.  We might be able to pull really dynamic teachers into those higher need schools.  Perhaps this would be the beginning of building schools where children learn.

Lessons

One of the reasons I was able to tackle the sock is because of the wrap I have been working on since October.  I attend a "knit-a-long" with other women who are working on the same project.  While the colors we have chosen are different, the project itself is the same.  I have learned much with this wrap, but the most important skill, as it relates to socks, is how to pick up stitches.  The wrap is constructed of various pieces made up of different stitches that are added to each other.  With the exception of one block, no pieces were seemed on.

If you look at the pictures of this wrap, first you'll notice the different colors.  Each color represents a different block.  This is a fun project, but I am getting tired of it.  Further, once the warm weather arrives (if ever), I won't really want to have the whole wrap resting on my lap.

Naturally I have more projects to work on.  I will keep a running journal of the experience.

The Sock

Back in the day, my mother told me that socks were virtually impossible to knit.  This from a woman who could knit an afghan and smoke a pack of cigarettes all while watching TV.  I took her at her word.  After all, I have great difficulty concentrating with my knitting.  I cannot do work that has lace patterns or rows to keep track of when I am doing something else.

I am learning quite a bit these days.  Because I have so much time on my hands, I delight in reading about and looking at pictures of knitting.  When I saw  the book Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd I decided I simply had to give sock knitting a try.  (Actually, I think my mom's words were always in the back of my head.  You know, tell someone they can't do something and immediately they want to give it a go.)  And it worked!

I did make some errors -- none of which are evident in the construction of the sock itself.  My biggest problem is that while I did knit to gauge, I did not measure my foot accurately.  Hence a sock that is too small for my foot.  But Tyler is game and is excited to receive a pair of hand-knitted socks from his mom.  That the color is a soft celery seems not to bother him in the least (though what should I expect from a kid who wears cowboy boots with shorts?).  Anyway, Julia has also expressed interest in a pair of hand-knit socks.  We picked out a pretty color for her socks and eventually I will have that yarn on my needles.

So, the lesson here is that one should not listen to naysayers.  Give a project a try; ask for help if and when it's needed; and enjoy a fun project that's easy to carry and practical to own.

The status quo

What do you don when you identify a problem, bring in to the appropriate person's attention, then get slapped for seeing a problem?

This is not the first time this has happened to me.  I doubt it will be the last.  However, I realize that apathy is the biggest problem in education today.  Too many teachers don't care because the students don't care and the administrators either don't see the real problem or are too busy worrying about whether or not they will be blamed for the problem in the first place.  

I don't believe we should live the mantra, "If it's not broken, don't fix it."  I would rather we all lived with the belief that we can help and all we need to do is ask how.  The time is now to get up and demand that we not accept what is there because it's always been there.  Now is the time to ask ourselves if the greatest number is being served.  We need to ask ourselves if we can make the things that go well better and if there are things we do that don't work at all. 

Obama has led by example.  Why can't we follow his lead?

My town has a dirty secret

As  a result of being laid-off and facing the prospect of having no money when unemployment runs out, I put my name on the substitute list at the local middle school.  I also figured I could use this experience to "pad" my resume so it doesn't look like I am a lazy teacher.  This week I was called  in to sub for 6th grade math and 8th grade social studies.  I am stunned.

My memories of having a sub are of having fun but not becoming out of control.  I was a good kid in school so I didn't even get in trouble, but I have no memory of kids behaving so poorly that you couldn't hear the substitute or they blatantly disregarded what the sub was saying.  I don't remember subs throwing students out of the class.  I don't remember getting in trouble with my teacher when s/he returned because of the note the sub had left because of behavior.  My class never was addressed by administration because of its collective behavior with a sub.  All of the above happened this week.

Substitutes have no work to do so when there's a free period, they go to the faculty room to read or, in my case, knit.  There I was able to hear from the faculty about how badly the 8th grade had been behaving this week.  I also heard the teachers talk of past students and what kind of class they were.  this is not new to me; I taught for 12 years.  However, I am surprised that despite the teachers' acknowledgment of the poor behavior, the principal defended her students.    Furthermore, she suggested that she was familiar with the perceptions surrounding the school and flatly denied that my point had merit.  She too speaks to people in the community.  I am annoyed because there's a difference in the information and opinions shared between being a principal and being a former student-former parent-current parent-former high school substitute-current educational professional.

Hmmm.....

I live in a town with a dirty secret that no one wants to address.  Because our local community opens its high school to two other communities, our students, in high school, meet with students from West Point and Garrison.  When I attended the local high school, I suspected that because I was a local, I was not considered to be as strong a student as those kids from Garrison and West Point.  This was significantly more obvious when I used to sub at O'Neill before Tyler was born (for those who are counting, that's 10 years ago).  The exception was for the star athletes of popular sports.  I am convinced that the reason Julia fared so well at O'Neill was because her teachers thought she was a West Pointer.  

My friend is an aide at O'Neill now.  She backs me up.  Another friend has a child at O'Neill; when the child was at the local middle school, she was the top of her class.  Now that she's at O'Neill, she has struggled with the more difficult classes.  When someone, years ago, suggested that the kids from Highland Falls were not smart, my friend bristled.  However, comparatively speaking, there is truth in that message.  And, now that my friend's daughter has met these difficulties in high school, she agrees.

So, what does all this have to do with substituting?

Students represent a community in some way.  Good teachers have an impact on the behavior and learning of their students in the classroom, but it speaks more about the nature of the students when we see them out and about.  when they are not under the eagle eye of their teacher.  The community in which I live is an embarrassment.  The students are not just rude, but they illustrated very little intelligence and critical thinking.

When O'Neill sees the tumbleweed of poor behavior blow from the middle school and makes a snap judgement about those students, is it any wonder that the kids from Highland Falls are treated as they are? 

New Jersey

Jon Corzine is considering ways to deal with the crunch.  So, he's asking state workers to give up two days -- one  in May and one in June -- to help cover the costs.  Now those workers are pissed.  Are they unaware that some people are unemployed?  Seriously, how bad is it to lose one day's pay per month?  I would give up the time if it meant I could keep my job.  

We have all been asked to sacrifice in this time of economic woe.  I think it's not too much to sacrifice -- one day a month.  Some of the people Rod used to work with were forced to take two weeks vacation because the plant shut down.  Those same people are now trying to make ends meet on a 4 or 5 day work week.  That's tough on them.  It's the 6th day where they would earn overtime.  Now they're not even close to covering that gap.  I feel for them, yet they are employed.  Those I've spoken to haven't lost sight of that.  

I pray something comes up for me next school year.  I need employment to help this family.  Still, if I find nothing, I am grateful that Rod has a safe job and he has medical benefits.  Things could be worse.

Michael Moore

Rod and I watched Sicko,  Michael Moore's documentary about the healthcare -- or lack of it -- in the United States.  Frankly, I found the stories to be sad and alarming.  I know the ultra conservatives find much at fault with Moore's reporting and attitude.  Some may even call him anti-American, but I can't help but to feel he is a national treasure.

In Sicko, Moore compares the healthcare system (for those who have it) in this country to the systems in other countries.  He went to Canada, France and England.  They have a socialized medical system that gives care to all.  While people in this country complain that a socialized system would only cause logjams in the system making it difficult to get a timely operation, the people he interviewed simply refuted those sentiments.  Furthermore, he took some 9/11 heroes to Cuba to receive treatment.  They did.  They were also treated better in Cuba than they had been stateside.  Obviously, this could be a Castro ploy to end the embargo.  Nevertheless, it offers much for us to think about as Obama begins to make policy.

Sicko may have offered a skewed view of the system, but it struck a chord in me.  My mother worried all her life about healthcare.  But when she and her husband needed it most, they were not covered for the medicines they needed.  They also were not employed making it impossible to change care.  I recognize that the movie leaned to the left, but I don't think this rich country should have the infant mortality rate it has (and I am not talking about irresponsible birthing of octuplets).  Nor should it be ranked 34th in overall healthcare. 

I eagerly await Moore's next movie.  In fact, I am considering purchasing Bowling for Columbine and now Sicko as reminders of what we need to do to make this country what it can be.

Keeping Connected

Because my friends do not phone or write, they want me to join Facebook.  I finally caved and set up an account.  Here's my secret:  I am not tech savvy enough to fully enjoy this adventure.  I suppose, in time, I will get used to it.

I am currently reading a book called The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson.  It is told in a series of letters written by the narrator (naturally).  I wonder where the art of letter writing has gone.  People simply don't do it anymore.  The trade journals indicate that on-line and text writing helps students become better writers, I don't see it.  Perhaps I just need to get used to the new technology.  If I could just figure how to post pictures properly....

Nepotism

Nepotism is ruining American education.  

Trade journals such as the English Journal, Phi Delta Kappa and Educational Leadership make a living publishing research about what works in schools.  We have a problem in this country with education, and there is a real interest in finding what works in schools.  Unfortunately, no one has taken the time to uncover how administrators fill open positions with former school graduates without understanding what makes learning work.  I recognize that this would be difficult to truly uncover, but I have heard some stories in the past week that make me feel as though my chances of finding a job, despite my qualifications, are slim to none.

The first example is of a 3rd grade teacher who was recently hired in the local school district.  When I ran into her this summer, I congratulated her on her new job (she had previously been working in the Bronx).  She told me she was surprised she was hired in front of leave replacement teachers in the district.  In fact, the only reason she went on the interview was to get practice with her interview skills.  She is from this community; she was hired by her former teacher.  Perhaps she was the best candidate, but I have suspicions about how this hiring works.

The second example is even more damning.  Again, this took place in my home district.  A special educator was "let go" because the position was no longer available.  Then, when the special educator found a new job, the position was magically available again and a local girl was hired without an interview.  The local girl in question was a recent college graduate who had told her supervising teacher that she had the job.  No calls were made regarding the girl's qualifications either.  This is fishy.

I live in a community that generally does not have good test scores.  The focus here is on sports. Why, then, hire the same people that we are trying to rise above?  

Do you want the secretary's niece getting a job in front of a teacher with a more proven track record?

Test Preparation

As a former middle school teacher, I know that many students do not know how to study for tests.  The schools where I worked required me to distribute test outlines to allow students to know what material will be on the test.  This was a good step for me as teacher because it helped me frame what the test would look like.

Public schools, however, have their stance off balance.  My son knows quite a bit about the New York State ELA test (which he has been taking this week); however, he does not possess the skill necessary to study for a simple health test.  I suspect something has gone terribly wrong in public education when the student knows about the state test but does not carry away any knowledge that will help him in the future.

State tests have their place.  Still, it's the skills that need drilling, not the test itself.  Students lose about a week a year to tests.  Wouldn't it be nice to simply give the test and not have to prepare for it?  Or, if schools are concerned about the success of their students, shouldn't a more broad and applicable method of study be used? 

If a student has trouble with the ELA test because he needs help with writing, then more work on writing should be done.  This work should focus on and be framed by the skills needed to succeed as a writer: organization, spelling, depth, focus, audience, voice.  The information I receive as a parent is that my son may not receive as score of 3 as a result of his written performance.  That is meaningless information.  Further, it does not address my child's abilities head on. 

It's time to prepare students for real situations and get the tests aligned to skills.  When the test drives the curriculum, we all lose.

Bailouts

I feel bad for the people who were duped by the Madoff ponzi scheme.  However, I don't feel bad enough for them to consider using the billions for bailouts to help them.  Many people lost a significant amount of money, but they were taking risks -- as we all do when we invest our money -- and stood to earn quite a bit of cash in the transaction.  As it is, I have lost a significant portion of my 401K due to the drop in the Dow averages, but I don't hear anyone shouting to help me.

We are in this together but the government should only be using the money to keep the economy going.  I don't see how giving money back to those who lost big would even support the economy.  It's not as if those people, once they receive their million or so back, would then go out in a fit of joy and spend it all.  The money is going to be invested elsewhere.

Yes, I do understand that when big business has the money from those investments they will generate the economy.  Still, it's just white collar money.  Where this country is hurting is in the blue collar sector.  Sure the auto workers have to tighten their belts, but they also represent what makes this a good country.  I would like to be rich, but I don't necessarily want that to be what defines this country.  

We need to get back to basics.  Support the mom and pop shops if there are any left.  Buy a house to live in and have a vested interest in improving your neighborhood.  What the hell, take the time to know your neighbors.  We've allowed ourselves to be defined by the car in the driveway for too long.  It's time to define ourselves by the character of the people who live in the houses where those cars are parked.

We need to bailout with caution and care.  And try to be kind to one another.  In the crash of 1929 it wasn't the poor people who committed suicide; it was the rich as they contemplated life without money.  The poor just continued on and made a nation that many felt proud of.  Times are tough; they will get tougher.  We need to put individual interests aside and hope that those in charge will do what is necessary for the greatest number not just those with the greatest number of assets.

Snow

When everyone is home and safe, I love a good snow storm.  We just took the dog for a walk up the street and it was peaceful.  Snow is quiet; rain is loud.  There are even fewer people out when it's snowing.  I heard some people discussing their sadness that this storm has come on a weekend when there will be no school day, but I figure we are all safer this way.  Less people have to go to work and the roads are less congested.

When I was younger, I enjoyed snow regardless of whether or not I had to drive in it.  Now, I do not drive in snow.  In fact, when we were in Germany I was a little scared when we had to drive on slushy roads.  I have no idea what made me so paranoid about driving in the snow.  There was one episode when I thought the clutch of my car was going and I still drove home (it took 2 hours).  That was a hair raising experience but I got home with no harm done.  Why then can't I simply get a charge out of it?

Last year, due to my light schedule and the snow, I left work 15 minutes early.  I figured if the snow was beginning to accumulate there, my drive would be bad since I lived 36 miles north.  It's a good thing that I left.  Fifteen minutes later the road became quite slick and there were something like 70 car accidents on the street.  If I were a fearless driver, I might have been one of those accidents.  I guess my gut instincts are on target.

And the snow is really pretty when it's new and I don't have to worry about my family getting anywhere safely.

Go enjoy!