We live in an age when the word "literacy" is the equivalent of educational gold. All teachers need to use it -- so instead of working on actual art and delving into the actual creative process, teachers need to add a reading -- literacy -- component to their work.
Swell.
Why then do the jobs of librarian so often wind up on the chopping block? Ask kids in inner city schools -- the kids who do not generally have money in their budget to buy books -- what they think is important and they'll mention the need for a good library that they have access to.
So, why do principals who supposedly embrace literacy get rid of the librarian? Is it because they think that job can be done by anyone? Is it because they feel the need to up the technology budget? Whatever it is, it makes no sense.
At my old school in Brooklyn, students were not allowed in the building without a book. No one stopped those kids to even ask them about the book they were reading. I caught an 8th grade boy reading 50 Shades of Grey; I caught a 5th grader using the book The Things They Carried as his pass to enter the building.
My principal's policy of using a book to gain entry to the building must have looked damn fine on paper. It was a joke in real life. But no one cared.
Well, no one cared until the literacy scores came in. Then the teachers were yelled at for poor scores. All the kids need is a book -- and access to it.
Go out and hire more librarians. Have them get kids involved in the LOVE of reading. Have them start book groups -- for students AND teachers. (Frankly, I find it suspect to work with teachers who claim they are too busy to read. ?????)
Monday, March 28, 2016
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Connect Kids to Good Books
I used to love teaching To Kill a Mockingbird. Unfortunately, after my time in Brooklyn, I realize that it's a very difficult book for weak readers. Why make them read it?
Okay, I made an error. It's a great book. But it's only great to read if you are a strong reader. Too few students are strong enough to wade through Scout's long-winded considerations about the Southern culture in which she lives. It's a bygone era that fails to engage current readers who have difficulty imagining what's happening.
If we really want students to be able to read the classics, we need to give them surer footing. A great way to do that is to offer current books. That means having a budget to pay for new books and to hire teachers who are readers (who else will recommend these books after all?). When I was in an all-boys classroom, I spent time with some readers. I strongly recommended Edward Bloor's book Tangerine (and gave copies to those interested), and a funny thing happened: the boys read the book and liked it. I read The Crossover by Kwame Alexander to my class -- they sat and listened! Imagine if we took the time and money to engage kids with reading they wanted to do.
Special classes are often on the chopping block when it comes to tight budgets. On the surface it appears that in our climate of testing, it's okay to shave art and music from the budget. It's been my experience, however, that these cuts are hurting students. When asked to read a passage about the skills needed to forge a piece of art, it would be helpful for students to know the artist who is being forged and the techniques one would use to paint such a forgery.
Anyway, I believe that we need to put literacy in the front of our minds. Tech seems to reign supreme, but it can't hold a candle to a good book.
Okay, I made an error. It's a great book. But it's only great to read if you are a strong reader. Too few students are strong enough to wade through Scout's long-winded considerations about the Southern culture in which she lives. It's a bygone era that fails to engage current readers who have difficulty imagining what's happening.
If we really want students to be able to read the classics, we need to give them surer footing. A great way to do that is to offer current books. That means having a budget to pay for new books and to hire teachers who are readers (who else will recommend these books after all?). When I was in an all-boys classroom, I spent time with some readers. I strongly recommended Edward Bloor's book Tangerine (and gave copies to those interested), and a funny thing happened: the boys read the book and liked it. I read The Crossover by Kwame Alexander to my class -- they sat and listened! Imagine if we took the time and money to engage kids with reading they wanted to do.
Special classes are often on the chopping block when it comes to tight budgets. On the surface it appears that in our climate of testing, it's okay to shave art and music from the budget. It's been my experience, however, that these cuts are hurting students. When asked to read a passage about the skills needed to forge a piece of art, it would be helpful for students to know the artist who is being forged and the techniques one would use to paint such a forgery.
Anyway, I believe that we need to put literacy in the front of our minds. Tech seems to reign supreme, but it can't hold a candle to a good book.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
School Reform -- One size doesn't fit all
Many of my thoughts about school reform stem from my years of teaching -- particularly from my t years in urban schools in Las Vegas andNew York City.
Reform of public education is well beyond due, but the problem is that we are seeking a one size fits all fix. As we continue on that path, the goal drifts further and further away. To truly make change, the situation must be closely monitored, analyzed, and then solution should be put in place. And then the solution should be monitored and altered or discarded as need be. When I taught the book To Kill a Mockingbird for several years, I found myself no longer liking it. I had a particular class that had difficulty reading so instead of forcing the issue, I dropped the book from the curriculum for that year. there is no law that says change cannot be made periodically especially when the professional sees that there will be a problem.
Anyway, let me be more clear.
In Las Vegas where the class size was around 40 students per class, there was a huge problem with students dropping in or out of classes. I would begin the semester with a given set of students and finish the semester with a different group. Obviously moving from one class (or school) to another during any given year will have an impact on learning. However, making a policy change to address that issue would be futile in my school in NYC. There, I very rarely had class roster changes.
In NYC, kindergarten students read a book called Life in a Pond . Unfortunately, many of those students don't have first hand knowledge of a pond. What it looks like or smells like. Here is a problem where the curriculum doesn't suit the population. Now, I'm not saying students shouldn't read the book (or have it read to them), but to maximize the learning, it should be a given that all students who read that book have the chance to visit a pond during the course of study. It's a simple solution, not a school reform.
We need to stop wasting money on public education before the rich get fed up and decide to stop funding it altogether. Then we'll be stuck back in the old days when only the fortunate got an education while the less fortunate were forced to work in dead end jobs.
We need change. But we need that change to be well-thought for each situation.
Reform of public education is well beyond due, but the problem is that we are seeking a one size fits all fix. As we continue on that path, the goal drifts further and further away. To truly make change, the situation must be closely monitored, analyzed, and then solution should be put in place. And then the solution should be monitored and altered or discarded as need be. When I taught the book To Kill a Mockingbird for several years, I found myself no longer liking it. I had a particular class that had difficulty reading so instead of forcing the issue, I dropped the book from the curriculum for that year. there is no law that says change cannot be made periodically especially when the professional sees that there will be a problem.
Anyway, let me be more clear.
In Las Vegas where the class size was around 40 students per class, there was a huge problem with students dropping in or out of classes. I would begin the semester with a given set of students and finish the semester with a different group. Obviously moving from one class (or school) to another during any given year will have an impact on learning. However, making a policy change to address that issue would be futile in my school in NYC. There, I very rarely had class roster changes.
In NYC, kindergarten students read a book called Life in a Pond . Unfortunately, many of those students don't have first hand knowledge of a pond. What it looks like or smells like. Here is a problem where the curriculum doesn't suit the population. Now, I'm not saying students shouldn't read the book (or have it read to them), but to maximize the learning, it should be a given that all students who read that book have the chance to visit a pond during the course of study. It's a simple solution, not a school reform.
We need to stop wasting money on public education before the rich get fed up and decide to stop funding it altogether. Then we'll be stuck back in the old days when only the fortunate got an education while the less fortunate were forced to work in dead end jobs.
We need change. But we need that change to be well-thought for each situation.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
The Joys of Unemployment
It's stressful to be unemployed. However, when you feel less stress when you're unemployed than you felt when you were employed, then that's saying something.
A case in point:
My birthday fell on a Saturday. I took a class in the morning, took a hike in the afternoon, then went to a really nice dinner in the evening. In between I enjoyed a visit from my brother.
If I had my old job, I would have done all the above, but I wouldn't have been able to enjoy my time because I would be worrying about the work that needed doing.
Another case in point:
After a great family get together for Thanksgiving, and several days off with my husband, Sunday night came rolling around. I realized as I was getting into bed that at that time last year, I was getting nervous about dragging my butt back to work. Instead, I was able to reflect on the time we had and enjoy.
I guess I need to remind myself that while having an income is nice, staying home is nice too. And I should consider that there is joy in staying put and being available to family when they need me.
A case in point:
My birthday fell on a Saturday. I took a class in the morning, took a hike in the afternoon, then went to a really nice dinner in the evening. In between I enjoyed a visit from my brother.
If I had my old job, I would have done all the above, but I wouldn't have been able to enjoy my time because I would be worrying about the work that needed doing.
Another case in point:
After a great family get together for Thanksgiving, and several days off with my husband, Sunday night came rolling around. I realized as I was getting into bed that at that time last year, I was getting nervous about dragging my butt back to work. Instead, I was able to reflect on the time we had and enjoy.
I guess I need to remind myself that while having an income is nice, staying home is nice too. And I should consider that there is joy in staying put and being available to family when they need me.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
My job makes me nervous
Many years ago when I first began my career as a teacher, I enjoyed what I did. Although my boss could be a pain, she was essentially a fair woman who worked to keep teachers doing their job while at the same time making sure that the students were growing. We did not have data to determine how best to move forward. We looked at the students; we generally knew who they were and we moved forward.
These days all that is gone.
I toil for hours doing lesson plans. (For the record, I had to hand my lesson plans in every Monday morning in my first job. NEVER did I have stress or the sickness at the pit of my stomach that I suffer now.)
I am supposed to use the data to help students. Students who know what they're doing but don't have the time to do the work correctly. For example, if I look at the summative data, it looks like my students don't know how to cite text evidence in literary work. However, when I look at the diagnostic test, what I see is that students don't have the attention span to finish the work assigned. So, I receive data that suggests that they cannot cite text evidence when in fact they did not even get to the question.
Tomorrow I have a meeting with my boss to plan the next year. While I have a pretty good handle on what I'm doing, I still feel nervous about having to meet with her. There is something wrong with this. Employees who arrive to work fully prepared to do their job shouldn't feel the level of stress that a mean boss can force upon them.
I guess what I'm saying is that my boss should be less of a tyrant and more of a leader.
These days all that is gone.
I toil for hours doing lesson plans. (For the record, I had to hand my lesson plans in every Monday morning in my first job. NEVER did I have stress or the sickness at the pit of my stomach that I suffer now.)
I am supposed to use the data to help students. Students who know what they're doing but don't have the time to do the work correctly. For example, if I look at the summative data, it looks like my students don't know how to cite text evidence in literary work. However, when I look at the diagnostic test, what I see is that students don't have the attention span to finish the work assigned. So, I receive data that suggests that they cannot cite text evidence when in fact they did not even get to the question.
Tomorrow I have a meeting with my boss to plan the next year. While I have a pretty good handle on what I'm doing, I still feel nervous about having to meet with her. There is something wrong with this. Employees who arrive to work fully prepared to do their job shouldn't feel the level of stress that a mean boss can force upon them.
I guess what I'm saying is that my boss should be less of a tyrant and more of a leader.
Friday, August 29, 2014
Small Victory
My first memory of "gardening" was when I was in 7th grade and I threw some morning glory seeds into the ground. To my surprise, they grew. I even needed to construct a trellis for them. My experience was that they were an easy thing to grow.
Needless to say, that was the last time morning glories were easy to grow. Living in the deer path and virtual nature preserve where I am has been quite peaceful and frustrating as a gardener. I can't even count the money I have spent on plants only to have them eaten by the wildlife. And it's not as though I plant things that deer love. Quite the contrary: I have limited my choices to plants deer generally don't eat. Ha! They've even nibbled daffodils!
So, I have a fenced garden now. All should grow, right?
Wrong!
What the deer don't eat, the ground hogs do (woodchuck? whatever).
This year I was determined to get some morning glories growing. Perhaps I was spurned on by the beauty of my clematis blooming or the fact that the hollyhock seeds from last year actually gave me blooming plants. In any event, I was not going to allow the critters to get me down. I wrapped deer netting around the trellis where the seeds were planted. And my efforts were rewarded:
This is what keeps a gardener's hopes alive. Small victories!
Needless to say, that was the last time morning glories were easy to grow. Living in the deer path and virtual nature preserve where I am has been quite peaceful and frustrating as a gardener. I can't even count the money I have spent on plants only to have them eaten by the wildlife. And it's not as though I plant things that deer love. Quite the contrary: I have limited my choices to plants deer generally don't eat. Ha! They've even nibbled daffodils!
So, I have a fenced garden now. All should grow, right?
Wrong!
What the deer don't eat, the ground hogs do (woodchuck? whatever).
This year I was determined to get some morning glories growing. Perhaps I was spurned on by the beauty of my clematis blooming or the fact that the hollyhock seeds from last year actually gave me blooming plants. In any event, I was not going to allow the critters to get me down. I wrapped deer netting around the trellis where the seeds were planted. And my efforts were rewarded:
This is what keeps a gardener's hopes alive. Small victories!
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Communication
Days away from my return to work after a long vacation and I learn through the grapevine that there is a meeting at work tomorrow at 10 am.
So, if I did not ask a co-worker earlier in the week about being let in the building to set up my room, I doubt he'd have told me that this session is going on. When I called the school to confirm, I was told that I did not need to come because it is not part of my contract time, but I was obviously allowed to be there.
?????
WHY HAVE A MEETING IF NOT ALL THE PLAYERS ARE PRESENT?
Or, perhaps this is just a way to determine who is willing to be a part of the crap system that is in place?
My biggest complaint about where I work is that there is no communication. How could I expect my students to do the work if I were not able to communicate with them? Shouldn't the same be true of my boss??
So, what to do? Ignore the place because no one communicated with me or go in to hopefully get some information that would not otherwise be communicated.......
Good bye summer.
So, if I did not ask a co-worker earlier in the week about being let in the building to set up my room, I doubt he'd have told me that this session is going on. When I called the school to confirm, I was told that I did not need to come because it is not part of my contract time, but I was obviously allowed to be there.
?????
WHY HAVE A MEETING IF NOT ALL THE PLAYERS ARE PRESENT?
Or, perhaps this is just a way to determine who is willing to be a part of the crap system that is in place?
My biggest complaint about where I work is that there is no communication. How could I expect my students to do the work if I were not able to communicate with them? Shouldn't the same be true of my boss??
So, what to do? Ignore the place because no one communicated with me or go in to hopefully get some information that would not otherwise be communicated.......
Good bye summer.
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