..Tim Eyman is an interesting character. I thought I'd share a good story about him that aired on NPR this morning:
Washington State Man Doesn't Lack Initiative
Monday, October 27, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
I read an article yesterday that got me thinking about the different ways Americans think about educational policy. To be honest, the article really ticked me off. Here's thee link:
Report: Kids less likely to graduate than parents
The article focuses on the ever present issue of school accountability. It seems that ever since No Child Left Behind was implemented, the focus has been on "hold(ing) schools accountable" for test scores and graduation rates. Obviously it is important for us to have standards for quality schools, and I don't mean for this to be a rant about the backwards policies NCLB; that topic would be better addressed in a book than a blog post. The issue I take is with media and political perspectives on why our education system is failing so many children, and what needs to happen to fix the problems. When politicans or the press talk about education, the focus is always on school accountability. If students are not succeeding, then the schools are failing.
In reality, this is only part of the big picture. Society is failing them. Their communities are failing them. Their families are failing them. Their parents are failing them.
Schools have more resources and teachers are better educated than in the past. Why then, are more students dropping out of the system? Because schools are now expected to take more responsibility for a childs development than is reasonable. The attitude of many is that schools are the sole party responsible for a students educational success. Unfortunately for children who live in a society with this perspective, schools have no control over what students are doing in the 17 hours from 3pm to 8am.
I could say more, and I was going to talk about the fuzzy (at best) math that Libby Quaid cites in her article, but I imagine that would just bore anybody who has read this far.
There are only two ways I can see the situation for many of these children improving. The first, better, and completely unrealistic idea is that parents turn off the tv and take responsibility for raising their kids. The second, more realistic, idea is to provide more opportunities for students outside of school hours. Support for homework, mentoring, and community engagement through extra curricular activities are going to be necessary if today's student is going to have a chance.
Report: Kids less likely to graduate than parents
The article focuses on the ever present issue of school accountability. It seems that ever since No Child Left Behind was implemented, the focus has been on "hold(ing) schools accountable" for test scores and graduation rates. Obviously it is important for us to have standards for quality schools, and I don't mean for this to be a rant about the backwards policies NCLB; that topic would be better addressed in a book than a blog post. The issue I take is with media and political perspectives on why our education system is failing so many children, and what needs to happen to fix the problems. When politicans or the press talk about education, the focus is always on school accountability. If students are not succeeding, then the schools are failing.
In reality, this is only part of the big picture. Society is failing them. Their communities are failing them. Their families are failing them. Their parents are failing them.
Schools have more resources and teachers are better educated than in the past. Why then, are more students dropping out of the system? Because schools are now expected to take more responsibility for a childs development than is reasonable. The attitude of many is that schools are the sole party responsible for a students educational success. Unfortunately for children who live in a society with this perspective, schools have no control over what students are doing in the 17 hours from 3pm to 8am.
I could say more, and I was going to talk about the fuzzy (at best) math that Libby Quaid cites in her article, but I imagine that would just bore anybody who has read this far.
There are only two ways I can see the situation for many of these children improving. The first, better, and completely unrealistic idea is that parents turn off the tv and take responsibility for raising their kids. The second, more realistic, idea is to provide more opportunities for students outside of school hours. Support for homework, mentoring, and community engagement through extra curricular activities are going to be necessary if today's student is going to have a chance.
Friday, October 24, 2008
8th Grade Science: Fruit Voltage
In my science class we studied batteries.
Batteries can be made out of fruit. So each group of students brought in a different fruit to test its voltage. By connecting many fruites together, we could increase the voltage: all the way up to 4.09 volts!
Unfortunately, I forgot that to make a lightbulb light there also needs to be a significant amperage, which our fruits did not supply. Our batteries were worthless, but proved to be a fun diversion from writing hypotheses and making data tables.
I would have included pictures of my pubescent students, but it is against the law to post photos of students without permission.
Unfortunately, I forgot that to make a lightbulb light there also needs to be a significant amperage, which our fruits did not supply. Our batteries were worthless, but proved to be a fun diversion from writing hypotheses and making data tables.
I would have included pictures of my pubescent students, but it is against the law to post photos of students without permission.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Globe-Trotting
Morgan and I have talked about taking time off to travel the world since before we were married or even had jobs. Well, a couple of months ago we picked a year, and have since made and discarded multiple itineraries.
I thought it would be fun to post a list of the places we are going so that our friends and families can share about the best place they ever travelled to, the place they always wanted to go, or any other suggestions for us as we dive into trip planning. The goal is June 2011 to June 2012. Here is our current list of destinations, in very hypothetical chronological order:
The Netherlands, Belgium, France (Paris),
Germany, Switzerland,Austria,
Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia,
Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia,
Turkey (Istanbul), Greece, Italy,
India, Singapore, Taiwan
Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
China, Mongolia, Russia (Trans-Siberian Railroad)
Ukraine, Estonia, Finland (Helsinki)
Sweden, Norway, Denmark
Home!
We're hoping to do much of Europe by bike, but I'm guessing our plans will change about 500 times between now and next week, so we'll see.
Let us know you're thoughts!
I thought it would be fun to post a list of the places we are going so that our friends and families can share about the best place they ever travelled to, the place they always wanted to go, or any other suggestions for us as we dive into trip planning. The goal is June 2011 to June 2012. Here is our current list of destinations, in very hypothetical chronological order:
The Netherlands, Belgium, France (Paris),
Germany, Switzerland,Austria,
Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia,
Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia,
Turkey (Istanbul), Greece, Italy,
India, Singapore, Taiwan
Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
China, Mongolia, Russia (Trans-Siberian Railroad)
Ukraine, Estonia, Finland (Helsinki)
Sweden, Norway, Denmark
Home!
We're hoping to do much of Europe by bike, but I'm guessing our plans will change about 500 times between now and next week, so we'll see.
Let us know you're thoughts!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Unexpected Fractions Lesson
"What's wrong with your tie, Mr. Lingbloom?"
Class had only just begun, and as I looked down at my favorite light blue necktie several thoughts rushed through my head:
1. "How on earth did the bottom of my tie get snipped off?"
2. "How can I catch the punk that took a pair of scissors to my wardrobe?"
3. "I just spent twenty minutes slicing strips of paper with a giant cutting board, and apparently I am an idiot."
I imagine I had a very entertaining look of confusion on my face as I mulled these things over, because the entire class waited for a response expectantly. "Well, I already told you I wasn't feeling well, so maybe its just going to be one of those days." I promptly hung the tie up on the bulletin board, and began the lesson I had prepared, ironically, on fractions.
I went home immediately after class on Wednesday, but apparently the story was a big hit at the staff meeting, because all I heard on Thursday from fellow teacherswas "Why aren't you wearing a tie today?" and "What was your lesson on yesterday? Fractions?"
Today I moved the tie to a more permanent location on the wall, partnered with a sign that reads "It's ok to make mistakes!"
Class had only just begun, and as I looked down at my favorite light blue necktie several thoughts rushed through my head:
1. "How on earth did the bottom of my tie get snipped off?"
2. "How can I catch the punk that took a pair of scissors to my wardrobe?"
3. "I just spent twenty minutes slicing strips of paper with a giant cutting board, and apparently I am an idiot."
I imagine I had a very entertaining look of confusion on my face as I mulled these things over, because the entire class waited for a response expectantly. "Well, I already told you I wasn't feeling well, so maybe its just going to be one of those days." I promptly hung the tie up on the bulletin board, and began the lesson I had prepared, ironically, on fractions.
I went home immediately after class on Wednesday, but apparently the story was a big hit at the staff meeting, because all I heard on Thursday from fellow teacherswas "Why aren't you wearing a tie today?" and "What was your lesson on yesterday? Fractions?"
Today I moved the tie to a more permanent location on the wall, partnered with a sign that reads "It's ok to make mistakes!"
Monday, October 13, 2008
Learning to Swim
Obviously we'll need to suck our friends in with flashy use of technology. It will be sink or swim for our blog, so this will be my first attempt at imbedding video in a blog post. Drum roll please!
The movie is of my brother and I tossing our cousin Noah into Lake Whatcom. I'm sure he had it coming, but that does not look like a pleasant landing!
Morgan and Tommy are Nerds
Morgan and I are thinking about starting a...
...blog. Despite an inability to create interesting writing, we do like the idea of having a medium to force our own ideas upon others. Kind of kidding, but there are times when I think "I'd really like to go home and blog about X... oh wait, we don't have a blog." We also figure it will be handy down the road, especially when we're travelling in a couple of years.
So here's where you come in. We need to think of a name more creative than "Morgan and Tommy's Blog." Lynn, we're counting on you. Caleb, now's your chance to make up for being topped by Lynn at our wedding. Everybody else, our expectations are low, so try and prove us wrong (I'll work on the internet sarcasm when the blogging begins)! Give us your best shot, it may go down in history!
...blog. Despite an inability to create interesting writing, we do like the idea of having a medium to force our own ideas upon others. Kind of kidding, but there are times when I think "I'd really like to go home and blog about X... oh wait, we don't have a blog." We also figure it will be handy down the road, especially when we're travelling in a couple of years.
So here's where you come in. We need to think of a name more creative than "Morgan and Tommy's Blog." Lynn, we're counting on you. Caleb, now's your chance to make up for being topped by Lynn at our wedding. Everybody else, our expectations are low, so try and prove us wrong (I'll work on the internet sarcasm when the blogging begins)! Give us your best shot, it may go down in history!
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