..no madder than usual, really. We're all mad here.
However, I got roped into playing in the staff basketball game versus another middle school tomorrow evening. Should be interesting. Our coach is quite competitive, so he uses the better players, so I probably won't be playing for more than five minutes. Yay?
Anyway, Ravitch has done it again, this time with this article. Really, people, is it that difficult to figure this stuff out? Listen to the teachers! They know what they're doing!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wishing for Spring
I didn't post last week for a couple reasons. First, I was out sick Monday and Tuesday, and the days I was actually here, I was doing something the entire time! It was amazing! But also, nothing really of import happened, so there was no point in posting.
Today I am subbing for the drama teacher, and she had just finished a project with her eighth graders, so she wanted them to read scenes to prepare two-person performances. I tell you, getting sixteen fourteen-year-olds to focus on a four page script is ridiculously difficult. Sometimes I feel like I'm teaching kindergarten.
And I'm back with more ed reform news (surprise, surprise). Although what is surprising is that it's not by Strauss. This article talks about class size and puts an interesting spin on the issue and makes us think more about budget, academic achievement, and the societal microcosm that is education.
Today I am subbing for the drama teacher, and she had just finished a project with her eighth graders, so she wanted them to read scenes to prepare two-person performances. I tell you, getting sixteen fourteen-year-olds to focus on a four page script is ridiculously difficult. Sometimes I feel like I'm teaching kindergarten.
And I'm back with more ed reform news (surprise, surprise). Although what is surprising is that it's not by Strauss. This article talks about class size and puts an interesting spin on the issue and makes us think more about budget, academic achievement, and the societal microcosm that is education.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
More Articles!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Catchin' Up
The play's final performance was Saturday. It wiped me out. Then I was sick yesterday. Blech. So this is an amalgamation of various articles that have come out recently that have resonated with me. No real thesis to this entry. Oh well.
Actually, I can narrow it down to two. This first one discusses NCLB and why it sucks. But the reporter states this more eloquently. Obama visited the school I interned at last spring, which is one of the most successful schools in the DC area (specifically regarding its progressive technology pursuits), and yet was labeled as failing. Riiiight.
This next one calls attention to the zero-tolerance drug policy in Fairfax County Public Schools. There have been several previous articles about this, mainly discussing how the outcomes of the zero tolerance policy have led to student suicides. Although the subject of this article did not kill herself, her adolescence was essentially ruined for something that was not even a big deal. I wonder if these things will cause Fairfax to adjust its policies. My guess, though, is that they won't.
Actually, I can narrow it down to two. This first one discusses NCLB and why it sucks. But the reporter states this more eloquently. Obama visited the school I interned at last spring, which is one of the most successful schools in the DC area (specifically regarding its progressive technology pursuits), and yet was labeled as failing. Riiiight.
This next one calls attention to the zero-tolerance drug policy in Fairfax County Public Schools. There have been several previous articles about this, mainly discussing how the outcomes of the zero tolerance policy have led to student suicides. Although the subject of this article did not kill herself, her adolescence was essentially ruined for something that was not even a big deal. I wonder if these things will cause Fairfax to adjust its policies. My guess, though, is that they won't.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Crunchy.
It's crunch time this week with the play opening tomorrow, so haven't had much time to get my thoughts together enough to write them down. But, of course, I still read the Post, and must post that. This article (found by guess who) discusses the problems with "data-driven" instruction. If only more people (i.e. so-called government officials) viewed education this way.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Only One This Week
...apparently not much has happened. Or maybe too much.
Yes, it's the latter. It's, as they say, crunch time now, for the school play I'm helping with opens a week from today. Holy cow.
The students seem completely clueless when it comes to the schedule. It is true that theater is its own beast, with its own weird scheduling known only to those who understand how theater works, but these kids just don't get basic dates.
Auditions were way back in November, and we gave them schedules then, and told their parents to sign a form that says they agree with the schedule. But we find out TWO DAYS AGO that some cast members have an orchestra competition (a required grade for that class) next Friday, which was supposed to be opening night. Seriously, kids? And more so, parents of kids? How did you not look at your calendar to avoid this massive schedule-fuck?
Also, can't end the week without referring to education news. This article talks about teacher unions v. improving schools. Why are they mutually exclusive? Someone's gotta figure this mess out.
Yes, it's the latter. It's, as they say, crunch time now, for the school play I'm helping with opens a week from today. Holy cow.
The students seem completely clueless when it comes to the schedule. It is true that theater is its own beast, with its own weird scheduling known only to those who understand how theater works, but these kids just don't get basic dates.
Auditions were way back in November, and we gave them schedules then, and told their parents to sign a form that says they agree with the schedule. But we find out TWO DAYS AGO that some cast members have an orchestra competition (a required grade for that class) next Friday, which was supposed to be opening night. Seriously, kids? And more so, parents of kids? How did you not look at your calendar to avoid this massive schedule-fuck?
Also, can't end the week without referring to education news. This article talks about teacher unions v. improving schools. Why are they mutually exclusive? Someone's gotta figure this mess out.
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