Category Archives: Problems Facing Schools
School breakfast for all?
In some elementary schools there is a new start to the day. Some schools are now serving breakfast. But not the way schools used to do it.
Gone are the days when mom or dad served up some pancakes or scrambled eggs before little Johnny or Suzy got on the bus. No news flash there – those days have been gone for a while! But what about the days of some cereal and orange juice before catching the bus? Evidently some schools are making even that a thing of the past. The new movement is being pushed to the forefront by four organizations known collectively as Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom. The groups feel that all students need to come to school ready to learn and the best way to do that is to ensure they all have a good nutritious breakfast.
Should all students be taught like English Language Learners?
English Language Learners (ELL) are a fast growing subset in many elementary schools across the nation. They are students whose first language is not English. Many times the parents speak no or very little English, so English language growth at home is slow at best.
Often these students participate in ELL programs during the school day. In my experience the programs are frequently underfunded resulting in too few teachers which in turn means students who could most benefit from this extra support only meet with an ELL teacher once or twice a week for about 30 minutes. Not nearly enough in my opinion.
Whose job is it to pay for school supplies?
Did you buy school supplies for your elementary school aged child this year? Or did the school he or she attends make the purchases? Were you given a list of specific supplies such as 1 red folder, 1 yellow folder, and only certain types of pencils are allowed?
Playground Gossip Is Not Fun And Games
Do you remember playground gossip? I do and it usually went something like this…the meanest girl in class (you know the one…nicest clothes…prettiest hair) would take it upon herself to decide that “Debbie” had cooties and before recess was over she had most of the kids convinced not to talk to Debbie or they’d get cooties, too. Of course, you could protect yourself from the cooties if you wrote a C.P. (cootie protection) on your hand. It seems so harmless now, but I can’t imagine how hurtful it was for “Debbie” to have most of the kids in her class running away from her for no other reason than to be mean.
Want To Make A Good Impression As Governor-elect?
Try kicking a puppy, having some racy pictures of yourself posted on Facebook or if you’re really daring announce that you’re introducing education vouchers in your state. Florida Governor-elect Rick Scott has recently announced his proposal that all children should receive education vouchers that they can use to attend private, public or charter schools has done the trick for him…more publicity than he knows what to do with.
Education Dollars
Is Data Fabulous to Second Graders?
I came across a blog the referred to a YouTube clip about second graders and data. I have to say I didn’t even read the rest of the blog – I stopped reading and watched the clip, the whole time in disbelief.
What’s the (Percentage) Point?
New Club Shows Boys That Writing Can Be Fun
I think every school would be lucky to have a principal like Ben Tilley. You see, Mr. Tilley saw a problem at the Ridgeway Elementary School, in Columbia, Missouri and he found a fun and exciting way to fix it. Tilley saw that many boys in the school found writing difficult, so he formed the Boys Writers Club.
Gender Differences
Tilley, who has researched gender differences in learning and strategies to address them, according to an Associated Press article, started the club last year as a way to help boys get interested in writing. Research and statistics from a variety of sources show boys are, for the most part, more hesitant writers than girls, the article said.
A Weight-y Issue for some Elementary Students
In Flagstaff, Arizona students are being monitored for vision concerns and spine concerns and even hearing concerns, just like many other students around the country. These “exams” serve to help parents know when to seek additional support or opinions about their child’s vision, hearing, or spine.
Crossing the Line?
Parents seem to be ok with these exams and as a parent myself; I appreciate the information garnered from such tests. But Flagstaff has added another assessment: the student’s BMI. And they are sending results home that state if the child is overweight or obese.
The Times They Are a-Changin’ – At Least For The Boyscouts
The times they are a-changin’…who knew Bob Dylan would still be right 46 years after he wrote those lyrics, but it’s true. You see it everywhere and one group that has been feeling it is the Boy Scouts of America.
The Boy Scouts Tradition
I remember when I was in school you always knew which boys were Scouts because they would wear their uniform to school on the days of their meetings. They all looked so cute and were so proud of that uniform, but times have changed and because of allegations of sexual abuse, homophobia and the exclusion of those who don’t believe in organized religion many schools are no longer sponsoring Scout troops.
