Search Results for: blog first in self esteem and last in math whose fault is it

Plagiarism Part 1

I’ve labeled this “Plagiarism Part 1” not because it will be part of some short series of blogs placed closely together but because the topic is important and I know I’ll write on it again sometime in the future. My position as an educator puts me into contact with a large number of students each semester and I can confidently say that many of them did not learn what they should have in high school. I don’t blame them because many of them have never heard of plagiarism before. Rather, I blame their teachers. Even beyond understanding the definition of … Continue reading →

After-School Programs

After-school programs are popping up all over the place. In years past, local Boys and Girls Clubs or the YMCA offered most of these programs. Now, more and more schools are opting to offer these programs. The programs that are offered by local schools are often run differently than those offered by the Boys and Girls Club or the YMCA. The key is who is funding the program and what their requirements are. The main concept behind programs run by the Boys and Girls Club or the YMCA is to keep children off the streets thus keeping them safe. Social … Continue reading →

Is It too Much to Demand Perfection?

I recently wrote about a school where everything up on the bulletin boards have errors. Nothing, including the teacher’s comments, were correctly written–yet the work was show cased. I know that one of the “thoughts” in current educational practice is to emphasize the process rather than the product. To be honest, I give plenty of assignments that emphasize process. I think it is important for young children to have the opportunity to explore. However, yesterday I was talking to a parent who was ‘disgusted’ with her child’s teacher. A lively conversation ensued about the rigors of private elementary school in … Continue reading →

Stressing the Need for Diligence

As a teacher, community worker, after school program director, and neighborhood advocate, I cannot tell you how many kids I meet that want to become famous: a pro-ball player, a singer, an actress. . .you name it. Even my own daughter wants to become a rock star. They mostly dream of the money I think. You and I know that the chances are one in a million for that singing diva in my library tutoring group to become the next “Jenny from the block.” But she doesn’t see it that way. She sees it as not impossible. To each student … Continue reading →

First in Self Esteem and Last in Math: Whose Fault is It?

Have you read the statistics that came out a few years ago about America’s students? There was a large study done comparing elementary students through high school students with other countries and the results were dismal for sure. While our kids are number one in self esteem, we are near the bottom in all other academic subjects areas. In other words, we feel really good about failing! Everyone is quick to point to our failing public school system. . .and while I do feel that the public educational system needs some tweaking, I can’t say that I agree. I’ve always … Continue reading →