I am using the theme of Gripes and Grins for the month of February. I am alternating days. Today is an odd day, so today will be a gripe.
I am working in 6th grade this year. I worked with these same kids when they were kindergartners, and not much has changed.
Education today seems to be a choice between being a screaming shrew and being a door mat.
We spend our days giving kids choice in their learning.
Many of us are jumping on the Starbucks classroom bandwagon because kids need to have choice in where and how they sit. After all, we as adults have that choice.
We should provide lamps instead of the overhead lights because lamps are not as harsh.
Kids bring water bottles into class because drinking water is essential, not only to life, but to learning.
They bring snacks because they can't think on a stomach that ate two hours ago.
As adults, we listen to music while we work--kids should be afforded that same choice.
We mustn't expect them to work when they don't feel like it. Homework can be turned in when kids get around to it...after all they are busy with their extra-curricular lives.
We require "turn and talk" and group work because that "is the world they will live in."
So kids kick back, relax with their music,
and snacks,
and drinks,
in the chair of their choosing,
with their buddies,
and play the games they have put on their computers without permission or watch YouTube videos as they search for the answer
to "What is the capital of Spain"
and we are supposed to look on this with satisfaction because these kids are taking control of their learning.
Until we don't.
We are told to give coins and stickers and prize box gems to kids who are behaving properly in hopes the "fun timers" will want the goodies.
But they rarely do.
We ask politely.
They ignore.
We manipulate.
"I'd like to thank Bobby for getting started on his work."
They snort.
We raise our voice and remind them of what they should be doing.
They roll their eyes.
We approach individuals to ask for them to stay on task.
They promise to our face, then roll their eyes when we walk away.
We resist the urge to turn into a swirling, twirling out of control banshee.
They laugh as they eat another cookie.
We ask for help from our supervisors and are told we need to reward those giving us appropriate behavior, because a consequence for those who aren't, could hurt their feelings and inspire a call from a parent.
It seems kids have all the choice in the world.
We have the choice to be a witch or a doormat.
'Cause THIS is the world we live in.
Monday, February 5, 2018
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Lazy Weekend
In February I am alternating days between Gripes and grins. Today is an even day so it is positive.
Yesterday was my hair day. I go every 6-8 weeks to get my hair cut and colored. I usually just come home afterwards, but it was a long week and I wanted to get away, so I had hubby take me for a date day.
We went to the big city and ate at an Italian restaurant--I have spinach ravioli leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
We then went to a little salvage/antique shop. We channeled our inner Chip and Joanna and planned where we would put pieces in the new house we aren't looking for yet. We did buy an old cast iron wheel, two old windows, and a bell -- because I am acquiring an obsession with old bells.
A trip to the big city isn't complete without a trip to the book store and yesterday it was Half Price. Found a couple of books.
We tried to get cokes from Steak and Shake, but apparently the person two cars ahead was waiting for enough food for a party because the line wasn't moving. We just went to Walmart for groceries and had a coke with dinner at home.
Today we woke up to snow on the ground. Unfortunately too soon to affect school tomorrow --not that I'd want a delay or cancellation. And it's just been a lazy day. I didn't sleep well last night, so hubby and I took a nap this afternoon and I rarely take naps.
We had family game night and are now watching the Super Bowl. Well Hubby is watching the Super Bowl, I am writing and watching the commercials.
Time to make the popcorn -- on the stove the old fashioned way.
The perfect end to a lazy weekend.
Yesterday was my hair day. I go every 6-8 weeks to get my hair cut and colored. I usually just come home afterwards, but it was a long week and I wanted to get away, so I had hubby take me for a date day.
We went to the big city and ate at an Italian restaurant--I have spinach ravioli leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
We then went to a little salvage/antique shop. We channeled our inner Chip and Joanna and planned where we would put pieces in the new house we aren't looking for yet. We did buy an old cast iron wheel, two old windows, and a bell -- because I am acquiring an obsession with old bells.
A trip to the big city isn't complete without a trip to the book store and yesterday it was Half Price. Found a couple of books.
We tried to get cokes from Steak and Shake, but apparently the person two cars ahead was waiting for enough food for a party because the line wasn't moving. We just went to Walmart for groceries and had a coke with dinner at home.
Today we woke up to snow on the ground. Unfortunately too soon to affect school tomorrow --not that I'd want a delay or cancellation. And it's just been a lazy day. I didn't sleep well last night, so hubby and I took a nap this afternoon and I rarely take naps.
We had family game night and are now watching the Super Bowl. Well Hubby is watching the Super Bowl, I am writing and watching the commercials.
Time to make the popcorn -- on the stove the old fashioned way.
The perfect end to a lazy weekend.
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Let me get this straight
For the month of February I am alternating days between gripes and grins. Today is an odd day, so today will be a gripe.
We are a district that has switched to standards based grading, and like most districts we follow pacing guides.
Let me know if I have this straight.
In the "old days," teachers would teach, assign homework, and give tests. They would then grade those assignments and tests and determine if the material had been learned, or if more time was needed to understand the material.
With pacing guides, the thought is if kids don't grasp the concept this time, they will get it when the material cycles back around.
Then, with Standards Based Grading, the most important thing is mastery of the standards. Turning in homework on time is no longer necessary, because responsibility cannot be part of the grade.
So, a child could wait until the last day of the trimester and turn in homework due 12 weeks earlier. These same kids can retake the assessments given to them-- as many times as they like-- to "prove" they have "mastered" the standards. And whether they have or not, the pacing guide dictates the class move on.
Teachers are judged and their pay and job security is tied to the students passing one super test based on what they should have learned.
To whom does this make any sense what-so-ever?
We are a district that has switched to standards based grading, and like most districts we follow pacing guides.
Let me know if I have this straight.
In the "old days," teachers would teach, assign homework, and give tests. They would then grade those assignments and tests and determine if the material had been learned, or if more time was needed to understand the material.
With pacing guides, the thought is if kids don't grasp the concept this time, they will get it when the material cycles back around.
Then, with Standards Based Grading, the most important thing is mastery of the standards. Turning in homework on time is no longer necessary, because responsibility cannot be part of the grade.
So, a child could wait until the last day of the trimester and turn in homework due 12 weeks earlier. These same kids can retake the assessments given to them-- as many times as they like-- to "prove" they have "mastered" the standards. And whether they have or not, the pacing guide dictates the class move on.
Teachers are judged and their pay and job security is tied to the students passing one super test based on what they should have learned.
To whom does this make any sense what-so-ever?
Friday, February 2, 2018
Summer Jobs
February theme is to alternate days. Gripes on odd days and grins on even days. Today is even, so today is positive.
Yesterday youngest had his first interview for a job. It was over the phone. He interviewed for the job of camp counselor at Camp.
He got it!
We kind of knew it would be a yes. It was a friendly environment, but what a wonderful way to enter the world of work.
My husband and I were counselors there in 1988 and 1989. The boys have been through the camper to CIT to Counselor track since 2009. Oldest will be working his third summer, and will likely be a Senior Counselor.
Working at Camp is seriously, literally, the best job on earth. You are outside in nature, away from electronics, and immersed in learning how to live with others. As staff, you learn how to organize your time, deal with conflicts, and teach kids how to as well. You learn new skills and most importantly you learn what you are capable of.
Working at camp changed the directory of my life and that of my husbands. Our oldest has decided to pursue a different educational path because of camp. I have a feeling it will have the same effect of our youngest.
I am nervous, sad, and terrified of the fact that our last summer as a family is behind us. Both boys will be gone for 8 weeks this summer. I will have an empty house. I will be spending my time packing and cleaning, but it will be me, alone, all day. But you know what?
Our boys will be well on their way to amazing futures because of a Y camp in Michigan.
And I couldn't be happier or more proud.
Yesterday youngest had his first interview for a job. It was over the phone. He interviewed for the job of camp counselor at Camp.
He got it!
We kind of knew it would be a yes. It was a friendly environment, but what a wonderful way to enter the world of work.
My husband and I were counselors there in 1988 and 1989. The boys have been through the camper to CIT to Counselor track since 2009. Oldest will be working his third summer, and will likely be a Senior Counselor.
Working at Camp is seriously, literally, the best job on earth. You are outside in nature, away from electronics, and immersed in learning how to live with others. As staff, you learn how to organize your time, deal with conflicts, and teach kids how to as well. You learn new skills and most importantly you learn what you are capable of.
Working at camp changed the directory of my life and that of my husbands. Our oldest has decided to pursue a different educational path because of camp. I have a feeling it will have the same effect of our youngest.
I am nervous, sad, and terrified of the fact that our last summer as a family is behind us. Both boys will be gone for 8 weeks this summer. I will have an empty house. I will be spending my time packing and cleaning, but it will be me, alone, all day. But you know what?
Our boys will be well on their way to amazing futures because of a Y camp in Michigan.
And I couldn't be happier or more proud.
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Trauma
I'm going to try an experiment. For the month of February I am going to try a theme of Gripes and Grins. Odd days will be things that frustrate me, and make me question the validity of process. Even days will be to celebrate the positive and praise the things that are going well.
Today is an odd day and my topic is trauma.
There have been a few issues this week that make this the topic I wanted to touch on first. Of course I can't go into specifics, but I can comment on our response to it.
We "only" have about 350 students so a half time counselor is plenty, right?
Students who put themselves to bed don't need emotional support.
Kids whose parents have divorced and had more children with someone they may or may not have married don't need emotional support.
Kids who are experiencing loss or illness of family members don't need emotional support.
Children of parents who are too busy dealing with their own lives to put the work into raising them, don't need emotional support.
Children of parents who think unlimited screens, tv in their rooms to help them sleep, and horror movies as normal viewing, don't need emotional support.
Instead what they need are computers and technology for each of them because that is the world they will be living in.
Instead what they need are teachers who are trained in how to use technology and how teach to the test instead of how to work and teach children who may live in trauma.
Instead what they need is secrecy to avoid law suits about divulging too much information about the trauma they are going through.
Because everyone knows that trauma is easy to deal with alone -- especially when you have no skills to do so.
Priorities people.
Today is an odd day and my topic is trauma.
There have been a few issues this week that make this the topic I wanted to touch on first. Of course I can't go into specifics, but I can comment on our response to it.
We "only" have about 350 students so a half time counselor is plenty, right?
Students who put themselves to bed don't need emotional support.
Kids whose parents have divorced and had more children with someone they may or may not have married don't need emotional support.
Kids who are experiencing loss or illness of family members don't need emotional support.
Children of parents who are too busy dealing with their own lives to put the work into raising them, don't need emotional support.
Children of parents who think unlimited screens, tv in their rooms to help them sleep, and horror movies as normal viewing, don't need emotional support.
Instead what they need are computers and technology for each of them because that is the world they will be living in.
Instead what they need are teachers who are trained in how to use technology and how teach to the test instead of how to work and teach children who may live in trauma.
Instead what they need is secrecy to avoid law suits about divulging too much information about the trauma they are going through.
Because everyone knows that trauma is easy to deal with alone -- especially when you have no skills to do so.
Priorities people.
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
OLW 2018 Steps
Voice was my choice for 2017, and I think it will continue to be a part of my journey for a while. I want to continue to cultivate my voice and to speak out for what I believe is right. However, I wanted to choose a new word for this new year.
I usually meditate and try to let a word find me. If one doesn't arrive organically, I read through the list Alli Edwards puts on her web site. (She is the one who started OLW for me afterall.)
This year will have many life changes.
*Our youngest is graduating from High School in June.
*He is trying to decide between 3 colleges, but will be going to school in the fall.
*Our oldest has decided he doesn't want to be an engineer. So, he is taking a break from school this semester as he decides what he wants to be and where he wants to go to school. Unfortunately, the school he was at was for engineering, so he has to switch schools as well.
*June will mark 7 years that my husband and their father has lived 2 hours away. He comes home on weekends and has never missed a birthday or concert or special ceremony, but he has lived away from us. Once the youngest is done with school there will no longer be a need for that to be necessary. We will be selling this house and moving to where he is.
*Since we are moving, I will no longer be working at the school I have been at since our youngest started kindergarten. Leaving this job and finding a new one will be challenging, especially since don't think I can continue in education. I just can't condone how education works any more.
*28 years of marriage this year
*I turn 50 in the fall
What word would take all of this into account?
Embrace.... I am not in the frame of mind to embrace each of these major life changes
Accept...I do but I don't want to focus on the change with a word like accept
So those words and their ilk wouldn't work.
I thought of Brave and Bold and they may make a side appearance, but I'm not brave enough or bold enough to face all of this so confidently. So proactive hero type words are out.
Faith based words felt too passive.
I am a planner. I know where I am and I know where I want to be. I can see the other side of all this change. I can.
And I am good at knowing the steps it takes to achieve a plan.
But knowing and being patient enough to step on each step of the path are two different things.
Steps. Steps help to focus on the now and the next. I get bored with "next" and often end up miserable because "then" isn't next.
Plus the obvious -- I need to lose weight, so steps will get me there both literally and figuratively.
Lastly, the camp that helped form and change the trajectory of my life as well as that of my husband and is now working on doing the same for both our boys, has a song called One Step at a Time. The chorus goes: I'm climbing my mountain
Step by step
I'm climbing my mountain
Day by day
I'm climbing my mountain
All the way
I'm climbing my mountain
I'm gonna make it....
One step at a time
One step at a time
One step at a time
With Jesus by my side
....
I'm climbing my mountain
One step at a time.
So in 2018 my focus will be Steps.
I usually meditate and try to let a word find me. If one doesn't arrive organically, I read through the list Alli Edwards puts on her web site. (She is the one who started OLW for me afterall.)
This year will have many life changes.
*Our youngest is graduating from High School in June.
*He is trying to decide between 3 colleges, but will be going to school in the fall.
*Our oldest has decided he doesn't want to be an engineer. So, he is taking a break from school this semester as he decides what he wants to be and where he wants to go to school. Unfortunately, the school he was at was for engineering, so he has to switch schools as well.
*June will mark 7 years that my husband and their father has lived 2 hours away. He comes home on weekends and has never missed a birthday or concert or special ceremony, but he has lived away from us. Once the youngest is done with school there will no longer be a need for that to be necessary. We will be selling this house and moving to where he is.
*Since we are moving, I will no longer be working at the school I have been at since our youngest started kindergarten. Leaving this job and finding a new one will be challenging, especially since don't think I can continue in education. I just can't condone how education works any more.
*28 years of marriage this year
*I turn 50 in the fall
What word would take all of this into account?
Embrace.... I am not in the frame of mind to embrace each of these major life changes
Accept...I do but I don't want to focus on the change with a word like accept
So those words and their ilk wouldn't work.
I thought of Brave and Bold and they may make a side appearance, but I'm not brave enough or bold enough to face all of this so confidently. So proactive hero type words are out.
Faith based words felt too passive.
I am a planner. I know where I am and I know where I want to be. I can see the other side of all this change. I can.
And I am good at knowing the steps it takes to achieve a plan.
But knowing and being patient enough to step on each step of the path are two different things.
Steps. Steps help to focus on the now and the next. I get bored with "next" and often end up miserable because "then" isn't next.
Plus the obvious -- I need to lose weight, so steps will get me there both literally and figuratively.
Lastly, the camp that helped form and change the trajectory of my life as well as that of my husband and is now working on doing the same for both our boys, has a song called One Step at a Time. The chorus goes: I'm climbing my mountain
Step by step
I'm climbing my mountain
Day by day
I'm climbing my mountain
All the way
I'm climbing my mountain
I'm gonna make it....
One step at a time
One step at a time
One step at a time
With Jesus by my side
....
I'm climbing my mountain
One step at a time.
So in 2018 my focus will be Steps.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
There's a Program For That
When I was young, I wanted to work with kids, and that meant being a teacher ...or so I thought.
I changed my mind before it was too late, and I'm glad. My instincts were correct for me. Being a camp counselor and later a Child Care and Camp Director, was for me because it is instinctive. Teaching used to be an art, but now it is a program.
Need practice on Math, Reading, and Science? We have Moby Max.
Need practice on Reading? We have A to Z Reading.
How are they doing in Math and Language? We have MClass and Acuity.
Improving in reading? Check with Benchmarking Kits.
Practice for ISTEP? NWEA.
Want to be more creative and still focus on standards? Have a Maker Space room.
Technology is the future of everything, so give even the youngest child an IPAD instead of crayons.
And then there's behavior.
Rather than ask, "When did we lose control?" it seems we should ask, "When did we have control?"
When we took away the Art of teaching and opted for scripts, we lost the natural connections that were made. So, now there is a program for that.
Actually we have had several just in the twelve years I have been in the educational system. Our latest is Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports-- or PBIS.
Catch 'em being good and ignore bad behavior.
We need a program for this?
I have problems with all of the "Behavior Management" programs. We who work with children shouldn't need a scripted program to guide us in working with children. A scripted program is only good until the next program comes along. And we all know that is about as long as it takes an administrator to go to a new conference and come back with free introductory offers.
Our latest ...mandate? ... is kids who get in trouble more often will be assigned an adult to check in with them every morning and every afternoon, to hear the child's goals and then to see if they met them. Apparently, our PBIS team heard children do better if they know an adult cares about them. So, to show these chosen kids we care, they will bring a piece of paper with goals written on them, and the assigned adult will sign the paper each day. Because... you know... data tracking.
I want to climb on the highest roof top and scream, "You seriously need a program to tell you kids do better if they know you care?!!!!"
Are teachers are so bogged down with every other "program in an app", that they no longer have the God given ability to know a child needs a couple extra minutes of their time, nor do they feel they have the time to devote to touch base? Really?
And why do we not even mention the elephant in the room? How many administrators does it take to ensure and maintain data points? Could some of that money be spent on more counselor time in every building?
Education majors need training in relating with children. Educators need training in working with kids in crisis. But we are not counselors. We need to be part of the care team and we need to stop hiding behind "privacy rights" and "right to know". I'm sorry, but if a child is acting out because a parent is in jail, or a family member is sick, we need to know. Children often don't have words for what they are dealing with, and giving them a sticker or a dojo point because they hold it together for a morning doesn't help them deal with the emotion. And if they aren't dealing with the emotion, we are all --kids, peers, and adults, paying the price.
The solution isn't a new program or data point-- tracked but forgotten. The solution is common sense, and the bravery to do what is not easy, but instead what is right.
Unfortunately, I don't think there is a Common Sense booth at any conference attended by any administrator.
And even if there was, I'm not sure any administrator would stop to talk to the vendor.
I changed my mind before it was too late, and I'm glad. My instincts were correct for me. Being a camp counselor and later a Child Care and Camp Director, was for me because it is instinctive. Teaching used to be an art, but now it is a program.
Need practice on Math, Reading, and Science? We have Moby Max.
Need practice on Reading? We have A to Z Reading.
How are they doing in Math and Language? We have MClass and Acuity.
Improving in reading? Check with Benchmarking Kits.
Practice for ISTEP? NWEA.
Want to be more creative and still focus on standards? Have a Maker Space room.
Technology is the future of everything, so give even the youngest child an IPAD instead of crayons.
And then there's behavior.
Rather than ask, "When did we lose control?" it seems we should ask, "When did we have control?"
When we took away the Art of teaching and opted for scripts, we lost the natural connections that were made. So, now there is a program for that.
Actually we have had several just in the twelve years I have been in the educational system. Our latest is Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports-- or PBIS.
Catch 'em being good and ignore bad behavior.
We need a program for this?
I have problems with all of the "Behavior Management" programs. We who work with children shouldn't need a scripted program to guide us in working with children. A scripted program is only good until the next program comes along. And we all know that is about as long as it takes an administrator to go to a new conference and come back with free introductory offers.
Our latest ...mandate? ... is kids who get in trouble more often will be assigned an adult to check in with them every morning and every afternoon, to hear the child's goals and then to see if they met them. Apparently, our PBIS team heard children do better if they know an adult cares about them. So, to show these chosen kids we care, they will bring a piece of paper with goals written on them, and the assigned adult will sign the paper each day. Because... you know... data tracking.
I want to climb on the highest roof top and scream, "You seriously need a program to tell you kids do better if they know you care?!!!!"
Are teachers are so bogged down with every other "program in an app", that they no longer have the God given ability to know a child needs a couple extra minutes of their time, nor do they feel they have the time to devote to touch base? Really?
And why do we not even mention the elephant in the room? How many administrators does it take to ensure and maintain data points? Could some of that money be spent on more counselor time in every building?
Education majors need training in relating with children. Educators need training in working with kids in crisis. But we are not counselors. We need to be part of the care team and we need to stop hiding behind "privacy rights" and "right to know". I'm sorry, but if a child is acting out because a parent is in jail, or a family member is sick, we need to know. Children often don't have words for what they are dealing with, and giving them a sticker or a dojo point because they hold it together for a morning doesn't help them deal with the emotion. And if they aren't dealing with the emotion, we are all --kids, peers, and adults, paying the price.
The solution isn't a new program or data point-- tracked but forgotten. The solution is common sense, and the bravery to do what is not easy, but instead what is right.
Unfortunately, I don't think there is a Common Sense booth at any conference attended by any administrator.
And even if there was, I'm not sure any administrator would stop to talk to the vendor.
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