tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4211674678201251588.post4303461468407717519..comments2023-09-25T07:18:11.130-07:00Comments on It's All About Balance: Re-thinking education (yes, again)Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12051174636017409935noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4211674678201251588.post-7571188633154543322010-02-01T15:20:37.285-08:002010-02-01T15:20:37.285-08:00Good points. I saw we pull out all the computers (...Good points. I saw we pull out all the computers (and save a ton on IT support) and have more music, art and gym.Trooper Thornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09914276373305636583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4211674678201251588.post-57099565338459582442010-01-29T20:15:34.620-08:002010-01-29T20:15:34.620-08:00Teaching for the test and the focus on grades are ...Teaching for the test and the focus on grades are the banes of this teacher's teaching world. It's a shame that we don't value the minds of kids enough to create classrooms that don't box them in, but which let them discover their own dimensions. <br /><br />For the record, I try not to assign time-hogging HW. <br />LauraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4211674678201251588.post-30694600018549128452010-01-29T09:14:27.177-08:002010-01-29T09:14:27.177-08:00That should have been "laborer in constructio...That should have been "laborer in construction". Sorry.jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16397705917751266966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4211674678201251588.post-63153042550732663992010-01-29T09:13:46.523-08:002010-01-29T09:13:46.523-08:00I always think of my brother when I think of educa...I always think of my brother when I think of education. I do think education is important. But my brother had a hard time with tests starting at a very young age. He barely made it through high school and never even attempted college. But he's smart and he started out working as a labor in construction and now (at age 26) he's a superintendent making more than I'll ever make even when I graduate college. It's all about finding what you're good at. <br /><br />Either way, I think you're doing a wonderful job helping your girls get an education AND teaching them life skills. I think they'll be just fine.jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16397705917751266966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4211674678201251588.post-78272598089433790642010-01-28T18:47:47.063-08:002010-01-28T18:47:47.063-08:00I really really related to this post. I came into ...I really really related to this post. I came into the workforce very similarly. No education, just people skills and common sense and a little bit of intuition. <br /><br />And while I've never really put it into those words in my head, I think you're right on the money. Education is supposed to teach children how to succeed in that place called the Real World.<br /><br />It's long been floating around in my head to get involved with advocating a high school class that teaches BASICS like balancing a check book, teaching children what credit is, and interest rates and how to budget. <br /><br />I know Home Economics is offered in school, but at least here, it isn't a requirement. Our kids graduate high school, and those who aren't lucky enough to have mommy and daddy foot a college bill plus living expenses for a few more years, are thrown to the wolves. If they weren't lucky enough to taught these skills at home, what else do they have to fall back on?<br /><br />Great post, and I love to hear that you've had a change of perspective.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4211674678201251588.post-47170240113160391982010-01-27T18:51:04.738-08:002010-01-27T18:51:04.738-08:00I really wish we could get some kind of apprentice...I really wish we could get some kind of apprentice system in the US, because you're right that SO MUCH of work is what you learn while you work there. Every kid doesn't have to go to college or recite Shakespeare. A teen with a natural gift for cars will learn a lot more taking some business and accounting classes and apprenticing than they will in a traditional system.<br /><br />Sorry, got on my soapbox- if I could change one thing about education, this focus on degrees and tests would be it. You're so right that it's learning to succeed as an adult.Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06960566071671771579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4211674678201251588.post-62906475311339207872010-01-27T14:28:53.848-08:002010-01-27T14:28:53.848-08:00I think you make an excellent point here. What wor...I think you make an excellent point here. What worries me about education sometimes is that with all of the emphasis on "accountability" (leading to "teaching to the test" and, yes, all that homework) I'm not sure that our kids really ARE learning how to learn what they don't know. The lack of curiosity and critical-thinking skills I come across sometimes is alarming. But fortunately, some kids manage to develop those basic skills anyway - and many of them have parents like you :-).Florindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09789402061034734894noreply@blogger.com