Confessing I had not read the book,I took my popcorn and Diet Coke in the theater hoping to enjoy the movie. Groups of "book club ladies" came in and sat all around the darkened room. I could feel their energy and excitement...I felt slightly like a redheaded stepchild. "The Help" has certainly generated the most interest of any summer movie.
Enough has been written about the movie and book that you can read elsewhere. I left the theater flooded with memories from my experiences as an Army child and Southern daughter. The days that followed gave me a chance to talk with my husband and mother about their memories of "the help" they had in their homes growing up in Georgia and Alabama.
My mother said that all military officers were not only encouraged but expected to have a maid. It helped the local economy in one sense and conveyed a "proper officer's home" in another. The only maid I remember growing up was an young woman who charmed us all when we lived on Okinawa. We all wanted her to return to the United States when my father's tour of duty was over. Our home was happier the days she came to work with my mother. She had a wonderful laugh and sense of humor.
Great conversation with adults is a jewel to me. Nothing has sparked more deep, rich sharing this summer than "The Help". The book and movie are rather simple but the thought it provokes on race, education, poverty and our American history will have you talking for a long time.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
First day of preK...
The local news interviewed a few children who began preK today at a year round school. The reporter asked the children what they like about school at the end of their first day.
The little girl replied "Doing my homework, learning how to read and learning how to spell".
The little boy replied "I don't know". He was just darling!
His answer was really more on target than the little girl. At four years old, he really does not know what he likes about school. Ask him in a week or so and he will be full of language about his school day.
I think preK teachers will be in the front of the line in Heaven. Each day there are 40 hands needing help, 200 sticky fingers needing to be wiped during the day and 20 hearts that will fall in love with their teacher!
I think preK is a wonderful program and see marked advancement in the children who attend public school preK programs and those that are not able to attend. I don't buy lottery tickets or gamble but I am thankful that our little folks get to go to school with the profit of the lottery dollars in Georgia.
The little girl replied "Doing my homework, learning how to read and learning how to spell".
The little boy replied "I don't know". He was just darling!
His answer was really more on target than the little girl. At four years old, he really does not know what he likes about school. Ask him in a week or so and he will be full of language about his school day.
I think preK teachers will be in the front of the line in Heaven. Each day there are 40 hands needing help, 200 sticky fingers needing to be wiped during the day and 20 hearts that will fall in love with their teacher!
I think preK is a wonderful program and see marked advancement in the children who attend public school preK programs and those that are not able to attend. I don't buy lottery tickets or gamble but I am thankful that our little folks get to go to school with the profit of the lottery dollars in Georgia.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Have we flattened the "bell curve"?
Every class I had in undergraduate and graduate school made reference to the use of the "bell curve" to determine assessment in all facets of life but especially in relationship to the educational assessment of child and adult learners.
You remember....at the "top" of the bell shaped curve was "50%". Everyone scored above or below the top of the curve. The brightest were in the top 20%. The underachievers were in the bottom 50%.
If a teacher had too many "top" students, the instruction and skills were probably too easy for the class. Too many failing students indicated the work was too difficult for the class or not presented effectively. Teachers tempered their instruction based on the bell curve, the natural distribution of high, medium and low students.
Has the federal government "flattened the bell"? Are all students to achieve at the same standard? That is not truthful, natural or normal. As many cities in our country grapple with low test scores, take a minute to think about the unrealistic expectations that we are placing on teachers and their students.
AYP (adequate yearly progress) has served its purpose. The test scores have made all of us much more aware of the value of data and analysis. AYP now serves to divide students against students, teachers against teachers and school districts against other school districts. What is the positive outcome of all of this wasted energy? What have we really accomplished with the slander and arguing in the past few weeks since the AYP scores were released to parents and the local papers?
AYP has served it's purpose but now has lost the honest truth behind thinking cheerfully that "all children can learn". All children CAN learn but some learn more than others, some forget more than others and some care more than others.
You remember....at the "top" of the bell shaped curve was "50%". Everyone scored above or below the top of the curve. The brightest were in the top 20%. The underachievers were in the bottom 50%.
If a teacher had too many "top" students, the instruction and skills were probably too easy for the class. Too many failing students indicated the work was too difficult for the class or not presented effectively. Teachers tempered their instruction based on the bell curve, the natural distribution of high, medium and low students.
Has the federal government "flattened the bell"? Are all students to achieve at the same standard? That is not truthful, natural or normal. As many cities in our country grapple with low test scores, take a minute to think about the unrealistic expectations that we are placing on teachers and their students.
AYP (adequate yearly progress) has served its purpose. The test scores have made all of us much more aware of the value of data and analysis. AYP now serves to divide students against students, teachers against teachers and school districts against other school districts. What is the positive outcome of all of this wasted energy? What have we really accomplished with the slander and arguing in the past few weeks since the AYP scores were released to parents and the local papers?
AYP has served it's purpose but now has lost the honest truth behind thinking cheerfully that "all children can learn". All children CAN learn but some learn more than others, some forget more than others and some care more than others.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Who speaks Spanish?
The last assignment I had was a great neighborhood school that was one of the sites for the children who came to school speaking little or no English. I learned the challenges that teachers had in tailoring instruction and homework for boys and girls who did not know the shared language of the daily activities. Most of the parents did not speak English either.
I learned that the ESOL teacher (support teacher) did not have to speak a foreign language to secure the job. All that is necessary are 3 classes beyond the usual degree.
One day a child arrived at school with a high fever. The five year old cried and fell asleep in the office near the secretary's desk. Talking to any five year old that does not feel good is difficult, but this case was so frustrating. The mother could not speak English over the phone to learn of the child's illness nor did she have a car. We actually had to get the pastor of the church they attend to explain over the phone that the child was ill. Many times that year, language became a barrier to effective instruction and achievement. The teachers are prepared in their classrooms but the ESOL children and their parents arrive with no attempt at getting support to learn the language of the country they are living in!
Many times that year I watched the frustration on the faces of students and teachers trying to find a way to connect the dots with each other. Many of the students did take after school lessons in English twice a week provided by the school. Buses were provided to take them home.
The missing piece of the language puzzle is the parents! Is it unreasonable to expect they should take English classes also? How can they help their child with lessons or read them stories if they do not speak the language of the school.
I firmly believe parents should be required to take English classes during the time their children are in school. It could easily be held in the computer classrooms online during the school day or in the evenings.
Do parents have any requirements anymore? God bless all these beautiful little children and the teachers but I honestly think it is time to require something more of parents than putting their children on a bus daily. This is the land of opportunity but not the land of a free handout!
I learned that the ESOL teacher (support teacher) did not have to speak a foreign language to secure the job. All that is necessary are 3 classes beyond the usual degree.
One day a child arrived at school with a high fever. The five year old cried and fell asleep in the office near the secretary's desk. Talking to any five year old that does not feel good is difficult, but this case was so frustrating. The mother could not speak English over the phone to learn of the child's illness nor did she have a car. We actually had to get the pastor of the church they attend to explain over the phone that the child was ill. Many times that year, language became a barrier to effective instruction and achievement. The teachers are prepared in their classrooms but the ESOL children and their parents arrive with no attempt at getting support to learn the language of the country they are living in!
Many times that year I watched the frustration on the faces of students and teachers trying to find a way to connect the dots with each other. Many of the students did take after school lessons in English twice a week provided by the school. Buses were provided to take them home.
The missing piece of the language puzzle is the parents! Is it unreasonable to expect they should take English classes also? How can they help their child with lessons or read them stories if they do not speak the language of the school.
I firmly believe parents should be required to take English classes during the time their children are in school. It could easily be held in the computer classrooms online during the school day or in the evenings.
Do parents have any requirements anymore? God bless all these beautiful little children and the teachers but I honestly think it is time to require something more of parents than putting their children on a bus daily. This is the land of opportunity but not the land of a free handout!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
"The Happiness Factor"
Affirmation is critical in educational settings. From graduate school to kindergarten, you must be acknowledged for effort and success. Successful principals and teacher leaders understand that public displays surrounding goals and achievement send a message of approval, affirmation and connection with others.
How many times did your school celebrate this year? Hotdog picnics, Mexican dinners and drinks after work, cupcakes, "blue jean passes", etc. are all vital to your staff. The ceremony and fellowship with this strategy send a message of thanks and celebration to everyone.
How many times has your district's central office celebrated with schools this year? E-mails, phone calls, letters of affirmation are treasured when principals and teachers receive them from their central office support systems. Have you received any this year?
Teachers and principals should celebrate with their students in the same way. How many times this year did you do more than an "honor roll" ceremony? School movie trips, Fall Festivals, popcorn or cotton candy days encompass the effort, passion and achievement of our students. "Zappos" (Internet shoe company) has written a book on the subject of happiness at work linked directly to increased financial success and employee longevity. The company even has a Chief Financial Officer of Happiness!
Jot down right now how many celebrations you had this year...plan for a more strategic approach next year for "the happiness factor". "Thanks" means everything no matter the age, no matter the occasion. Thank you for reading my blog, friends.
How many times did your school celebrate this year? Hotdog picnics, Mexican dinners and drinks after work, cupcakes, "blue jean passes", etc. are all vital to your staff. The ceremony and fellowship with this strategy send a message of thanks and celebration to everyone.
How many times has your district's central office celebrated with schools this year? E-mails, phone calls, letters of affirmation are treasured when principals and teachers receive them from their central office support systems. Have you received any this year?
Teachers and principals should celebrate with their students in the same way. How many times this year did you do more than an "honor roll" ceremony? School movie trips, Fall Festivals, popcorn or cotton candy days encompass the effort, passion and achievement of our students. "Zappos" (Internet shoe company) has written a book on the subject of happiness at work linked directly to increased financial success and employee longevity. The company even has a Chief Financial Officer of Happiness!
Jot down right now how many celebrations you had this year...plan for a more strategic approach next year for "the happiness factor". "Thanks" means everything no matter the age, no matter the occasion. Thank you for reading my blog, friends.
Friday, July 22, 2011
AYP reports are in...
Once the light poured through my bedroom window, the dogs decided it was time for me to fix their breakfast. I protested briefly that 5:45 AM was too early for the canine buffet. I lost the protest.
As they ate, I opened the morning paper and began analysing the results of the district testing. Relief for my school assignment flooded over me. Joy for the teachers, students and parents at that school hung in my throat. The district results are the worst since reports have been published in the paper. Thirteen of thirty four elementary schools passed the minimum competency skills. Twenty one schools did not make AYP at this time.
As I read the list of the schools that received bad news, I saw the faces of friends and colleagues who lead and teach in each school. They work just as hard as anyone else. Their children face all the same successes and failures as anyone else in the district. What is the big difference in "winners" and "losers"?
Poverty, leadership, lack of parental involvement, poor teaching strategies....
Tell me what your thoughts are. Feelings are raw right now. The local paper will have individual schools named and examined tomorrow. Hearts are joyful and hurting and school starts in 2 weeks...we do it all again in 2 weeks.
As they ate, I opened the morning paper and began analysing the results of the district testing. Relief for my school assignment flooded over me. Joy for the teachers, students and parents at that school hung in my throat. The district results are the worst since reports have been published in the paper. Thirteen of thirty four elementary schools passed the minimum competency skills. Twenty one schools did not make AYP at this time.
As I read the list of the schools that received bad news, I saw the faces of friends and colleagues who lead and teach in each school. They work just as hard as anyone else. Their children face all the same successes and failures as anyone else in the district. What is the big difference in "winners" and "losers"?
Poverty, leadership, lack of parental involvement, poor teaching strategies....
Tell me what your thoughts are. Feelings are raw right now. The local paper will have individual schools named and examined tomorrow. Hearts are joyful and hurting and school starts in 2 weeks...we do it all again in 2 weeks.
Atlanta is burning for the second time...
Alaska was beautiful. I was sitting at the table with fellow travelers having dinner on the cruise ship. After sharing that I was a teacher and principal, the talk immediately turned to the Atlanta cheating scandal. Everyone had heard of the reports that the school district is under the weight of shame and scrutiny for changing student answers to score well on the state mandated competency tests in Georgia.
What was the tipping point? When did this plot come to light?
I was in Atlanta for a weekend over a year ago reading the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The reporter's story revealed that a third grade boy returned home after a day of CRCT testing and told his mother that "my teacher told me the answers". The parent went to the school soon after and met with the teacher and principal. What followed is now national news.
Was this story true? I do not know. Many times newspaper reports are about as accurate as what I listed as my weight on my driver's license. Could it have been that simple; one little boy brought down an organized plot to alter district test scores?
Sounds like a good book for me to write!
What was the tipping point? When did this plot come to light?
I was in Atlanta for a weekend over a year ago reading the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The reporter's story revealed that a third grade boy returned home after a day of CRCT testing and told his mother that "my teacher told me the answers". The parent went to the school soon after and met with the teacher and principal. What followed is now national news.
Was this story true? I do not know. Many times newspaper reports are about as accurate as what I listed as my weight on my driver's license. Could it have been that simple; one little boy brought down an organized plot to alter district test scores?
Sounds like a good book for me to write!
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