tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24376388.post616626624119520272..comments2023-12-23T04:37:14.632-08:00Comments on Gaia Garden: So What Kind of Citizenry Are We Aiming For???Gaia Gardener:http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692281131036600613noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24376388.post-3128997474543067482012-01-12T19:52:36.422-08:002012-01-12T19:52:36.422-08:00Teresa, I'm so glad that you entered the discu...Teresa, I'm so glad that you entered the discussion! <br /><br />You are exactly right in stating that the parents are the ones primarily behind the sports issue. Without parents putting an emphasis on something besides sports, that's what the primary focus of school years will be for many (if not most) students. Fun for Mom and Dad and kids, but not productive for the kiddos getting a job or, truly, being successful in life.<br /><br />I don't know that I agree with you about demand equaling access, specifically to music and art. I've seen too many art and music programs closed while sports haven't been touched at the high school (and sometimes middle school) level. That's not because there are no students interested in taking them; it's because they're a pretty easy target for budget cuts.<br /><br />Setting aside different types of diplomas, what do you think about the idea of an "attendance certification"? <br /><br />As far as kids being "forced" into one type of diploma or another - I'm trying to come up with different options for different kids. Not everyone wants to go to college, but that doesn't mean they should be relegated to flipping burgers either. We desperately need to figure out a way to better serve students with good work ethics and skills, but not typical "book style" learning - some option besides going off to join the military, that is.<br /><br />I'm not sure that computers need to be totally out of the classroom, but they are a tool, not an education in and of themselves. Having computers available is no excuse for not teaching any more. (And, yes, there are WAY too many of them and there is WAY too much emphasis on them in your schools.) Why are we Americans so willing to put out money for hardware, but so resentful of spending money on teachers who can inspire our kids? <br /><br />I don't feel like I'm being particularly eloquent or cogent here. Sorry. It's late and my mind is rather mushy right now. It's good to have you join in, though!Gaia Gardener:https://www.blogger.com/profile/00692281131036600613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24376388.post-85637611052391945782012-01-12T14:25:36.736-08:002012-01-12T14:25:36.736-08:00uh-oh I'm the bad guy to be. Sports did not be...uh-oh I'm the bad guy to be. Sports did not become popular by demonizing art, music, literature, etc. I agree that sports in schools is out of control, but you will make 0 headway by trying to end it. Instead we need to find a way to encourage students to ask for art, participate in music, get excited for literature. That will depend on parents and teachers. If our district had 30 more students asking to take art classes next fall, that would bring attention to the program. If 30 more students enrolled in band the same thing will happen. Demand for something is more successful than demand against something. <br /><br />Most college sports programs have their own fund. The scholarships being offered are paid for out of those funds. Again, they are not scholarships taken away from academics. The real question is why aren't those with the money doing the same for academics? When was the last time anyone went to bat in high school for an average student? Jocks, yes. Special ed, yes. Gifted, yes. Everyone else..no.<br /><br />I absolutely HATE the idea of different types of graduation certificates. A 17 year old is already labeled enough, they don't need another one. That same student doesn't need to be told they deserve college because they got good grades anymore than the kid with "mechanical skills" needs to led off to vo-tech. Both should have the option of attending which one they want and can pay for. <br /><br />Parents of small children need to step up. School board meetings need to be attended by them. Know what is being taught, refuse to be pushed aside. <br /><br />One last rant...get computers the hell out of the classroom. Our district is neck deep in them and by high school they are nothing but tools to avoid teaching. Our middle and high school teachers use them to give tests, grade the tests and print off today's idea of handouts. Very very little teaching is done in the classroom these days. Our schools are failing our kids. It's an entire list of reasons, not just one.teresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10449743352473529204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24376388.post-70232150494564987962012-01-09T19:45:16.166-08:002012-01-09T19:45:16.166-08:00Sherlock, you are exactly right, in my opinion. I...Sherlock, you are exactly right, in my opinion. I think it would be good to have gym class teach and encourage the types of activities that most people can do throughout their lives to maintain their fitness: walking, jogging, weight lifting, maybe some forms of dancing, yoga, tai chi, and the types of games that are likely to be played at company picnics or family reunions. Basic nutrition would be good in gym class too.Gaia Gardener:https://www.blogger.com/profile/00692281131036600613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24376388.post-64069262034116630572012-01-09T18:01:28.004-08:002012-01-09T18:01:28.004-08:00I find it interesting that as our culture focuses ...I find it interesting that as our culture focuses on competitive sports (I cannot believe the expense, time, etc. some parents go to for all the "outside of school" sports either.); we as a nation are seeing obesity numbers rise. I did not like PE in school. I had a coach for the teacher. She considered our class more practice time for her teams which I was not a member of. Seems we need a lot more focus on health and wellness and less on winning.Gardener on Sherlock Streethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11367115529793643362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24376388.post-55499019117952840382012-01-09T06:41:52.886-08:002012-01-09T06:41:52.886-08:00Thanks for weighing in, Benjamin and Melanie. If ...Thanks for weighing in, Benjamin and Melanie. If "the enemy" had taken away our academic rigorousness and forced us to focus on sports, we would have rebelled en masse. Sometimes we are truly our own worst enemy.Gaia Gardener:https://www.blogger.com/profile/00692281131036600613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24376388.post-80472188595131233292012-01-08T19:36:21.187-08:002012-01-08T19:36:21.187-08:00As a mom of 3 kids in school right now. .I would s...As a mom of 3 kids in school right now. .I would say that you are pretty correct in your rant!! Unbelievably, is that parents start hauling their kids to peewee sports in the 3rd grade!! The gas money and time involved for them (whether they can afford it or not) is phenomenal. .all for the sake of "being tired of watching the teams lose?!?" There are good lessons in sports. .like how to be a gracious winner. .and how to be a good loser. .and how to be a team member. .but it pretty well ends there. .More students will go on to participate in church choirs than will participate in after college sports. This generation of young folks will be very interesting to watch as adults. .or scary. .whichever your choice of words might be!! Thought-provoking post for sure!!Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10476707833109337386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24376388.post-35409282229322779112012-01-08T13:01:52.903-08:002012-01-08T13:01:52.903-08:00I've taught at Ohio State and Nebraska, and th...I've taught at Ohio State and Nebraska, and the culture is GOD, for sure. I love how the English building hasn't been revamped since 1960, but the football stadiu, gets bigger, has new workout rooms, new indoor field, etc. And I bet my students wished they got kickbacks from boosters, like, uh, Poe or Hemmingway or Bishop. Yup.Benjamin Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10661489036836711335noreply@blogger.com