FYI

As you may (or may not) have noticed, the days between my posts have been getting longer.  Know that there is a good reason as to why. 

You see, School Teacher has gone back to school.  Yes, I have started Grad School, along with teaching full-time, so needless to say (but I’m going ot say it anyway) I don’t have a lot fo free time.  However, I am going to continue this blog as I have “met” many wonderful people through it and this also serves as way to help me preserve my sanity by being able to share the joys and vent the frustrations that come along with teaching, especially teaching the kids that I work with.

I plan to write new posts on the weekend that I can post throughout the week, in addition to writing about and commenting on whatever newsworthy piece dealing with kids and education that may arise on any given day.  And no need to panic, rest assured that I will continue to report on things that I experience as a teacher. So yes, you can still look forward to more amusing, frustrating, hopefully interesting and hopefully more happy tales from my classroom.  Just keep reading and bear with me as I get into the groove of things and establish a new routine for myself! 

Concensus on Poverty, Single Parents and Its Effect on Kids

Well, now they could have paid me to tell them what it cost to produce this report based on information from census data.

The U.S. Census Bureau issued a report called “A Child’s Day: 2003.”  This report  basically stated that kids living in poverty have less face time with their parent(s).  Well duh!  And then they went on to include kids living in single parent households into this picture.  Well duh! . . . . Again! 

Now I realize the living in poverty can present a lot of limitations in terms of time and finances for a parent when it comes to raising a child.  The same may or may not apply to single parents, as many people have chosen to be single parents and have the financial means to more than adequately provide for their child.  However, what this report failed to highlight is that many who are either living in poverty or who are single or even both, have found ways to make the time that they do spend with their child meaningful and rich.  And for those who are poor, there are parents out there who have found resources to help them fill in the gaps that may have occurred in their child’s education, due to living near poor performing schools (which is an issue in and of itself). 

No matter what, the child and his or her well being and future is most important.  And all parents, single or not, should take an active role in the education of the child that they chose to bring into this world.  This need not be expensive or too time consuming.  If you are a parent in search of ways to facilitate your child’s learning, check out the Bright List and Low Cost to No Cost Fun Yet Educational Things to Do With your Child.  I plan to continue to post information regarding resources to help parents of all means help their child succeed.

Most importantly realize that your attention and time is what ultimately matters to your child.  Not how much you spend on them or give to them.  What is important is that you make the time that is spent together count by showing and telling your just how important he or she is to you, by being a positive role model and by showing that you care.

Source:

CNN.com

Low Cost to No Cost Fun Yet Educational Things to Do With Your Child

I originally intended for this to be a post titled “10 No Cost to Low Cost Educational, Yet Fun Things to Do With Your Child.”  However, I figured that I could come up with more than 10 free to practically free things to do with children that could also serve as means for learning.  And, I did.  I also decided to created a page dedicated to this and plan to update it frequently.   

So, here it is.  Open the page by clicking on the tab at the top of this site.  I hope it is helpful.  Check back for updates, as I never know when a light bulb will go off in my head and a useful idea will appear!

The Making of a Successful Kid

Interested in finding out what creates a kid who scores 1580 on the SAT, is a student at Stanford and is just as compassionate as intelligent? Read on.

I stumbled upon this blog and was impressed by what I read.  Jason Shen is a Stanford University student who is on an ambitious mission to save the world.  On his site, Jason lists what he thinks we all need to do to save our world.  He also explains how he was shaped and what he believes got him to where he is today.

It’s an interesting read for any parent or teen looking to uncover the keys to academic (and personal) success.

Best wishes to Jason and to all the other high school and college students looking to empower themselves and others.  Show off your bright minds and show the world what you’re made of!

Source:

http://yellowj.wordpress.com/2007/01/21/education-and-things-to-live-by/

“ttyl” The Book That Has Everyone Talking

Do you know what t.t.yl. means?  If you do, great, you may be one step ahead of your instant and text messaging teen.  If not, that’s o.k. too, because now you know that “ttyl” stands for talk to you later.  You now also know that ”ttyl” is the subject of a new book, aimed at those in the middle grades and up, but the content is anything but preteen/teen rated according to some parents and educators.

Now, I’ve skimmed though the book and I must say that it is racy, at least compared to what I read in middle school/junior high with use of profanity, underage drinking and sexual references.  However, I also have to admit that the book is honest and real.  It addresses a fantasy that many school girls (and boys for that matter) have had throughout the ages-hooking up with a hot teacher!

Note to Parents/Guardians, brush up on your instant messaging lingo.  The book is written almost entirely in the form of instant messages.

Steamy and a bit much?

Yes.

Real?

Yes.

My suggestion would be, as noted elsewhere, for parents to pre-read or at least skim through what your child reads. Preferably before they read it. Much like what you would do if picking out a picture book or easy reader for a younger kid.  While I’m all for getting kids to read anyway that we can, I also think that our kids are growing up way too soon.  It is essential for kids to be kids as long as possible.

What do you think?

Source:

WCBS-TV New York