James Whitcomb Riley - a Hoosier - my mom, dad, and brother were Hoosiers .
Here in GA - schools teach to the test - THE CRCT TEST. If it is not on the test - it is NOT taught any more - sad to say in some circumstances.
For example - cursive writing - who needs it? All they will need in the future is to be able to sign their name - right? Because of computers I suppose. Well if it's not on the CRCT - they don't go over it but for a day - then they're done. The teaching complete.
My grandson's teacher has given the class (oh and we love his teacher by the way) - an assignment of 5 practice CRCT's a week. They take about an hour each. They are practicing for April. No, they don't have to, but it probably is a good idea. Right?
So my daughter is taking social studies/spelling, hubby took math and science, and mine is reading and language arts.
I am back in school! I'm learning things I have never learned before. Onamonapia?
Alliteration? I had to look them up! (He's only in the 4th grade.)
So some things he's learned that I never learned and vice versa - generation gap?
He had stories to read about different things and had to answer questions. I was enjoying it - he was hating it - lol.
This is my grandson the whole time -
Any one here - remember James Whitcomb Riley? A Hoosier? Here are a couple of quotes.
"The most essential factor is persistence - the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come."
"Disregard all the pain you feel, and the disappointment, look to a better time, and a better place, have faith, and preach that faith for the nourishment of others."
And another quote I looked up after reading about him -
"It is no use to grumble and complain, it's just as cheap and easy to rejoice; When God sorts out the weather and sends rain - Why, rain's my choice."
Do you 'get' that?
Isn't schooling amazing?
Don't let anything dampen your enthusiasm or your persistence - the very things that try to dampen your enthusiasm or your persistence - are the things - if dealt with - will make you stronger.
Chatty
And PS - I received so many nice replies yesterday - I hear beautiful music in my orchestra. Thanks.
27 comments:
I've never heard of James Whitcomb Riley but I must say I like the way he thinks! Teaching to tests have always bothered me, but it is the way here. hugs, Linda
Hi Sandie! they teach to the test here in CA and have for many years..It bothers me that my boys didn't get the qualty of CA education like I did..they are doing fine, but I imagine that even 10 years later, its worse..sad.
Have a great day!
Barb
The art of penmanship is one of the dying arts. I would almost like to take a penmanship course again and try to get it right this time. My handwriting is awful yet I love to sit with pen and paper and compose poetry, write notes and just doodle words. To think that computers might lead us to only need a cursive signature is kind of sad.
Hey Sandie,Onamonapia?
Alliteration?..got to go look 'em up myself.hehe.
~Jo
LazyonLoblolly
Love the message!! Love it!
One day, your GS will be helping with his offspring... maybe it will be more fun for him then! LOL! Glad you are enjoyig your 'schooling.' Blessings ~ Tanna
I've heard that some schools have stopped teaching cursive.
We had a girl about 11 years old come to our church and couldn't even READ cursive!
We still teach cursive at our school.
I think it's a mistake to stop teaching it. Yes, people need to know how to sign their name.
That's a cute little cartoon. :)
It's horrendously difficult to be a teacher in these times, as well as a student. There's a lack of respect for teachers, as well, and I think that is tragic.
Tests, tests, and more tests dominate our education systems. Sad but true.
Things change at lightening speed. We may not like all the changes, but we have to adjust to them and accept them or perish.
Even that word, "perish," is quite old-fashioned. You don't hear it too much these days.
Good post, Sandie. Susan
The focus in school is so different now. All those things that were stressed when I went to school aren't even touched upon. I think it's a mistake, but who am I to question their reasons for changing it up.
Hey Sandie!
They do the same thing at our schools too but they don't send home practice tests. I don't think they are allowed to do that here.
I don't like the way the schools are teaching our kids at all. My son is so worried about trees being cut down and we won't be able to breath! Now, we live in WV. There are trees everywhere. We also live in the country. I couldn't even tell you how many trees we have on our property. It would be well over 1,000 trees??? I have no idea how many trees would be on 66 acres.
I remember when I was in school they made us keep practicing how to make the letters the right way. They don't do that anymore. Even my daughter who is in the 7th grade doesn't form her letters the correct way. The kids just have to try to make them look like what they should look like.
Have a Wonderful Weekend!
Angela
I've heard of the actor James Whitcomb, but no Riley on the end. Well, now you are getting smarter than all of us! The things they teach in school today, I don't remember learning some of it. And you are so right about not needing cursive, I never thought of that! Kind of sad.
I love handwriting, always have done, and I can still remember my dad sitting with me when I was very little, teaching me how to do lovely handwriting. One day I'll do a post written by hand for you to see!
How did your test turn out at the doctor's Sandie?
I didn't know you're going back to school...good for you!
I'm gardening and not doing much else...it's been getting so hot that I can't do much in the afternoon and have to do everything pretty much in the morning...I'm just not ready for this heat so soon...I'll have to turn on the AC today - can't stand being sticky!
i can't even stand to watch smarter than a fifth grader, say what? not what i knew in 5th grade. you are right, we learned basics they forget the basics and learn stuff we will never know. good for you learning with him
It's one of my pet peeves how schools teach to the test. There is so much energy and time devoted to it that it just bothers me. They even feed the kids snacks during test taking time.
I had no idea cursive writing was going by the wayside in school! Wow!
Kiddo, YOU are such an inspiration! How could I leave you home!!!...:)JP
I heard about the schools eliminating cursive writing. I am still not sure how I feel about. I guess it is a sign of the times.
Thanks for an inspirational post.
Hugs, Sue
The entire educational system in America is to dumb down the people and it is working like a charm! I worry for my kids, what they will face in the future. The NFL, NBA and all the pro sports are loaded with people who can't read and write! What a tragedy. History is even worse. Why teach the truth when you can teach kids to believe lies. I have to use my ins. co. pharmacy mail order plan and when I call to reorder I get this message"For Spanish press one if you still need to hear this in English hold on! I am so aggravated by it all! But you did write a great post Sandie. You always do! I like knowing you a lot!
I'm so glad my kids are grown and I'm glad that my kids are the one's responsible for my grandkids education. It's all so different anymore
I love this one, and it is so true.
"What a difference one person can make!”
love
tweedles
I am stumped here, What the "heck" is Onamonapia or Alliteration and why does a fourth grader need to know them? It is sad when they teach for the test; but it makes perfect sense these days when you look at the school system, which is nothing of what we learned when we were in school. I remember having standardized tests, but they weren't a "big deal". You brought your pencil, you did the tests, you got the results, and that was about it.
So in addition to the 5 practice CRCTs a week, does GS have homework?? I always think homework should be not more than 20-30 minutes and should include a bit of reading, going of spelling words, and maybe a math page, but that's it; kids need time to decompress after their day of school
(my instrument.....flute, always wanted to learn to play it :)
betty
Your grandson (I already knew this though) is so Very lucky to have you ALL in his life, to help him learn and to love him!!! xoxo
What a Great post, I actually learned so much! :-) You put so much into each one. The quotes are always very good and the picture of the cat and dog made me laugh out loud and hug my son's dog who is cuddling me right now. :-)
Have a fabulous Friday, Sandie!!
Hugs,
Coreen xoxo
Love this post, and especially the James Whitcomb quotes!.. A very positive way to start my day! Thank you! ~tina
P.S... LOVED the doorstop! Have a great weekend! ~tina
I'm back!...I love your picture with the cat trying to hold up the dog! So fun!!! You always make me laugh. Oh, you asked about my camera problem. I guess I will just have to start challenging myself to posting one new picture a month. I think I posted about it in one of my earlier posts...I think the post was entitled "Facing My Fears". Cheers!
you make my day...love these friday posts. And those definitions are too funny....the chicken one...so true and the def. of an adult....too funny. What I love is the face....the little people in his face...Hugs to you Gayle....Stay happy...stay laughing....you're the best.
Post a Comment