--- "(Conspiracy Theory Research List)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I have taught in elementary school for 23 years, and I want to
> reassure you
> that students most certainly are taught about America and history in
> school.
> I didn't see the CNN story, but please remember that it's the "in"
> thing
> right now to criticize education. I notice that the people who are
> the most
> vocal critics are not sacrificing their financial security to
> dedicate their
> life to helping children.
I didn't see the CNN story either, key word being "story" and very
little time for TV anyway, except for a couple of shows on the Home &
Garden Network. I'm one of those critics of of education. However, my
husband and I have made MAJOR financial sacrifices so that we can
educate our sons at home. My husband could be making twice as much as
he does; he's a CPA working in government (sales tax audits of large
corporations), and if he were to take a private sector job, he'd be
gone from 6 am to 10 pm and never see the boys. I've turned down 2
promotions (I work weekends in a supermarket) because I cannot work
full-time and be the mother that my children need. My house is the
neighborhood hangout for the little kids. No, I don't do milk &
cookies, usually it's orange juice and quesadillas (grilled cheese
sandwich on a tortilla, really). :-D I don't know where you teach,
SMann, but here in NJ, the emphasis is on passing the state
"assessment." The principal at one of the local elementary schools told
us at one of the hearings, regarding the state tests: "The fact that 1
+ 1 = 2 is irrelevant; it's the pupil's REASONING that is important,
not the answer. There are no right or wrong answers." EXCUSE ME???????
These tests, he further described as subjective. When I asked what
happened if the student and the tester had different philosophies, he
wanted to know if I was qualified to speak about tests, i.e., where did
I get my Ph.D. in education? The whole hearing only served to prove to
me that Ph.D. stands for "Piled Higher and Deeper."
If students don't remember what they've
> been
> taught about American history, it's because there are so many things
> that
> take their attention away from learning nowadays. When I was a child
> we
> never went anywhere during the week except to church on Wednesday
> nights.
> Elementary children are often out every evening nowadays
> participating in
> sports and other activities.
Guilty as charged, everything BUT organized sports, and not EVERY
evening. But being home schoolers, we aren't slaves to a time clock. If
we had to get up at 6 am for school, my 5 year old & I couldn't have
stayed out on our porch until 11 pm watching fireflies, like we did
tonight. Took my 7 year old to see "Rigoletto" last week.
Many don't get back to their own homes
> from
> the babysitter's until very late afternoon and barely have time to
> eat dinner
> before rushing back out the door to football, soccer, basketball, or
> cheerleading practice.
I see that in my neighborhood. I know a couple of mothers who, I would
declare in court, spend more time in the driver's seat of their cars
than anywhere else.
I have been told several times at open house
> by nice
> middle class parents that they just don't have time for homework with
> their
> busy schedule. Also please remember the children (and they are
> becoming more
> numerous every year) whose ability to learn was permanently damaged
> because
> of the alcohol, drugs, or the lifestyle that their parents engaged in
> during
> pregnancy.
We both quit smoking cigarettes when I got pregnant. In our house,
alcohol (usually wine) is treated as an accessory to the meal. If it
goes with the meal being served, it gets served. If something else is
more appropriate, that is what gets served. Trout meuniere goes well
with Chablis or Sauvignon Blanc, deep fried trout and hush puppies goes
better with iced tea or lemonade.
If a child is exposed to certain things 18 hours a day,
> it's
> pretty difficult for him/her to concentrate on learning during the 6
> hours
> that we teachers have them.
Learning takes place every waking hour, not just the 6 hours a day the
teachers have them.
> My class starts the day with the Pledge of Allegience, and several
> times
> during the year I review with them exactly what those words mean. In
> the
> grade that I teach we study the geographic regions of the U.S. as
> well as the
> history of those places. We also study the branches of government,
> the
> Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The teacher in the grade
> following
> mine has the children to memorize the Preamble to the Constitution
> and the
> Gettysburg Address. I take every opportunity to instill appreciation
> for
> what America is all about, and I'm not unusual. Every teacher I know
> does
> the same thing in his/her own method. Teachers are some of the most
> patriot
> and appreciative people you can find anywhere. However, we are
> fighting an
> uphill battle. We can present the information about America, but
> how can we
> be assured that the child will integrate this into his/her value
> system?
WHERE do you teach? Here in New Jersey, they do pay some attention to
patriotism, but most of it seems to be villainizing white, Christian,
American, heterosexual males.
We
> live in a time where Pokemon cards are more valued than learning.
I've found the most value in Pokemon cards when I take them to the
consignment shop.
The
> next
> time you hear someone blasting education, ask them why they did not
> decide to
> become a teacher.
I did. But to go into the classroom would entail doing all those things
that you wish parents wouldn't do.
Tenorlove
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