Summer School

[nissangirl74]

I don't think it is any secret around here how fed up I am with the public school system and the amount of things that are NOT taught to our kids these days. The girls approached me about using this time to teach them some things that they are lacking in. On their lists: teaching Saraya how to tell time on an analog clock (yeah, I know ), how to make a budget and count money, spelling and vocabulary words so they can become better writers, multiplication tables. Primarily rudimentary stuff that is skipped over these days in order to "teach to the test". Also, knowing how to use a map (instead of depending on GPS), doing current events projects, and their favorite, "how to blow s*** up". You can still get science experiments kits online, so i thought i would check into them. simple things like making a volcano out of paper mache and lava with vinegar and baking soda, looking at things under the microscope, staring at the stars through a telescope and identifying constellations. If you have any suggestions for fun stuff to do, post up.

[numbnuts240]

if astronomy is an interest, plan a trip to an observatory (the ones by me only ask for a donation). group that with a telescope purchase, and honestly, phone apps. i have a moon phase app that describes the different full moons (as well as tells you what phase it's in daily), tells you what that particular moon's english name is, as well as its native american name and why it has that name. also, google sky is cool for finding constellations and planets quickly before honing in on them with a telescope.

also, you live in an area rich with native american history. i thoroughly enjoy knowing the history of the area that i live in, makes me feel more connected and proud of where i live. having the girls plan these kinds of trips using maps instead of plugging them into a gps and having them take turns playing navigator could be loads of fun.

nature hikes with topographical maps and a compass are also loads of fun and educational at the same time.

[DJ_B_Easy]

Wait...they dont teach multiplication tables anymore? Or how to read an analog clock? I can remember pages upon pages of both in my elementary classes. Thats a little disturbing.

+1 On Google Sky. Its free and relatively accurate, as long as you have GPS enabled on your phone.

If they want to "blow s*** up", Id suggest model rockets. Chemistry, alchemy, physics, aerodynamic design, the list goes on and on. Not to mention they are damn fun to launch.

[nissangirl74]

They teach them but "mastery" is not a requirement and there is no emphasis placed on them after the 3rd grade. Also, the analog clock is not taught. (digital clocks are the norm now and god forbid it is a an analog clock with roman numerals)

[zacmil]

Wait...they dont teach multiplication tables anymore? Or how to read an analog clock? I can remember pages upon pages of both in my elementary classes. Thats a little disturbing.

In my experience, it's not that they don't teach multiplication tables, but that they don't always teach them well.

Obviously, not all teachers are of the same caliber, and, therefore, it's unfair to make large blanket statements... but I'm going to anyway. It seems as though in our society, a large number of people who go into teaching in elementary schools (where multiplication tables are taught), do so only because they think it will be fun to watch little kids all day. This means that we don't always get the best teachers in these positions. As a society, we need to emphasize the importance of attracting high quality teachers to all grade levels, but particularly at the elementary grades. I would argue that elementary school is, perhaps, the most important school level because it builds the foundation for future learning. I, for example, never had good math instruction in elementary school, and was forced to just pick things up as I went along once I got into middle and high school. While I can certainly hold my own in a math class today, I do find it much more difficult than other subjects.

[DJ_B_Easy]

They teach them but "mastery" is not a requirement and there is no emphasis placed on them after the 3rd grade. Also, the analog clock is not taught. (digital clocks are the norm now and god forbid it is a an analog clock with roman numerals)

Break out the flash cards!

[alms24sebring]

I think just general knowledge is failing in today's schools



Not sure if summer school is the way to go but I know they make small paperback textbooks for any grade that talks about everything. I think thats a good way to go. I cant remember the name but I found them at Cosco and it was really good actually. It had math, science, english, history, geography, etc everything. I think that might be something good for the long summer break. Im sure you can find one on amazon or just ask Jesda.

[nissangirl74]

To clarify, I am not sending them anywhere. This will all be done from home and local field trips. I told them that when we do the Science experiments, i would create threads and post them up in the Science section. We will also be doing more test drives and I'll be getting their input on the things I drive, from a teenager's point of view. Also, there will be driving lessons and basic car maintenance lessons too. I think they should all know how to jump start a car, change a battery, change a tire, how to check fluids, etc. I think it's important for them to know how to do all of these things before they start driving on their own.

I don't want them to have any opportunity to say they are bored.

[DJ_B_Easy]

Bex, dont take this the wrong way...but jeez I wish my Dad was as much of a man as you are! I was never taught any of that, learned any and everything auto related baptism by fire on my own. Excellent ideas.

You, are awesome.

[numbnuts240]

They teach them but "mastery" is not a requirement and there is no emphasis placed on them after the 3rd grade. Also, the analog clock is not taught. (digital clocks are the norm now and god forbid it is a an analog clock with roman numerals)

my mom and i taught my niece how to use an abacus to aid in her 1st math homework. when she starts learning how to tell time, i'll be teaching her how to read the grandfather clock as well as digital. also 24 hour time (my phone is set like that and it screws everyone up when i show them the screen after a query of the current time.)

[frapjap]

My mother did this with my brothers and I every summer. We also had workbooks for the grade we were going into that she graded us on. You. Are. Awesome. Make it happen!

Also teach them to tie knots.

[alms24sebring]

Bex, dont take this the wrong way...but jeez I wish my Dad was as much of a man as you are! I was never taught any of that, learned any and everything auto related baptism by fire on my own. Excellent ideas.

You, are awesome.

Yeah seriously, they will grow up knowing all the tricks of the trade. Im sure there are local clubs and such (not boy/girl scouts). I just joined a local Northern VA astronomy club and they talk about all sorts of stuff besides star gazing like new and current missions and also ideas for improvements. It also opens up opportunity for jobs when they get older

[bigbadberry3]

In case you can't find anything challenging enough http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-rt-ha ... 8300.story

[alms24sebring]

I also agree that EVERYONE should be able to check oil, jumpstart, and change a tire and/or oil by themselves. Flat tires happen.

[MinisterofDOOM]

My fervent, passionate hatred for the public school system is no secret. However, in high school, one of the very, very few classes that I did not find to be a complete waste of time, money, and my neural activity was a night school class on World War 1. The instructor was brilliant and that, combined with the evening setting (allowing for the POSSIBILITY of more a more "adult" setting, despite the juvenile morons occupying most of the room) made for a very interesting class. I took it twice, because I liked it so much. I took a physics class twice, also, one year, because it was so far above the standards I had come to expect from our decrepit Public Rote Memorization System that it quite literally felt like a breath of fresh air.
Anyway, the point I'm getting at is that (even though we're not talking about it here) REAL summer school, along with other less-conventional types of classes available through public schools, is often a far better experience than typical daytime winter classes.

As to your activities: Don't stop at "reading maps". Grab some boyscout basics and do some orienteering.
<----Eagle Scout

On their lists: teaching Saraya how to tell time on an analog clock (yeah, I know )

I thoroughly enjoy showing people my analog watch when they ask what time it is.
This watch, actually:

The faces they make are wonderful.

[audtatious]

School systems are horrible today, even worse than when my 26yo went to school. For the 2010 and 2011 school years the math teachers taught off the boards and gave out homework sheets that were not referenced anywhere in their school book. It's been 28 years since I've had a Algebra class......This year seems a bit better at least. Two more years till graduation and I will no longer give a crap about public school systems.

No, they don't beat multiplication tables into kids anymore. No, they don't teach crap about analog clocks. No, they don't even tend to teach basics in anything anymore.

[Ozzie]

I wanna come over and teach them stuff! (other than "how many uses does a kangaroo have")
I remember one night, about a year ago now, that Saraya stayed up late and hung out in the Nico HQ office with us.
I can't remember what questions she asked me, but I do remember telling her that no question she posed would be stupid.
Curious kids = hungry minds.
I hope she learned something from that, other than I sound weird and gift kangaroo scrotums to people that i like!

[Dattebayo]

I'm sure that Arizona's overwhelming public school reputation is in danger of being upset now... lol

Analog clocks are so passe. Antiquated technology will phase out as everything naturally does when something better proceeds it.

Calculators are allowed everywhere now, so It's not surprising they don't teach the tables anymore. But how smart can the kids really get if they don't have smart teachers? Standards for hiring teachers are not that high in the US.

[zacmil]

Standards for hiring teachers are not that high in the US.

Well... that sort of varies from state to state. Here in Kentucky, for example, you have to go through a lot to get certified as a teacher. I'm not saying that we always end up with the best teachers, but I do think it weeds out some of the particularly bad ones.

In my opinion, the real problem is that we don't do much to make people want to teach. Again, in Kentucky, the average teacher salary is about $50,000 a year, and the starting salary is about $30,000. That's less than $10,000 above the poverty line. Add to that the fact that in Kentucky you're expected to be half-way to a master's degree within five years, and to have obtained a master's degree within 10. A mechanical engineer, on the other hand, only has to have a bachelor's degree to get a job, and only the lowest 10% earn less than $50,000 a year.

So the question is, why would you want to teach? You accumulate piles of debt and society, as a whole, doesn't even give you a pat on the back for your service. It's a messed up system.

[numbnuts240]

Analog clocks are so passe. Antiquated technology will phase out as everything naturally does when something better proceeds it.

i wouldn't say analog clocks are on their way out. it's not antiquated, people are just lazy. look at the wall of any classroom, govt building, bank, etc and you will find an analog clock. heck, look at the dash of a brand new luxury car and you will find an analog clock.

how many uses does a kangaroo have

about tree fiddy.

[audtatious]

in Kentucky, the average teacher salary is about $50,000 a year, and the starting salary is about $30,000. That's less than $10,000 above the poverty line.

Lower cost of living in KY as compared to other areas in the country. Heck, $30k seems to be a good starting point in Brodhead as the median income for a household in the city was $17,500, and the median income for a family was $25,000.

Median income here outside of Louisville is mid-30k

[zacmil]

in Kentucky, the average teacher salary is about $50,000 a year, and the starting salary is about $30,000. That's less than $10,000 above the poverty line.

Lower cost of living in KY as compared to other areas in the country. Heck, $30k seems to be a good starting point in Brodhead as the median income for a household in the city was $17,500, and the median income for a family was $25,000.

Median income here outside of Louisville is mid-30k

Yeah... I wouldn't accuse Brodhead of being the wealthiest place...

BUT I understand what you're saying.

The point I was trying to get at is that teachers have an extremely important job (preparing upcoming generations to be competitive in a global market), yet we don't really compensate them very well. I believe that, as a society, we both underestimate and undervalue what they do. If we want to improve the quality of education in this country, the best thing we can do is to make teaching a more attractive career.

Getting back on topic though, maybe you ought to look in to starting or joining some sort of book club. In my experience, reading is one of the best ways to develop skills as a writer. A book club would have the added benefit of exposing them to authors/literature they might not necessarily seek out on their own.

[bigbadberry3]

But how smart can the kids really get if they don't have smart teachers? Standards for hiring teachers are not that high in the US.

Really? Every sate has its own regulation (IL is 3 tests) but have you looked at the competition for teaching positions?

[audtatious]

The point I was trying to get at is that teachers have an extremely important job (preparing upcoming generations to be competitive in a global market), yet we don't really compensate them very well. I believe that, as a society, we both underestimate and undervalue what they do. If we want to improve the quality of education in this country, the best thing we can do is to make teaching a more attractive career.

Increasing teacher pay, lowering the number of students per classroom, etc. has not improved the quality of education to date so I don't see simply increasing compensation as the path least traveled. Kids don't focus in school anymore, too many social distractions, and too many classes which revolve around feelings instead of the basics anymore. I've been in the middle and high schools throughout the last 10+ years and the lack of respect children give anyone working in the schools is a disgrace. Teachers and even principals sit there and take it. I've seen it.

How about bringing the paddle back and busting some azz?

[nissangirl74]

Analog clocks are so passe. Antiquated technology will phase out as everything naturally does when something better proceeds it.

I disagree. There is an analog clock in every classroom at my college and no digital clocks. Even if there aren't any left by the time she gets there, I still think she needs to know how to tell time on one.

[skydragoness]

So the question is, why would you want to teach? You accumulate piles of debt and society, as a whole, doesn't even give you a pat on the back for your service. It's a messed up system.

This.
Most teachers are saints for the crap they have to deal with, that's why the 'best' go to private schools/charter schools.

I feel like what's 'wrong' with public education is the like Becky said, the new "teach to pass tests" (which means nothing obviously) and the old industrial revolution age one-size-fits-all method of teaching doesn't work today. Creative problem solving and critical thinking is not taught in public schools. "Hey memorize these facts and then take this test" is not helping and needs to change. This video/lecture is awesome and explains it best:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U[/youtube]

[PoorManQ45]

Pick up some aluminum powder and potassium perchlorate. Mix 3:7.

Enjoy blowing stuff up.

[PoorManQ45]

To the people that are talking about compensation, have you forgotten that teachers work ~8~9 months, not a full 12 like everyone else?

[Jesda]

An analog clock is easy enough to read, so you may as well teach it. Like counting cash and coins, even though it isn't necessary in a modern world, it's simple enough to teach.

[audtatious]

Basics in finance would be nice. I had it in school but none of my kids were offered it. Obviously you need to know basic math first.....