Just When I start to lose hope in schools

[norb]

I'm doing the parent/teacher conference thing for my 13 year old daughter who is in 8th grade. They are covering the Civil War. The social studies teacher gets a huge kick out of it and I know just enough to be dangerous. But what is cool is that they coordinate the effort with her language arts class. There, one of the hard book choices is Killer Angels! Of course I told her that she had no choice, that's her pick I think that is such a great book choice for kids at that level and the fact that it's synced with the social studies class is just good planning. Of course I offered to bring in the game and show the kids the battlefield, of course I'm going to have to ask one of you guys to come run it for me.:whistle:

[Amish John]

You're going to need a projector.

[Joshua l.Chamberlain]

It would make a great history device the game.

[drhet58]

A regular teacher just teaches. A true teacher illuminates and opens eyes to the subject. In 5th grade we had to read the 'Gettysburg Address'. I could have given a rats ass at that time..there was no relevance or meaning to go with it.
The best teacher that I ever had, to this day I remember him, brought games into class to make the lessons taught make sense and enjoyable.
"Hat In The Ring", a political game to get delegates for the convention, and some congressional game that teamed 3 or 4 students to barter with other groups to try to get particular bills passed that were in their constituency and vice-versa. This was like 8th grade, I believe.
Sounds kinda lame I guess, but made a lasting impact on the proper way to teach as opposed to "read this chapter and make a report".
You get that game in there and it WILL make it all worthwhile. The want for knowledge needs the mind to grasp the reason for want of it.

Your Obt. Serv't
Donald R. Hetrick

[Michael Slaunwhite]

I know this may be a bit off topic, but back in 1976 when I moved back to Nova Scotia, I had the pleasure of seeing something that actually worked in our school (settling differences between feuding students) to settle real fired up arguments that would have resulted in after school beatings.

The gym teacher would get the feuding boys together, and put the boxing gloves on them, and the rules were standard, 5 rounds, 3 minutes each, and have at it. No kicking, biting, or spitting, and each could choose his or hers own support for their corners.

Well to tell you something, it worked, by the time the match was over the boys walked away all wasted, burnt out from the fight, and normally the boys would find new respect for each other, and some became best friends afterwards.

Just something I happen to remember while reading this topic.

cheers...

[drhet58]

This day and age there would be a lawsuit against the school. Hell, you can't even paddle a kid now. (I had it happen once or twice) Sorta worked to think about your actions and consequenses.

[Michael Slaunwhite]

This day and age there would be a lawsuit against the school. Hell, you can't even paddle a kid now. (I had it happen once or twice) Sorta worked to think about your actions and consequenses.

Hi drhet58!

Your right, today that teacher would have been put in jail. I have to tell you that teacher taught me to not be afraid, and stand up for myself because no one else will do it for me. Back then people thought very differently than now, today you paddle your child's bottom, and off to jail you go.

Oh well, that teacher taught me allot, and that is all that matters. Instead of teaching me from books, he taught me real life lessons which I never have forgotten.

Cheers...