Fun and Games

When is enough, enough?
As parents we emphasize education, but how much education should we ask of our kids? According to Mizuko Ito children are spending over 5 1/2 hours a day with some type of electronically gadget. According to First Five, Kids should be getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. But we rather know that kids will spend an additional 2-3 hours a day on their other gadgets such as: PSP, iPod, TV, NANO, and so on… With educational technology uprising more as technology advances, how can we limit the amount of multimedia, without putting a negative connotation to Educational Multimedia?

Another important point is how do we screen educational media?
Not all media is educational, some of these new software’s are games and not completely educational. This is not to say that it is not fun Multimedia for kids, but rather is it educational.




Here are two great links for more information:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/fitness/exercise.html">
href="http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1162/dmal.9780262693646.089">

Open House

OK, I am guilty of being annoyed by having to attend open house. The truth is that it is very important and we can not put it off. An excellent example of why open house is so important is: it only comes twice a year.
DING, DING, DING, are you listening?
"I sure hope so!"

At the first open house this year I found out that my daughter was falling behind on her reading. The teacher informed me that everyday after school the library is open for tutoring. Currently my daughter has exceeded her grade level reading and is reading at a higher grade level.

Another reason is, the following year is as important as the current one. This last open house my daughters teacher told me that based on my daughters ability's, and studding habits she should be placed in this certain class because she would best benefit from this teachers teaching techniques.
My only question is, why would a parent not want to obtain this important feedback?

Too Much is Too Much

How much homework is too much? I would say that if your son/daughter gets homework Monday-Friday then they should not get homework on the weekend. Homework is suppose to be a re-enforcement for what was taught during class.

If students are getting too much homework then they will react negatively toward school because they are overloaded with work and aren't really learning after a while.

Teachers need to realize that students need time to contemplate and analyze the information that they were introduced to. Students need to get time off such as the weekend. these students are more likely come to school ready and prepared to learn or continue with the current subject.

For more information click on the link below:

http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2003/mar/homework/index.html

School Science Projects

My 8yr old had a science project that was a big weight of her final grade. She was assigned a 3D dimensional project of Uranus. She had to write a report, a short story and the 3D Dimensional project. What I don't understand is why is it was so difficult?
The project requirement I believe were difficult for her to do, and for the last three years these end of the year projects are similar in difficulty. I guess what realy gets to me is that in order for our children t get good grades we have to be in charge of the project. In reality the project is 75% Parent involvement and 25% child.
Last year I let my daughter do all the work her self, with only minimal help. I guided her toward the requirements but did not do it, and she got a C-. This year she got an A, but I participated in the project far too much than I should have.
So, I guess my problem is if these projects are necessary. In the other hand, shouldn't the students be trying their very best on their own?

http:/www.greatschools.org/student/academic-skill /whose-scienceproject-is-it-anyway.gs?content=209>

Educate Today

Education is suppose to be our number one priority, but as of the last 10 yrs the only thing you hear about is testing, and scores. Are we teaching our students how to be great learner's or how to be great test takers.

I can recall taking an exam that I learned how to take and pass, and was able to get a good score. The problem with this is that I don't remember the information today. On the other hand I can recall taking a class were the teacher taught and lectured. I did great in the exams, but most important I can still recall the information today.

As educator's what are your feeling on this issue? Do you feel that to much emphasis is placed on testing?

www.washingtonpost.comwp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR200821302834.html