The Carnival Of Education: Week 61
We are pleased to present this week's edition of The Carnival Of Education. All entries were submitted by the writers unless clearly labeled otherwise and are grouped into several categories.
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Last week's Carnival, guest hosted by Right Wing Nation, is here. See the complete set of archives there. For our latest posts, please visit our home page.
Let the free exchange of thoughts and ideas begin...
Education Policy:
Here's a post that's a guaranteed conversation starter: Don Surber tells us about a public school that displays a portrait of Jesus in its main hallway.
Not every student needs to attend college. Sense of Soot reminds us that many students would benefit very well from learning how to do actual skilled work with their hands. And The Thomas Institute also considers the idea that attending college isn't always the best choice for every young man or woman.
It has been said that it's not wise to pick fights with people who buy ink by the barrel. But that doesn't stop Education Sector's Eduwonk.com from debating The Washington Post's Jay Mathews over a well-known ranking of "America's Best High Schools." Consider checking-out this bonus post concerning "The Great, Or Actually Not-So-Great, Graduation Rate Debate."
Would you believe that there is an actual state law limiting recess? Believe it!
Arizona teacher Strausser introduces us to a concept that's new to me: "The Instructional Gap." Here's a sample:
DataWorks Educational Research did a study in the 2001-2002 school year where they analyzed the assigned work from 174 schools in 62 districts throughout California and found that there is a HUGE gap in what is taught compared to the grade-level standards. Here are the “grade-level taught” averages:Do those who formulate California's EduPolicy fit Einstein's definition of insanity? Agree or disagree, Right Wing Nation offers a post that's sure to provoke thought.
From the Friends of Dave, we have, "Ten Moral Concerns in the Implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act."
What happens when adolescents don't get enough sleep? And should schools alter their starting times to accomodate children's sleep patterns? Circadiana offers healthy food for thought.
There's been quite a bit of buzz in the EduSphere about schools banning the display of all types of flags, but this is the first that I've heard about anyone banning any type of patriotic clothing. And that includes camouflage pants!
Editor's Choice: When I read this story over at Joanne Jacobs, I became angry. It's about a 14 year-old boy who was suspended from school for doing the right thing. This is the type of administrative decision that hurts kids and serves no other purpose than CYA for the administrator.
Teaching And Learning:
In this new age of testing and accountability, whatever happend to the teaching of critical thinking skills? Even though I've been mulling it over, a high school chemistry teacher has actually written about it.
The subjects of grade inflation and the effective use of report card grades to communicate with parents is the subject of a reflective post over at Huff English. (I'm still reluctant to discuss that "F" I earned in high school with my father, the DadWonk.)
This is funny. Mamacita is bringing us an Aptitude Test For Anybody. (How did you do on the exam?)
Ugh!!! I shudder at the thought of "Block Scheduling." But ours is a middle school pespective. Mr. Lawerence, however, has another perspective.
Practical Theory shows us how our Win At All Costs culture may be having a negative effect on the female student-athletes of one high school sports program. (I've never even heard of a high school basketball team scoring 113 points in one game.)
One of education's Eternal Questions: What's the best way to teach good writing? Deep Furrows ploughs into a mystery that's had me scratching my head ever since the first day I stepped before the chalkboard.
Educating Teachers:
Here's one of our "must-reads" for this week: Ms. Cornelius of A Shrewdness of Apes has some powerful thoughts about teacher education and what it should accomplish.
I think that most would agree that any effective program of formal teacher preparation should include substantial classroom teaching experience while under the guidence of a highly-trained supervising teacher. Here's one teacher's notes from the field.
From The Classroom:
I think that Multiple Mentality must have the ultimate excuse ever given by a kid for not doing one's science homework.
What's a high school teacher to do when the never-ending debate betwixt carnivores and vegetarians starts to heat up at his school? Why he gets involved of course!
Here's a classic art book that's not only about pictures, but the stories behind the masterpieces. And the text even has some lesson-planning ideas.
Extra Curricular Activities:
Over at Rhymes With Right, Greg discusses student protests around the country (Prepare yourself for that first picture.) as well as a first-hand account of events at his Texas school.
The Parent Perspective:
Did you hear the one about the Florida middle school that observed Halocaust Remembrance Day by designating one half of the student body as Jewish and forcing them to don the yellow Star of David? Here's a peek:
A school administrator reportedly forced one "star-bellied" student to return to the back of the lunch line four times while others enforced rules which ranged from barring star-wearing students from seating themselves in classrooms, forcing them to stand at the back of the class and preventing them from using school drinking fountains.How many times have you heard your kid claim that he or she can multi-task while doing their homework? Why Homeschool has the reality check.
Iphgix asks a good question: Whatever happened to kids respecting adults?
The Secret Lives Of Teachers:
The Median Sib reminds us that the Countdown has begun! (Sooner for some than others.)
Respectfully submitted for your consideration is our post, "Secrets of the Teachers Lounge Revealed?"
Technology:
Janet at The Art Of Getting By poses an interesting question: Is it possible that computers are more of a hurt than a help?
Everyone likes kids to develop computer skills, but here's one unexpected outcome: plagiarism.
Higher Education:
Now HERE's a great college biology lesson. And with fun pictures, too!
In our district, we usually settle our differences with apples at 10 paces. But maybe we should check-out a method called Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Who says that cheaters never win and winners never cheat? Professor Bainbridge gives us evidence to the contrary.
Inside the EduBlogs:
Here's a list that no EduBlogger wants to be on: Five Blogs To Drop Now.
NYC Educator has an alarming statistic about a practice that should have been confined to the dustbin of history long ago.
Editor's Choice: The 14th edition of The Carnival Of Homeshooling is open with yet another original format, "Today In History."
And finally: As always, this journey around the EduSphere has been both enjoyable and informative. Thanks to all the contributors whose submissions make the midway's continuing success possible, the folks who help spread the word, and all the readers who continue to make it rewarding.
By:EdWonk ~ Permalink:4/05/2006
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