The View from Here

Reading and Reality

In case you missed the news report there has been a war going on in education for decades. It’s called reading instruction and there are two major opponents: whole language teachers and phonics teachers. The victims are your children and the casualties have been high.

Here are just a few statistics that I found online:

More than 60% of all prison inmates are functionally illiterate.

75% of people on food stamps perform at the two lowest levels of literacy.

1 in 4 children in America grow up without learning to read.

19% of high school graduates can’t read.

Illiteracy directly impacts the economy, healthcare, unemployment, and the criminal justice system. We are all affected each and every day by those in our society who cannot read. Yet we go forward each school year with the same fundamental problem. We believe in programs and plans and philosophies and curriculums. We believe that if we put children in a classroom with a good teacher and the perfect program everything will work out just fine and each child will learn to read. And then we spend a lot of time and money fighting over the “perfect program” and defining the “good teacher”.

That hasn’t worked for us in the past ten years, or even twenty years, but we keep doing it anyway and hoping that this year the results will be different. And if the results aren’t what we desire, we can change programs and that will work. Or we can create a whole new set of state mandates and that will work. Or we can blame all these incompetent teachers and hire a new staff and surely that will work!

The truth is that nothing is ever going to work. At least not in the one size-fits-all, “everyone can succeed and learn to read” way we envision. Sure this is America. But I realized long ago that everyone is NOT equal; we supposedly have equal opportunities, but I’m not so sure about that idea either. The fact is that some children are going to struggle and even fail and we are not doing enough to find out why.

Children are unique and have a dozen factors that make their learning process different from the child sitting next to them. Genetics, personality, environment, health, hearing, sight, behavior, etc. etc. etc. all affect what goes on in that little brain. But according to some new guidelines, more time doing what we have been doing, is going to change that process and enable all of our students to read. If 90 minutes of reading instruction isn’t working, then surely 30 more minutes or 45 more minutes or a 100 more minutes will work! Or better yet, let’s do that AND make them stay after school for more instruction.

That’s like deciding that if we just make all of our students spend hours and hours practicing each and every day they will all be great basketball players. If that program had been in effect when I was in school I would still be in the gym! I was never aggressive enough, coordinated enough, or tall enough or interested enough to play basketball.

More of the same is never going to work.

You are probably going to hate my idea of a solution, but here it is: let’s find out why your child can’t read. Let’s do it early, and let’s separate him or her from the herd. Then let’s use a teaching method that works for your child. Yes, I’m in favor of early testing, early intervention, and small group instruction. I think we should group children by ability, not age. I think we should forget about kindergarten, first, and second grades. I think we should have classes of children who are learning the alphabet and classes of children who are learning to read, and classes of children who can read. Let them change groups when they are ready, whether that‘s mid-year or next year. Education should be fluid and flexible and ongoing, not divided into grades and expectations until at least third or fourth grade. And let’s promise not to let a child graduate from high school unless they can read or they are taught a life skill that will support them. It doesn’t do anyone any good to give them a piece of paper that is a lie.

Please don’t ask me about math or social studies or science or art or music skills. In today’s “reading is our #1 priority” climate we don’t have much time or money for those lessons anyway. If your child is gifted in an area other than reading, you’ll have to fight your own battles.

For now I would encourage each and every parent and grandparent to read about the Reading Sufficiency Act and consider what we are trying to accomplish.

 

Show me what you know...

Spoon feeding and elaborate instructions are behind us and it’s time for my students to think for themselves and show me what they know. We spent yesterday on some phonics review and a new math concept. Then I let each student choose a book to read to me. It can be a l-o-n-g process for some students: a 7-page reader with one sentence on each page might take ten minutes. However, the less I intervene, the better they get. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the years is that adults seldom give children enough time to think. We don’t wait nearly long enough before jumping in with the correct word, answer, solution.

So, for the next few weeks my students will be applying their phonics and reading and writing skills. I’m very pleased with the progress most are making. 

Relationships

I spent an hour and a half in the doctor’s waiting room yesterday, which was a perfect opportunity for some intense people watching…and listening.  I quickly came to the conclusion that there are some relationship problems in the world:

“Well if that’s the attitude she has, I’ll just remember what she said when it comes time to buy her a wedding gift.”

“You did not! You haven’t seen her since Thanksgiving and you probably won’t see her again ‘til Easter!”

“The last time I saw her she was so disrespectful to her parents I’m surprised they let her move back in with them.”

“I told them we just bought that furniture and they aren’t sitting on it in dirty jeans. They sure aren’t eating in there.”

“They don’t care. It’s all a dog and pony show!”

And that was just the first thirty minutes. 

An Act of Faith

I spent a few minutes this morning reading about restaurant chains that are doing quite well in the U.S. Some of them have been around for a while and others are new and currently riding the waves of faddish popularity. Gary and I rarely eat out anymore due to conflicting schedules, cost, and a general lack of interest on my part. Since becoming a pescetarian I have found that most local restaurants give only a passing less-than-creative thought to vegetarians, and even if they do have a tasty dish it is loaded with salt.

I never eat “fast food” of any kind because of the salt, sugar, and fat contained in most of it. And of course most fast food is based on a meat product of some kind. Don’t tell me about the options at Subway- don’t like. The last time I tried a stop at a Mexican chain for a bean burrito I was so disappointed in the quality and taste I decided to cross that off my list as well. If I know I’m going to be out shopping during lunch time I just take a snack with me.

It has also occurred to me in recent years, because of a few specific problems, that eating in a restaurant is an act of faith, and frankly I can’t always muster up enough faith to be a happy diner. As you know, I’m a bit OCD and while not germaphobic, I am at least well aware of public opportunities for contagious contact. I don’t like for a waitress to remove my glass from the table in order to refill it. I look closely at glasses and utensils and don’t like to find lipstick on either (been there, done that).  I drink only through a straw. Not a fan of buffets anymore, although my husband still enjoys them.  Other people, especially children, touch things and don’t keep them. I once saw a child lick a cucumber slice, make a face, and put it back in the bowl! Of course I reported that to the waitress. I have my doubts about eating anything that is not cooked and served hot. Love those places where the waitress says, “Be careful, the plate is very hot”.

Unfortunately my “act of faith” concept has begun to creep into my grocery shopping experience. I have a few concerns about eating food grown or manufactured in other countries…not that our standards are always the best or that our government always monitors food safety the way it should! I read labels and sometimes wonder if everything that is in a product is really listed on the label. I wonder how it was manufactured and how clean the facilities were. Random thoughts that will probably lead to growing more of my own food.

Oh, my biggest laugh each week is watching people use those anti-bacterial wipes to clean their shopping cart. Do they not understand that every single item in the store has been touched by human hands? Nothing jumps up on the shelf by itself!! And products are continuously straightened. They are removed and returned to the shelves by customers. They are dropped on the floor. They are left in other departments and later returned to their proper location.

I guess the bottom line is that putting anything into our bodies is an act of faith. We depend on other people to do their best to make our food safe. I’ll try not to get phobic about it.

 

Glorious Day!

Hope arrived today in the form of warmth and sunshine! I know it was a “window of opportunity” for many people and they were out getting things done.  

I was having a bit of a pity party this afternoon and also trying to follow the advice of a friend to relax and stay off my foot. That wasn’t working for me, so I decided that if I was going to be in pain anyway, I might as well be in pain outside. Works every time. My pain level didn’t go down, but my spirit soared. Outside is always better than inside… if you aren’t shivering. lol

Even in the midst of brown and dry and more brown, there are little signs that the earth is changing and spring will eventually arrive. I know it is still weeks away, but just the sight of my daffodils breaking ground will carry me along.

I also had the thought while I was out that even though not much has changed since last weekend, there is a certain reassurance in the sight of the same old view and the same old birds. They are as comforting as old friends. Sometimes I wonder how many people have stood on this same hill over the years and looked at the same horizon.

This is the last week of January. Next month is my favorite. Love. Red. Chocolate. Eight special birthdays. Warmer weather. Peach blossoms. Daffodils. Hope…

Annoyed

I have to confess that I’ve been annoyed this week.

Annoyed by the return to cold weather.

Annoyed by the actions of a friend who should know better.

Annoyed by this painful foot.

Annoyed by a few students who disrupt learning on a daily basis.

Annoyed by a relationship that is just not what I had hoped it would be.

Annoyed by a couple of minor problems.

Annoyed by my failure to lose weight.

Annoyed by something I have to do that I really don’t support.

Thankfully each annoyance has been countered by daily blessings, and yes, a few reprimands from God. A couple of Bible verses have stopped my whining in mid-thought. The words and actions of some friends have reminded me that I am surrounded by people who understand any pain and every emotion I might have because they have “been there, done that”. The smiling faces of my students have greeted me each day and renewed my commitment to teach them. My memory of surviving much more difficult times has helped keep everything in perspective. And of course the words of my grandmother, so annoying to me when I was young, now bring peace and comfort to my heart: “This too shall pass.” 

Progress and Perspective

A teacher can go crazy reading test results these days. The availability of charts, graphs, reports, and analysis is astounding. I can see each student’s total score, a score for each segment of a test, a comparison with previous tests, a comparison with other classmates, etc. I can ask the website to create several different types of reports or graphs to share with parents. If combined they would make a nice little book!

However, I don’t assume the results of a test are completely accurate unless they generally agree with my observations and assessments in the classroom. I always feel that a dramatic difference is cause for doubt. Children can be tired, sick, or distracted on test day. And there are other factors at the kindergarten level that affect testing. Sometimes a child with speech problems needs a person who has listened to them often or a very shy child needs someone they know quite well. I’ve been known to ask for a child to be retested on a different day or even by a different person. No one at our level has a problem with that.

If test results seem to be in line with classroom tests and daily work then the whole package of information is quite useful in pinpointing strengths and weaknesses. I already have a general idea of what areas are challenges for each student and test results give me specific data on those.

Test results also serve to confirm vague suspicions that I have about a child’s performance. I currently have a couple of students who are just beginning to struggle with daily work. So my classroom observations have to help me determine if this is caused by “social” or “academic” problems. Is the child talking, distracted, or confused because they aren’t listening to directions, or are they at a plateau and unable to grasp more complex concepts? Time for discipline or tutoring? Test results give me specific skills to observe.

Of course the bottom line for me is progress. Did my students make progress since the last test? Have they improved in most areas? Are they still on the path toward reading and writing and problem solving? Are they going to be good first graders? Only time and a little more testing will tell! 

Words to Live By

If researching my family tree has taught me anything it is that I am descended from a long line of wise and wonderful women. And I am often blessed by the fact that at least one branch of our family was obsessed with writing things down. I currently have more writings by and about our family than I will ever be able to read. From time to time I stumble upon even more. I discovered this poem in the Caddo Herald yesterday while searching for a business ad. 

My grandmother Della was not only wise and wonderful, but also warm and kind. I have so many fond memories of visits to her home and happy meals with the family gathered there. Sometimes there were so many people in her little house that we had to sit on the beds or on the living room floor to eat. We didn’t care as long as we were at Mama’s. And it’s funny that I remember little details like her homemade butter and delicious pickles. I also remember her contagious laughter. And today I’m happy to share her wonderful wisdom with you!

 

February 14, 1947

Be Yourself

By Della Springer

I got some good advice one day

By a friend that’s wise and true.

In fact it was so very good

I’m passing it on to you.

 

Just be yourself, he told me;

Don’t envy others’ fame,

Make most of what you really have

To gain yourself a name.

 

When God put you upon the earth

It was his blessed will

To reserve for you a spot

That only you can fill.

 

So check your talents carefully

To find out what they are;

And in your own small private world,

Keep reaching for a star.

 

Your path may be a lowly one

Or yours a small position;

You may not reach world-wide acclaim

Or gain great recognition.

 

If you can’t take a higher path

Take one that is more lowly,

As one who walked the earth before,

So gentle and so holy.

 

You’ll be surprised when you can see

The friends you make and keep;

And what more blessed harvest

Than friendship can you reap?

 

You may never be a Lincoln,

Or one with fame and wealth;

You’ll live a better, sweeter life

If you’ll simply be yourself.

 

 

Energy

I hear a lot these days about energy.  Apparently we need more of it and we want it NOW. So we are looking for ways to get it quickly and conveniently. Last week I listened to a young father in line in front of me as he asked his son to hand him an energy drink off the shelf: “I need one of those ___, I’m working the late shift.” I suspect that what he really needed was some sleep, and from the looks of his cart, healthier food.  I certainly hope he isn’t working where others are depending on him for anything important, like life and death decisions!

As many of you know I get up at 4am each morning and I go to bed around 9:30. Sometime between arriving home and bedtime there is a 30-minute nap on the couch. My schedule is based on my husband’s work schedule, my health conditions, my personality (morning person!), and my medications. It also varies somewhat with the weather and seasons. But I generally have enough energy for my job, my household tasks, and my hobbies. What more do I need? Am I supposed to feel giddy, buzzed, bouncy, hyper, excited 24/7? Am I supposed to worry if I occasionally get tired?

I’ll be 64 in a few weeks. If there are physical limitations to my life and energy level they are there because of my weight, neuropathy, arthritis, and accident history. I’m not likely to find healthy sustainable cures for any of those in a bottle or can of chemicals.  My body has lived a hard life and been seriously damaged many times. I feel truly blessed to be walking around!

I also wonder how many people give any thought to what is in all these liquid miracles of science. Young people are damaging their bodies and will eventually have to suffer the consequences. Anyone over the age of 50 is bound to have some condition that might be affected by strange combinations of chemicals not found in nature. And anyone on prescription medications should be aware of any and all possible interactions between their meds and herbal supplements.  Read the label. Research the ingredients. Understand that the FDA approves a lot of the individual ingredients but NOT the “proprietary blends” of them.

Yes, you've heard some of this before. I nag. My theory is that what our country really needs is more sleep, better food, more water, and less stress. Only the water is available in a bottle.

 

Change of plans...

Everything I thought about doing this weekend has changed, so I’m hesitant to say what I might do today. Just see how it plays out…

We spent yesterday morning at the clinic because my foot, injured last Monday, wasn’t getting better and was so tender that I feared that I had broken it. Nope, just bruised.

Spent the afternoon on errands, projects, and housecleaning in preparation for a trip to Tishomingo today.

Gary woke up sick, so once again we are changing plans. I have some lilies to plant and my book to complete. Reading “Cowboy Church”, a book of sermons written by our former pastor, Ben Sparks.

Staying flexible and being open to new ideas and new plans is something that people learn to do early in life and have to practice forever. The Bible says “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9