Comments on: Reading and Weeping http://www.blisstree.com/babylune/reading-and-weeping/ Adventures in post-partum recovery. Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:48:27 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Babylune http://www.blisstree.com/babylune/reading-and-weeping/comment-page-1/#comment-2776 Babylune Fri, 02 Nov 2007 09:26:09 +0000 http://www.babylune.com/reading-and-weeping/#comment-2776 [...] wonder how many of those “big problems” have to do with school. Technorati Tags: first grade, German educational system, preparing for grade oneShare [...] [...] wonder how many of those “big problems” have to do with school. Technorati Tags: first grade, German educational system, preparing for grade oneShare [...]

]]> By: kbaggott http://www.blisstree.com/babylune/reading-and-weeping/comment-page-1/#comment-2822 kbaggott Mon, 29 Oct 2007 09:43:12 +0000 http://www.babylune.com/reading-and-weeping/#comment-2822 Rachel- I spoke to my mother about your comment. She's a teacher in Ontario and told me that text book sharing days are over. Things might be very different in your province. When I was in grade 7 and 8, we weren't allowed to bring text books home because there was only one set for all the classes. I think most elementary school students should be able to study from their notes for tests because there shouldn't be exams until high school. One of the reasons I rely on international studies is that they give us information that isn't subjective or part of our own experiences. Not that I am all about objective measures. Basically, a school's culture is completely different from year to year. Even an experience a child had five years ago, may not be relevent today. There are different teachers, different books, different school board reps. Rachel- I spoke to my mother about your comment. She’s a teacher in Ontario and told me that text book sharing days are over. Things might be very different in your province.

When I was in grade 7 and 8, we weren’t allowed to bring text books home because there was only one set for all the classes.

I think most elementary school students should be able to study from their notes for tests because there shouldn’t be exams until high school.

One of the reasons I rely on international studies is that they give us information that isn’t subjective or part of our own experiences. Not that I am all about objective measures.

Basically, a school’s culture is completely different from year to year. Even an experience a child had five years ago, may not be relevent today. There are different teachers, different books, different school board reps.

]]> By: Hsien Lei http://www.blisstree.com/babylune/reading-and-weeping/comment-page-1/#comment-2836 Hsien Lei Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:12:37 +0000 http://www.babylune.com/reading-and-weeping/#comment-2836 Every child is different. Some are absolutely ready to read early. I was one of them and I know of other children who were as well. Gross generalizations don't serve anyone, least of all kids who are ready be challenged at an earlier age. Every child is different. Some are absolutely ready to read early. I was one of them and I know of other children who were as well. Gross generalizations don’t serve anyone, least of all kids who are ready be challenged at an earlier age.

]]> By: kbaggott http://www.blisstree.com/babylune/reading-and-weeping/comment-page-1/#comment-2817 kbaggott Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:44:13 +0000 http://www.babylune.com/reading-and-weeping/#comment-2817 Hi Rae- That is very interesting. Is Finland as multicultural as Canada? Also, I have always understood that Finnish students start to learn to read and write in Kindergarten. Is that not true? Carla's book is controversial because it contradicts so many other books. I think more than one system can work for any one group of children, but I am thinking of a multicultural context in which schools are society's only vehicle of integration. Hi Rae- That is very interesting. Is Finland as multicultural as Canada?

Also, I have always understood that Finnish students start to learn to read and write in Kindergarten. Is that not true?

Carla’s book is controversial because it contradicts so many other books. I think more than one system can work for any one group of children, but I am thinking of a multicultural context in which schools are society’s only vehicle of integration.

]]> By: Rae Pica http://www.blisstree.com/babylune/reading-and-weeping/comment-page-1/#comment-2799 Rae Pica Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:17:50 +0000 http://www.babylune.com/reading-and-weeping/#comment-2799 I'm a worrier, too. And, honestly, what worries me most about what I read here (besides the social stratification, which is appalling!) is the belief that "earlier is better." If you look at the Finnish school system, you'll see that they also believe in play and socialization until age 7, when they begin formal schooling. Finnish children start off behind their counterparts in the rest of the world but rapidly catch up and SURPASS them. In fact, they're number-one in the world in literacy and numeracy. (See my blog entry, "What Finland Is Doing Right" at www.raepica.typepad.com.) I'm also VERY worried about that second book! The research shows that you're already doing the most important thing you can to teach your children to read -- and love reading! -- by reading to them! Flashcards are NOT the answer! And if your instruction takes away your children's joy of reading, it won't matter how many letters and words they know! I recommend you read Carla Hannaford's Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head. Among other things, she explains why the human brain is simply not ready for reading instruction before the age of 6 or 7. The book in general is must reading for every parent and teacher! I’m a worrier, too. And, honestly, what worries me most about what I read here (besides the social stratification, which is appalling!) is the belief that “earlier is better.” If you look at the Finnish school system, you’ll see that they also believe in play and socialization until age 7, when they begin formal schooling. Finnish children start off behind their counterparts in the rest of the world but rapidly catch up and SURPASS them. In fact, they’re number-one in the world in literacy and numeracy. (See my blog entry, “What Finland Is Doing Right” at http://www.raepica.typepad.com.)

I’m also VERY worried about that second book! The research shows that you’re already doing the most important thing you can to teach your children to read — and love reading! — by reading to them! Flashcards are NOT the answer! And if your instruction takes away your children’s joy of reading, it won’t matter how many letters and words they know!

I recommend you read Carla Hannaford’s Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head. Among other things, she explains why the human brain is simply not ready for reading instruction before the age of 6 or 7. The book in general is must reading for every parent and teacher!

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.blisstree.com/babylune/reading-and-weeping/comment-page-1/#comment-2807 Jennifer Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:58:56 +0000 http://www.babylune.com/reading-and-weeping/#comment-2807 I think most good parents do worry some about education. I probably worry less than others since we unschool. But then again everyone else worries enough for me -- I don't have to. No matter what education choices we make for our kids someone will try to go against it. We just have to do what we think deep down is best. For me that's shunning the school system altogether; but that's not for everyone. I think most good parents do worry some about education. I probably worry less than others since we unschool. But then again everyone else worries enough for me — I don’t have to. No matter what education choices we make for our kids someone will try to go against it. We just have to do what we think deep down is best. For me that’s shunning the school system altogether; but that’s not for everyone.

]]> By: Amie http://www.blisstree.com/babylune/reading-and-weeping/comment-page-1/#comment-2781 Amie Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:17:22 +0000 http://www.babylune.com/reading-and-weeping/#comment-2781 Sadly, the obvious answer is one that I believe isn't even legal in Germany: Homeschooling. One of these days Germany will crawl out of the dark ages and the true educational renaissance will begin... at home. Sadly, the obvious answer is one that I believe isn’t even legal in Germany: Homeschooling. One of these days Germany will crawl out of the dark ages and the true educational renaissance will begin… at home.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.blisstree.com/babylune/reading-and-weeping/comment-page-1/#comment-2749 Rachel Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:00:09 +0000 http://www.babylune.com/reading-and-weeping/#comment-2749 If it makes you feel any better, I think your perspective on the Canadian education system might be a bit skewed. It might not be as bad as the German system but resources are very limited in the public schools. Kids have to share textbooks, for example, so only one child actually has the text to study with the night before an exam. It's a pathetic system and, in my opinion, far worse than when we attended. If it makes you feel any better, I think your perspective on the Canadian education system might be a bit skewed. It might not be as bad as the German system but resources are very limited in the public schools. Kids have to share textbooks, for example, so only one child actually has the text to study with the night before an exam. It’s a pathetic system and, in my opinion, far worse than when we attended.

]]> By: Hsien Lei http://www.blisstree.com/babylune/reading-and-weeping/comment-page-1/#comment-2861 Hsien Lei Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:55:28 +0000 http://www.babylune.com/reading-and-weeping/#comment-2861 You know you're not the only one, Kate. Far from it. It seems there's no end of things for parents to worry about. *sigh* You know you’re not the only one, Kate. Far from it. It seems there’s no end of things for parents to worry about. *sigh*

]]> By: Maria http://www.blisstree.com/babylune/reading-and-weeping/comment-page-1/#comment-2713 Maria Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:16:30 +0000 http://www.babylune.com/reading-and-weeping/#comment-2713 I worry about The Boy's education, and he's only 10 months old! Tulsa Public Schools really stink, so we will be sending him to Private school, which raises a whole new set of concerns-- mainly I think that most are too vanilla-- mid-to upper class families who can afford to avoid TPS. I think I have found one though that I approve of, which means playing the games ALREADY to get him in there. YIKES! In the end, it is worth it to me though, because I want to give him the best chance I can at success later in life. Good luck and lots of hugs! I worry about The Boy’s education, and he’s only 10 months old! Tulsa Public Schools really stink, so we will be sending him to Private school, which raises a whole new set of concerns– mainly I think that most are too vanilla– mid-to upper class families who can afford to avoid TPS. I think I have found one though that I approve of, which means playing the games ALREADY to get him in there. YIKES! In the end, it is worth it to me though, because I want to give him the best chance I can at success later in life.

Good luck and lots of hugs!

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