VIDEO GAMES VS SCHOOL

Kids select video games and they play a controlling part in that virtual world they choose. We try all day in school to show those same kids how they play a valuable part in the real world in which they live.

CLASS EXPECTATIONS

One concept a student must realize. A teacher will not carry a grudge.  A teacher does carry a grade book.

SWIMMING

It has been a passing period since I have placed comments on my post.   I live by the belief, 'if the ship you want does not come into shore, start swimming to the ship.'  I have just missed the job I wanted.  Guess what?  I am still in the water swimming.

GUNS AND KIDS

I hope the USA, who limit the supersized soft drink so a kid will not grow up overweight will find within its means to limit the size and kind of gun and ammunition so a kid can grow up.

MY THOUGHTS

Inside my mind
my thoughts I keep,
for only me
my thoughts I peek.

When I add voice
my thoughts they go,
for with my sound
my thoughts you know.

MY KNOW IS NEW; MY NO IS KNEW

If it is NO to what I KNEW, then it is NEW to what I KNOW.

TEACHER AND LEARNER

The Teacher will reach to teach for each.
The Learner who yearns to learn will earn.

BE TESTED

You never know how STRONG you are until being STRONG is the only choice you have.

EDUCATION QUOTE

 Time to share a quote which is needed:
'We bought into the idea that education is about training and success, defined monetarily rather than learning to think critically and to challenge. We should not forget that the true purpose of education is to make minds, not careers. A culture that does not GRASP the vital interplay between morality and power, which mistakes management techniques for wisdom, which fails to understand that the measure of a civilization is its compassion, not its speed or ability to consume, condemns itself to death.' – Chris Hedges

Student Loan Forgiveness

The government needs to consider forgiving student loan debt.  The government bailed out companies who knowing lost millions if not billions of dollars.  The outcome was decline of many jobs from able bodied citizens.  Those citizens who lost jobs went through rough times.  Some lost their homes, marriages, confidence and more.  Students take the loans to increase their education to enter the job market with credible skills and start their lives as productive citizens.  The government will gladly loan the money.  After graduation the economy has few jobs to make a living and pay back the loaned amount.  The graduate, too much of the time, moves back in with their parents.  They get meager jobs which only pay back the loan with a mere pittance left over for them to enjoy.  If the government would partially or fully forgive the loans, the graduate could start life.  The graduate would become economically active and start spending while setting up their life.  The taxes paid to the government in doing this would most probably offset the paying back of the loans.  Student loan repayment only create interest on the loan going to the government.  More economically active people will create taxes, increase demand for more job creation and maybe contribute to the social security system.  Seems closer to the win-win situation the government likes.  There has been the long time adage we all know,  ‘Leave a better planet for our children.’  I now say, ‘Leave better children for our planet.’

The Future

Everybody talks about leaving a better planet for the children.  Why don't we talk about leaving better children for the planet?

Life Is An Art

Life is an art.  Be sure to exhibit your own color, texture, pattern or design.

My Resolve

Sometimes I have a strong will and a weak will not.......

FISH TALK

It has been said it is difficult to know what fish talk about.  They know they cannot change the water.  Fish probably talk about how they must adapt to the changes the water brings to them.  Schools can change.   The student must realize they must adapt to the changes brought to them.  

HELP MAKE A BOOK REVIEW FOR STUDENT BETTERMENT

The KC Star and local book review media such as Rainyday Books do not address the issues of Kansas City and local authors as they could.  I have written and sent book copies to said media outlets and none will respond with an interview or book review.  In fact, their silence is deafening.  I have written a book about how to support a student so he or she will realize a gain in educational success.  The media reports on how the district and proponents wish to change a district.  District change will not guarantee student success.  Student success will guarantee district change.  It takes all of us, teacher, parent, administrator, community member, to work with the student.  It takes a village to educate a child.  Start the dialogue with me at graspeducation.blogspot.com.  Help me gain a book review / interview in the Kansas City area.  You will be glad to read my book and discover at least one avenue to help our students better themselves educationally, better the school district, better the community and better our national interests.  Thanks and I look forward to your input on the blog and in starting a dialogue to change the KC district by improving student educational success.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SCHOOL STUDENTS

School districts around the country are not living up to the standards set in No Child Left Behind mandates.   I am not criticizing the mandates, I am criticizing the manner the 'powers that be' are tying to fix.  The Superintendents and the Boards are trying give the districts a fix without addressing the student performance.  All the reports keep stating the future of the students is the focus.  This is bunk.  If a district needs improvement then firstly gain student improvement.  Focus on students doing better then the district will naturally become fixed.  Students must have one goal.  This goal is to the present in class, be attentive in class and pass the daily assignment with comprehension of the subject.  If this is met, the district will improve.  To hire new Superintendents, read my book for a practical view about Superintendent positions in a school or to elect new Board members will not fix a student performance.  It is a student up approach not a Superintendent down approach to gain a better school district.  Who will join me on this quest?  Where are all the voices and joint dialogues for this approach?  Please contribute to this blog so I can start to unite us.  Silence is deafening about under performing school districts which parallels under performing students.  Let's start today and come together. 

DAILY GOAL FOR STUDENTS - 2012 PLEDGE

It is almost 2012.  Time for the schools to change from a teacher focus to a student focus.   High school administrations like to voice they are preparing the student for college or work after high school.  This is too far of a goal for a student.  Every day in school IS the life of the student.  Every day in school IS when a student should listen, learn and do what assignment is given to them.  Every day in school IS the sole goal a student should strive to achieve.  While administration is measuring a daily teacher goal per the lesson plan preparation and diversity of content.  The student has the one goal - graduate.  What a wrong scenario.  The administration must stand with the teacher, not in evaluation only, and be sure each student comprehends and completes each daily assignment.  Each day is a lesson for the student to learn as each day is the life of the student.  My plea for 2012 is for every administrator to stand beside with the teacher and look at the students as a team to get the student on the path of daily focus and completion of assignment.   Each parent and teacher should join as a team to ensure the goal for the student is daily.

PODCAST ABOUT GRASP EDUCATION

Be sure to take the opportunity to listen to the podcast about me and my book.  Thanks for listening.  Now you are ready to read the book and start a dialogue about parents, students and the educational system in the USA. 

http://grandviewcsd4.blogspot.com/2011/10/ghs-science-teacher-and-published.html

REDEFINE YOURSELF - DO NOT RETIRE

I have been amazed coming back to the USA from my work in Africa at what getting older means.  Too many people I meet have one goal when they have a career.  This goal is to have a paid retirement.  In Africa there was very little paid retirement.  In fact, about the only time a person would say they were going to retire meant they were going home to sleep and relax for the evening.  The next day that person would get up and do some gainful work.  As a person in Africa become an elder they would never retire only redefine themselves.  I am trying to redefine myself as I get older.  USA people my age do not understand what I am doing writing a book and working each day.  Most USA people only wish to stop gainful work and retire.  The Merriam-Webster dictionary has a meaning for retire which means ‘withdraw from action, use or service.’  It is always a good time to redefine and not only retire.  More elders need to keep the youth in their focus and to assist in guiding them.  When I discuss my book with grandparents or parents with grown children they seem not interested in the educational system.  Each person must not retire from the ‘grown-up’ position in front of the current youth generation.  So I shall keep on redefining myself and starting the dialogue as I write in my book.  Please join me, all ages.  No retiring.  Keep redefining yourself and sharing your experiences and lead the youth and their parental generation.  Read my book.

BOOK SIGNING SEPTEMBER 10, 2011

I have a book signing on September 10, 2011.  The location is the Main Street Coffee House, 107 South Main, Independence, Missouri from 10:00 am to 1:00pm.  The Main Street Coffee House is at the Independence Square.  SEE YOU THERE....