IBG YBG

Despite my last-minute posts (I'm making you look good, Sean DeLuca!), I finished the book about a month ago. In reflecting back on what stood out to me the most while I searched for my sixth post topic, it is, unfortunately the "I'll Be Gone, You'll Be Gone"philosophy outlined in the explanation of the mortgage meltdown and resulting financial crisis. That type of unabashed, criminal behavior is just galling. And, I do worry that it's more pervasive. For those of you who read The Price of Privilege, it's no surprise that teens who are growing up without a sense of self, but only a sense of performance, end up committed to nothing but winning.

Hence, another way the mission of this book comes back to our role as teachers. Although we have little influence in this arena, we must try to be as ethical as we can, and to demand it from our students. How big is the problem? Not sure. I think many teens are sneakier than ever--they lie easily and often. But I also know many who are idealistic, and are like the entrepreneurs in the book--they are eager to help the planet and make the world a better place. (I know some who are a little of both.) Let's hope there are more of the latter than the former!

Authentic Assessment

This past week I saw the most authentic assessment of CEW standards and critical thinking skills as the students put together a 4-page issue of the Hat Chat. I know that it's a special group of kids and they are willingly engaged in something they care about, but I was reminded once again that one of the keys to success in teaching is giving kids independence.

One thing I've learned over the years, and at conferences, is that the advisers who get the best results are the ones who do the least. We train the kids well, step back and let them own the process, make the decisions and problem-solve. I think this bears thinking about as we embark on a new year, and after four days of planning how to improve our instruction. I think there's been a trend in education that as the more things spin out of control (not making AYP, etc.), the more we try to control, and that translates as doing more work. We continue to work harder and harder than our students, and I contend that it's handicapping them.

That is one of the many reasons we struggle with critical thinking. Kids can't think critically when everything is spelled out for them. There is a great TED Talk about this for those who are interested--it's given by a young math teacher of the year. If you can't find it and want the link, let me know. I think it applies to all areas of teaching.

In-Service

When the school district first moved the in-service days to August, most teachers I talked to didn't like it. I always felt, however, that it made a lot sense. We were refreshed and planning for a new year anyway--I find that trying to rewrite curriculum and plan mid-year are disconcerting--there is too much to do on the plate. So, I typically look forward to those days (as much as I look forward to going back).

This past week was disheartening. Outside of the mention of critical thinking in the CEWs session, not much really moved us forward in any of the ways suggested in this book. And the morale is so low at this point, I highly doubt anyone is gearing up to assign more challenging reading and writing--the most important pieces of critical thinking skills we are losing. Instead, we will continue to devote more time to passing state assessments, and making sure we toe the line of the new state evaluation system.

Third Party Candidate

I read a post early in the process about the viability of a third party. It seemed then that most didn't think it would have an impact. I'm not necessarily convinced after reading the book, but am convinced by the fact that I just can't think of any other solution. We have reached the point of no return. The debacle over raising the debt ceiling last summer was the moment that I felt we really can no longer work together. The only things that would bring us together would be another attack on our country, which isn't terribly likely. As Thomas Friedman has written before: 9/11 was our moment to come together, and we failed.

So....can we get a serious independent (or new party) candidate? With over 40% of Americans now registered independent, I think it's a time. I don't know if it will work, but my goodness, we have to do something.