You may have noticed that, over time, educational fads and standards change. Every five years or so, someone will publish a research paper which purports to prove that a new approach to teaching, or a new curriculum, will totally transform education. As a result, you’ll see your local school system sending all the teachers off … Read more
When this sort of article appears in USA Today, you know the problems boys have in school are getting noticed – FINALLY! “Boys in crisis: Schools are failing young males. Here’s what needs to change in classrooms“ If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you’ll know that everything said here is … Read more
Depending on where you live, you’re either looking forward to having your child back in school full-time, or your child is looking forward to another year of some version of school. In either case, those in the northern hemisphere are facing the start of school. And for those of you in the northern hemisphere, know … Read more
Some years ago, I was observing a third-grade class in a boys’ school. The teacher, who was new to the school, was doing an excellent job and the students were all engaged in the project. The class was broken up into four groups and the boys had pulled their desks into circles to work together. … Read more
Years ago, when my son was small, we began to realize that he was telling lies. He hadn’t done something wrong and wasn’t trying to get out of dealing with the consequences. He wasn’t boasting or trying to make himself seem more important than he was. He simply had an active imagination, and did not … Read more
When I was in the grocery store the other day, passing by the candy aisle, I heard a young voice, in a seriously loud whine – “And not only is this the last year I can trick-or-treat, but it is on a Saturday!” I knew that most areas have cancelled any plans to have children … Read more
In the United States, we remember the destructive events of September 11, 2001 by giving to others in the form of community service. Children have served by cleaning up parks, working with the homeless, or going to nursing homes to brighten the day of those who live there. This year, many of the traditional forms … Read more
Everyone with any connection to students is trying to decide whether to go back to school, or not. There is no “one right answer,” but here are some of the factors to consider. Things you can’t control: What do we know about how the virus affects children? The latest research indicates that many children are … Read more
No matter where you live, the pandemic means that your life has become compressed both in space and time. We can’t go anywhere, we can’t get together with others, and we are stuck inside. I’m lucky, I live on a mountain where there are lots of hiking trails and parks so I can get out, … Read more
Last month, I promised you that the next post here would discuss gender, again. Why? An article that appeared in The Atlantic in December, titled The Miseducation of the American Boy, that discusses the problems boys are having with becoming men. Last month, we covered the issue of sex (the noun, not the verb), making … Read more