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Continuous Improvement ≠ Transformational Innovation (or, 5 Things We Must Do To Improve Education) – Kids Need to Be Read To: Part 5 of 5

One of my earliest childhood memories was snuggling up to my mom on the couch on Sunday mornings. She would read the comics to me. It didn’t matter that I may not have understood the humor the cartoonist was presenting, because mom would explain what was going on in the pictures. I still remember bringing…

Continuous Improvement ≠ Transformational Innovation (or, 5 Things We Must Do To Improve Education) – Reading, Writing and “Teching”: Part 4 of 5

You may think the title of this article has the word “teaching” spelled incorrectly. That assumption would be incorrect. “Teching” was a termed coined in the early video game era, but some folks started to use it regarding the increasing utilization of technology. Today, most children “tech” for enjoyment…alright, young adults do too, as evidenced…

Continuous Improvement ≠ Transformational Innovation (or, 5 Things We Must Do To Improve Education) – Play Physical Games (Not Just Virtual Ones): Part 3 of 5

When I was a teacher, all ten of us – one teacher for each home room (K-8), and yours truly who taught 7th and 8th grade science and health, 8th grade algebra, and instrumental music – had recess duty once a week every other week. Kids played. It was not structured. It was not attuned…

Continuous Improvement ≠ Transformational Innovation (or, 5 Things We Must Do To Improve Education) – Kids Need to Sing: Part 1 of 5

I’m sure you’ve heard the argument that students in faith-based schools academically outperform public school students because of small class sizes. Let’s debunk that myth here and now by going back to 1965…almost 50 years ago. The 1st grade at St. Albert the Great School in Baldwin Boro (a suburb of Pittsburgh, PA) had approximately…

The Message of Proverbs 3:5 – It Explains a Lot

Whether you read the Bible or not, Proverbs 3:5 contains a powerful thought, and reminds us of our humanity. It states: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Today’s public education system leaves this essential bit of knowledge (only 15 words) out of the equation…probably because of…

“Now” Understood, As Well As “You” Understood

Think back to when you were in elementary school. One of the concepts taught in English class was that of “You understood.” It was introduced when you were learning the parts of speech – that is, what categories words belong to. Persons, places or things were nouns, actions were verbs, etc. Then one learned how…

The Three Issues In Education Which No One Talks About – Part 3

When these articles were being planned, there were only “two issues in education” articles prepared. However, since there are at least three elements in every system (but five in complete systems), there needs to be a third key element, or, in this case, issue. Two issues prove that there are always “two sides” to every…

The Three Issues In Education Which No One Talks About – Part 2

Last week’s and this week’s articles focus on two issues no one seems to talk about when discussing education and the difficulties we’re experiencing by preparing changing children in a changing society for a changing future which is completely unpredictable. Last week’s article that everyone seems to forget that parents are the primary educator of…

The Three Issues In Education Which No One Talks About – Part 1

This week’s and next weeks’ articles focus on three issues no one seems to talk about when discussing education and the difficulties we’re experiencing by preparing changing children in a changing society for a changing future which is completely unpredictable. Everyone knows that the current education system provided an adequate to excellent preparation for the…

Paddling Kids in School? Yes, It’s Still Permitted in Some States

There aren’t many things that surprise me these days, but there are lots of things that cause a great deal of sadness and angst, and those that cause great excitement. That’s one of the reasons why this site breaks up the word “education” as it does. “Edu” for things pertaining to learning; “Cat” because of…

Your Brain Needs a Break

About five years ago, Edutopia.com published a blog post titled “Energy and Calm: Brain Breaks and Focused-Attention Practices. If you’d like to access it, visit this link: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/brain-breaks-focused-attention-practices-lori-desautels Think about our schedules in school. They always had a break – they called it “changing classes.” After 45 minutes or so, you’d pack up your stuff,…