Last night, Emily walked through the room while we were watching Waiting For Superman and it caught her attention enough that she stopped and watched. She just asked me to set her up a blog, so I'm going to compromise a little bit and let her do a post here about what she thinks of the movie and school in general:
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My dad left the room so now I'm going to write what I want. On Sunday night I went to a concert by Cloverton and Delusions of Pluto. It was so cool! My friend, Brielle, and I sat on the steps by the stage, right next to the speakers! It was so loud! We had a blast!
Oh-no! Dad is back! Ahh! Bye!
Emily
P.S I did like the movie. You should watch it. But don't tell my dad.
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, September 07, 2009
Back to School with the President
Last week, I kept hearing rumblings about the President addressing the nation's schools tomorrow. A speech broadcast to a vast majority of our children. A lot of talk shows have been addressing the issue, a number of friends have become alarmed, and in general it seems like conservatives are panicking about the supposed insidious plan to brainwash our kids...
My first reaction when I heard a radio host advising people to keep your kids out of school that day was "Seriously? This can't be the first time a president has given a speech to school kids." I was right. Most recently, in 1991, the first President Bush gave a speech telling us (I was in school at the time) to work hard in school and stay away from drugs. Reading some quotes from back then, it's interesting to see the charges from the left accusing the President of being politically motivated and attempting to sway young impressionable minds (just like the far right is doing now).
The funny thing is... I don't remember that speech. No recollection of the great brainwashinig event whatsoever! (maybe that was part of the programming...) And I'm fairly certain that my kids won't remember this one. But even if they do - I don't think that's a bad thing. The speech contains a good message for kids to hear. Basically: 'You are responsible for you. Work hard. Don't give up.' Here's a link to the speech - please read it yourself before locking your children away.
I'm not a fan of the way Obama has been running his administration. I don't trust the people he is choosing to listen to. And to be completely blunt, I believe that success for much of his agenda will be failure for our nation. But I'm not going to cower in the corner, covering my kids' ears so they won't hear the voice of Obama. I'm not going to send a note to their teacher to let them opt out of the first day of school just because the President is speaking to them. Actually, I haven't even checked to see if our school is showing the speech because this is really a non-issue for me.
I want my kids to think critically. I want them to learn to recognize crap ideas, whether they come from a smooth talker with a nice white house or a beer guzzling biker with bug juice in his teeth. I don't want them to be afraid to disagree with ideas that don't seem right to them - regardless of the source. I want them to be salt and light wherever they go and whatever they may have to debate. They can't do those things if they're in some educational bunker where I never let them hear an idea I don't agree with.
Let your kids hear the speech. Talk to them about it. Help them make the most of the educational opportunity they have in this country. I came across this response you may find interesting as well (thanks for the link Grace).
My first reaction when I heard a radio host advising people to keep your kids out of school that day was "Seriously? This can't be the first time a president has given a speech to school kids." I was right. Most recently, in 1991, the first President Bush gave a speech telling us (I was in school at the time) to work hard in school and stay away from drugs. Reading some quotes from back then, it's interesting to see the charges from the left accusing the President of being politically motivated and attempting to sway young impressionable minds (just like the far right is doing now).
The funny thing is... I don't remember that speech. No recollection of the great brainwashinig event whatsoever! (maybe that was part of the programming...) And I'm fairly certain that my kids won't remember this one. But even if they do - I don't think that's a bad thing. The speech contains a good message for kids to hear. Basically: 'You are responsible for you. Work hard. Don't give up.' Here's a link to the speech - please read it yourself before locking your children away.
I'm not a fan of the way Obama has been running his administration. I don't trust the people he is choosing to listen to. And to be completely blunt, I believe that success for much of his agenda will be failure for our nation. But I'm not going to cower in the corner, covering my kids' ears so they won't hear the voice of Obama. I'm not going to send a note to their teacher to let them opt out of the first day of school just because the President is speaking to them. Actually, I haven't even checked to see if our school is showing the speech because this is really a non-issue for me.
I want my kids to think critically. I want them to learn to recognize crap ideas, whether they come from a smooth talker with a nice white house or a beer guzzling biker with bug juice in his teeth. I don't want them to be afraid to disagree with ideas that don't seem right to them - regardless of the source. I want them to be salt and light wherever they go and whatever they may have to debate. They can't do those things if they're in some educational bunker where I never let them hear an idea I don't agree with.
Let your kids hear the speech. Talk to them about it. Help them make the most of the educational opportunity they have in this country. I came across this response you may find interesting as well (thanks for the link Grace).
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Hope Block
Classes have gone pretty well. We have two days left basically – the last couple sessions have dragged a little bit, but that’s probably more my state than the class’s. It’s been really cool to see how the tracks, though taught by different people have all flowed together really well.My first track was on Christology, focusing specifically on who Jesus is and how the church’s view of Him has taken on different nuances and emphases at different times. Following that was a track on Pneumatology (Holy Spirit) that was pretty much awesome. I chose that class because I feel like He’s probably not had enough of my attention in life. Kind of by default I just haven’t always given the Spirit a lot of thought. I think many in the churches where I’ve been have been afraid to talk about the Spirit – don’t want to get labeled wrong. So, anyway, I took the class and it went really well. A lot of exciting stuff that basically boiled down to being attentive to the Holy Spirit, willing to listen, and responsive to what He wants.
Closely related to that them was my next course, Vision Catching and Casting. That class was led by the director of Stadia church planting ministries and was really good. I always like talking about vision and dreaming about what God hopes and dreams for His church. Also picked up some really good tools for communicating the vision that I do have for youth ministry. (Pretty excited actually about putting it into practice.)
Right now, I’m in a Cross-Cultural Communications class. The content is aimed more at foreign missions workers, but there is a lot that is applicable to youth ministry. There is definitely a cross-cultural element to working with students, especially groups of students.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
"You'll Never Make It'
I've never like being told that there's something I can't accomplish. After the fun in the Denver airport last Wednesday, I landed at the Las Vegas Casino/Mall/Airport. I thought about wasting a couple bucks at the slot machines, but it just was not to be... there was a "you can't do it" moment waiting to be conquered.
When we landed in Terminal C (or maybe it was D), everyone departed the plane and I started looking for my next flight. Nowhere was my flight listed. I finally found a map that showed you where to find the tram to the other terminals and headed that direction. My spirits were high as I headed through this uncharted territory (remember... I'm always up for something new...). Things didn't stay benign for long, though as I found the line for the 1 tram shuttling people back and forth. Some construction had the other line closed - so the tram wait took twice as long as normal.
No problem, though, I had plenty of time.
So I got out of the tram, and found another departures listing that had my flight listed. Of course it was all the way on the far end of Terminal B, so I started to think I better hurry. Problem was... more construction! Or maybe it was the same construction causing multiple issues, but the bottom line is - one single file line snaking through thousands of passengers and their luggage.
Still, I was optimistic. There was a clearing up ahead and I was sure I could shoot the gap and get out into the open. I made it, and began my mad dash past slot machines, security guards, and lots of old people flushing their children's inheritance - only to be met by another line waiting to go through security. But I've already been through security... Too bad. The single file detour had taken us (without any choice of our own) outside the secure area so now everyone and their poodle had to go back through security. Yippee... my flight leaves soon - they just started boarding - I better hurry.
So I started to go through the line to security... but wait, "you have to have a boarding pass."
"I just got off your plane, to get on your other plane, how could I not have a boarding pass? Here you go."
"No, that's your ticket, go to that line over there and get your boarding pass."
I quickly moseyed (can one really mosey quickly?) over to the line and headed for the no-line computer check in. It won't work. Since the ticket I bought ONLINE with my computer was mailed to me as a paper ticket (which I did not ask for), I could not use the no-line electonic check in. By the way, my suitcase is already on the plane. So I get in line. The line slows down. The line pretty much stops moving. Time does not. I have 10 minutes before the plane is supposed to leave.
I am nowhere near the front of the line, but I am near an off-duty airline employee - whom I ask for a little help. He sends me to another employee, who's gettting paid at the moment to watch people stand in line. She sends me to another desk, who sends me on another flight.
"Is there any way I can get on this flight?"
"No. I just rebooked you on the one in a few hours."
"No way at all???"
"You can try, but you still have to go through security. There's no way."
Flight is scheduled to leave in 5 minutes. So I sprint (did a lot of running in the Las Vegas airport/mall/casino) to security. Breathlessly ask the nice lady at the beginning of the queue (I always liked that word) if there was any way to get through security really fast because my flight leaves right now. She looked over at another guy standing nearby. He gives a nod and shuffles me over through first class security, where there is no line. Yay. So I get through security pretty quickly, despite a hold up with the guy behind me in line. When his bag had to go through the scanner with a little extra attention, my bag was still on the treadmill, dangling precipitously close to the rollers tuanting me... "you're not gonna make it, you're not gonna make it..."
Finally squelching the jeers of my backpack - I once again ran. Run Forrest Run! I got to the gate before they stopped boarding, squished past all the annoyed transports who knew I should have been to my cheap seat in the back of the bus BEFORE they got comfortable with their champagne and hot towels (just kidding - it was only like a 45 minute flight, so there was none of that), sat down next to the window....
And waited.
For about the next half hour, we went absolutely nowhere.
Finally took off, got here, and I've pretty much been in class ever since.
(Except a little time off that I filled by going to Rock Harbor, Mariners Church, Saddleback, and Mosaic - but I'll leave those stories for another time!)
When we landed in Terminal C (or maybe it was D), everyone departed the plane and I started looking for my next flight. Nowhere was my flight listed. I finally found a map that showed you where to find the tram to the other terminals and headed that direction. My spirits were high as I headed through this uncharted territory (remember... I'm always up for something new...). Things didn't stay benign for long, though as I found the line for the 1 tram shuttling people back and forth. Some construction had the other line closed - so the tram wait took twice as long as normal.
No problem, though, I had plenty of time.
So I got out of the tram, and found another departures listing that had my flight listed. Of course it was all the way on the far end of Terminal B, so I started to think I better hurry. Problem was... more construction! Or maybe it was the same construction causing multiple issues, but the bottom line is - one single file line snaking through thousands of passengers and their luggage.
Still, I was optimistic. There was a clearing up ahead and I was sure I could shoot the gap and get out into the open. I made it, and began my mad dash past slot machines, security guards, and lots of old people flushing their children's inheritance - only to be met by another line waiting to go through security. But I've already been through security... Too bad. The single file detour had taken us (without any choice of our own) outside the secure area so now everyone and their poodle had to go back through security. Yippee... my flight leaves soon - they just started boarding - I better hurry.
So I started to go through the line to security... but wait, "you have to have a boarding pass."
"I just got off your plane, to get on your other plane, how could I not have a boarding pass? Here you go."
"No, that's your ticket, go to that line over there and get your boarding pass."
I quickly moseyed (can one really mosey quickly?) over to the line and headed for the no-line computer check in. It won't work. Since the ticket I bought ONLINE with my computer was mailed to me as a paper ticket (which I did not ask for), I could not use the no-line electonic check in. By the way, my suitcase is already on the plane. So I get in line. The line slows down. The line pretty much stops moving. Time does not. I have 10 minutes before the plane is supposed to leave.
I am nowhere near the front of the line, but I am near an off-duty airline employee - whom I ask for a little help. He sends me to another employee, who's gettting paid at the moment to watch people stand in line. She sends me to another desk, who sends me on another flight.
"Is there any way I can get on this flight?"
"No. I just rebooked you on the one in a few hours."
"No way at all???"
"You can try, but you still have to go through security. There's no way."
Flight is scheduled to leave in 5 minutes. So I sprint (did a lot of running in the Las Vegas airport/mall/casino) to security. Breathlessly ask the nice lady at the beginning of the queue (I always liked that word) if there was any way to get through security really fast because my flight leaves right now. She looked over at another guy standing nearby. He gives a nod and shuffles me over through first class security, where there is no line. Yay. So I get through security pretty quickly, despite a hold up with the guy behind me in line. When his bag had to go through the scanner with a little extra attention, my bag was still on the treadmill, dangling precipitously close to the rollers tuanting me... "you're not gonna make it, you're not gonna make it..."
Finally squelching the jeers of my backpack - I once again ran. Run Forrest Run! I got to the gate before they stopped boarding, squished past all the annoyed transports who knew I should have been to my cheap seat in the back of the bus BEFORE they got comfortable with their champagne and hot towels (just kidding - it was only like a 45 minute flight, so there was none of that), sat down next to the window....
And waited.
For about the next half hour, we went absolutely nowhere.
Finally took off, got here, and I've pretty much been in class ever since.
(Except a little time off that I filled by going to Rock Harbor, Mariners Church, Saddleback, and Mosaic - but I'll leave those stories for another time!)
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Who's It?
Haven't written in a long time, but leave it to something stupid to get me back here. There were reports yesterday about schools banning tag like that one. This is as bad as the whole dodge ball thing a few years ago. Why can't kids be kids without living in a glass (no wait, better make that non-breakable plexiglass - or better yet, memory foam lined rubber) bubble? WE CANNOT KEEP THEM SAFE FROM EVERY BUMP AND SCRATCH! Nor should we.
I live in an area of the country that's known for a little less hectic pace, wide open spaces, and common sense type of people. But just a couple hours away in Cheyenne, the buffalo may roam, the deer and the antelope can play, but kids can't play tag at recess. Seriously? It's been 40 some years since you were supposed to be able to pray in school, and now you can't play there either?
I have a solution. Let's get over the idea that someone else is responsible and teach our kids to do the same. Fell down and scraped your knee? You'll be ok. Fell out of the tree and broke your arm? Hurts, doesn't it... as opposed to "Let's sue Johnny Appleseed and the asphalt company."
I could go on... but I've gotta go pick up my daughter from school - where she can still play tag and hang upside down on the monkey bars. Then I'm taking her home to her brothers and I'm going to chase them around the house for a while!
"You're it."
I live in an area of the country that's known for a little less hectic pace, wide open spaces, and common sense type of people. But just a couple hours away in Cheyenne, the buffalo may roam, the deer and the antelope can play, but kids can't play tag at recess. Seriously? It's been 40 some years since you were supposed to be able to pray in school, and now you can't play there either?
I have a solution. Let's get over the idea that someone else is responsible and teach our kids to do the same. Fell down and scraped your knee? You'll be ok. Fell out of the tree and broke your arm? Hurts, doesn't it... as opposed to "Let's sue Johnny Appleseed and the asphalt company."
I could go on... but I've gotta go pick up my daughter from school - where she can still play tag and hang upside down on the monkey bars. Then I'm taking her home to her brothers and I'm going to chase them around the house for a while!
"You're it."
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Something to Ponder
I recently came across these articles about some research into the effects of homework. One is an article in Time, the other an article in Salon.com. Maybe there is more to life...
I guess it probably varies greatly by school, and even by teacher and student. How much is too much? I really appreciate the overall attention in the articles given to the concept of loving learning. If we can foster in kids a love for learning... we wouldn't have to 'assign' busywork.
This has some great application in the church, especially in the area of discipleship. Often, discipleship is reduced to a process of forced daily 5 minute readings, shallow times of prayer, and mandatory attendance of weekly gab sessions with other 'disciples'. (I know that's the bleak side of the picture, but bear with me.) The view is that if you're fulfilling these obligations daily and weekly (or is it weakly?) then discipleship must be happening. (Just like the thinking that, if you're getting all your hours of homework done, then you must be learning.)
But the conclusions don't strictly follow the actions. Just because you're doing homework doesn't mean you're learning, and just because you're dutifully going to your small group meeting doesn't mean you're a disciple. You're a homework doer. You're a faithful attender. Learning is more than filling in the right blanks. So is discipleship.
May you have a love for following the Master. May the love of growing more like Him lead you to pursue His likeness with everything you are in every place you find yourself - whether it's assigned or not.
I guess it probably varies greatly by school, and even by teacher and student. How much is too much? I really appreciate the overall attention in the articles given to the concept of loving learning. If we can foster in kids a love for learning... we wouldn't have to 'assign' busywork.
This has some great application in the church, especially in the area of discipleship. Often, discipleship is reduced to a process of forced daily 5 minute readings, shallow times of prayer, and mandatory attendance of weekly gab sessions with other 'disciples'. (I know that's the bleak side of the picture, but bear with me.) The view is that if you're fulfilling these obligations daily and weekly (or is it weakly?) then discipleship must be happening. (Just like the thinking that, if you're getting all your hours of homework done, then you must be learning.)
But the conclusions don't strictly follow the actions. Just because you're doing homework doesn't mean you're learning, and just because you're dutifully going to your small group meeting doesn't mean you're a disciple. You're a homework doer. You're a faithful attender. Learning is more than filling in the right blanks. So is discipleship.
May you have a love for following the Master. May the love of growing more like Him lead you to pursue His likeness with everything you are in every place you find yourself - whether it's assigned or not.
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