I've heard that teachers are no longer allowed to grade students' papers using red pen because it lowers their self esteem. I'd like to know what 'psychologist' came up with that. These days, it seems like we are trying to make everyone happy all of the time, but we are forgetting the common phrase--"You can make some of the people happy some of the time, but you can't make all of the people happy all of the time"---(or something to that effect.) :)
I would think that no matter what color you use to grade a student's paper, if he got an "F," he's not going to be happy whether it's written in purple or aqua-marine. Instead of focusing on the color of pen we're using, the student needs to look at the grade and use it to see if he's learning the concepts or not. And we as teachers need to focus on the students' needs as far as giving them a good education is concerned.
No one likes a bad grade, and another color is not going to make it look more appealing. The color red is not going to ruin a child's self esteem in my opinion. Generations of people have lived through their teachers' usage of red pens, and they're just fine. Grading is a way to show what a student has/hasn't learned, his progress over time, and it also helps in self evaluation of success. Therefore, it's important to point out to children that the grade is a helpful evaluation tool for them and for teachers and the education system as a whole--it's not to torture them.
Red ink is our friend! :)
High Expectations
Posted by
Kristy Zabel's Blog
comments (1)
Before I begin with tonight's topic of "High Expectations," I'd like to respond to Christie's last response to my "Birth Control for Eleven Year Olds" blog. Wow, Christie, that is depressing that you've had to deal with the issue already in the high school where you work. You gave a good response to the girl. If I were in your place, I don't know what I would have said! I don't know what's wrong with people these days. Children don't need birth control--they need good parents! Now for tonight's topic...
Recently, I was forwarded a link to yet another website that conjures up some random, blog-worthy thoughts in my head. Here's the link... http://www.bju.edu/prospective/expect/dress.html The site is just a list of dress code expectations for the students at Bob Jones University (wherever that is--never heard of it.) After looking over the expectations, all I could really say was WOW. Their rules are so strict it's ridiculous.
I'm a Christian girl, but I'm sorry--wearing flip-flops is not a sin. I believe students SHOULD be required to wear appropriate, conservative dress in schools (and everywhere), but they should also be allowed to have more say in what the wear. "Morning Dress–dress shirt (no denim/chambray) with tie, dress or neat casual pants (no jeans, cargo, carpenter, or sloppy pants), dress or leather casual shoes; sweaters should show shirt collar and tie knot (no sweatshirts)." Aren't they getting a bit picky with the shirt collar sticking out just so, the no-jeans rule, etc.? Their rules are over the top in my opinion.
At Fern Creek (where I'm interning), they require the older students to tuck in their shirts so that they are presentable, and skirts must come to a certain length. Rules like these make sense to me because they allow children to choose what they wear but also make sure that they are wearing things properly and presenting themselves properly to others. It is good to set rules and expectations for students because they know what is required of them, but in the case of dress, it would make more sense to set some basic rules (like the examples from Fern Creek), and then if a few problems arise, deal with them on an individual basis.
Although I do believe in individuality---in some cases, I would opt for uniforms--but only in extreme cases. For instance, if a school has mostly low-income students who can't afford clothing, it would be beneficial to have them wear uniforms. Also, if there is a school in the inner city, where gang symbolism and inappropriate dress abound, then students should wear uniforms. Otherwise, give students the ability to make good choices about their dress.
Conservative clothing doesn't have to be 'un-trendy.' And I don't consider it a sin to have well-fitted clothes instead of "loose fitting shirts and pants." Students should be expected to wear conservative clothing, have 'normal' hair, and be free of distractions (like tongue piercings, green mohawks, and tattoos)--but they should be allowed to wear things found in an everyday department store--as long as it's appropriate.
Recently, I was forwarded a link to yet another website that conjures up some random, blog-worthy thoughts in my head. Here's the link... http://www.bju.edu/prospective/expect/dress.html The site is just a list of dress code expectations for the students at Bob Jones University (wherever that is--never heard of it.) After looking over the expectations, all I could really say was WOW. Their rules are so strict it's ridiculous.
I'm a Christian girl, but I'm sorry--wearing flip-flops is not a sin. I believe students SHOULD be required to wear appropriate, conservative dress in schools (and everywhere), but they should also be allowed to have more say in what the wear. "Morning Dress–dress shirt (no denim/chambray) with tie, dress or neat casual pants (no jeans, cargo, carpenter, or sloppy pants), dress or leather casual shoes; sweaters should show shirt collar and tie knot (no sweatshirts)." Aren't they getting a bit picky with the shirt collar sticking out just so, the no-jeans rule, etc.? Their rules are over the top in my opinion.
At Fern Creek (where I'm interning), they require the older students to tuck in their shirts so that they are presentable, and skirts must come to a certain length. Rules like these make sense to me because they allow children to choose what they wear but also make sure that they are wearing things properly and presenting themselves properly to others. It is good to set rules and expectations for students because they know what is required of them, but in the case of dress, it would make more sense to set some basic rules (like the examples from Fern Creek), and then if a few problems arise, deal with them on an individual basis.
Although I do believe in individuality---in some cases, I would opt for uniforms--but only in extreme cases. For instance, if a school has mostly low-income students who can't afford clothing, it would be beneficial to have them wear uniforms. Also, if there is a school in the inner city, where gang symbolism and inappropriate dress abound, then students should wear uniforms. Otherwise, give students the ability to make good choices about their dress.
Conservative clothing doesn't have to be 'un-trendy.' And I don't consider it a sin to have well-fitted clothes instead of "loose fitting shirts and pants." Students should be expected to wear conservative clothing, have 'normal' hair, and be free of distractions (like tongue piercings, green mohawks, and tattoos)--but they should be allowed to wear things found in an everyday department store--as long as it's appropriate.
My Siblings
Posted by
Kristy Zabel's Blog
comments (1)
Well, I'm borrowing a blog idea from one of you again---this time it's from Olyvia. She wrote a nice blog about her sisters, so I thought I'd share a bit about my two sisters and brother.
First of all, I have to say, I find it so strange when people don't like their siblings. I can't imagine my life without my siblings! I actually have three older half brothers and one older half sister, but to keep it simple and uncomplicated, I'm going to stick with talking about the siblings with whom I share my Mom and my Dad. (My Dad was married and divorced before he married my Mom, so that's the background info.) :)
I have an older sister Jill, a younger sister Brittany, and the baby in the group is my brother Gregory (Greg). So, I am a middle child...kinda--since I share that spot with Brittany. We are each about three years apart--Greg is about three & a half years younger than Brittany. So now that I have you thoroughly confused and bored, I will move on to what makes them special to me. :)
Jill, being the oldest of the four, has always been the protector and 'mother hen' if you will of all of us younger kids. She and I have fond memories of playing travel agent, beach party, restaurant, and so much more as children. She is one of my best friends ever. She has always been there for me--encouraged me, laughed with me, occasionally laughed at me, and helped me with all sorts of things. Even though we're three years apart, we are so close that we say that we are twins but that one of us was born a year and a half early and the other a year and a half late. I have always looked up to the great example she provides. We have a great relationship--one that I deeply cherish. She is currently getting her Masters at Georgetown University, and so she lives and works in D.C. It's hard having her live so far away. Her visits home are few in number and don't come often enough, but we keep in touch by phone, email, and instant messaging.
Then, there's Brittany. Brittany Brittany Brittany. She is quite a character. :) She is a lot of fun to be around; she comes up with the strangest things to say sometimes--we just have to laugh. It's hard not to smile when she's around. When we were kids, I used to force her to play school with me. I complained often to my parents because she didn't want to sit still and listen. :) She is a very friendly, accepting, 'bubbly' person, and she cheers me up when I'm down or bored or what-have-you. She is my best friend too. (I don't have just one best friend because they're all the best.) She is always there for me also, and I wish she were here right now making me laugh as I blog. She recently left for her first year at the University of Florida, so I'm the only girl (besides my Mom) at the house now, but she gets to visit pretty often, since she's so close---so that's a good thing. :)
With Jill and Brittany gone, I'm left with Greg. :) He's great too. He's my big little brother. :) I remember when he came home for the first time as a cute little baby---now he's taller than me! He's only 14, but because he's so tall, people often think he's my boyfriend. I'm like, nooooo, people--he's my brother! :) Anyway, he is a very talented musician. He's in both the marching band and jazz band at school, and I get 'jazzed up' about his performances. (Pardon the pun.) ;) But it is so cool to see what he can do with the guitar especially (he plays trumpet and piano too). It blows me away. Besides being talented (as all my siblings are with different things), Greg is just a good guy. He is a caring, loyal, trustworthy best friend. I know that I can count on him for his support, and I value his opinions. He's the best little brother.
So, that's all I can really squeeze into 20 plus minutes of blogging about my siblings. I am WAY over the time limit right now. Oops! Really, I could spend weeks talking about them, but I have other homework to do. :) The moral of the story (that is my life) is that I love my siblings!!! :-D They are the best, and they are irreplaceable to me. I would NEVER trade them for anyone else and would NEVER want to be an only child. My siblings provided me with 'built in' best friends, entertainment, love, and support. God blessed me with three wonderful siblings, and for that I am very grateful.
First of all, I have to say, I find it so strange when people don't like their siblings. I can't imagine my life without my siblings! I actually have three older half brothers and one older half sister, but to keep it simple and uncomplicated, I'm going to stick with talking about the siblings with whom I share my Mom and my Dad. (My Dad was married and divorced before he married my Mom, so that's the background info.) :)
I have an older sister Jill, a younger sister Brittany, and the baby in the group is my brother Gregory (Greg). So, I am a middle child...kinda--since I share that spot with Brittany. We are each about three years apart--Greg is about three & a half years younger than Brittany. So now that I have you thoroughly confused and bored, I will move on to what makes them special to me. :)
Jill, being the oldest of the four, has always been the protector and 'mother hen' if you will of all of us younger kids. She and I have fond memories of playing travel agent, beach party, restaurant, and so much more as children. She is one of my best friends ever. She has always been there for me--encouraged me, laughed with me, occasionally laughed at me, and helped me with all sorts of things. Even though we're three years apart, we are so close that we say that we are twins but that one of us was born a year and a half early and the other a year and a half late. I have always looked up to the great example she provides. We have a great relationship--one that I deeply cherish. She is currently getting her Masters at Georgetown University, and so she lives and works in D.C. It's hard having her live so far away. Her visits home are few in number and don't come often enough, but we keep in touch by phone, email, and instant messaging.
Then, there's Brittany. Brittany Brittany Brittany. She is quite a character. :) She is a lot of fun to be around; she comes up with the strangest things to say sometimes--we just have to laugh. It's hard not to smile when she's around. When we were kids, I used to force her to play school with me. I complained often to my parents because she didn't want to sit still and listen. :) She is a very friendly, accepting, 'bubbly' person, and she cheers me up when I'm down or bored or what-have-you. She is my best friend too. (I don't have just one best friend because they're all the best.) She is always there for me also, and I wish she were here right now making me laugh as I blog. She recently left for her first year at the University of Florida, so I'm the only girl (besides my Mom) at the house now, but she gets to visit pretty often, since she's so close---so that's a good thing. :)
With Jill and Brittany gone, I'm left with Greg. :) He's great too. He's my big little brother. :) I remember when he came home for the first time as a cute little baby---now he's taller than me! He's only 14, but because he's so tall, people often think he's my boyfriend. I'm like, nooooo, people--he's my brother! :) Anyway, he is a very talented musician. He's in both the marching band and jazz band at school, and I get 'jazzed up' about his performances. (Pardon the pun.) ;) But it is so cool to see what he can do with the guitar especially (he plays trumpet and piano too). It blows me away. Besides being talented (as all my siblings are with different things), Greg is just a good guy. He is a caring, loyal, trustworthy best friend. I know that I can count on him for his support, and I value his opinions. He's the best little brother.
So, that's all I can really squeeze into 20 plus minutes of blogging about my siblings. I am WAY over the time limit right now. Oops! Really, I could spend weeks talking about them, but I have other homework to do. :) The moral of the story (that is my life) is that I love my siblings!!! :-D They are the best, and they are irreplaceable to me. I would NEVER trade them for anyone else and would NEVER want to be an only child. My siblings provided me with 'built in' best friends, entertainment, love, and support. God blessed me with three wonderful siblings, and for that I am very grateful.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
