Carnival of Education #113: Easter Break Edition

April 3, 2007 By Matthew Paulson

Hi, Hello, and Welcome to the 113th edition of the Carnival of Education! This is the very first time Getting Green has hosted the carnival of education, so if you’re new here, look around and stay a while. We’re not a traditional webzine about education, but plenty of educating is going on. By reading Getting Green, you’ll learn tips and tricks to save more money, jump start your career, and become closer to financial independence. Consider checking out some of our best articles, or subscribing to our feed.

It’s coming very close to Easter break for those of us in an educational setting. You’ll probably get a few days off from work to spend time with your family, have an Easter egg hunt, and relax. If you’re not into that sort of thing, you still get an extra long weekend to enjoy your self! Why not take some of your time off work to learn more and read some of the great articles submitted to this week’s carnival of education? If you can’t get enough of articles about education, be sure to check out the Carnival of Education Archives!

The Honor Roll

The writer from “A School to Call Home” looks at the lighter side of life and shares some of the humorous experiences he’s had while interviewing in a post entitled, “Life’s Follies.”

Buckhorn Road discusses the growing trend of British schools to not teach uncomfortable subjects, such as the Holocaust. The author argues that even though the truth hurts, it must be heard. Be sure to check out, “If the truth hurts, then you should learn to grit your teeth.”

Mrs. Bluebird who is a middle school teacher discusses her problems with one of her particularly troublesome classes. She discusses the methodology she made use of and how she was able to keep a group of immature 7th graders in-line in her article, “What happens with the “Loser Kids” are gone…”

Tammy from Life Without School has an interesting view of education. She challenges the very basic tenants of standard curriculum. She’s instead teaching her kids things that she believes are valuable and will use in their everyday life, and then be able to steer their children in the right direction when they grow older. This is definitely a must read, be sure to check out “Education: What’s the point?”

Jeanne from SoulTravelers3 is taking her child around the world in an off the beaten track home-school experience. The author shares her difficulty in finding English books in “Book Bonanza!”

In the Classroom

HUNBlog ponders whether or not we should allow students to think the impossible is possible. Our children have all grown up with Star Wars and Star Trek, but should we tell them that what they’ve seen is impossible and crush their spirit, or let them continue in their awe and wonder of science so that they continue to learn and grow. Brad Hoge tackles this question in “Faster than the Speed of Light.”

Alone on a Limb discusses his childhood and how authentic his education was. He then discusses how America’s education system has headed in a far opposite direction thanks to No Child Left Behind, and that in the future we will need an education system that understands and values humanism. Take a look at, “Education for the future demands authentic teaching.”

Bill Ferriter, a 6th grade language arts teacher, argues that in order for successful technology integration, teachers need to start using advanced web 2.0 technologies and get new modern hardware. Ferriter then suggests some technologies that teachers might consider implementing in, “Really Expensive Overhead Projectors….”

Apparently students and faculty are suffering from spring fever at NYC Educator recently posed his class what would the world be like if all government leaders were women. You can read one of the interesting responses that one of his students made in “If All Government Leaders Were Women.”

Math Class

Right Wing Nation looks at using statistics to improve your teaching style.

In the 1970’s, America attempted to improve its math curriculum by adding set theory, and other foundational mathematics at a younger age. Jd2718 talks about his experience implementing it in the classroom in, “The old new math.”

Denise from Let’s Play Math brings us a new type of mathematics puzzle to use with your students. Check out, “Hera-Trex Puzzles.”

The Teacher’s Lounge

Scheiss Weekly brings us a story from her life about a trip to Arby’s (mmm…Arby’s) about two similar families, one who required proper behavior in public, and one that did not. The story is rather interesting and is a good lesson for many parents to be. Be sure to check out “A Tale of Two Families.”

“What It’s Like on the Inside” discusses the issues related to curriculum design and distribution in “Auntie Em! Auntie Em! It’s a Twister!”

Scenes from the battle ground discusses why grading isn’t a fair measure of a child’s true understanding of a topic in, “If Only They Didn’t Have to Learn.”

Joanne Jacobs writes about Boston’s program that is attempting to bring high-school dropouts back into the class-room. She details the story of one drop-out, and how the program has utterly failed. Take a look at “Dropping in, Dropping Out.”

It looks like there’s another drug for you to worry about your children doing. I’ve never heard of it, but “Mister Teacher” of Learn Me Good describes this new drug called “cheese” that’s apparently growing in popularity.

The Administration Building

NCLBlog discusses a new report about 2006 teacher salaries, and unfortunately the numbers aren’t too good. Check out “11 Cents on the Dollar?”

Apollo’s Academy reviews a book about how teacher’s unions could be to blame for America’s lacking education system.

Dave from Friends Of Dave.org discusses a recent study about No Child Left Behind by UC Riverside. The report stated that most teachers don’t like the act’s requirements, and in his article, Dave suggests some ulterior reasons that teachers might not like the bills provisions, as well as some reasons why the act’s accountability is needed. Read the full article, entitled “Who is Public Education Supposed to Help?“

Ryan Boots from the Alliance for School Choice discusses the recent parting of their president and general counsel, Clint Bolick.

Matthew K. Tabor discusses some much needed changes in the AP system.

Dayton Daily News looks at a map of the sexual interactions of high-school students together. Out of the 832 students studied, 573 of them had some sort of sexual relationship! Be sure to read the full study entitled, “Here’s what teen sex really looks like.”

Greg Laden is hoping to make some changes to the Minnesota school system by getting rid of some of the administration and hiring more teachers. He discusses some of the arguments for and against his proposal in “Enrollment Size Does Not Predict Cost in Minnesota Schools”

At Home

Why Homeschool looks that the issues and concerns at the local middle school. Apparently an entire class of 8th graders missed a year of algebra, ouch! Be sure to check out “Problems at My Local Middle School.”

Pick The Brain thinks that most of what’s written isn’t worth the paper it was scribed on. He suggests some ways to write something meaningful in, “How to Write Something Worth Reading.”

LeaderTalk questions why students become less enthusiastic about learning over time in “Do Schools Quash Students’ Enthusiasm for Learning?”

OhCash.com is a proponent of home-schooling one’s children. He discusses what are appropriate ages to home school your children in “Homeschooling – The Age Factor.”

Out in the Real World

The Thinking Men discuss how time management allows for more continuing education and personal development in “Education and Time Management.”

Brain Fitness argues that constant mental stimulation and life long learning are critical in, “Baby Boomers, Healthy Aging, and Job Performance”

Cooking is about as hands-on of a study as you can get, but apparently you can get an online degree in culinary education.

EduWonk discusses Newt Gingrich’s recent statement criticizing bilingual schools.

In the late 1990’s, the internet boom caused a lot of people to go into information technology that really shouldn’t have and ended up in unrelated careers. If you’re considering an IT job, make sure that it’s something you want to do. Fast Blogger writes an article that will help you determine this, “Is an IT Degree Right For You?”

Campus Grotto looks at what they consider to be the best business schools.

The Ririan Project looks at a book called “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. These are four axioms that he believes everyone should live by, and by following them it could change your life.

Thanks to everyone who submitted! If your brain hasn’t fried yet from reading all of these articles, be sure to check out The Best of Getting Green. Next week, The Carnival comes home to The Education Wonks. The deadline for submissions is: 9:00 PM (Eastern) 6:00 PM (Pacific) Tuesday, April 10th. Submissions may be sent to: owlshome [at] earthlink [dot] net . Contributors may also use Blog Carnival’s handy submission form

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