Parents need to be parents again

Several weeks ago, I read an article by John Rosemond ( http://www.omaha.com/article) entitled  Parents need to be parents again.  Within his article, Rosemond compares parents of today to parents from the 1950's.  Some points that I found it interesting in this article were that (1) The children of the 1950's were a "satelite orbitting around the parent." (2.) That children in the 1950's tended to accept everything as it was. (3.) The children were more appreciative of what they had. (4.) Children left home earlier and that the parents were more in charge. (5). Parents of today pay more attention to their children than to each other. This particular point is not something I totally agree with because as a teacher I see lots of cases where children come to school seeking attention from whomever in whatever way they can get it because they are not getting attention at home. Another point I found interesting is that according to Rosemand's article, parents of today are "the satelite orbitting around their children."  I'm definitely not in agreement with that based on my previous statement because if that were true I think we'd have less behavior problems in the schools overall as well as many more children who are secure with themselves as well as with their environmnets. I did enjoy Rosemond's article and look forward to reading more of his articles. Next up will probably be about discipline in that I am always interested in others' insight on that topic.

Recommended books

Though the school year has begun, I have several books that I would recommend for students as well as adults  (parents and fellow teachers to read).

For students:

Other books you may enjoy are all books by Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume and Paula Danziger

For parents and teachers: Being that the Common Core Standards are largely emphasized and all students will be accounted for them, these books are good to read.

                                       

                                 

                                          

Happy New Year!

Dear Parents,Guardians, and Students,

 Happy New Year! This school year will bring many new challenges as well as adventures. However, we will work togther as a team to make this year successful for each of us. Parents and Guardians, please make sure sure you son/daughter arrives to school daily on time and with their supplies and their assignments. Students, make sure to work hard, listen carefully, make new friends, be happy, and do the right thing even when it may be the hard thing to do. Have a marvelous year and know that I am cheering for each of you. Please feel free to come by and see me or call me at school if you ever need assistance or have questions.

 Love,
Miss Walker

World, I bequeath to you today.

Parents, as we begin our new school year, this is not only for those who have daughters, but who have sons as well. I came across this when reading a post of a fellow blogger who is also a teacher as well as a parent and thought that it would mean as much to you as it did to me upon reading this.

World, I bequeath to you today one little girl in a crispy dress.. with two blue eyes...and a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I Trust You'll Treat Her Well. She's slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning and skipping off down the street to her first day at school. And never again will she be completely mine... Prim and proud, she'll wave a young and independent hand this morning, and say goodbye and walk with little-lady steps to her class at Richmond Drive... Gone will be the chattering little hoyden who lived only for play, and gone will be the delightful little gamin who roamed the yard like a proud princess with nary a care in her little world. Now, she will learn to stand in lines...and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called... She will learn to tune her little-girl ears for the sound of school bells, and for deadlines... She will learn to giggle and gossip... and to look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy across the aisle sticks out his tongue. Now she will learn to be jealous...and now she will learn how it is to feel hurt inside...and now she will learn how not to cry. No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch steps on a summer day and watch while an ant scurries across a crack in the sidewalk... Or will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn to kiss lilac blossoms in the morning dew. Now she will worry about important things...like grades...and what dresses to wear...and whose best friend is whose. Now she will worry about the little boy who pulls her hair at recess time... and staying after school...and which little girls like which little boys...And the magic of books and knowledge will soon take the place of the magic of her blocks and dolls. And she'll find her new heroes. For five full years I've been her sage and Santa Claus...her pal and playmate...her parent and friend. Now, alas, she'll learn to share her worship and adoration with her teachers (which is only right). No longer will her parents be the smartest, and greatest in the world. Today, when the first school bell rings, she'll learn how it is to be a member of the group...with all its privileges, and, of course, its disadvantages, too. She'll learn in time that proper young ladies don't laugh out loud...or keep lightning bugs in pickle jars in bedrooms...or watch ants scurry across the cracks in a summer sidewalk... Today, she'll begin to learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. That "the group" can be a demanding mistress... and I'll stand on the porch and watch her start out on the long, long journey to becoming a woman. So WORLD, I BEQUEATH TO YOU TODAY ONE LITTLE GIRL in a crispy dress, with two blue eyes, a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I TRUST YOU'LL TREAT HER WELL.

Author- unknown

Books, books, and more books!

I have always loved to read. I guess I inherited that because several of my family members are readers and instilled the love of reading in me. What better way to relax on a hot day, or any day for that matter with a good book. THis past week, I began preparing my classroom for this school year. Upon entering my classroom, I noticed several boxes sacked on the two tables in my room. Eager to begin unpacking, I saw three boxes of books. Good books, too! Consequently, I have a well stocked classroom library with most of the reading genres represented. I can't wait to begin using this library as this is one of the first years that I have been provided with a classroom library of books that are interesting. As a result, I have spent the last few evenings revisiting some of my favorite childhood authors such as Judy Blume, Betsy Byars, and Beverly Cleary. Actually I re-read several books by Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary this summer. I foresee many more evenings and holidays getting reaquainted with authors from my past.

Welcome!

Welcome to Walker's World! This is a blog where I will be posting various items pertaining to teaching. Some posts may be random thoughts about teaching; some posts may include educational websites to try in your own classrooms. Feel free to comment.