How did you start your new school year? Share your story.

[Or-Tal Kiriati]

The new school year opened in Israel some 3 weeks ago. We already had the first holiday last weekend - the kids missed one school day. Next week they are going to miss two more and in the following week they are going to an 8 days vacation.

So it's kind of a slow beginning.
Yet this year has started optimistic in our house.
My eldest daughter discovered some new teachers that will be teaching her this year. Teachers who are as enthusiastic about learning through research as she is. So she is going to try it on Physics and she is very excited. She also studies biotechnology with an exciting teacher that even has a fan page on facebook, that his students built for him out of sheer admiration. Isn't it great? Energies are running high.

My middle son started his 6th grade. There is a new teacher for the class this year, and she is new in school. Yet not totally new to school: both her boys graduated from our school. She already impresses us all, students and parents, in her effort to study the kids and learn more about them. The other teachers that teach his class this year are also very good. His two surprise topics are:
English literature and Product and production (very free translation).
So it's rather special to learn English literature in 6th grade (English is a second language) and it certainly offers a new perspective on the learning and assimilation of the language. I am very curious to learn what it will be like.
The other topic is where the kids have to plan a product and build its prototype. The kids are very excited and the ideas are very wild. As a business person I am following this closely too.

And my youngest has begun his 2nd grade. There is such a big difference from last year. The "mature" "I know it all" look of a student who is already familiar with the school environment... No great hopes for interesting happenings there, though. I am afraid this will remain the parents domain for yet another year.

And there is also a new headmaster to the school. He seems nice, open and attentive. I like it that he is welcoming the students and parents at the school gates every morning. It generates a feeling that the school has a "father" figure. And it's just what this school needed, after being totally unstable for the last 3 years.

So there is a good reason to keep optimistic.

What's new with you?

[Kathryn L. Keene]

It's so sad to hear your son's story. Sadder still is that it is so common. I don't have quizzes, tests, or homework in my classroom. I require work done to a level of the student's choosing, based on Bloom's Taxonomy. If one can only aspire to a certain work load, they have clear direction as to how they can complete the requirements of the course. If they are able to gear up to a grander level, they can do more work, including taking some work home. No one is pressured (I do nag if they are not working to their potential), and rarely does anyone fail. School is suppose to be enjoyable. Something is wrong in your son's classroom. I have a daughter for whom learning comes easy...and one who has a documented learning disability due to a stroke at the age of four. She has physical, intellectual, emotional, and social challenges. I find that sympathy for her is intermittent, as she compensates so well. Keep pushing for understanding. The teachers are guilty of not knowing. I've walked a mile in your shoes.

[Mike]

Hi All... so very sad, so very real and so very common!

When will our profession recognize that we need to become learner centered rather then teacher or subject centered.

We do damage to some children on a daily basis.... how do some adults remain blind to this...has amazed me for decades.

be wll...mike