It’s been a real pleasure preparing this week’s Carnival, although I must admit it is much more time-consuming than I thought!  I appreciate the hard work our hosts put in all the more, as I am typically one of those who gets her post in right before the deadline!  For this Carnival, I have tried to fit in as many submissions as possible.

 

Next week the Carnival will return home to The Education Wonks.  Entries can be sent to:   owlshome [at] earthlink [dot] net.  The deadline is 9:00 PM (Pacific) Tuesday, February 7th.

 

 

READING, WRITING...

We start this week with the next installment of Lies ELA Teacher’s Tell This week’s topic is on the 5 paragraph essay.  Ms. Frizzle is serving as a mentor to encourage high school exchange students to practice writing through blogging.  But The Reflective Teacher  lets us know that tone is also important. 

 

... and ARITHMETIC

For the students at The Art of Getting By stylistic concerns seem to be a far distant concern.  Although working with a very different type of student, Right Wing Nation  is also trying to tackle understanding why students don’t “get it”.

 

IT'S ALL PLAY...

Maybe the problems start in preschool.  The Common Room examines why kids can’t think:

When people want me to tell them what workbooks they should use with a preschool aged child, my short answer is always "Don't. Just let them play."

 

And on that note, it’s my pleasure to submit an Editor’s Pick:  Thinking Kids offers a refreshing look at learning as FUN!

 

... and IT'S ALL IN A DAY'S WORK

Speaking of thinking – or the lack thereof -- Get Lost Mr. Chips calls the Grammar Police to arrest a teacher.  Maybe this is because educators don’t’ get enough sleep!  New teacher A Sort of Notebook would like some tips on how to fit it all in. 

 

Lack of sleep is the least of occupational challenges.  Ruminating Dude is losing his “educational virginity”.  But according to Casting Out Nines you shouldn’t wait for tenure to speak your mind.  The Education Wonks discuss the issue of respect. Rhymes With Right reminds us the job can be dangerous. And The Median Sib tells us how sometimes it’s just, well…  Sounds like a story that Marcia Adair would want for her collection!

 

 

HIGH SCHOOL ...

 High school graduation requirements were a hot topic this week. Why Homeschool asks what’s the purpose of a high school diploma.  Thespis Journal and Get On the Bus  share Ohio’s debate on this very question.  The DeHavilland Blog wonders if more paths to through high school might be the answer.  EducationMatters.us is happy to just have this high school back in business!  Going to the Mat discusses just how far concerned parents will go to secure a good education for their children.  Below the Beltway  points out that charters and choice are not always welcomed by unions.  Underlying the debate over requirements is the discussion of the purpose of education.  Spunky Homeschool tackles this fundamental issue:

 

Are the needs of Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and General Motors the best way to determine what our children are taught?

 

 

... and BEYOND

me-ander sees the questions of quality follow from high school through college and teacher preparation. Right on the Left Coast  unabashedly declares that all teachers should be able to handle high school math. Sixteen Volts Per Minute compares our educational system to Finland’s, and questions affirmative action.  Hube at The Colossus of Rhodey wonders if busing helped students. And Discovering Biology in a Digital World aptly describes concerns of racial imbalance among science majors.  Perhaps getting more students interested in science is one step that could be taken.  Florida Citizens for Science  has some ideas. 

 

SCIENCE...

Speaking of science, JennyD is asking for some help with her daughter’s project .  She’s also praising an initiative to use research-based standards of excellence as part of teacher training.  But as Number 2 Pencil tells us, we need more researchers!   I wonder if technology wouldn’t be able to help with the researcher shortage. 

 

... AND TECHNOLOGY

Practical Theory discusses the long-anticipated union of technology and reform. 

 

This midway is registered at TTLB's carnival roundup.