Reforms: Step 1

Forget everything  you know about how you learned and what kids are supposed to be able to do.  Wipe the slate clean.  Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. It is time to get radical if we want to see change.

 

No more bells and 54 minute classes.  No more yelling at kids to tuck their shirts in (but how will we be able to tell if they have guns?? Umm..maybe if we stop yelling, they won't bring guns..)  Every teacher must also study psychology and development.  They must study cultures around the world.  They must know each and every family and student that comes into their classroom intimately.  Classrooms should be small, no more that 10-15 kids for each "normal" classroom.  Smaller for ELL and special ed students.  Much smaller.  Classrooms should have big work tables and lounging spots for reading.  They should have computers and easy access to books.  They should have papers and pencils.  They should be required to go outside daily, weather permitting, to play, to run, to hike, or just to sit and read.  We must go back to meeting the physical and psychological needs of our kids, and then move it to worrying about testing. 

In a perfect classroom, there is a kitchen.  Yes, a kitchen, wherein we all prepare the food and dine together.  Oatmeal and fruit for breakfast instead of a fried "chicken" patty on a stale "bun" that smells like cardboard that my kids literally eat for breakfast.  If the kid is "lucky" he eats a bag of chips for breakfast instead.  This is an insane way to start the day, but many, many of our kids do.  If the parents won't change it, we need to, and then, maybe, just maybe, they'll teach their kids how to eat right too.  We are one of the richest countries in the world, and we throw money at an enormous problem all the while ignoring the very basics.  We talk about reducing childhood obesity, and teach nothing.  We offer them no healthy choices.  We need to INVOLVE them in the process of food rather than just sticking an old apple at the end of a cafeteria line.  When I bring apples in for my kids, they act like I have just brought them a piece of heaven.  (I try to do this once a week.) One teacher in my school reminisces of the days when she brought in an exotic fruit once a week for them to sample.  What a great way to get kids excited about good food!  You can also use cooking to teach math and reading, following directions, problem solving, respect, and creativity.  You give them experiences to write about.  Cooking and preparing food for each other, meal planning, serving, and cleaning up can take less than an hour, but I would contend could shave hours off of "test prep" because we have met basic needs.  Please, do a cost analysis and tell me how this option could possibly cost more than poor lifelong health, or the inability to learn and focus because of poor nutrition.  Food is so basic a need and concept, yet in this fast food world, who has time to focus on the essentials? We need to teach our kids survivial skills- how to feed themselves well.  From day one.   Our kids are paying the price, and this could be an easy fix.