Monday, January 9, 2012

Redux

Looking forward to a good start for the week. Comments from frequent posters Pat and DR brought about links to the first two articles for the day.

In one of her comments Pat mention Arts From The Ashes. Here is a link to their home page:

http://www.artfromtheashes.org/exhibitions_deukmejian_pr.html

Make sure you go through the photo gallery.

DR has mentioned an article I posted on the blog a while back. Here is an update of The Happiness Project:

http://www.happiness-project.com/

I am seriously thinking about instituting the Happiness project in my life.

I certainly need to do something to make me happy after reading the following article:

http://news.yahoo.com/fred-got-two-beatings-per-day-homework-asks-230717586--abc-news.html;_ylt=AtiGwtppjrtQtwgx5M4Pbjms0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNqaTB0N2ozBGNjb2RlA2N0LmMEcGtnAzlhNzY0YjAwLTViNGYtM2NlNC04OGU5LWY5ZTI2MzJkZDA5YgRwb3MDMgRzZWMDbW9zdF9wb3B1bGFyBHZlcgNhMzgxYjM2MC0zOTg3LTExZTEtYjRmZi0xZTIyYmY3MGIwOTg-;_ylg=X3oDMTFvdnRqYzJoBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3

Apparently stupidity reigns at the school in the above article. Isn't thinking required to be a teacher. It is teachers like the one in the article that give good hard working underpaid teachers a bad knock.

Comment Away.

4 comments:

Pat said...

I just took a look at the link for ASHES. Disappointing, as their slideshow is only of people at the opening of one show. It's a little harder to find some of the actual art, but it can be done. We were not fortunate enough to be able to see one of the outdoor shows featured in their photos, but inside the gallery was still impressive. If it comes to your town, do take a look.

I usually avoid "self help" type books, but I've put a hold on The Happiness Project at the library. We shall see... {s}

I heard the story about the math problems with slaves and beatings on the radio, and couldn't believe either that the teacher was stupid enough to use those problems or that a book was still in circulation in the school carrying those problems. What is up with school districts and their textbooks anyway? Isn't anyone watching? No wonder our kids are so far behind. Not that kids should not learn about our shameful history of slavery, but let's leave it for the proper time and context and let them learn math the oldfashioned way.

Lady DR said...

Like Pat, I was disappointed in the video/slide show, but I did get to see some of the items in the brochures and it looks like some real creativity.

As to the Happiness Project -- I have the book, after "test driving the intro from a library copy -- and have started on it and it can make a difference. As she says, it's not one size fits all and you need to think about what she says, to find what you want to do in your life. Her first chapter was "Right on" for me, as it dealt with energy. It's amazing how little things can make a big difference. I think you for the update and have signed up for the 2012 Happiness Challenge, which may be more than I can do, while implementing the Project, but it may help.

The teacher(s) who came up with the test questions really are idiots, INHO. Yes, our children need to know about the slavery issue, why it was so important in our country, what the rationalizations and ramifications were, but I don't think math class, where I suspect they're not getting the social studies background to go with the questions, is quite the place to do this.

William J. said...

Hi Pat

It would have been nice if they would have shown more shows on ASHES. I really hope they come to Portland.

I am not a self help type (more a beyond help type) but The Happiness Project just seems more of a plan that help.

Even if it was a textbook shouldn't the school have reveiwed it before using it? I do agree students should learn our shameful history but using it in math problems just seems giving credence to it. Kind of saying it is OK.

Bill

William J. said...

Hi DR

It was a little disappointing that they didn't show more pictures but when you think what the stuff was before it was art, it was pretty impressive.

I am going to look for the Happiness Project book at the book store this week. One of the things I do like about it is her comment that it isn't a one size fits all. That allows some individual creativity. I have a hunch energy would be a big one for me also.

Not only are the ones who came up with the questions idiots so are the ones that reviewes the book before publication. The number of idiots in this process is staggering.

Bill