Alan Lawrence Sitomer » kid

Why don’t we just let the bubble test makers decide the school calendar, too?

Alan Sitomer — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 12:59:12 +0000

And in another case of the bubble tests being the tail that wags the entire educational dog, we see that one of the nation’s largest school districts – Los Angeles Unified – wants to start school earlier next year.

Not…

Back on the bandwagon and preaching to the choir.

Alan Sitomer — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 13:00:17 +0000

A great failure of our country is that America is not supporting universal pre-school. By the time so many kids get to high school, they are WAY behind.

Because they started off kindergarden way behind. Some kids show up on…

You only live once. Don’t trudge. (A Mr. Happy Talk Post for the Naysayers).

Alan Sitomer — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 12:00:08 +0000

Feeling good about the work one does is not an option.

It’s mandatory. I do not believe a person can ever be authentically excellent if they are not greatly enjoying the effort they spend on tasks.

This transposes itself to…

Is it not time we started to measure growth?

Alan Sitomer — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:00:44 +0000

With Back-to-School season upon us, I ask myself, what is it that we should really want for all our nation’s students this year?

Less bullying?
Heightened meaningfulness in the classroom?
Better cafeteria food?

I think one core answer…

School suspension makes no sense. I say SCHOOL BOOT CAMP!

Alan Sitomer — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:30:28 +0000

So a kid breaks the school rules by say, ditching class, and what do we do? Suspend them for 5 days.

Oh, that really teaches them.

Maybe back in the old days being suspended from school carried a stigma but…

Diary of a Wimpy Kid – A Smart Choice!!

Alan Sitomer — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:42:11 +0000

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is about to absolutely rock the Hollywood box office this weekend. And it has been a rip-roaring success in the world of book publishing. As a teacher, when I see this I know that I…

Why do we not spend more time teaching “functional literacy” to our kids?

Alan Sitomer — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:30:52 +0000

If a kid leaves school without the ability to comprehend Ralph Ellison, well… it pales compared to the consequences of a kid not being able to read their credit card agreement.

Why does that not seem more obvious to people…

I am HUGELY skeptical of the word “objectivity”.

Alan Sitomer — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:36:23 +0000

Not so sure I buy into the “objective measure” argument in regards to student test scores being an inarguable method of insight into teacher performance. I mean just because all kids take the same test well, does it really mean…

It’s really hard to give a damn about a kid’s grades when a kid doesn’t give a damn themself.

Alan Sitomer — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:30:57 +0000

Let’s be honest… it’s really hard to give a damn about a kid’s grades when a kid doesn’t give a damn themself.

I know I am supposed to be mature, compassionate, professional and perpetually hopeful and encouraging but wow, sometimes…

Is there such a thing as a “bad kid”?

Alan Sitomer — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:13:26 +0000

Is there such a thing as “bad” kids?

Walking the halls of school and chatting (as I get to do) with teachers from all over the country, I often hear the term “the good kids”. They are the ones that…