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August
2004 -Innovations Newsletter
How Not To Ask Grandpa for Money I received the following email from my 18 year old grandson who just graduated from high school in Western Michigan.
"hey grandpa its jxxx, i start college in the
fall at a community college, and the reason im emailing you is i ws awonderin
if you could start saving up money for me, i mean im good for my freshmen year
of college, but then i am transferring to a big university and that is where
its gonna be ver yhard:( i was just wondering if you could start saving up for
me for next year when i transfer over to grand valley, thankyou and i love you
Jxxx )" Name hidden for obvious reasons.
The above was not a joke or a light hearted message, as I have had almost no contact with this young man for over two years. Twelve years of formal education and this is the best he can do? A few years ago I worked in an inner city high school in New York. I left after completing my first year. Before I started teaching I was briefed on some of my students, including one memorable tenth grader. I was told if he got up and left class not to say anything. It was because he wanted to hurt someone and he had instructions to go immediately to the office and “chill out” until he calmed down. So, I had a walking time bomb on my hands. The kid was heavier and much stronger than I was and no one got in his way. He did lose it one day and shoved a much smaller kid into a locker. I got to know him and his family. I got to like him as an individual. I gave a test one day and he got a perfect score. He was the only one who passed and had never ever passed one of my tests. I found out that he memorized everything and was able to pass this one test because it required no reasoning ability just plain memory. It was not the type of test I usually gave. I spent time with him and decided he was mentally retarded. I talked with school officials. We reviewed his record starting in the first grade. He had never failed a class. I was told I had no basis to request testing him and there was nothing I could do about it. I was told to let it go. Of course I didn’t. I spoke with his family and they agreed to have him tested. Test results came back and he was mentally retarded. The school said it didn’t matter; he would stay with his class and graduate with them. I got called into the principal’s office and she started in on me about my attitude. (I thought I was supposed to be working with and helping young adults get a quality education.) We spoke for a few minutes and then she said the following: “It was my responsibility to ensure that every child in my classes received a passing grade.” Not given the opportunity to earn a passing grade, but that they received one. I told her I gave them credit for showing up, for shutting up, for participating in class, and for staying awake. I came in early and stayed late and was available any time they wanted help or something to do that would improve their grade. They didn’t earn a passing grade and I wasn’t giving them a passing grade. I expected them to earn it and I gave them every possible opportunity to do so. I told her the school was too big and had too many students to get to know them and encourage them. She said the school was too small and we should have 5000 students. (I believe the bigger the school the higher her salary would be.) I found out that all the failing grades I entered were changed to passing grades. This was to prevent hurting their self esteem. OK, but high self esteem doesn’t help when you can’t write a coherent sentence or string two or more together to form a paragraph. The next day she had my letter of resignation telling her I would not be returning the following year. So much for my dream of making a difference. Oh yes, my grandson isn’t getting any financial aid from me. I might consider financing a remedial class in grammar school English, but certainly not a college level course. And now for this months sites: Your Own Bio-chart This site tracks your bio-rhythm according to your birthday. http://www.bio-chart.com Books for Soldiers Books For Soldiers is a soldier support site that ships books, DVDs and supplies to deployed soldiers and soldiers in VA hospitals, via a large volunteer network. http://www.booksforsoldiers.com The Science Fiction Museum I’ve been a fan of Science Fiction since grammar school. I even got to spend two hours chatting with Isaac Asimov when he visited the library in my home town. In June of this year, a $20 million Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame opened its doors in Seattle, Washington. They even have Captain Kirk’s command chair on display. http://www.sfhomeworld.org Cora’s Cakes In a Jar Here’s something you might want to consider for an unusual, edible Christmas present. According to their web site: Baking cakes in a jar is an old way of canning by our ancestors and has been lost over the years since the invention of refrigeration. The recipes are old family recipes that have been perfected, have the FDA seal of approval and a shelf life of nine months to one year. http://www.corascakes.com/ Make Your Own Soap What to do on a rainy day? How about making soap. Here a site that tells you how. From beginners to seasoned soap makers, Teach Soap has something for everyone. From simple soap making recipes, to more complex cold process soap making instructions, our beautifully illustrated soap recipe pages will guide you through each soap making project with clear step-by-step soap making instructions. http://teachsoap.com/ Wonder What the Latest Threat Level Is? Here’s a government web site that keeps you up to date on the latest threat level and other topics related to homeland security. http://www.ready.gov/ Here’s One for the Man or Woman of the House A great coupon and household tips web site. Contains lots of helpful information. http://www.mommysavers.com/ That’s it for this month. We still have a lot going on with our grandchildren which continues to take up much of our time. C U in September. Ron Nixon RWR Innovations We Make Reading Fun Again! Issue: 8/1//2004 ISSN #: 1543-9275 Note: The websites in this newsletter are listed because I find them interesting and have value to parents and children. They have not paid money or given me anything to be mentioned. Permission is given to reproduce the complete text of the article listed at the top of each newsletter as long as credit is given to: Ron Nixon Innovations Newsletter http://rwrinnovations.com/mailing_list.htm Home Page RWR Innovations Personalized Books make great fund raisers. Personalized Children's Books P.O. Box 460939 Papillion NE 68046-0939 770-850-1400 (Atlanta) 402-592-9199 (Omaha) Best time is 3-11 P.M. (EDT) or 9 AM to 9 PM on weekends 877-402-7167 (Toll Free) Webmaster: Ron Nixon wa8zde@bellsouth.net 3807 Shadowood Parkway SE Atlanta GA 30339-2301 770-850-1400 Site Map 8/11/2004 |