I just read in the KC Star that the KCMOsd board is going to ax the reading curriculum they have had for the past two years. Duh. It takes a longer investment to get good data on the results. That is just one problem. How about this? They are axing it for this school year, which starts on the 25th.
I just spent the past three days being trained to do reading instruction with Success for All, our district reading curriculum - well, until last night, that is.
A response to the article posted on the Star website by a district parent/teacher said that part of the problem is that the board makes decisions without consulting the teachers & administrators. What a mess. There was also an accusation of board members getting kick-backs from publishing companies for using their materials. What a mess.
I'll just have to remember that in the midst of all this mess that I am diving into are some kids who really need someone to believe in them and teach them. I'm just wondering what in the heck I'm supposed to use to get that job done!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
ozark mountain get-away
When I was a kid we'd meet my Oklahoma cousins in the Ozarks for a week of skiing and family fun. I couldn't help but reminisce this week as we swam in the same lake, drove the same winding roads, and took in the same scenes of beautiful southern Missouri.
Though Branson is now over-run with live shows, we took in only one - Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. I'm a huge Dolly Parton fan, which may surprise some of you. She is one of the most talented song-writers and business minds in American history. If you can see past her cartoon boobies, and look at her career, you'll find an amazing woman. OK, so the show was a bit hokey, but it was very well produced, fun, and entertaining - yes, there were pig races, ostrich races, and horseshoes played with toilet seats - but, like I said, the gestalt was impressive and enjoyable.
Beyond that, our time consisted of mini-golf and a day on the lake. Titus and Ray played a total of four courses. (I sat one out and went shopping.) But the hands down favorite was the Pirates Cove course. We decided early on that we needed a moratorium on complaining about the heat - we dripped sweat every time we went out and unfortunately the resort pool became an over-sized hot tub. The only way to cool down was to take a cold shower and hang out in the AC - a remedy we also practiced regularly.
Enjoy some pix...
Though Branson is now over-run with live shows, we took in only one - Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. I'm a huge Dolly Parton fan, which may surprise some of you. She is one of the most talented song-writers and business minds in American history. If you can see past her cartoon boobies, and look at her career, you'll find an amazing woman. OK, so the show was a bit hokey, but it was very well produced, fun, and entertaining - yes, there were pig races, ostrich races, and horseshoes played with toilet seats - but, like I said, the gestalt was impressive and enjoyable.
Beyond that, our time consisted of mini-golf and a day on the lake. Titus and Ray played a total of four courses. (I sat one out and went shopping.) But the hands down favorite was the Pirates Cove course. We decided early on that we needed a moratorium on complaining about the heat - we dripped sweat every time we went out and unfortunately the resort pool became an over-sized hot tub. The only way to cool down was to take a cold shower and hang out in the AC - a remedy we also practiced regularly.
Enjoy some pix...
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