R Cids Kan't Spel - Butt That's Awl Write
Let me paint another scenario. If the idea is the main focus, how about math? If little Johnny writes 2 + 2 = 5, isn't that close enough? Didn't he at least get the concept of addition right? So what if he's a bit off on the calculation. Just like when he wrote, "I'm a gud speller." So we can afford to overlook having the exact math answers and praise him for trying at all. We don't want to lower his self-esteem. Let's move on to history.
Do we let him think that Ben Franklin was the first president? Okay, that's too far off. But how about Thomas Jefferson? He was only to come a little later, right? And he was a president, right again? Historical accuracy is far overrated anyway. Let's just hope they get the basics and sweat the details later.
Speaking of details, what is the point of geography? Knowing the difference between states, countries, and cities serves no purpose. You can go to MapQuest to find directions or buy a GPS device. Learning about places and natural resources is not going to help Johnny working at McDonalds later in life, right? As long as he knows how to get home, he's fine.
Science is another issue. If he knows that there is a difference between living and non-living things, that should be adequate. But to force him to delve into chemistry, biology, and physics seems almost cruel. He'll figure out not to pet a rattlesnake or keep away from lightening on his own. Making him learn useless facts about our world just takes him away from his computer games.
Finally there is reading. If he can get the gist of a subject, we need not coerce him into finishing a novel or book. That's what the Cliff Notes are for. We have to realize we live in a microwave world where less is more. Allow him to skim through the classics and write the barest report necessary to get him through. Instead, you might concentrate on his soccer matches and monitoring his TV habits. But what about college, you ask?
Well, hopefully he's a natural athlete who can obtain a scholarship. Most of the college players have the worst speaking and writing skills anyway. That way, he'll fit right in and not be considered an outcast. If he can't get into college, he might have a shot at being a rapper or take chance on American Idol. Most of those contestants can't do anything well anyway. Fine, by now you get the idea.
To summarize, we have to make a decision. Do we coddle out kids and let them slide on spelling and all the other subjects that my generation thought important, or do we begin to lessen the standards and pray they will turn out okay? As a parent, I know how I feel. It's up to us to keep the pressure on and insure that the next generation has the skills to guide them through life. If not, you'll be reading stories or articles written by them that start, "Wonse apon a tym…"
Related Tags: children, parents, school, kids, parenting, spelling, education.teaching.learning
Jeffrey Hauser was a sales consultant for the Bell System Yellow Pages for nearly 25 years. He graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Advertising and has a Master's Degree in teaching. He had his own advertising agency in Scottsdale, Arizona and ran a consulting and design firm, ABC Advertising. He has authored 6 books and a novel, "Pursuit of the Phoenix." His latest book is, "Inside the Yellow Pages" which can be seen at his website, http://www.poweradbook.com Currently, he is the Marketing Director for http://www.thenurseschoice.com, a Health Information and Doctor Referral site.
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