SPECIAL

I wonder why it is so difficult for people to abide by rules and conventions-why everyone has to be SPECIAL. I had some issues at the Selma Review that give me pause. Is EVERYONE just special enough that they can do whatever they want, and damn the instructor and his plans? Generally, when I feel at my worst, I think that most people just take what they want regardless of what the plan is. And we, as designers of activities, just have to eat our frustration as we watch the kids learn the WRONG lesson: "you are special so forget what your instructor says; the rules are good enough for the rest of 'them' but YOU deserve special treatment. augh.

Rants

I am becoming more and more troubled by the lack of discipline of any noticeable type in the American persona. Parents who worship their kids-in absence of evidence of the worthiness of such worship-, people who definitely form opinions based on opinion rather than critical thought, and lockstep partisanship; the list goes on and on in our country.

When did ignorance become fashionable? When did aspiring to be an elite thinker, musician, or scholar become something to keep quiet? It seems that yelling is debate now...our current election debates are an example. I believe we can do better-and had better do so quickly-and intend to work hard in my professional life to improve my own knowledge and discipline. Maybe I can pass some on to my students.

I wanted to suggest to readers that they take a look at this website and read the advocacy materials there: http://www.notonthetest.com/index.html. Take a look at the printed material there as well as listening to the great lyrics.

I also might humbly suggest that interested parties visit (or revisit) M.Scott Peck's book The Road Less Traveled for a vigorous and enlightening discussion of the role discipline might play...that is, unless you want to be branded an elitist!

An opening message: The posts contained herein are personal opinion and do not represent my role as a public school employee or a public figure. If you choose to read these posts, you are agreeing to allow me the right of free speech! It could be fun for us to debate....never tried a blog of my own, so now is the time.