Believe it or not, using one pronoun over another can actually improve a parent-child relationship. Using I over you is one such example. When Mom tells Joey, “I like it better when your bed is made in the morning,” he knows she is talking about herself. But if Mom says, “You didn’t make your bed…
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As a kid, there were times I loathed school. I gave all kinds of explanations for not liking it: “The teacher’s mean.” “The test is stupid.” “The school bus smells.” But I had no idea my complaints were simply symptoms of an educational blunder that has gone on for centuries. Why do kids hate school?…
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Play the Writing Game! I know quite a number of budding authors who sweep me away with their creative ideas and imaginings — individuals filled with passion about the books they are writing. I am often surprised, however, to learn nothing or very little is actually put down on paper. Years pass, stories dim and…
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There is only one me. There is only one you. The words I say, the words I write belong to me; as do my desires, ambitions and talents, as do my shortcomings and frustrations. Your words, desires, ambitions, talents, shortcomings and frustrations, belong to you. What I do in life; where I go; what I…
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In the good old summertime, it is perfect for catching waves along the Coast, splashing in pools when the temperature rises or feeling the burn from biking across country. What pleasures the outdoor brings! Summertime is also the ideal time for study. No, this is not-an attempt to ruin anyone’s summer vacation. You see, almost…
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If you are in the job market and never graduated from high school you may find yourself at a disadvantage. Of course, you can bite the bullet and just finish high school with night classes or online. But, you may have also considered getting a GED certificate (General Education Development), which some employers accept in…
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When we hear of someone graduating from high school at fifteen or sixteen we naturally think, “Wow, that must be some whiz kid!” But how about typical students: can they graduate at age sixteen and still have a quality education? The answer is, “Yes.” Read on. When I went to high school, my fellow students…
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Making sure our high school graduates are prepared to take on the challenges of life should be one of our nation’s top priorities. After all, these graduates are the future of our society. Legislators and school boards have tried to develop guidelines to handle this challenge. These guidelines primarily list subjects to be studied…
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Grading a student’s work is such an accepted practice, that it’s rarely questioned. The grade given might be questioned (especially a “D” or “F”), but not the fact that grades are necessary. After all, it is human nature to categorize things. Therefore it’s not surprising that we have a grading system that labels students on…
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Nice teachers show children that life is a game and that games have freedoms and barriers. They teach strategies for winning “the game of school” by showing their students how to figure things out and by making learning fun. Really nice teachers insist that students have high moral standards, strong personal values and that…
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