Kindness ...

"This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness." -- The Dalai Lama

Simply a quote I wanted to share for the day. It's simple and speaks volumes. Kindness is underrated.

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Coming around to starboard ...

It has been one of those days. One of dh's generous good friends volunteered to build two decks for us. Basically, there was a misunderstanding regarding the dimensions of the side deck and it seemed as if they could never get in touch with one another to clarify anything. In turn, I became the liaison. As grace would have seen fit, dh arrived home early enough that they were able to discuss the projects and work on the first deck together. Talk about a sigh of relief! It has been nerve wracking up until today.

I know there are statements regarding how men and women miscommunicate, but for those who like to advocate that theory, forget it. LoL! Amongst themselves, men may share that lack of understanding they're attempting to convey to the other. Despite my insistence to both of them, neither one would call or e-mail the other to clarify the deck projects. I admit that I'll tease my dh from time to time, telling him he's worse than a woman when it comes to certain issues. He truly is my rock. There is no doubt about that fact. I simply find it ironic that I can be straightforward on my approach, whereas he may hedge on the same issue. My guess is that it appears to depend on the topic and the level of confidence, for he and I flip-flop on our approach to whatever the issue may be.

We've been together for about three years and I'm positive there is so much more that I'll learn about him in the years to come. I know any relationship has its ups and downs, so I'm prepared to adjust my sails as the wind blows.

"Pessimists curse the wind, optimists hope the wind will change, and realists adjust their sails." -- Unknown

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No Clue, Left Brainless (NCLB) ...

Recess or Ritalin?

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/adhd/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100213117&page=1


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I couldn't help but shake my head at this article regarding playground time. In my nine years of teaching special education, I didn't even have to get to the second page of the article to know what the real message entailed - No Child Left Behind. Anymore, kids are forced to endure a multitude of assessments as a result of the barrage of homework. The bureaucratic bull is sickening. Special education and NCLB are a hellish pair.

Case in point: If a special education teacher has a developmentally challenged student who is unable to hold a pencil nor able to move about without the use of a paraprofessional, the objective to have the child draw a geometric shape is far fetched. The lack of a pincer grasp may be addressed in the alternative assessment portfolio but still, lessons must reveal some sort of task tied to the objective. The realization and accountability for the act is apparent. Regardless, the objective is nothing but a load of poppycock.

We were a lot better off without this federal law. In the special education setting, the severity of the hurdle speaks volumes about what a child actually needs. The greater the severity, the greater the chance the child will need life skills education. As it is, ALL teachers are required to teach towards the NCLB crap and any other annual assessments they may be required to administer. The kids definitely need playtime to cope with the stress they've been dealt.

As they stand upon their high and mighty NCLB soapboxes, some "officials" may play it up, attempting to blow sunshine you-know-where while they tell everyone that it really is about student success to do away with recess, pile on the homework, and administer benchmark exams out of the wazoo. I'll never buy into that notion, ever. It upsets me even more so when a child is dealing with a learning challenge and attempting to keep an even balance of sorts. Not only are they facing personal demons but also the ones hiding behind the public masks of nonsensical policies and social nonacceptance. What boggles my mind is the audacity political officials or persons who have never stepped in a classroom actually have. They are clueless and actually don't seem to care. I'd even venture to say these type of people are the epitome of the phrase, "Ignorance is bliss. " So much for being educated.

Basically, they don't really care about the students. They only care about money and status. For that fact, I don't blame any parent who would rather homeschool their child or place them in an alternative educational system.

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