Comments for thematically fickle. http://www.aarynbelfer.com Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:16:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Comment on How to make your kid hate math, writing and PE all at the same time by Jenn http://www.aarynbelfer.com/2012/02/how-to-make-your-kid-hate-math-writing-and-pe-all-at-the-same-time.html/comment-page-1#comment-13278 Jenn Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:16:18 +0000 http://www.aarynbelfer.com/?p=3602#comment-13278 Interesting article on NY Times on benefits of exercise in overall brain function: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/22/how-exercise-fuels-the-brain/ Interesting article on NY Times on benefits of exercise in overall brain function:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/22/how-exercise-fuels-the-brain/

]]> Comment on How to make your kid hate math, writing and PE all at the same time by Carrie http://www.aarynbelfer.com/2012/02/how-to-make-your-kid-hate-math-writing-and-pe-all-at-the-same-time.html/comment-page-1#comment-13264 Carrie Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:57:15 +0000 http://www.aarynbelfer.com/?p=3602#comment-13264 Yes, yes, and yes! We are down to one PE class per week in elementary too. Math and Reading are all they do outside of so-called special area classes which still exist but got hit hard last year, and will likely be the first on the chopping block when budget gets cut again. Your recess situation sounds like my first-grader's. Wonder why those kids can't sit still--could it be that they are first graders?! It is crazy what is being asked of kids in the name of passing state-mandated tests and district-mandated assessments. It's not for the children, it's for the reputation of our schools and to evaluate our teachers. Pretty sure my district's teachers are also being evaluated on overall reading and math scores, so...Thanks for great post! Yes, yes, and yes! We are down to one PE class per week in elementary too. Math and Reading are all they do outside of so-called special area classes which still exist but got hit hard last year, and will likely be the first on the chopping block when budget gets cut again. Your recess situation sounds like my first-grader’s. Wonder why those kids can’t sit still–could it be that they are first graders?! It is crazy what is being asked of kids in the name of passing state-mandated tests and district-mandated assessments. It’s not for the children, it’s for the reputation of our schools and to evaluate our teachers. Pretty sure my district’s teachers are also being evaluated on overall reading and math scores, so…Thanks for great post!

]]> Comment on Breaking the silence by Pam http://www.aarynbelfer.com/2012/02/breaking-the-silence.html/comment-page-1#comment-13256 Pam Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:05:41 +0000 http://www.aarynbelfer.com/?p=3595#comment-13256 This is a KICK. ASS. LETTER. Respect, my friend. This is a KICK. ASS. LETTER. Respect, my friend.

]]> Comment on How to make your kid hate math, writing and PE all at the same time by Jenn http://www.aarynbelfer.com/2012/02/how-to-make-your-kid-hate-math-writing-and-pe-all-at-the-same-time.html/comment-page-1#comment-13255 Jenn Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:43:44 +0000 http://www.aarynbelfer.com/?p=3602#comment-13255 PE once a week? WTF? and art only once every 6 weeks? That's insane. I'm an adult, with a serious focus on writing my dissertation and even I need to get outside and move around at least once a day! PE once a week? WTF? and art only once every 6 weeks? That’s insane. I’m an adult, with a serious focus on writing my dissertation and even I need to get outside and move around at least once a day!

]]> Comment on Breaking the silence by Lisa Nielsen (@InnovativeEdu) http://www.aarynbelfer.com/2012/02/breaking-the-silence.html/comment-page-1#comment-13245 Lisa Nielsen (@InnovativeEdu) Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:30:26 +0000 http://www.aarynbelfer.com/?p=3595#comment-13245 Kudos to you for taking charge, opting out, and doing what is best for your daughter! I added a link to your post in the California Opt Out group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/OptOutCalifornia and at the California Opt Out page of our site at http://optoutofstandardizedtests.wikispaces.com/California+CA Kudos to you for taking charge, opting out, and doing what is best for your daughter!

I added a link to your post in the California Opt Out group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/OptOutCalifornia and at the California Opt Out page of our site at http://optoutofstandardizedtests.wikispaces.com/California+CA

]]> Comment on GGGOOOAAAALLLLL! Urging American soccer haters to reconsider their position by Goooooaaaaalllll! « katie writes. http://www.aarynbelfer.com/2010/06/gggoooaaaalllll-urging-american-soccer-haters-to-reconsider-their-position.html/comment-page-1#comment-13241 Goooooaaaaalllll! « katie writes. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:21:28 +0000 http://www.aarynbelfer.com/?p=2182#comment-13241 [...] Aaryn’s better with words, I’ll point you to hers regarding the World Cup. Because I’m better at putting her face on a video, I’ll point [...] [...] Aaryn’s better with words, I’ll point you to hers regarding the World Cup. Because I’m better at putting her face on a video, I’ll point [...]

]]> Comment on Breaking the silence by Sandra Brevard http://www.aarynbelfer.com/2012/02/breaking-the-silence.html/comment-page-1#comment-13232 Sandra Brevard Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:23:25 +0000 http://www.aarynbelfer.com/?p=3595#comment-13232 Dedicated to bringing parent opposition and resistance out of the shadows, I will also cross post your letter. Thank you and best wishes. Dedicated to bringing parent opposition and resistance out of the shadows, I will also cross post your letter.
Thank you and best wishes.

]]> Comment on Breaking the silence by Peggy Robertson http://www.aarynbelfer.com/2012/02/breaking-the-silence.html/comment-page-1#comment-13228 Peggy Robertson Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:44:36 +0000 http://www.aarynbelfer.com/?p=3595#comment-13228 Well done!! And reposted at www.unitedoptout.com :) Many thanks, Peg Well done!! And reposted at http://www.unitedoptout.com :) Many thanks, Peg

]]> Comment on Breaking the silence by Emile http://www.aarynbelfer.com/2012/02/breaking-the-silence.html/comment-page-1#comment-13226 Emile Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:36:16 +0000 http://www.aarynbelfer.com/?p=3595#comment-13226 Great letter, Aaryn! I must also add that I believe these tests "tunnel-vision" the entire learning and teaching process. Time is spent specifically studying the answers to these tests rather than productive learning. My husband, a music teacher, is even sometimes forced to teach non-music curriculum specifically deemed necessary for these tests. Great letter, Aaryn! I must also add that I believe these tests “tunnel-vision” the entire learning and teaching process. Time is spent specifically studying the answers to these tests rather than productive learning. My husband, a music teacher, is even sometimes forced to teach non-music curriculum specifically deemed necessary for these tests.

]]> Comment on Breaking the silence by MAYBELLINE http://www.aarynbelfer.com/2012/02/breaking-the-silence.html/comment-page-1#comment-13223 MAYBELLINE Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:18:56 +0000 http://www.aarynbelfer.com/?p=3595#comment-13223 Applause! Please consider forming a template/form letter for less talented but just as concerned parents to use. How can something that makes so much sense be ignored? Oh yes. This is California. Good luck in making a crack in the system. Applause!
Please consider forming a template/form letter for less talented but just as concerned parents to use. How can something that makes so much sense be ignored? Oh yes. This is California. Good luck in making a crack in the system.

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