Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Discerning the Truth in Documentaries
Waiting For Superman is a documentary set to be released in select theaters on Friday. According to its website, the documentary explores the failures of American public education by following the lives of several students and their families. Waiting For Superman was directed and co-written by David Guggenheim. Guggenheim is best-known for directing the Oscar-winning film version of Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. So far, Waiting For Superman has caught the attention of many Americans and the media. News outlets, talk-show hosts, movie critics, and celebrities hail the film as “eye-opening” and “a catalyst for real change” (see note #1). Oprah Winfrey devoted an episode of her talk-show to discussing the film with Guggenheim and strong supporter of the film and public education reform, Bill Gates. The episode also featured other people who are in the documentary.
One has probably heard the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” However, one should be discerning when considering seeing this documentary (or any other of its nature). It can be exciting to think that someone in Hollywood is finally drawing attention to the decaying condition of education in America. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm may be premature, but one can’t really be sure before viewing the film. However, there are some key questions to answer and thoughts to ponder before and while viewing it.
1. Worldview- Everyone has a worldview whether or not he or she is aware of it; it may be an atheistic worldview, a humanistic worldview, a biblical worldview, or even one of cultural relativism. It is important to understand that the worldviews of those involved in the film-making process will greatly influence the message of the documentary.
2. Educational Philosophy- The educational philosophies of the film-makers will be significant to the over-all message of the film. It’s important to have a deep understanding of one’s own educational philosophy before viewing a film of this nature. The movie-goers understanding of education can easily become convoluted if they are not firm in their beliefs or if their understanding of education is not clear. The educational philosophies of the film-makers will influence what they believe constitutes the failure of the education system. For example, according to movie critics and various reviews, Waiting For Superman places much of the blame on teacher unions and lack of funding. Depending on the viewer’s philosophies, he or she may disagree. Instead, the viewer may believe it’s an issue with the separation of church and state, teaching methodologies, or the educational philosophies of the Department of Education (at the federal, state, or local level). It’s important for an individual to know what he or she believes and why he or she believes it; it’s also important to view other theories or ideas through the looking-glass of one’s own beliefs.
3. Political Motivations- It’s important to consider the political motivations behind the film. Is the film gripping the attention of Americans because of its honest and truthful content? Rather, is it receiving hype because it pushes a hot topic for the upcoming elections? Does it further the political ambitions of a particular person or group? It’s very possible that a documentary may have no political angle; however, it’s still a factor to consider.
4. Results- What do the film-makers hope to see result from their film? What direction do they hope to steer America? It’s important to know the film-makers goals. Are their goals prominently centered on propagandizing education? Rather, do they earnestly care about the conditions of the American public education system and desire to see positive improvements?
Notes
1. Source for the Quotations
2. Waiting For Superman is said to discuss charter schools and their impact on the education. Keep in mind, many charter schools are considered “classical;” however, they do not provide a truly classical education. The Association of Classical and Christian Schools has published an excellent article, "It's Not Classical & Christian," addressing the differences between “classical” charter schools and true classical Christian schools, such as Glencoe Classical Academy. Copy and paste the following URL into your web browser to be redirected to the ACCS article: https://www.accsedu.org/It's_Not_Classical__Christian.ihtml?id=591621
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Parental Involvement and Your Child's Education
Note: This week's Glencoe Classical Academy and Glencoe Learning Center blogs discuss the same topic and contain much of the same information. However, the list of suggestions for parental involvement is tailored according to the age groups of each school.
Parental involvement is instrumental in a child’s education. Research has shown that children and families greatly benefit when parents play an active role in the classroom, the school, and other activities related to the children’s education. There is a strong correlation between student success and parental involvement. While being an engaged parent may mean sacrificing time and energy, the importance of that engagement cannot be expressed enough and the benefits that can be reaped are often too numerous to list.
By volunteering in their child’s classroom and school, parents may benefit in ways such as the following:
1. The parents develop a closer relationship with the child’s teacher and the school’s administration, resulting in better communication among them.
2. The parents gain a better understanding of (and appreciation for) their child’s daily routine and the daily activities their children experience within the classroom.
3. The parents are better able to understand the expectations and standards the teacher and school have for the child.
4. The parents are able to experience first-hand their child’s response to his or her surroundings, teacher, and classmates.
Parental involvement can affect a child in many positive ways such as the following:
1. The child will develop a greater appreciation for his or her education and the efforts of the teacher and parents.
2. If the parents’ attitudes regarding the time they spend volunteering at the school are positive, the child may also develop a good attitude. Additionally, a child’s attitude is frequently exhibited in his or her behavior. The better the attitude, the better the behavior.
3. If the parents encourage students to uphold the classroom and school standards while volunteering, the child will be more apt to obey the classroom and school standards even when the parents aren’t present.
4. If a child sees his or her parents positively interacting with the teacher and administrators, he or she will likely treat those people with the same amount of respect that the parents do.
Below are some suggestions parents can consider when seeking ways to become more actively engaged in their child’s education.
1. Parents can take an active role in daily homework and other projects. Often, children gain a better understanding of concepts by teaching it to others. Parents can aid their child’s comprehension of a subject by allowing the child to “teach” it to them. A daily homework routine allows parents and students to remain accountable and informed.
2. Volunteer time in the classroom. Parents can volunteer to help with a particular area of interest such as literature, art, or science.
3. Parents can volunteer to help during lunch and recess duty or even in the afterschool program.
4. Teachers spend a great deal of time creating lesson plans and making copies; parents can help lighten this load by volunteering to copy worksheets and assignments.
5. Special events, musical performances, and field trips are a great undertaking for teachers and students, but they provide yet another opportunity for parents to be involved.
6. Volunteers could be helpful in the school office by answering the telephone, making copies, filing paperwork, or in a number of other ways.
Any parent interested in volunteering at Glencoe Classical Academy is encouraged to contact his or her child’s teacher or the school administration.
Parental involvement is instrumental in a child’s education. Research has shown that children and families greatly benefit when parents play an active role in the classroom, the school, and other activities related to the children’s education. There is a strong correlation between student success and parental involvement. While being an engaged parent may mean sacrificing time and energy, the importance of that engagement cannot be expressed enough and the benefits that can be reaped are often too numerous to list.
By volunteering in their child’s classroom and school, parents may benefit in ways such as the following:
1. The parents develop a closer relationship with the child’s teacher and the school’s administration, resulting in better communication among them.
2. The parents gain a better understanding of (and appreciation for) their child’s daily routine and the daily activities their children experience within the classroom.
3. The parents are better able to understand the expectations and standards the teacher and school have for the child.
4. The parents are able to experience first-hand their child’s response to his or her surroundings, teacher, and classmates.
Parental involvement can affect a child in many positive ways such as the following:
1. The child will develop a greater appreciation for his or her education and the efforts of the teacher and parents.
2. If the parents’ attitudes regarding the time they spend volunteering at the school are positive, the child may also develop a good attitude. Additionally, a child’s attitude is frequently exhibited in his or her behavior. The better the attitude, the better the behavior.
3. If the parents encourage students to uphold the classroom and school standards while volunteering, the child will be more apt to obey the classroom and school standards even when the parents aren’t present.
4. If a child sees his or her parents positively interacting with the teacher and administrators, he or she will likely treat those people with the same amount of respect that the parents do.
Below are some suggestions parents can consider when seeking ways to become more actively engaged in their child’s education.
1. Parents can take an active role in daily homework and other projects. Often, children gain a better understanding of concepts by teaching it to others. Parents can aid their child’s comprehension of a subject by allowing the child to “teach” it to them. A daily homework routine allows parents and students to remain accountable and informed.
2. Volunteer time in the classroom. Parents can volunteer to help with a particular area of interest such as literature, art, or science.
3. Parents can volunteer to help during lunch and recess duty or even in the afterschool program.
4. Teachers spend a great deal of time creating lesson plans and making copies; parents can help lighten this load by volunteering to copy worksheets and assignments.
5. Special events, musical performances, and field trips are a great undertaking for teachers and students, but they provide yet another opportunity for parents to be involved.
6. Volunteers could be helpful in the school office by answering the telephone, making copies, filing paperwork, or in a number of other ways.
Any parent interested in volunteering at Glencoe Classical Academy is encouraged to contact his or her child’s teacher or the school administration.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
From One, Learn All
The Latin phrase, ab uno disces omnes, is the motto of Glencoe Classical Academy and translates to “from one, learn all.” The phrase was first found in Virgil’s literary work, The Aeneid and meant that everything should be viewed in a certain way because of one observation or example, causing people to hold a universal perception.
Glencoe Classical Academy desires for students to learn that everything is to be considered in the light of God’s written Word. Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do his commandments;” A person’s understanding of the world begins with his or her understanding of the Lord and subsequent reverence for Him. This understanding is portrayed in the person’s obedience towards His commandments.
GCA also desires for students to recognize that Christ is the one from which all things should be learned. Proverbs 2:6 states, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” James 1:5 says, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously…” God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge, and it is accessible to those who seek His will and ask Him for understanding. His wisdom applies not only to the things contained within the Bible, but it applies to every area of the GCA curricula and the students’ academic endeavors. The wisdom of God can be seen through the literature the students read, the mathematic principles they learn, the history lessons they study, and the scientific theories they examine.
Romans 11:33 says, “Oh, the depth of the riches of both the wisdom and knowledge of God!...” At Glencoe Classical Academy students are encouraged to learn from the One who holds an unsurpassable, all-encompassing, and infinite knowledge.
Glencoe Classical Academy desires for students to learn that everything is to be considered in the light of God’s written Word. Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do his commandments;” A person’s understanding of the world begins with his or her understanding of the Lord and subsequent reverence for Him. This understanding is portrayed in the person’s obedience towards His commandments.
GCA also desires for students to recognize that Christ is the one from which all things should be learned. Proverbs 2:6 states, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” James 1:5 says, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously…” God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge, and it is accessible to those who seek His will and ask Him for understanding. His wisdom applies not only to the things contained within the Bible, but it applies to every area of the GCA curricula and the students’ academic endeavors. The wisdom of God can be seen through the literature the students read, the mathematic principles they learn, the history lessons they study, and the scientific theories they examine.
Romans 11:33 says, “Oh, the depth of the riches of both the wisdom and knowledge of God!...” At Glencoe Classical Academy students are encouraged to learn from the One who holds an unsurpassable, all-encompassing, and infinite knowledge.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
