Good-bye 2010, Hello 2011

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I'm not sure what to make of this past year,2010. I had some good times, some not so good times, and some just plain ridiculous times.

I guess if you are a Republican or Conservative it turned out to be a not so bad year. Unless, of course, like me you live in California where the likes of Maxine Waters, Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, Gaven Newsom and Jerry Brown still hold the masses under a deep hypnosis of liberalism. 

I am still trying to find a Tea Party in my area. I think the basic ideals of conservative, which the Republican Party so easily strays from need to be advertised and presented in a understandable manner. I am very tired of hearing Democrats and liberals, via their propaganda wing (like la Times) misstating conservative ideals and deceiving the public by withholding the truth about liberals and liberalism. News agencies refuse to tackle the truth. For example,I have yet to see and news article on the fact that in a state run by a Democratic legislature, that since 2005, over 1,200,000 Californians lost their jobs and that companies have taken those jobs to more business friendly states. I have yet to hear a whisper of a call for accountability from the legislature from our press core. That is why so many turn to the internet. May the government keeps its' slimy hands off!!! 

What I did enjoy this year was going on vacation with my family and participating in Cub Scouts with my son. There is nothing like the smile on your child's face when they are enjoying something other than video games. 

May God bless you and your family, our state, and our country.

Have a great and blessed 2011!

Parenting and Scouting, Pop Tarts and Smiles

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The problem with being an A Type personality is it is next to impossible to just to a little of anything. My dad once bought 2 shopping carts full of Pop Tarts, because they were good. I have never bought 2 shopping carts of any one item, but, I find myself diving in head first and going full boar or not going at all. 

I have been consumed by my sons' Cub Scout Pack as of late. I shared on an earlier post how I was volunteered as a leader. I don't  mind. I like working with people and more importantly I want to see my son have a great experience as a Cub Scout. The former leader was a man of many words with little action. I know I can be a man of MANY words but, I hope I back them up with actions a plenty. 

I rechartered our pack. I attended the University of Scouting. I called a parents planning meeting. I sent out flyers to schools in the area (my wife actually did the bulk of the work, she's awesome). I am learning all the things we should of been doing. 

I am blessed to have some great parents in the Pack. Some are beginning to step up and help. And you know what? That really is what being a parent is all about, doing what you need to do so your child can have a great scouting experience. My philosophy of parent involvement is that if you want your child to enjoy something or be successful at it, it is up to you. I want my son to enjoy scouting, so I am doing what I need to do to make that happen. Now as an A Type personality, I have dove in and found myself knee deep in Cub Scouting and to be honest, I am having a great time. More importantly, my son is enjoying being  a Cub Scout too. Two weeks ago, one of the fathers, a member of the Coast Guard arranged for the pack to visit the hanger where the Coast Guard helicopters are housed and repaired. If you could of seen the smile on my sons face when he was being lifted up in the rescue basket and into the helicopter...I swear if he was eating cake the frosting would of been on his ears...that is what scouting is about. 

Cen-ten-o-ree's and tomahawks

This weekend was actually a once in a lifetime event for me and my family. My youngest son is a cub scout (Wolf) and this weekend was sort of the 100 year jamboree celebration. A few thousand scouts were at this weekends event. Normally cub scouts are not invited but because it only happens once my son was able to participate. The highlight of the weekend for my son was the tomahawk throw. He had been persistently asking for this hat with LCD lights on the brim. I told him if he hit the bulls eye I would buy it for him. To be honest, I figured it was a long shot. Sure enough, he hit it on his first try! I bought it and he forgot to wear it on the walk to the Big Show on Saturday night. Nice looking cap though.

Cheerio Camper

When I was like 5 years old I dreamed of being able to go on going camping adventures. Mom was divorced; we lived with Granny and Grandpa. Money was tight, but love was not. My creative mind had to make do with what I had. So, I would take the empty cereal boxes and run string through the sides and make a backpack out of it. (I’m sure there are other Cheerio campers out there.)Then I would hike around the yard and set up camp. I had a great time.

This weekend my youngest son has a Cen-ten-o-ree camp out. The theme is the 100^th year of scouting which is being celebrated this year. We are really excited about it. The dust should be amazing in and of itself. We choose the meal option because…I didn’t want to be a slave to the kitchen. The food will be catered by fast food giants such as Carl’s Jr., McDonald’s, and Derweinerschnitzel.

The best part, seeing my son’s smile as he proudly adorns his Cub Scout uniform. Here’s to all the parents enjoying their children and living the dream through them.

Thus saith me.

My Kids Math is Driving Me Crazy

 

Is there anyone else out there who finds it a bit draining to come home from work and check your child’s homework? The math that they give 5^th graders today is so far ahead of the math I did in 5^th grade that it seems like she is already in High School! Last night my daughter was reviewing some problems with area and perimeter of complex forms. The first problem almost killed me. So, my question is why? Why are we, as a nation, torturing our children with ever increasingly difficult math in the name of higher standards?

I do not believe it helps our youth to be forced to attempt complex math, in elementary or even middle school, because for most of them their minds have not developed enough to deal with abstract notions of math. There is a reason why in the past we were not asked to solve mixed fractions until the end of 5^th grade, the normal development of the brain. Yet, our children are being forced to attempt problems their minds may not have developed enough to fully understand.

I can not tell you a single time I have needed or used Algebra in the 32 years since High School. I have used some Geometry when I worked in construction in my teens and twenties. I have a Masters Degree. I have worked in construction, sales, restaurants, and in education. Yet, I can’t remember a time I have used or needed Algebra.

I attended a school in England for a year when I was 20. The people I met from other countries had a different experience in education.  In none of the countries that we are apparently competing against do they try to make all their students take Algebra. Actually, by the time kids are in middle school they are being guided toward education that might help them in trades or whatever they show an aptitude for. In a way I guess that system makes teenagers think about what they are going to do as a profession simply by training them for one.

How does that related to my child (and thus me and you) being tortured by higher math? In most other countries only students with an aptitude for math take higher math unlike here where we force all students to take Algebra. That might explain the higher scores other countries score in comparison to the USA! I am an educator in a Middle School. Nothing produces failure, low self-esteem and drop outs like the unnecessary and ill-conceived plan to force our youth to take Algebra in Middle School. Nothing. 

Our educational system should help not hinder our children.

Thus saith me.