Our world is changing...even quicker than we realize. Here are two links to helps us understand the pace at which change is occuring. The first is a brilliant display of how the countries of the world have narrowed a gap of wealth and health. Those that were considered "third world" countries, even just a generation ago, are catching up. While there is still considerable poverty around the globe, the access to technology and information is without question one of the most powerful forces we have ever dealt with.
http://www.gapminder.org/videos/200-years-that-changed-the-world-bbc/
The second link is to an ESPN special report on the Ugandan Little League team. While the team was prevented from coming to Williamsport to compete in the Little League World Series this August due to Visa issues and birth certificate discrepencies, it is clear how a game, which was completely foriegn to people in the country just a few years ago, can be taught and learned well. These kids can play. If we can teach them to play baseball that well in such a short time... what else can we teach people?
Monday, September 12, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Why your child can't skip their 20 minutes of reading per night
We assign homework most nights but nothing may be more important than your child reading at home for at least 20 minutes each night. All the technology in the world, can not replace the importance of reading. Watch the cumulative effect in the math problem below.
Student A reads 20 minutes a night, 5 times per week
Student B reads only 4 minutes a night or not at all
Student A reads 100 minutes a week
Student B reads 20 minutes a week
Student A reads 400 minutes per month
Student B reads 80 minutes per month
Student A reads 3,600 minutes a year
Student B reads 720 minutes per year
Student A will read for a total of 60 school days
Student B will read for a total of 12 school days
One would expect the gap of information retained will have widened considerably and so, undoubtedly , will school performance.
Which student would you expect to read better?
Which student would you expect to know more?
Which student would you expect to write better?
Which student would you expect to have a better vocabulary?
Which student would you expect to be more successful in school and in life?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)