The Simple Life at Home

Emily showed me this hilarious video. Her teacher showed it to her class the other day. It is SOOOO true. I will warn you that there is a bad word (beeped out) and a bit of other iffy language, but I think it's worth the attitude adjustment it will bring. It may just help you realize that life is much better than we realize.

Yesterday I went to my very first event as the mom of school-attending children. A meeting was called at the school to discuss the high school math program. While I don't yet have a high schooler, Emily will be one in the blink of an eye so I, and several other parents of 8th graders, attended.

Now I was totally clueless as to why the meeting was called. I do know that Emily has been complaining mightily about her math class. Homework is neither collected nor checked, let alone counted towards the grade. She says that her teacher doesn't really explain how to do things. I dismissed most of the complaints as being the mere grumblings of a girl who doesn't like math (a situation I am intimately acquainted with unfortunately!!).

Well, come to find out, she's right. All the way from kindergarten through 12th grade it's the same. The school has adopted a philosophy of being "inquiry-based," which means allowing the child to find the answers for themselves. Sounds good, but I don't think it works in practice, particularly in math.

In fact, it's working so poorly that the entire high school is being allowed to re-take their semester exams because such a high percentage of children got D's and F's. This will only happen, though, after mandatory math labs - 5 days a week! - for a month so they can get caught up to where they should be.

The department head defended her position, stating that they wanted to help children learn to think for themselves. Ok, I can understand that. But she said that they don't want to just give children the formulas or an explanation of how to find an answer. But isn't that what math is all about? I don't know anyone who would initially look at the equation 6C x 9(42 + c) = 83 and have any clue as to how to proceed without direction from a teacher.

As proof of this, a huge number of families have hired private tutors to help their kids. Let me tell you, for what we are paying in tuition, I can't imagine having to pay someone else to teach my kids what they should be learning in school. And many children were told that their parents were not to help them with their homework in any way!! Um, excuse me, but I am still the parent and I am ultimately still responsible for my child's education. That is the homeschool rebel in me coming out, but no one is going to tell me if my child is struggling that I can't help them understand. I'm not talking about doing the work for them, but talking them through the process.

I just don't get it. For many years we all managed to do this. Our teachers managed to collect, grade and return our homework, learning what we did and didn't understand in the process. The teachers helped us learn how to do these things and we learned. It was simple.

According to the information given in the meeting today the teachers will be moving towards a more direct teaching style and away from the inquiry based model. I hope that's true. My daughter and son, along with many other kids, deserve that much.

Well I have a lot to be thankful for this week. Some things that I thought were bad that turned out to be not so bad, especially.

* I'm thankful that I'm more hopeful for our little dog, Snow. She injured herself on Tuesday night and was unable to walk or to use her hind legs for the most part. After a trip to the vet yesterday morning, I was devastated. According to him, her prognosis was not good and she might need to be put down. He told us to give her three weeks to see how she did and if she hadn't recovered by then we'd need to consider euthanasia. After spending the day crying off and on (we've had her 9 years), I did some research on the internet and found it's not as grim as he made it out to be. Yes, it will be a slow recovery, but 4/5 dogs do recover. Instead of the 3 weeks he gave her, we should allow for 6-12 weeks for healing. I went to bed feeling so relieved!

* I'm thankful for the internet. While there is plenty out there that ranges from harmful to just plain stupid and wrong, it may have just saved my dog's life. Not to mention all the wonderful helps I find in my attempt to be a great wife and mom - parenting help, delicious recipes, organizational tips, and wonderful blogs to find encouragement and laughter (see sidebar).

* I'm thankful that now I understand what's going on in my kids' math classes. While I know my kids and know that they are not math savants, I've been shocked to see how poorly they've been doing. During a parent meeting this morning, I learned that the school's educational philosophy is one I had never heard of. They have been "inquiry-based" rather than "directed learning based." Which basically means the teachers don't directly teach the kids how to do the work, but rather let them figure it out for themselves. The problem is so bad that they are having to let the entire high school re-take their semester exams (following intense math labs to get them all caught up). Hopefully the school has figured out that it's not working and changes will be made. I'm just glad to know it's not just my kids!!!

* I'm thankful for the amazing weather we continue to have. Beautiful blue skies, temps in the high 70's to low 80's. Soon enough I'll be complaining, but it's beautiful right now!

* I'm thankful for God teaching me new things all the time. Right now He's working on teaching me not to be led by my emotions. To stop and think things through and seek out truth, rather than feeling. It's a lesson I really need to learn and learn well.

* I'm thankful for my husband. Tomorrow is our 16th wedding anniversary. While there have definitely been ups and downs in our marriage, I know that we are truly meant to be together. He's a wonderful, godly man who takes care of our family beyond measure. I love him and I'm proud to be his wife.

For more Thankful Thursday posts, visit Grace Alone.

In an ongoing effort to make the world a better place, may I present "A Handy Field Guide for Drivers in Doha."

(Yes, yes, I realize very few drivers in Doha will ever read this. Just play along, will you?)

Let's just go over some basic rules of driving that seem to have gotten lost in the sandstorms of Qatar.

1) When one is turning left, it is normal to get into the left lane to wait your turn. Attempting to make a turn from the right-hand lane (particularly when the left-hand lane is not a dedicated turn lane, but truly all the time) is just bad form. I realize that occasionally, the right-hand lane may be shorter, so you feel the need to lessen your own wait by risking creating an accident, but this is just wrong. LEARN TO WAIT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DOES!!

(And, yes, this includes you, sir, who screamed at me for calling you "stupid" yesterday. While I did throw my hands up in the air and shake my head in disgust, I did not, in fact, call you stupid. You ARE stupid, but I didn't say it. The fact that you pull up next to me and point for me to let you over does not negate your stupidity.)

A sub-section of this little rule is that it is extremely rude to be in the far right lane of a multi-lane left turn area, but expect to do a U-turn. It's NOT OK to get to the front of the line, slam on your brakes during a green light, and wait until the light turns red to make the U-turn, holding up everyone behind you. If you have to do a U-turn, get into the inside lane in the first place.

2) That little paved area that separates two directions of traffic? That's called a median. It is not a lane especially set aside for those of you who are too important to wait in a lane of traffic unlike the rest of us poor souls. When you pull out of traffic, onto the median and drive up to the front of the lane, it indicates that you consider yourself superior to the rest of us. It's not nice. Don't do it. LEARN TO WAIT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DOES!!

3) There is a prescribed number of lanes per road. Just because you can squeeze your car into a certain area doesn't mean it belongs there. A shoulder of the road is not a lane. If there is 3 feet of road between me and the curb, that plus the curb is not a lane for you to get into. Stay where you are and get into a real lane. LEARN TO WAIT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DOES!!

4) Two-lane roads are generally not one-way unless specifically marked. This means that if there is a lane of cars waiting, you cannot just pull into the opposite lane of traffic and drive up to the front. First of all, it's dangerous. Secondly it's just plain rude. LEARN TO WAIT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DOES!!

5) Right-turn lanes are not meant for people who are going straight but in a hurry to use as a way to skip the lane. DO NOT drive all the way to the front of the turn lane and then sit there and wait for some poor fool to let you in! This blocks everyone else from using the lane to, oh, I don't know - actually turn right!! LEARN TO WAIT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DOES!!

6) When travelling through a round-about, stay in your own lane. Yes, I know that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Tough! If it takes you an extra 3 seconds to get through the circle because you can't just cut in and out of the center lane (where I already am, forcing me to slam on my brakes), that's just too bad.

7) Speed kills. Slow down for goodness' sake. When you are so close to me that I can't see your headlights, flashing your headlights at me does no good. Stop trying to intimidate people by riding their bumper and slow down. There is nothing so important that is worth your life (or mine!!).

8) For the love of all that's holy, buckle up your children!!! If you are stupid enough not to wear your seat belt, don't inflict your stupidity on your children. They don't like it? Tough! Be a parent and exercise some authority. With the way people drive, you are placing their lives in the hands of all those other crazy people.

And while we are on the topic of children, please stop letting your children stand up and stand in the open sunroof while you drive full-speed down the road. God forbid something should happen and your child be thrown out onto the hard pavement. No one ever plans to be in an accident. You will have no warning and no opportunity to save them should something happen. Protect them before something happens and you have to live with it the rest of your life.

The basic rule? Consider that you are NOT the most important person on the road. Everyone has somewhere to go and something to do. You are not more important than the rest of us. Take your time and we'll all get where we need to go safely.

** Though I really love blogging, it was nice to have a break and not feel pressured to come up with something interesting to say. Yes, I realized that my life is really not that interesting!

** There is just too dang much homework being assigned in my kids' school. I spent hours upon hours doing homework, studying for tests and helping with projects this weekend. When, exactly, are they supposed to relax and be kids. This is one reason I am such a strong supporter of homeschooling. I'd give anything to still be able to do that here if the situation allowed it.

** My daughter is enrolled in a math class. Not a "scale model construction" class. Why on earth was it necessary to assign this project?!?! (If her math teacher reads this, I still love you, Mrs. L. I just don't think this was necessary - why couldn't they just figure out scale on paper?!?)

** My friend is leaving Doha and is giving me a bunch of stuff!!! Yippee!! I'm so excited - shelving (which I'll use as a pantry), a tri-level corner table, a small table and chairs for my kitchen, a computer desk, a monitor, and more!!! Though I hate it when friends move away, I love it when they bless me with stuff they don't want to move!

** Ok, I think I'm a step closer to going to the doctor. I know, I know - I've been putting it off for a ridiculously long time. But at least I've identified which hospital I want to go to. Now I just need to call and see if I need to make an appointment or just walk in. I've got several issues going on right now that warrant medical attention, unfortunately. I think I have an eye infection (ugh!) and I injured my shoulder while working out about a month ago and it's not healing well. I've got pain most of the time and it's not getting any better, so I guess it's time to do something about it.

** I have a new follower that I know nothing about except that she's Romanian. Welcome!!! Bun venit , prietenul meu! I have a deep love for the Romanian people and at one time hoped to go there to do mission work. God lead me to another call, but my heart still loves the people of Romania.



** So now you see why I needed a break. There just is not too much going on in my brain right now!







Sunday - Cornflake Chicken, rotini with broccolini and garlic, salad

Monday - Salmon, herbed couscous, caesar salad

Tuesday - Lemon & rosemary chicken, roasted potatoes, tossed salad

Wednesday - Shepherd's pie

Thursday - Spaghetti with Italian sausage, tossed salad and garlic bread

Friday - Chicken stir fry and white rice

Saturday - Lentils & rice with a lemon-dressed salad

So that's what we'll be having this week. Thanks for stopping by!! To those of you who have been patient and encouraging to me during my little vacation, thanks!

Well, I've been on hiatus now for about a week and I'm ready to come back. Except I can't.

I don't remember teachers assigning such massive amounts of homework over the weekend when I was a kid. I've been working with my kids Thursday afternoon, an hour or two yesterday and all day and they still are nowhere near done. I'm totally overwhelmed and I'm sure they are too.

Now I know all you moms who have been sending your kids off to school are laughing at me. But let me take off my hat and give you a little bow because you are amazing to have been doing this for years! Trust me - homeschooling is much easier!

I've got other things to say, but no time at the moment - a scale model piano is waiting to be assembled. I'll be back in full swing on Monday, once I get the kiddies off to school tomorrow and catch up on my house maintenance. Thanks for your patience!!

I'm going to be checking out of blogland for a bit. I'm not really sure how long, but I need to spend some time "going quiet." Rethinking alot of things, re-evaluating life in general, that type of stuff. Nothing's wrong - I just need to focus on "real-life" for a bit. Hopefully I'll be back soon.