Welcome to my world...

Assessment Frustration!

2008-06-08T13:26:00.000-07:00

WARNING UN-POLITICALLY CORRECT RANT AND RAVE!!!
Please forgive me if you are reading this and you are a teacher... it seems that teachers get the raw end of the stick, they are told how to teach something even if they don't neccessarily agree with the method. I have the highest respect for teachers, but it is the system that I am finding more and more frustrating.

I recently meet with J8's teacher to discuss J's apparent frustration with school, especially in reading and maths. Her teacher did a reading assessment on her before we meet with her and discovered that while she reads (decodes) at a level 2+ years above her chronological age (this has been the case for years), she has remained on her current level for 6 months because she consistently fails the comprehension side of the assessment... why you may ask? not because she is not comprehending but because she is "over thinking" and nobody has explained to her what she has been doing wrong, for example she read a reading about Coke and there was a question, What is soft drink' J8 answered with 'carbornated water,sugar and flavour', the asssessment required that answer was "a non-alcholic drink", so Ok I get that she was incorrect in the context of a reading comprehension test, but her answer was correct in a general knowledge sense and the poor kid has been confused because as far as she is concerned it is correct... up until last Friday she had not ever been explained as to why she was marked incorrect.

Then R11 was doing maths homework and did a sum which that answer was correct, but she was marked incorrect because she hadn't done the working in the way that that particular exercise required, which I guess is Ok except that this was not explained to her so she got confused because the answer was correct but it has a big red cross next to it. Ok in this situation she could have asked her teacher to explain why it was incorrect so 50% of the issue is her lack of confidence in approching to ask.

Kids need to know why they have been marked incorrect especially when the question is correct but not in context, how else do they learn ... ARGHHHH!!!!

I realise that in a class of thirty you can not meet every child's educational needs, and now in a bid to be politically correct there is no streaming as such. I have a friend who is doing Early Childhood training and has been doing a paper on diversity, it seems that things have gotten so out of kilter. There is no 'normal' anymore, it is so politically correct... I mean the youth that are in the Cell group I lead tell me that there is no 'fail' mark as such anymore, it is now 'not achieved' which I guess it is the same as a fail but in more sugar coated language so they don't feel bad.

I have been reading some books, one about the NZ education system and one about the Aussie system and I have to say it scares me. They both talk about being outcomes based (which you will note other countries who have previously used this system have thrown it out because it doesn't work), and even more concerning is the underlying neo-marxist philosophy. Now I don't tend to be a conspiracy theorist and would usually just turn my nose up and say 'yeah right!' But I have been increasing concerned about my kids education so have been doing a lot of research and reading. It worries and angers me that we are told that J8 should be happy and not to worried as she is working well above expectation in all subjects, the fact that the child is worried and wanting to do all she can which means needing a greater challenge seems to be irrelevent - she has an exceptional brain that when under utilised becomes succeptable to anxiety, but when challenged and pushed she becomes articulate and happy... R11 has become a ditzy blonde and while some of it is age, she also admitts why do 100% when she can get away with doing 50% or less than she is capable of?

Education - Your thoughts

2008-05-25T22:41:00.000-07:00

If you are lurking about reading my blog, please delurk and tell me your thoughts on education... especially if you live in NZ. What / how do you education your children? Private school, public school, correspondance school??? Do your home educate?
Why do you do what you do in regards to education?

Sick'N'things

2008-05-24T23:14:00.000-07:00

I have spent the weekend in my PJs and had three nice hot baths... though this may sound like the luxurious life we all dream of... it was not. I am sick. I usually get a bug and carry on but not this time it seems to have taken hold. It's the hot one minute cold the next variety... starving and then nauseuos... yah! Just when we had a relatively quiet Saturday, we had decided that we would take the girls out somewhere special, but alas at 5am on Saturday morning when I woke up feeling like c**p these plans all changed. My hubby is great - he runs baths and buys me ginger beer, he organises someone to fill my gap on the computer roster at church and lets me moan and groan on the couch, all the time doing washing and supervising children and finding time to massage my aching feet and sore legs. He is such a great guy, we love him to bits...

Pastor's Wife

2008-05-17T01:31:00.000-07:00

About a year ago someone said something to me that sent me into a small tailspin... it was a revelation of sorts. We were talking about her being a Pastor's Wife and she quite bluntly... in love of course said 'But you are one too!' I had never really put myself in that catergory. So I guess now I have another label.... I am a wife, a mum, a friend, a sister, an aunt etc etc and now I guess I should add pastor's wife.

Anyway, I went to a school garage sale today and was so excited to find one of those tupperware conatainers that you put your beetroot or pickles in that has a movable shelf... almost brand new and for 50cents. I was able to buy a couple of nice fluffy baby blankets and great jersey for a friend's son and some clothes for my girls, all for the grand total of $1. I bought books for my niece and nephew and a cool game for my kids.... all I spent was $6.00 and that included a bacon and egg roll. I could very easily get into garage saling... I must begin to set my alarm for early Saturday morning garage sale crawls...

Bi-Monthly addition

2008-03-18T20:11:00.000-07:00

Hi there,
I had thought I would start 2008 with writing this blog more regularly, but alas no... I have sat down a few times... but felt like who in the world is really intertested in my ramblings and what possibly can I write that encompasses my beautiful girls and my wonderful husband to their fullest credit.

If read my blog please delurk and ask me some questions...

:) Blessings T

2008

2008-01-01T22:08:00.000-08:00

This is a photo we took in Aussie 2006... I worked out how to post it.

Well, I am not really a blogger.... However, this year I think I will be a little more up to date being that I have so much family around who are no longer a short drive away... and would like to know what we are up to.
However, please don't expect photos of the girls posted here.

Unfortunately, I don't really have alot to report. Our beloved family moogie - Claude, was run over and died... sadly J8 found him and was pretty much unconsolable, she wanted him back NOW! Bella the family mutt spent a couple of days looking for his playmate and was a bit morose... yes they were friends and played and slept together.

We actually stayed up to see in the new year, it was great to spend it with close friends.

Anyway, we were all very blessed at Christmas, the most obscure gift received (which to be honest I am not 100% sure what I think of) was factory second ginger bread men made by my sister.... check them out at http://randomthoughtskaren.blogspot.com/ My hubby loved them, thought they were great.

Well, I guess the festivities are now all over for another year. Now all that remains is to see what 2008 will bring...

Bless you all :)

Long time no write

2007-08-14T01:27:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile, I haven't had anything to say really. Today I watched a couple of DVds because I was home form work not feeling so crash hot, first time in years I have actually not gone to work because of feeling ill... actually felt guilty.
I watched a movie on Bonhoffer, this was interesting, then I watched 80% of The Passion of The Christ movie.

Oprah today was talking to a Minister who has started a 21 no complaints challenge, I think I would probably fail within the first few hours, though I am trying to be a positive non complainer.
Husband is at meeting, one girl is reading a Geronimo Stilton book and the other is curled up and fast asleep. They are beautiful girls. I am truly blessed, it is fun watching them grow and develop into amazing women.

Marshmellow and Shortbread.

2007-06-19T03:05:00.000-07:00

I bought (well hubby really) bought me some gelatine, yay you say... except this is a great thing because I love marshmellow and I love to make it myself.I made marshmellow slice today with a shortbread base, very yummy.

A quiet evening at home

2007-06-06T23:09:00.000-07:00

Well it is ten minutes past 6, the family is fed the dishes are done and now I sit here typing as my eldest daughter plays speed with herself (don't ask) and my youngest and her Daddy are putting her duvet inside a clean cover. The TV is off and so the house is peaceful.
I am tired, the cat has decided that sleeping in my bed is his right, not only is he in my bed he has decided that he wants to sleep on top of me, if I lie on my tummy he is on my back, if I lie on my back he is asleep on my chest, if I lie on my side he is laying on my other side... arghhhh... but he is a bit too cute to throw outside, so therefore I guess I can not complain really.

I am about to haul out my exercise bike. I will pedal away while for a bit and then I won't feel so bad about the sante chocolate bar I ate today.

Anyways, hubby is home tonight so I guess we will curl up on the couch after girls are in bed and watch some mindless TV.

Update

2007-06-04T01:54:00.000-07:00

We have been working at removing the junk from the girls diets especially that in the form of "snack bars". We have bought a Breadmaker, makes brillient dough for home made pizza and I am playing with various bread recipes. I have also started to bake.... yes actually creaming butter and sugar, flour and baking powder type cooking, not prepackaged cake mix, but from scratch. The oldest girl has complained a bit about how she eats homemade while her friends eat yummy LCM's etc, I told her that her frinds are probably thinking yum, homemade chocolate shortbread. We have noticed a big change in the girl's behaviour, whether this is because of the diet changes, or the lifestyle changes or a combination of both I am unsure.

I have done sooooooo much reading on parenting of late, I have read so many different philosophies and theories on child rearing written by many people from many walks of life, we have used a number of the ideas in these books and have really enjoyed the changes we are seeing in the girls. A big success we have had is settling at bedtimes... now we ask the children to go to bed at about 7pm, they are told they can read for as long or as short as they see fit. We have found consistently that number two calls at about 730pm for tuck in and prayer, when she calls we also do the goodnights and prayer with older one except we allow oldest to continue to read as she likes, usually we have to turn her light out when we go to bed, she will inevitibly be fast asleep with a book fallen over her face. This new bedtime routine has stopped the 10:30 "I can't sleep, I'm scared" visits from youngest, it has also stopped her cries of injustice that the oldest gets to have the light on for longer because youngest dictates her own lights out so can not comment. Funnily enough we find that the youngest goes to sleep sooner now that she has lights out control that she did before, it also means that oldest is not longer hiding her night time reading practice from us so therefore is not be deceitful. Maybe some would see this as a battle lost to the parents, but do not think this at all. Our children are happier, they are sleeping better and mum and dad are no longer fighting children to get them to go to sleep. They are fully aware of the consequence of reading till midnight, and that it will be their problem if they are tired at school, however, this has not happened at all. I have learnt that kids need boundaries but they also need these loose enough that they can have the room to make age appropraite decisions and learn that choices have consequences. This is just one of the amazing changes we have seen since we have changes our parenting style. I could type for ages but I won't...

Are we slowly poisoning ourselves?

2007-05-12T21:58:00.000-07:00

I have been looking at food additives this last week and boy is it scary, hubby and I went to the supermarket the other day in the search of a little treat for afternoon tea among other things and left very discouraged because we have decided to limit food additives in our families diet and nearly everything we picked up had an ingredients list that resembled a school maths book. However in saying this I did discover that the puffed corn and puffed rice wafers that my girls looovvvveeee are additive free unless you buy the ones coated in flavouring which we will no longer be doing. Starting this week the girl will no longer be bought museli bars, I am going to bake biscuits and slices and give them these instead, I have found a really good bread recipe which I am going to use to make chelsea style buns for the girls for lunch.
We have also decided to abandom sausages like sizzlers although a family favourite, and replace them with sausages that are little less synthesised. The changes we make are going to be slow, but we think that it is time.

Also I have been looking at parenting styles and have decided with my husband that we need to change ours, we need to recognise that we are parents and that our children need our direction and guidance. A number of things have happened in the last 2 months, some little some big that has made us realise that we need to address some things that we do as parents and as a family. The biggest change we have made this week is turning the TV off, especially during dinner time, we have not managed to eat at the table but we do eat together as a family, rather than what we used to do , the girls eating at the table and hubby and I eating in the lounge watching reruns of Friends (not that we haven seen them at least five times) I no longer watch Home and Away and we have not seen the 6 o'clock news all week, this has had a huge positive effect on number two who finds the negative information in the news quite unsettling. It has meant instead of us telling her to leave the room and be away from the family, we just catch the news later. Another benefit is that the dishes get done because the deal is no TV for anyone..... mum and dad especially until dishes done. the girls are wanting to help do them now instead of being plastered to the TV watching stuff that is really not appropriate.
All in all these few little changes have been very beneficial to our children, also we have been really conscience of the language and tone we use with our children... it has only taken us ten years to realise that weneed to much our girls more of a priority, that they need to be more than tagalongs in our busy lives. We have been given these kids as a blessing entrusted to us from the Lord.

Home alone...

2007-04-24T00:49:00.000-07:00

I am at home alone... well not really I have my two children and my vicious dog with me. My husband is at a Minister's retreat, I am very glad tomorrow is a day off.

I learnt about breathing today, into the tummy not the chest. It is interesting how bad I am at breathing, I find that I get breathless quickly and now know why... I guess one could aliken this to our relationship with God, we can allow Him access to part of our being, we can survive like this, maybe at times feeling breathless or we can allow Him access to every part of our being which means we have all we need to survive without feeling breathless or tired... just as breathing properly gives us the oxygen we need, allowing God full access gives us the strength we need in our lives.

Heroes

2007-04-16T02:58:00.000-07:00

I have been watching Heroes, every week I wonder if we are actually going to get a hint of the story... where exactly this is going or is it like Lost where it seems even the writers are lost... I get so frustrated and yet come back to it every week in some vain hope that it might actually get remotely better... everytime to become bitterly disappointed... I guess that is worldly hope, vain imaginings. It seems more like luck or mere wishful thinking.
Thankfully, the hope I hold in life is not mere wishful thinking or based on luck. It is based on the fact the author of my faith isn't lost... I believe that in Jesus we have a hope beyond what we can imagine. Hope beyond whatever is happening in my life. an eternal hope that lies beyod tomorrow or next weeks episode of Heroes...

Easter

2007-04-03T22:34:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong I love chocolate with the best of them, I don't think I fall into the anticonsumeristic ccamp, but it does sadden me when I see the way easter has become about chocolate and the Easter Show.
I believe that Easter is to take time and reflect on what Jesus did. I believe that the death and ressurrection of Christ is the single biggest event in world history, closely followed by His birth. yet both these events are lost in the midst of wrapping papaer and chocolate.

I guess what I am saying is take a moment this next few days and think about life...

Thin air...

2007-03-09T01:49:00.000-08:00

I think I am writing to thin air, but that is OK. I had a VERY bad day today (well morning anyway)... I am so glad it is Friday and I don't have to get up to get kids to school tomorrow. My oldest has been made a house captain at school, she was so rapt and excited, what a great boost to her to be chosen.

My youngest has a fibroptic lamp, she loves it, and the oldest a lava lamp. These both are very cool, when I was a kid I had a doll lamp which I loved and even after the lamp died I played with the doll, she was pretty in a pink frilly dress, I thought she was so beautiful. Its funny what we remember, I pray my children have simple memories of their childhood.

Another thing I remember vaguely is a long wooden chair built for all my teddies and dolls to sit in. I had a wooden truck made by my grandad and blue gingham frilly curtains which my mum made for me.

If you are lurking and reading my posts please delurk and introduce yourself...:) I am sorry my blob doesn't feature photos and other exciting things like that, I and not a good photo taker and I don't know how to do cool things on a blog. Also I personally don't want to plaster my face and the faces of my beautiful girls all over the internet... I would always be concerned about who is looking at my babies. Call me paranoid.......

I don't do

2007-03-07T00:41:00.000-08:00

... crafts, or homeschool (though I did for a while with 10 y o when she was struggling in the school system), knitting just leaves my stressed and crossstitch is too little... although I love to sew clothes for my kids. I keep a messy house and hate doing washing and dishes. The gardens are overgrown and the windowsills need dusting, my paints were filed years ago and my study is no more than a dumping ground for junk. The newspapers bank up until someone has the gumption to put them on the curb for recycling and I use canned pasta sauce. I am a useless cook and find that plain bikkies are often cheaper once you have baked a batch that no one wants to eat.

However the girls are healthy and their clothes are clean (my wonderful husband loves washing). I just want to take a moment to reassure those non earthy mums like me that we are OK, parenting takes many forms... My husband and I have the goal of instilling passion into our girls, a deep passion for whatever they choose that they then follow with everything they have... a passion to take the of the call of God on their lives and run with it. I have amazing talented children who are very able in many areas, however I believe character is far greater than ability.

Never compare yourself or your parenting and the way you live your life to anybody, no one can raise you children the way you do, before you know it they are 10 and entering puberty. Enjoy them in whatever way you have decided to raise them, whether you homeschool or they attend public school whether you work part time or stay at home. If you do crafts with them or watch your favourite classic movie, if you jump rope or play playstation, enjoy your kids ther is no right or wrong way as far as I am concerned if your children are happy healthy, growing and learning then your are doing OK.

As far as my husband is concerned, we have a great marriage. I love him to bits and I know the feeling is absolutely mutual. He loves me despite my lack of home making skills and even humours me when I do attempt to bake something. He has rushed to the supermarket many times when my suppers for guests don't work or the kids birthday cake is a flop. He loves his girls absolutely, he is a fantistic dad and I know my girls are confident in his love for them.

So thats the life of a messy non earthy mum who loves Jesus and her family and throughly believes that all women are loved by God because he loves His children despite what they do and how they do it!

Me, me , me...

2007-03-04T19:21:00.000-08:00

Hi there,
How lethal is this... a place where I can put my thought and ideas... very scary.
I am a part time working mother of two beautiful blonde girls 10 and 7. I work as the administrator at my church and my husband is in his final year of a Bachelor of Applied Theology and working part time at church. We have a dog and a kitten...
My life is busy but I feel like sometimes I acheive nothing... but my girls are happy and healthy and thriving, they enjoy school and the oldest does a few extracurricular activities... so all is good.