FW: [hbec] Silence required at elementary school
AM Brown
I just had to share this here. This is from the town where last years
unschooling conference was held. It's almost unbelievable. Anna
unschooling conference was held. It's almost unbelievable. Anna
> [Original Message]
> From: teleahmoe <teleahmoe@...>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Date: 1/12/2004 11:52:58 AM
> Subject: [hbec] Silence required at elementary school
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> I thought you would like to read this article. If there is any
> reason why I homeschool, this may be it.
>
> Teleah
>
> Silence required at elementary school
> 11:08 AM EST on Sunday, January 11, 2004
>
> Associated Press
>
>
> COLUMBIA, S.C. -- At Meadowfield Elementary School, silence isn't
> only golden, it's the rule.
>
> A committee of teachers and parents came up with guideline for
> silent hallways and lunchrooms, they say, to stem bad behavior and
> curb inappropriate conversations by students. The rule began when
> students returned from winter break last week.
>
> The school's 600-or-so students who used to gab with friends now
> read books while waiting for classes to start and listen to
> classical music in hallways and the cafeteria.
>
> Lisa Curtis, the Meadowfield teacher who chaired the committee, said
> students have shown less control of themselves the last few years.
>
> "Even parents were saying that it seems a little more chaotic in the
> halls. You could tell the climate was changing and we needed to
> change with it," she said.
>
> Some parents, though, say the zip-the-lips policy goes too far.
> There's a meeting to discuss the policy Monday.
>
> "This is going overboard," said Billy Smith, a father of two
> Meadowfield students. "I grew up talking to my friends during lunch
> and using those socialization skills. Kids need that."
>
> "What about the ones that do their work and behave appropriately in
> school?" asked Lee Crabtree, mother of a Meadowfield fourth-
> grader. "They're being punished, too."
>
> Officials say that if students do a good job keeping quiet, they'll
> be allowed to whisper. And students will be taught what are
> appropriate conversations for school.
>
> "Not everyone knows what it means to whisper," said Paula Stephens,
> the school's principal. "But everyone knows what silence is. We're
> starting with that as our baseline."
>
> Stephens says Meadowfield's lunch is only 20 minutes. She says most
> schools don't allow talking in hallways.
>
> Plans call for the Meadowfield to put up a traffic light in the
> cafeteria. Green means students can talk. Yellow means things are
> getting too loud. Red means silence.
>
> Curtis said many teachers are happy with the change.
>
> "It's amazing how well it's working," she said. "The learning
> environment is better. The students are being more polite. There's
> no bickering. I'm so proud of them."
>
>
>
>
>
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Deborah Lewis
*** Silence required at elementary school***
Well, on the bright side then next time someone asks "What about
socialization?" you can say "Shhhh. We can't talk about that."
Deb L
Well, on the bright side then next time someone asks "What about
socialization?" you can say "Shhhh. We can't talk about that."
Deb L
slb725dragon
Priceless! And I am supposed to send mine to school so they can
socialize ;)
I feel bad for all those poor children, they need some sort of outlet
throughout the day. I wonder that schools do not take lessons from
homeschoolers. Or maybe something like this, if they must be in
school:
Morning: Class starts at 10:00 am.
Ancient History, tied in with math and science, at the very least.
Art as well, because hands on learning is the best. Also aple
opportunity for kids to act out what they are learning and play their
choice of three games based on the subject at hand. Of, course the
child may prefer to write a book about what they know for their
younger brothers birthday present, or even video tape a skit, or
record a song. Of course, there will be 1 teacher in each classroom
for every five children in attendence.
12:00 pm: lunch, outside (during good weather) followed by a walk
through town so kids can talk and enjoy themselves.
Afternoon: Class starts at 2:00pm.
Expiramentation, tied in with math and Language arts, at the very
least. Work may be done in groups or alone, depending on the needs of
the child. We will be outside whenever we possibly ca, for atleast
half of the class. They will each be provided with a notebook,
pencils and crayons for a nature journal. They can write info, draw,
write poetry or a story, whatever moves them at the time.
Classes end at four, we encourage older siblings to pick children up
after school, or the parents if possible. There will be no bus
service, as we cannot guarentee a child's safety (talking bullies
here)
We encourage children to bring their siblings and parents to class
with them whenever possible. Every day is fine.
socialize ;)
I feel bad for all those poor children, they need some sort of outlet
throughout the day. I wonder that schools do not take lessons from
homeschoolers. Or maybe something like this, if they must be in
school:
Morning: Class starts at 10:00 am.
Ancient History, tied in with math and science, at the very least.
Art as well, because hands on learning is the best. Also aple
opportunity for kids to act out what they are learning and play their
choice of three games based on the subject at hand. Of, course the
child may prefer to write a book about what they know for their
younger brothers birthday present, or even video tape a skit, or
record a song. Of course, there will be 1 teacher in each classroom
for every five children in attendence.
12:00 pm: lunch, outside (during good weather) followed by a walk
through town so kids can talk and enjoy themselves.
Afternoon: Class starts at 2:00pm.
Expiramentation, tied in with math and Language arts, at the very
least. Work may be done in groups or alone, depending on the needs of
the child. We will be outside whenever we possibly ca, for atleast
half of the class. They will each be provided with a notebook,
pencils and crayons for a nature journal. They can write info, draw,
write poetry or a story, whatever moves them at the time.
Classes end at four, we encourage older siblings to pick children up
after school, or the parents if possible. There will be no bus
service, as we cannot guarentee a child's safety (talking bullies
here)
We encourage children to bring their siblings and parents to class
with them whenever possible. Every day is fine.
Tia Leschke
>Along with all the other stupidity about this plan, let's turn the kids
> >
> > The school's 600-or-so students who used to gab with friends now
> > read books while waiting for classes to start and listen to
> > classical music in hallways and the cafeteria.
right off classical music while we're at it, by forcing them to listen when
they used to be allowed to talk with their friends. . . sigh.
Tia