Forging Educational Change

Posted by Connie Newbauer Apr 28, 2007

Many of you remember when we had weekly spelling tests and did writing from almost the beginning of our formal education... and then when our papers were turned back, the unmistakable mark of the mighty red-pen adorned the edges, middle and end of the work!

That was before we knew red pens were a blow to our self-esteem – and before we realized that children would be more likely to write if left to their own devices – to spell things “as they sound” instead of the way they are supposed to be spelled.

We wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s fragile ego, would we?

I’m not even sure they teach handwriting anymore.

I know for a fact that my older children (who were taught similarly to me) are better writers and have clearer penmanship than their younger brothers and sisters.

I fear for my younger children. At what point in their educational career do you decide it is okay to hurt their feelings to correct them? At what point are you going to point out that when applying for a job or doing written correspondence, you are judged by your handwriting, spelling and grammar!

I for one am in favor of bringing back spelling tests – and the responsibility to have pride in your work by doing it correctly and neatly.

I think we can bring back the red pen as well! In contradiction to hurting my feelings, I was proud when I got a paper handed back with a large red ‘A’ on it! I always looked forward to the time I found a short note at the bottom or top of my paper as well – I knew then that my work had caught the attention of the teacher. Sometimes that was a wonderful thing – that kept me motivated for the rest of the day- and sometimes the note put me in quiet contemplation of how I could do better next time – but I always looked forward to it!

The government tells us that ‘baby boomers’ now out-number any other group in America…. isn’t it time we use those numbers to execute simple educational changes that will benefit our children and grandchildren?