Imaginations More Active Despite Less Play Time, Study Shows

Play as Safety Valve

However, while imagination can be developed via other methods, children’s emotional development may be taking a bigger hit from limits on playtime, the Case Western researchers found.

Children in the study showed no change in positive emotions and enjoyment during the play sessions, but over the years they became much less likely to show negative emotion during play. That might seem like a benefit—children are becoming happier in their play—but Ms. Russ finds it troubling that children are less likely to use play as a safety valve for aggression, depression and other bad feelings.

“This may be where the lack of time to play may be starting to hurt,” Ms. Russ said. “Play is safe; it’s pretend, and if they express negative emotions, it’s OK. Children use play to process negative emotion, and if they don’t have as much time to play, they don’t have many other places where they can do it. So as a clinical psychologist, that finding concerns me.”

John J. Ratey, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School in Cambridge, Mass., called play “vital, not only for students’ happiness but their ability to take in new information and learn about failure.”

-EdWeek 

on charter schools

If you are unfamiliar with the nuances of charters, you are sorely behind in understanding education in the United States. When I tell people that I work at a charter, they sometimes ask me to explain what exactly a charter is. I usually answer with something like, "It's a public private school: students apply to go, but it's free." I usually use the word "choice." If there are more applicants than available seats, the school is required to hold a lottery.



Money
More specifically, charter schools operate on the idea that every child is eligible for a certain amount of federal money and families should be able to take that money and patronize whatever school they choose. The charter exchanges some money and benefits associated with the public school system in exchange for autonomy from rules as regulations imposed on regular public schools.

In the charter where I work, we are always short of money. Teachers are paid about $10K less than public school teachers, educational resources are sparse, and money for special services is hard to find. Yesterday, a mother came to the school to fill out an application for her son who is entering Kindergarten with some very serious needs. I talked to him for about a minute and all I could think was, we are not equipped to educate this child. For example, our speech therapist only comes in once every two weeks. She typically meets with students for 10-15 minutes. This young boy couldn't pronounce his name. Yet legally we are not allowed to turn him away, so he will be entered into the lottery.

Theory
When charter schools were first conceived in the late 1980s, the purpose was to set up laboratory schools outside of the regular education system. Superior veteran teachers would be recruited to work with students who were not successful in the regular system. Then, teachers would be able to come in and observe new ways of educating the most challenging students.

Reality
Since the first charter school laws were passed in the 1990s, the number of schools has rapidly increased, and the theory behind them has rapidly changed. Under No Child Left Behind, failing schools could convert to charters as one method of restructuring. Many of the big players in education are proponents of charter schools (Obama, Arne Duncan, Jean-Claude Brizard, Michelle Rhee, etc.).

However, the purpose of charters has changed drastically. Now, when community schools are failing they are often shut down. Charters move in as an alternative. Some districts, such as New Orleans, are almost entirely charter. Most advocates of charters believe that we should convert the entire education system over to charter schools to create a free market in which parents are the consumers.

In the words of Diane Ravitch:

Closing a school should be only a last resort and an admission of failure, not by the school or its staff, but by the educational authorities who failed to provide timely assistance.  

Our schools will not improve if we entrust them to the magical powers of the market. Markets have winners and losers. Choice may lead to better outcomes or worse outcomes. 

teacher fired for encouraging activism

What do you do with a teacher who provides students with authentic learning opportunities? A teacher who invests her own resources to support students? A teacher who was voted Teacher of the Year two of the last three years?

- Teaching Tolerance

This woman saw a beautifully rare teachable moment, some good that could come out of the Trayvon Martin tragedy, and she was punished for it. This woman worked in a non-unionized charter, much like the one where I am employed. This is why teachers need protection. 

little kids--powerful problem solvers

Recently, another teacher offhandedly offered me a book on our way to class. I liked that it was specifically geared towards Kindergarten, and it was written long enough ago that it probably had some best-practices for hands-on math.

Let's just say that it was so interesting it took me all the way out of the city on one morning commute.

Having come to education in a non-traditional way, I haven't had much opportunity to observe other classrooms. Admittedly, I have been forced to trust my instincts and go with what works for me and my students -- which is probably a good thing. However, this book offers a quick glimpse into exemplary math lessons that are energizing, creative, and responsive to children's needs. Since reading this book, I have begun to re-think the way that I teach math, and I highly recommend it to other K teachers looking for a hands-on mindset.

thank you

So much. Over the last week or so I have been so happily surprised by the outstanding response that I have received -- calls and emails came in from all over offering to send me supplies. I've gotten boxes and books and notes beyond my wildest expectations.

You all warm my heart. Thank you for your glitter scales, your caps, your too-full mittens. I am inspired and hopeful knowing that my twenty-three babies just gained an entire network of support through me. I couldn't do this without all of you!

a call for help!

As many of you know, I have been hired to teach Kindergarten very recently. I am absolutely thrilled that I will have my own classroom, that I get to teach the babies, and most importantly, that I am hired.

However, I am also in a bit of a pinch. You see, I don't really have any books for my library...

Many people have asked how they can support me as I embark on this endeavor of teaching, so I would like to make a call for help. I have this vision of filling my classroom with very intentional items that make sense to me and help me feel the support of important people in my life who are far away. Therefore, I would ask that if you had a favorite "first book" or author, something that made you love reading, and you have $5-10, that you would be so kind as to send me a copy for Room 205.

If you hated reading, but still want to help, there are a few other options for helping me that I would greatly appreciate:

• Send me your old books. You hated reading anyways.
• Send me my favorite beginning reading books. I am especially fond of Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, and Shel Silverstein. 
• Send me money. I will choose a book and let you know what I've picked.

If you are willing and able, shoot me an email so that I can send you my permanent address and make sure that I don't end up with any duplicates. 

I hope to hear from you soon!

teaching

I hate the man

but very occasionally there's a but...

Bank of America is offering free admission to 150 museums nationwide on the first weekend of every month to anyone with a Bank of America card.

In Massachusetts the offer includes the MFA, the deCordova, and the Worcester Art Museum. Also on the list is the Phillips Collection in DC and the Met in NY.

Pollock 1944 Equine Series II, Worcester Art Museum

art education initiative

The website, OpenStudio is a resource for primary school educators looking to teach meaningful art lessons. Artists are invited to create lessons which are posted on the website along with a brief biography of the artist. Mark Bradford conceived the idea as a way to make contemporary art more available to young people, to help them engage with art in a way congruous to their everyday life.

My first favorite lesson was Color Walk by Amy Sillman, but the more I read the more I find that I really like. Each lesson encourages thoughtfulness and exploration without suggesting a linear path towards completion.