On Sunday I was looking through the Northern Watch and almost had my jaw hit the floor when I read about NCTC only having 41 guys out for football. The article also had a breakdown of the states and the numbers of players from each.
I think I counted a total of 11 players from MN and ND. There were far more from Ohio, Florida, Texas, and Illinois.
So much for the idea of community.
What has gone wrong? Why can't NCTC pull more players from the community? I don't know, but drawing them in from out of start certainly brings in more money, but it doesn't translate to wins.
A previous head coach took a much different approach. In 1998, he had one out of state player. And that regime didn't even recruit him. He just showed up. And he was terrible.
But the staff worked hard to bring in local talent. They had an all-world fullback out of Hillsborro, ND. An all-world defensive back out of Plummer. Solid linemen and runningbacks from Goodridge. And they won.
Did they still get in trouble and raise hell? Yes. (I recall the Ronald McDonald from the local McDonald's being stolen and put in one player's car or truck).
But did they respect the coaches? Yes. Did they go to class and behave for the most part? Yes.
However, that coach - who coached under a previous administration that relied heavily on out of state talent - had this approach - "I saw us lose with out of state kids who owed this place nothing. I'm going to recruit area kids and if we lose, fine. But their will be area people supporting us and in the stands."
He took it on the chin that first year, winning just two games. But after that, three conference championships ensued. To be fair, one was won by the current head coach. But look at the talent he had. There was quite a bit from out of state, but his quarterback was from TRF and so was his best lineman. And people cared and went to the games.
But that isn't what seems to be happening lately.
I have many students - and now a niece - who take classes out at NCTC. Many report about the total lack of respect for teachers by some out of state players. This is not hard to see if one considers why they're there: to play a sport or two and just take enough classes to stay eligible.
The numbers bear this out too - nationally half to three fourths of students who enroll at junior colleges never earn degrees.
Now this is not bashing NCTC. It was perfect for me. I never would have made it anywhere had I started out at UND or BSU. I need small class sizes and teachers like Avis Dyrud and Diane Drake to guide me a long.
True, community colleges take darn near everyone who applies. That is what is noble about them, and what allows for such classroom disrespect and a lack of community to develop too.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Scrimmage
We had our annual football scrimmage on Saturday. While the varsity scrimmaged on Old Prowler Field, the JV scrimmaged on the practice field just north of there.
It was a typical scrimmage. Things looked solid for the first few series, but then players tired out. Once that happened, their technique went out the window and things turned ugly.
But it was a good teaching experience since the coaches were able to be out on the field.
But scrimmages are damned funny things. Some coaches treat them like games (I recall the varsity coaches talking about one program who lined up 11 men on the line of scrimmage and blitzed every play and when they dominated the scrimmage, they ran and screamed like they had won the conference championship). Some coaches are paranoid about showing too much. No need for us to worry about that. We run the straight T. That's not going to change. We run the Iso until it's stopped. Then we run the Belly. To change things up we run a series of counters and a couple of passes. That's Prowler football. Especially at our level.
Some coaches had to take their JV units over to the varsity scrimmage to help fill in because their numbers were down. That's one great thing about where I coach, sophomores are usually left alone to develop on JV. But there is one who is quite gifted and hasn't taken a snap with the JV. The other sophomore is a wild man at linebackers, and he was only with us for a couple of series. But it's nice not having to worry about losing sophomores or pulling up freshman to fill out a JV roster.
The most intriguing thing from our scrimmage is how some teams treat their quarterbacks. Now we don't make it a habit of pummeling ours, but they do get hit. However, one team actually had their quarterback wearing a red pinny on his jersey. Their coached asked if we would refrain from hitting him.
That's a scrimmage for you. Why don't we just play flag football to get warmed up?
Even stranger, the quarterback doubled as a linebacker on defense. I didn't see them asking our linemen not to block him. Plus, he got to hit plenty on there.
Oh well, the kids thought it was bs and couldn't wait to hit him live in a game. Hopefully, they'll get plenty of opportunities for that.
It was a typical scrimmage. Things looked solid for the first few series, but then players tired out. Once that happened, their technique went out the window and things turned ugly.
But it was a good teaching experience since the coaches were able to be out on the field.
But scrimmages are damned funny things. Some coaches treat them like games (I recall the varsity coaches talking about one program who lined up 11 men on the line of scrimmage and blitzed every play and when they dominated the scrimmage, they ran and screamed like they had won the conference championship). Some coaches are paranoid about showing too much. No need for us to worry about that. We run the straight T. That's not going to change. We run the Iso until it's stopped. Then we run the Belly. To change things up we run a series of counters and a couple of passes. That's Prowler football. Especially at our level.
Some coaches had to take their JV units over to the varsity scrimmage to help fill in because their numbers were down. That's one great thing about where I coach, sophomores are usually left alone to develop on JV. But there is one who is quite gifted and hasn't taken a snap with the JV. The other sophomore is a wild man at linebackers, and he was only with us for a couple of series. But it's nice not having to worry about losing sophomores or pulling up freshman to fill out a JV roster.
The most intriguing thing from our scrimmage is how some teams treat their quarterbacks. Now we don't make it a habit of pummeling ours, but they do get hit. However, one team actually had their quarterback wearing a red pinny on his jersey. Their coached asked if we would refrain from hitting him.
That's a scrimmage for you. Why don't we just play flag football to get warmed up?
Even stranger, the quarterback doubled as a linebacker on defense. I didn't see them asking our linemen not to block him. Plus, he got to hit plenty on there.
Oh well, the kids thought it was bs and couldn't wait to hit him live in a game. Hopefully, they'll get plenty of opportunities for that.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Isn't This America?
Sure, Glenn Beck turns my stomach. But I don't see why he should be allowed to hold his rally.
It might be in poor taste, but this is America. He has the right to do so.
I also don't see a reason against a mosque close to 9/11.
This is America. The land of freedoms and tolerance. Right?
But we have become so confined by our own prejudices or desires (just read some of the feedback on that Beck story. Some are convinced FOX News is the only 'true' news. Come on!) that we have become intolerant (anyone who has read this blog long enough knows that I'm guilty as charged here too. But I'm working on it!).
It might be in poor taste, but this is America. He has the right to do so.
I also don't see a reason against a mosque close to 9/11.
This is America. The land of freedoms and tolerance. Right?
But we have become so confined by our own prejudices or desires (just read some of the feedback on that Beck story. Some are convinced FOX News is the only 'true' news. Come on!) that we have become intolerant (anyone who has read this blog long enough knows that I'm guilty as charged here too. But I'm working on it!).
18 Game Schedule
This looks to be a reality sooner rather than later for the NFL.
I'm surprised by all the opposition.
The smartest thing the NFL could do is cut down the preseason games. Face it, in the first preseason game the starters play one or two series. In the final game, they don't play at all. Cut them out and get to two preseason games.
And don't give me that garbage about watching some undrafted rookie play his way on to the team in four preseason games. When I used to work for the county high way department before the internet, I poured over the Sporting News and Trib's sports section. For July and August that's all I read about was some low draft choice or unheralded free agent playing well enough to earn a spot. And he usually would. Then he'd never play a down in the regular season. The team would put their best players on the field and that's that.
I'd never hear about the kid until the next preseason.
What a crock.
Another issue seems to be the increased possibility of injuries. No question - football is a violent game. But how much are these athletes getting paid again? Enough said there.
Plus, if you take great teams - the Patriots or Colts, for example - since 2001, they have both played an entire season worth of postseason games, yet you don't hear them complaining about any injuries that they suffered in the playoff games, do you?
I know certain records or feats will become mundane (a 1,000 yards rushing or receiving), but that's the evolution of the game. Look at all the records that changed because the league went from 14 to 16 games 30 years ago. It doesn't diminish the past records at all. What Simpson did in 14 games or what Dickerson did in 16 is still amazing. Just because two more games have been added, doesn't mean all those past accomplishments will be shattered or forgotten.
I just see so much potential to continue rivalries. Look at the Colts and Pats. They aren't in the same divisions but they often play during the regular season. And it's often a classic game (just look at last year's big fourth down call). An 18 game regular season could ensure that such rivalries continue.
How can anyone not like the idea of two more meaningful football games? Even if a team clinches their division with 16 games left and wants to sit their starters for those final two weeks, fine. I'd still rather watch that brand of football (for the fates of a number of teams will lie in whether that team wins or loses) than some meaningless preseason game where no one's fate is in the balance.
Another complaint raised was the weather. This is bogus.
How many NFL teams really face harsh winter conditions? Plus, do you really think the folks in Green Bay or New England wouldn't turn out to support their teams? I watched that laugher of a preseason game last night where the Pack put up 50 plus points on the Colts. With five minutes in the game, the stands were still packed! Don't you think those people would turn out - regardless of the weather - to support their team during the final two weeks of the season?
More football is always better.
I'm surprised by all the opposition.
The smartest thing the NFL could do is cut down the preseason games. Face it, in the first preseason game the starters play one or two series. In the final game, they don't play at all. Cut them out and get to two preseason games.
And don't give me that garbage about watching some undrafted rookie play his way on to the team in four preseason games. When I used to work for the county high way department before the internet, I poured over the Sporting News and Trib's sports section. For July and August that's all I read about was some low draft choice or unheralded free agent playing well enough to earn a spot. And he usually would. Then he'd never play a down in the regular season. The team would put their best players on the field and that's that.
I'd never hear about the kid until the next preseason.
What a crock.
Another issue seems to be the increased possibility of injuries. No question - football is a violent game. But how much are these athletes getting paid again? Enough said there.
Plus, if you take great teams - the Patriots or Colts, for example - since 2001, they have both played an entire season worth of postseason games, yet you don't hear them complaining about any injuries that they suffered in the playoff games, do you?
I know certain records or feats will become mundane (a 1,000 yards rushing or receiving), but that's the evolution of the game. Look at all the records that changed because the league went from 14 to 16 games 30 years ago. It doesn't diminish the past records at all. What Simpson did in 14 games or what Dickerson did in 16 is still amazing. Just because two more games have been added, doesn't mean all those past accomplishments will be shattered or forgotten.
I just see so much potential to continue rivalries. Look at the Colts and Pats. They aren't in the same divisions but they often play during the regular season. And it's often a classic game (just look at last year's big fourth down call). An 18 game regular season could ensure that such rivalries continue.
How can anyone not like the idea of two more meaningful football games? Even if a team clinches their division with 16 games left and wants to sit their starters for those final two weeks, fine. I'd still rather watch that brand of football (for the fates of a number of teams will lie in whether that team wins or loses) than some meaningless preseason game where no one's fate is in the balance.
Another complaint raised was the weather. This is bogus.
How many NFL teams really face harsh winter conditions? Plus, do you really think the folks in Green Bay or New England wouldn't turn out to support their teams? I watched that laugher of a preseason game last night where the Pack put up 50 plus points on the Colts. With five minutes in the game, the stands were still packed! Don't you think those people would turn out - regardless of the weather - to support their team during the final two weeks of the season?
More football is always better.
Interesting
Is this the future of education?
The L.A. Times published a story (thanks to John Merrow's blog, Taking Note, for linking to the article) in which they shed light on two teachers whom they have tracked for several years. Both teach the same grade and subject. Yet, after analyzing the test data, one teacher's kids are always far ahead on the standardized tests at the end of the year compared to the other teacher's kids.
Teachers, what do you make of this?
The article names names and calls educators out on the carpet.
Is this the future of education?
Should terrible teaching be tolerated? We all know it is. And for anyone who has raised their hands and then shrugged and thought, well, what can you do about it? The teacher is tenured.
Well, publishing a story in the paper about them might fix that!
Furthermore, the Times has stockpiled the results of years of test data. They even have a place in the story where teachers can actually log in to see their students' results!
Think about that. Imagine your local newspaper putting out the test results of your students.
I haven't taught Comp 9 for a number of years, but what would it be like if The Times published my name and stated that 12 kids passed the BST writing test with a 4, one earned a 5, and three failed?
Or what if I taught AP and they published the number of those who passed and failed the test?
Interesting times in which we live and work. That's for sure.
The L.A. Times published a story (thanks to John Merrow's blog, Taking Note, for linking to the article) in which they shed light on two teachers whom they have tracked for several years. Both teach the same grade and subject. Yet, after analyzing the test data, one teacher's kids are always far ahead on the standardized tests at the end of the year compared to the other teacher's kids.
Teachers, what do you make of this?
The article names names and calls educators out on the carpet.
Is this the future of education?
Should terrible teaching be tolerated? We all know it is. And for anyone who has raised their hands and then shrugged and thought, well, what can you do about it? The teacher is tenured.
Well, publishing a story in the paper about them might fix that!
Furthermore, the Times has stockpiled the results of years of test data. They even have a place in the story where teachers can actually log in to see their students' results!
Think about that. Imagine your local newspaper putting out the test results of your students.
I haven't taught Comp 9 for a number of years, but what would it be like if The Times published my name and stated that 12 kids passed the BST writing test with a 4, one earned a 5, and three failed?
Or what if I taught AP and they published the number of those who passed and failed the test?
Interesting times in which we live and work. That's for sure.
Never Thought I'd See This
Well, who knows if the Bengals will lead the league in rushing, defense, or victories. But it sure seems like they've got an insurmountable lead when it comes to reality TV show stars, rehabilitation projects, and now cereals.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Dilly Bar and Middle School Day
As our summer camp winds down, Coach Mumm has all kinds of treats lined up. Literally. After practice the middle school players who came over to watch us practice were treated to Dilly Bars from DQ. Then the varsity had their share when we finished conditioning.
Tomorrow the juniors and seniors and coaches head over to D.L for their annual paintball battle. Friday we have our cook out at Pennington Main. Then Saturday we host the Pigskin Preview scrimmage.
After the middle school players watched us run through offensive drills, he brought everyone over to a shady spot by the school and had the seniors stand up and address the kids. He told each player to introduce themselves and the other sports and activities they are in. Mumm's point was that football is not often a kid's priority. It might be hockey or wrestling or choir. But he wants multi-sport athletes. Because when they come together in the fall for football, they are able to put their talents on display and really do something special. It has nothing to do with the coaches. It has everything to do with the kids who were gathered there in the shade.
I thought that was brilliant.
If Mummer doesn't publish some kind of moivational/coaching book, I might just have to steal his ideas and publish them!
No wonder he is in a class with few others.
Tomorrow the juniors and seniors and coaches head over to D.L for their annual paintball battle. Friday we have our cook out at Pennington Main. Then Saturday we host the Pigskin Preview scrimmage.
After the middle school players watched us run through offensive drills, he brought everyone over to a shady spot by the school and had the seniors stand up and address the kids. He told each player to introduce themselves and the other sports and activities they are in. Mumm's point was that football is not often a kid's priority. It might be hockey or wrestling or choir. But he wants multi-sport athletes. Because when they come together in the fall for football, they are able to put their talents on display and really do something special. It has nothing to do with the coaches. It has everything to do with the kids who were gathered there in the shade.
I thought that was brilliant.
If Mummer doesn't publish some kind of moivational/coaching book, I might just have to steal his ideas and publish them!
No wonder he is in a class with few others.
This makes sense
But what kind of idiot would want an alligator for a pet or even think having such a pet would be feasible?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Heart Sank
I have to admit that when I walked down the hall toward the main offices at Lincoln and saw a large banner boasting that we made AYP, my heart sank.
But this is what NCLB has turned us in to.
But this is what NCLB has turned us in to.
And this is our rival?
China? Really, a NINE day traffic jam? Maybe they aren't quite ready to supplant the U.S. just yet.
Prowler Mobile
Last night was the annual pre-season parent meeting. What a turnout! One of the parents even drove this baby. I don't know of too many small towns that can boast such devotion from the fans and parents.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Oh man!
Roger Goodell should suspend Antonio Cromartie for this! How many three year olds can one man father?
Antonio Cromartie And His Kids - watch more funny videos
Kenzers loves her Lucky Charms
Kenzie has been spending a few days with Grandma Gail in Mayville. Gail reported yesterday that she took Kenzie to the grocery store. Kenzers grabbed a box of cereal and began walking down the aisle. Then she spotted another brand - Lucky Charms (her favorite) - stopped, walked back a few paces, put the other cereal box down, grabbed the Lucky Charms, and tore off down the aisle!
I think that might top our last trip to Walmart. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, Kenzie said, "Walmart! Let's go shopping!" and began to jump up and down in her car seat.
Can't wait for those daddy/daughter shopping trips!
I think that might top our last trip to Walmart. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, Kenzie said, "Walmart! Let's go shopping!" and began to jump up and down in her car seat.
Can't wait for those daddy/daughter shopping trips!
Friday, August 20, 2010
The birth of a new tradition?
Here is the boys' morning rendition of the school fight song with coach Mumm's rationale. Couldn't resist taping a little with my BlackBerry.
It got better with a bit of practice.
It got better with a bit of practice.
Great Idea
Coach Mumm shared something he got from the University of Wisconsin hockey coach. Wisconsin's coach had his players place the names of the people they are thinking about as they take the ice on a piece of paper. Then he taped them to the helmet to illustrate all the people they were playing for.
Mummer, when he coached the out-state team against the metro team a few years ago in the state's all star game (Mumm's out-state team clobbered the metro team), used the same idea. He had his all-stars come up with a name on a piece of tape. In front of the team, they came up and taped the name to the helmet and then explained to the team why they chose this person. There wasn't a dry eye in the place when it was done.
That's powerful.
Then a few years ago when TRF was headed to the playoffs, he used the same idea to rally the team and catapult them to state.
Mummer, when he coached the out-state team against the metro team a few years ago in the state's all star game (Mumm's out-state team clobbered the metro team), used the same idea. He had his all-stars come up with a name on a piece of tape. In front of the team, they came up and taped the name to the helmet and then explained to the team why they chose this person. There wasn't a dry eye in the place when it was done.
That's powerful.
Then a few years ago when TRF was headed to the playoffs, he used the same idea to rally the team and catapult them to state.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Some of Kenzer's new phrases
"No, Daddy, let me be." When she wants to be left alone.
"Groceries!" She says this when we pass by a Hugo's. She said this twice in Grand Forks, and we couldn't figure out what she was talking about. However, we saw her pointing toward a Hugo's and figured it out since I always take her with me to get groceries at the Hugo's in TRF.
"Have a good day, Mommy." This is what she says to Mom as we are about to leave the house in the morning.
"KoKo needs a time out." She said this last night after getting mad at KoKo for some reason. I agree Kenz! We need to give Beaner more time outs.
"Walmart!" and "Let's go shopping." Kenz has taken a liking to spending money. It seems like whenever we go to TRF, we also take a trip to Walmart, so when we were on our way over there the other day after groceries, Kenzie simply put the dots together and said "Walmart" and "Let's go shopping" as we headed over there.
On Tuesday she slipped up though. We went to Lowe's in GF to get paint for KoKo's room and Kenz was convinced we were going to Walmart. Though in her defense the colors and construction of the building are similar.
"Bo Bo did it." Kenz is also convinced that her little buddy, by the name of - you guessed it - Bo - at daycare also is to blame for any bumps, bruises, and things broken around the house.
She will point to a scratch and declare, "Bo Bo did it!"
Kenz loves Band Aids, so when I put one on an imaginary cut or scrape, she will look at it and then declare, "Bo Bo did it!"
Last night she was playing with her new sunglasses. Sure enough after enough touing around, she ripped one of the bows of. When Mom saw them broke today, she asked Kenz what happened. She didn't hesitate: "Bo Bo did it!"
I just wonder if Bo is back at his house blaming everything on Kenzie!
And I saved the best for last: she woke up bright and early one morning. So as we sat down in the rocking chair, I turned on the TV and went to the NFL Network. Kenzie sat up and said quite proudly, "I like football!"
That's my girl!
"Groceries!" She says this when we pass by a Hugo's. She said this twice in Grand Forks, and we couldn't figure out what she was talking about. However, we saw her pointing toward a Hugo's and figured it out since I always take her with me to get groceries at the Hugo's in TRF.
"Have a good day, Mommy." This is what she says to Mom as we are about to leave the house in the morning.
"KoKo needs a time out." She said this last night after getting mad at KoKo for some reason. I agree Kenz! We need to give Beaner more time outs.
"Walmart!" and "Let's go shopping." Kenz has taken a liking to spending money. It seems like whenever we go to TRF, we also take a trip to Walmart, so when we were on our way over there the other day after groceries, Kenzie simply put the dots together and said "Walmart" and "Let's go shopping" as we headed over there.
On Tuesday she slipped up though. We went to Lowe's in GF to get paint for KoKo's room and Kenz was convinced we were going to Walmart. Though in her defense the colors and construction of the building are similar.
"Bo Bo did it." Kenz is also convinced that her little buddy, by the name of - you guessed it - Bo - at daycare also is to blame for any bumps, bruises, and things broken around the house.
She will point to a scratch and declare, "Bo Bo did it!"
Kenz loves Band Aids, so when I put one on an imaginary cut or scrape, she will look at it and then declare, "Bo Bo did it!"
Last night she was playing with her new sunglasses. Sure enough after enough touing around, she ripped one of the bows of. When Mom saw them broke today, she asked Kenz what happened. She didn't hesitate: "Bo Bo did it!"
I just wonder if Bo is back at his house blaming everything on Kenzie!
And I saved the best for last: she woke up bright and early one morning. So as we sat down in the rocking chair, I turned on the TV and went to the NFL Network. Kenzie sat up and said quite proudly, "I like football!"
That's my girl!
Football
Coach Mumm played this video, "The Boys of Fall" by Kenny Chesney, for the players yesterday morning.
Though, I'm no country fan at all, I thought this was a great statement about football. Some of the people featured in the video have some great things to say. Sean Payton's introductory speech is great. Plus, the footage on some of the football gods of our time - Bear Bryant, Payton Manning, John Madden, Bo Schembechler, Joe Namath, and Mac Brown - are in there, and that's just to just name a few.
What I like most about this is that nowhere (at least that I remember) is the word "winning" mentioned. They focus on being part of a team (hence the line, "you mess with one man, you've got us all") and having others live vicariously through you. It's about that special feeling that fall brings. It's about that ability to just put your mind on hold when you're tired and how to move past that. It's about community.
Unfortunately, those are some of the things that are easy to forget or lose track of.
Coach Mumm had a great line, these players think it's going to be a long season, but it's already begun and soon it's going to be over. In fact, when he talks to athletes in winter sports they always say the same thing, "I can't believe it, but it's almost over." It goes by that quickly. Enjoy it. Have fun. And let all the work you put in be worth it.
It amazes me how hard Mummer works at making this season memorable for his kids - the watermelon feed, the dilly bar treats, the Morning Malitia, the meetings, the paintball trip, the senior trip to see the Gophers play, the senior/freshman pizza night, the senior parents dinner night, and all of the other things that go into Prowler football.
It's an honor to be part of it. And to have KoKo part of it too as a manager.
Though, I'm no country fan at all, I thought this was a great statement about football. Some of the people featured in the video have some great things to say. Sean Payton's introductory speech is great. Plus, the footage on some of the football gods of our time - Bear Bryant, Payton Manning, John Madden, Bo Schembechler, Joe Namath, and Mac Brown - are in there, and that's just to just name a few.
What I like most about this is that nowhere (at least that I remember) is the word "winning" mentioned. They focus on being part of a team (hence the line, "you mess with one man, you've got us all") and having others live vicariously through you. It's about that special feeling that fall brings. It's about that ability to just put your mind on hold when you're tired and how to move past that. It's about community.
Unfortunately, those are some of the things that are easy to forget or lose track of.
Coach Mumm had a great line, these players think it's going to be a long season, but it's already begun and soon it's going to be over. In fact, when he talks to athletes in winter sports they always say the same thing, "I can't believe it, but it's almost over." It goes by that quickly. Enjoy it. Have fun. And let all the work you put in be worth it.
It amazes me how hard Mummer works at making this season memorable for his kids - the watermelon feed, the dilly bar treats, the Morning Malitia, the meetings, the paintball trip, the senior trip to see the Gophers play, the senior/freshman pizza night, the senior parents dinner night, and all of the other things that go into Prowler football.
It's an honor to be part of it. And to have KoKo part of it too as a manager.
Kristie's Vacation
My wife is the hardest working person I know. I mean, who would take vacation days in order to work?
But that's exactly what my wife did in the middle of the summer when she took two days off to put the trim and mulch in around the house.
Now she has taken two more days off to paint KoKo's room and stain the deck.
Suddenly, five hours or so of football practice doesn't seem so daunting.
But that's exactly what my wife did in the middle of the summer when she took two days off to put the trim and mulch in around the house.
Now she has taken two more days off to paint KoKo's room and stain the deck.
Suddenly, five hours or so of football practice doesn't seem so daunting.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Impressions of the Bungals
I don't know that I can keep referring to them as the Bungals.
I don't know that they'll win the AFC North, but I do think they'll field a pretty formidable team.
Sure, the schedule is a killer at New England, at Indianapolis, at the Jets, at Atlanta and home vs Miami, Carolina, and New Orleans.
Simply having a winning record could top last year's division title.
But there's hope in Bungaldom (see, there I go again).
First,
The offense has more weapons. After the win at Pittsburgh, our offense went in the toilet. There were far too few big plays and far too many three and outs and penalties.
There still are the penalties (far too many this preseason), but weapons have been added. T.O. will make his presence felt. The rookies, Jordan Shipley and Jermaine Gresham, respectively, have been all over the place this preseason. Shipley will be a weapon on third down as a slot receiver. And Gresham will give the Bengals their first legit tight end weapon since the days of Rodney Holdman.
Second,
Carson Palmer. People have dogged him this offseason. But he is the whole key to the offense. The Bengals have zero chance without him. If he returns to his '05-'07 form, we're back in business.
Third,
Defense. In 30 plus years of being a Bengals fan, I've never seen a defense this good or deep. The corners (Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph) are as good as it gets in the NFL. The safeties (Roy Williams and Chris Crocker) are injury prone, but there is depth (Gabril Wilson and Chinedun Ndukwe). And if that's not enough the nickle back spot is three deep (Adam Jones - formerly Adam 'Pacman' Jones, David Jones, Morgan Trent - last year's nickel back, and third round pick Brandon Ghee).
The linebackers are fine. Rey Maualuga is great. Dhani Jones is okay at middle linebacker. Keith Rivers looks just okay at outside linebacker (not what you want from the 10th pick in the entire draft three years ago). Brandon Johnson - a free agent from Arizona who signed as a back up - could well beat out Rivers.
The defensive line might just prove to be better - and deeper - than our secondary. The ends are good to great. Antwan Odom was headed to the Pro Bowl with 8 sacks in five games until he tore his Achilles tendon. Robert Geathers is fine at the other end. Jonathan Fanene (the sole member remaining form the abysmal '05 draft class) is a fine starter if he has to be. Carlos Dunlap was added in the second round from Florida this year. The wildcard is Michael Johnson. He was a back up defensive end last year, but showed great pass rush ability. He has worked at outside linebacker much of this training camp. They'll likely put him all over the place and let him wreak havoc. The tackles are great. Domata Peko was totally snubbed in the Pro Bowl last year. Sure, the AFC North has some great defensive tackles/nose tackles (Holi Ngati in Baltimore, Sean Rodgers in Cleveland, and Casey Hampton in Pittsburgh), but Peko is as good as any of them. Tank Johnson is a great defensive tackle. And there is plenty of depth. Pat Sims is a solid back up and could start if needed. The talk of the preseason has been rookie fourth round pick Geo Atkins. He's a bit small, but he's been a nightmare for opponents this preseason.
Our kicking situation scares the hell out of me, especially since our former kicker, Shayne Graham, is now in enemy Baltimore. But he choked in the playoffs last year and we had to jettison him.
Given the offense's penchant for penalties and meltdowns in key spots, the kicking game could be more vital than ever.
Over all, I'm happy with 9-7. But secretly, I'm hoping for a lot more than that. But 9-7 would be great. But . . . Well, they haven't earned the nickname Bungals for a reason. So we're hoping for 9-7.
I don't know that they'll win the AFC North, but I do think they'll field a pretty formidable team.
Sure, the schedule is a killer at New England, at Indianapolis, at the Jets, at Atlanta and home vs Miami, Carolina, and New Orleans.
Simply having a winning record could top last year's division title.
But there's hope in Bungaldom (see, there I go again).
First,
The offense has more weapons. After the win at Pittsburgh, our offense went in the toilet. There were far too few big plays and far too many three and outs and penalties.
There still are the penalties (far too many this preseason), but weapons have been added. T.O. will make his presence felt. The rookies, Jordan Shipley and Jermaine Gresham, respectively, have been all over the place this preseason. Shipley will be a weapon on third down as a slot receiver. And Gresham will give the Bengals their first legit tight end weapon since the days of Rodney Holdman.
Second,
Carson Palmer. People have dogged him this offseason. But he is the whole key to the offense. The Bengals have zero chance without him. If he returns to his '05-'07 form, we're back in business.
Third,
Defense. In 30 plus years of being a Bengals fan, I've never seen a defense this good or deep. The corners (Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph) are as good as it gets in the NFL. The safeties (Roy Williams and Chris Crocker) are injury prone, but there is depth (Gabril Wilson and Chinedun Ndukwe). And if that's not enough the nickle back spot is three deep (Adam Jones - formerly Adam 'Pacman' Jones, David Jones, Morgan Trent - last year's nickel back, and third round pick Brandon Ghee).
The linebackers are fine. Rey Maualuga is great. Dhani Jones is okay at middle linebacker. Keith Rivers looks just okay at outside linebacker (not what you want from the 10th pick in the entire draft three years ago). Brandon Johnson - a free agent from Arizona who signed as a back up - could well beat out Rivers.
The defensive line might just prove to be better - and deeper - than our secondary. The ends are good to great. Antwan Odom was headed to the Pro Bowl with 8 sacks in five games until he tore his Achilles tendon. Robert Geathers is fine at the other end. Jonathan Fanene (the sole member remaining form the abysmal '05 draft class) is a fine starter if he has to be. Carlos Dunlap was added in the second round from Florida this year. The wildcard is Michael Johnson. He was a back up defensive end last year, but showed great pass rush ability. He has worked at outside linebacker much of this training camp. They'll likely put him all over the place and let him wreak havoc. The tackles are great. Domata Peko was totally snubbed in the Pro Bowl last year. Sure, the AFC North has some great defensive tackles/nose tackles (Holi Ngati in Baltimore, Sean Rodgers in Cleveland, and Casey Hampton in Pittsburgh), but Peko is as good as any of them. Tank Johnson is a great defensive tackle. And there is plenty of depth. Pat Sims is a solid back up and could start if needed. The talk of the preseason has been rookie fourth round pick Geo Atkins. He's a bit small, but he's been a nightmare for opponents this preseason.
Our kicking situation scares the hell out of me, especially since our former kicker, Shayne Graham, is now in enemy Baltimore. But he choked in the playoffs last year and we had to jettison him.
Given the offense's penchant for penalties and meltdowns in key spots, the kicking game could be more vital than ever.
Over all, I'm happy with 9-7. But secretly, I'm hoping for a lot more than that. But 9-7 would be great. But . . . Well, they haven't earned the nickname Bungals for a reason. So we're hoping for 9-7.
No need to even play the season
James Walker, the AFC North blogger at ESPN, rented Madden 11 this weekend and - for research purposes - simulated the 2010 season.
Here is how it unfolds -
First - Pittsburgh. They dominate at 12-4 and do what Cincy did last year - sweep the division.
Second - Cincinnati. They finish at 10-6. Ochocinco has a monster year, and Palmer goes to the Pro Bowl.
Third - Baltimore. They finish 9-7. Ray Rice gets hurt and only plays part of the season.
Fourth - Cleveland. They struggle to a 4-12 record.
Playoffs -
Cincy goes to Indianapolis and upsets them in a wild shoot out, 38-35. But their season ultimately ends as it did last year - losing to the Jets.
The Ravens beat the Steelers and then upset the Jets to go to the Super Bowl. However, their luck ends there as the Madden 11 predicts that - gulp - the Vikings will win the Super Bowl.
Let's hope only part of that simulation is correct!
Here is how it unfolds -
First - Pittsburgh. They dominate at 12-4 and do what Cincy did last year - sweep the division.
Second - Cincinnati. They finish at 10-6. Ochocinco has a monster year, and Palmer goes to the Pro Bowl.
Third - Baltimore. They finish 9-7. Ray Rice gets hurt and only plays part of the season.
Fourth - Cleveland. They struggle to a 4-12 record.
Playoffs -
Cincy goes to Indianapolis and upsets them in a wild shoot out, 38-35. But their season ultimately ends as it did last year - losing to the Jets.
The Ravens beat the Steelers and then upset the Jets to go to the Super Bowl. However, their luck ends there as the Madden 11 predicts that - gulp - the Vikings will win the Super Bowl.
Let's hope only part of that simulation is correct!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Could it Really be that Simple?
I was listening to a podcast at Learning Matters. John Merrow was interview Diane Ravitch. This was a few years ago when she had just published her book, Left Behind: A Century of Failed School Reform.
Merrow was asking Ravitch one reason American public education has fallen behind other countries. She gave an interesting response.
Ravitch noted how when she studied schools and how families look at education, she found that in Asia, it all comes down to effort. How hard are you willing to work?
When she studied American schools and how families look at education, she found that it all comes down to ability. How much ability do you have?
I think this is right on.
Look at grades. If a kid today brings home a C, there's holy hell to pay. "My child is NOT average," is what one parent told a colleague.
The parent has that all wrong. A grade does not necessarily relate to your child's ability. Rather, it relates more to their work ethic.
Sure, we all have the rare few who don't need to crack a book and can get by on sheer ability with an A.
The problem lies when others - without the ability or work ethic - try that.
I think this is one reason so many students coast through college partying and working, rather than studying.
Merrow has a great documentary called Declining by Degrees. He visits Western Kentucky. There he meets a large number of kids who quite literally party their way through school without every really studying.
The message here seems to be, we're doing as little as possible and just skating by on pure ability or intelligence or talent or genius or whatever it is you want to call it.
But the effort is legligable.
I'd like to see more parents - as my parents did - take ability out of the equation. Well, mostly out of the equation.
My mom new I had little 'ability' or 'aptitude' in math. But that didn't stop her from grilling me over anything below a C on an assignment. I worked my tail off to get a B in Mr. Thygeson's math class, and my mom was so proud. She bragged to me after conferences that one former math teacher of mine confided in her, "That's a really tough class. For Kurt to earn a B in there, that's like him earning an A in most classes."
Was she angry that I had not earned an A? No. She was proud of my effort that absolutely got the most out of my ability.
I mean what would happen if the private sector worked on the principal of ability?
What would you say to a doctor who has the ability to pull off a surgery but doesn't really feel like putting in his best effort?
Same goes for lawyers or accountants.
It's unimaginable. Yet, we chalk it up to the status quo in public education.
Here it seems to me is where athletics can really solve this problem. Or at least pull it out into the spot light.
How many coaches tolerate their kids getting by on ability without the work ethic? Or parents for that matter? If a parent put in the time and commitment to Composition or math or science that they do for say, your typical Pee Wee hockey season (or if the public education system allowed for parents to do it), we'd have quite a different public education result than we have today.
Merrow was asking Ravitch one reason American public education has fallen behind other countries. She gave an interesting response.
Ravitch noted how when she studied schools and how families look at education, she found that in Asia, it all comes down to effort. How hard are you willing to work?
When she studied American schools and how families look at education, she found that it all comes down to ability. How much ability do you have?
I think this is right on.
Look at grades. If a kid today brings home a C, there's holy hell to pay. "My child is NOT average," is what one parent told a colleague.
The parent has that all wrong. A grade does not necessarily relate to your child's ability. Rather, it relates more to their work ethic.
Sure, we all have the rare few who don't need to crack a book and can get by on sheer ability with an A.
The problem lies when others - without the ability or work ethic - try that.
I think this is one reason so many students coast through college partying and working, rather than studying.
Merrow has a great documentary called Declining by Degrees. He visits Western Kentucky. There he meets a large number of kids who quite literally party their way through school without every really studying.
The message here seems to be, we're doing as little as possible and just skating by on pure ability or intelligence or talent or genius or whatever it is you want to call it.
But the effort is legligable.
I'd like to see more parents - as my parents did - take ability out of the equation. Well, mostly out of the equation.
My mom new I had little 'ability' or 'aptitude' in math. But that didn't stop her from grilling me over anything below a C on an assignment. I worked my tail off to get a B in Mr. Thygeson's math class, and my mom was so proud. She bragged to me after conferences that one former math teacher of mine confided in her, "That's a really tough class. For Kurt to earn a B in there, that's like him earning an A in most classes."
Was she angry that I had not earned an A? No. She was proud of my effort that absolutely got the most out of my ability.
I mean what would happen if the private sector worked on the principal of ability?
What would you say to a doctor who has the ability to pull off a surgery but doesn't really feel like putting in his best effort?
Same goes for lawyers or accountants.
It's unimaginable. Yet, we chalk it up to the status quo in public education.
Here it seems to me is where athletics can really solve this problem. Or at least pull it out into the spot light.
How many coaches tolerate their kids getting by on ability without the work ethic? Or parents for that matter? If a parent put in the time and commitment to Composition or math or science that they do for say, your typical Pee Wee hockey season (or if the public education system allowed for parents to do it), we'd have quite a different public education result than we have today.
Kenzer's antics
Kenz loves the porch. So I left her out there with Mischa while I was trying to get the house clean for our little lawn party for Jim and Bonnie last week.
While I was busy picking up around the kitchen and dining room, I peeked into the living room to see what Kenzie was up to.
Apparently, she thought the porch needed a little picking up because she had all of our shoes out from under the bench out there and in the door way. She even had them matched and paired up!
Now, if I can just get her to run the vacuum.
While I was busy picking up around the kitchen and dining room, I peeked into the living room to see what Kenzie was up to.
Apparently, she thought the porch needed a little picking up because she had all of our shoes out from under the bench out there and in the door way. She even had them matched and paired up!
Now, if I can just get her to run the vacuum.
Red Handed
Gail came over Friday night to watch Kenzers while Kristie and I went out for dinner (Texas Roadhouse - awesome) and a movie (The Other Guys - okay).
Saturday morning, we invited Gail to come up to TRF with us to do some shopping for Rhylee and Kennedy's birthday party later in the afternoon.
Gail declined saying that she had to get back to GF to pick up Ashton from the kennel.
I joked, "Don't lie, Gail. You're going to the casino."
"No I'm not. I have to get Ashton."
You see - as Kristie has stated many times to me - Gail's one real hobby is gambling a bit at the casino. She isn't a big reader. Doesn't knit or sew. She's not a big shopper. She doesn't smoke or drink. So gambling a bit is no big deal, especially since she enjoys it and has the unique ability to walk away once she wins.
So we followed Gail out of town.
"Stop at Eagle Square real quick for a Diet Mountain Dew," Kristie said as we came to Hillcrest and watched Gail take a right onto county road 13, heading - presumably - to Grand Forks.
I never thought anything of it until we were pulling out of Eagle Square.
Lo and behold, he came Guilda cruising north on highway 32.
"There's Gail!" I said as she spotted us and quick pulled into Eagle Square.
"Ha!" Kristie said, "I bet we caught her going to the casino!"
Sure enough. As Gail rolled her window down, she smirked and confessed that she didn't want us to know that she was going to the casino.
"Mom. I don't give you grief over it, like the boys do. You don't drink or smoke. What's wrong with gambling once in awhile. You enjoy it, so who cares?"
Gail agreed, rolled up her window, and turned around.
"I don't care what Gail says . . . this is going on my blog!" I said.
With that, we both headed north - us to Kmart and Gail to the casino.
But in typical Guilda fashion, the story doesn't end there.
After Kmart, we decided to swing in and get some food at McDonald's. As were were in the drive thru, I got a text from Gail wondering where we were.
I told her and as soon as we pulled into the Kmart parking lot to eat, Gail pulled right up next to us. She ran into McDonald's to get some food and came back out and hopped in to eat with us.
"Here ya go," she said, handing/tossing $40 to Kristie.
"Mom, I don't want this."
"Oh take it," Gail said, her voice hardening the way my grandmother's did when she wanted to pay for dinner when she went out with my parents. "I won $80 at the casino. I left when I was ahead, so I want you to have half. Take it!"
And it just doesn't get any more like Kristie's mother than that! Of course, she told us about her usual gambling partner, Pat, who apparently felt the desire to gamble so much that she drove to the casino at 6 am! And Pat was still going strong when Gail walked in at noon!
I'm glad Gail has the power and good sense to walk away when she wins. In fact, I wish more people to gamble - and enjoy it - the way Gail does.
Saturday morning, we invited Gail to come up to TRF with us to do some shopping for Rhylee and Kennedy's birthday party later in the afternoon.
Gail declined saying that she had to get back to GF to pick up Ashton from the kennel.
I joked, "Don't lie, Gail. You're going to the casino."
"No I'm not. I have to get Ashton."
You see - as Kristie has stated many times to me - Gail's one real hobby is gambling a bit at the casino. She isn't a big reader. Doesn't knit or sew. She's not a big shopper. She doesn't smoke or drink. So gambling a bit is no big deal, especially since she enjoys it and has the unique ability to walk away once she wins.
So we followed Gail out of town.
"Stop at Eagle Square real quick for a Diet Mountain Dew," Kristie said as we came to Hillcrest and watched Gail take a right onto county road 13, heading - presumably - to Grand Forks.
I never thought anything of it until we were pulling out of Eagle Square.
Lo and behold, he came Guilda cruising north on highway 32.
"There's Gail!" I said as she spotted us and quick pulled into Eagle Square.
"Ha!" Kristie said, "I bet we caught her going to the casino!"
Sure enough. As Gail rolled her window down, she smirked and confessed that she didn't want us to know that she was going to the casino.
"Mom. I don't give you grief over it, like the boys do. You don't drink or smoke. What's wrong with gambling once in awhile. You enjoy it, so who cares?"
Gail agreed, rolled up her window, and turned around.
"I don't care what Gail says . . . this is going on my blog!" I said.
With that, we both headed north - us to Kmart and Gail to the casino.
But in typical Guilda fashion, the story doesn't end there.
After Kmart, we decided to swing in and get some food at McDonald's. As were were in the drive thru, I got a text from Gail wondering where we were.
I told her and as soon as we pulled into the Kmart parking lot to eat, Gail pulled right up next to us. She ran into McDonald's to get some food and came back out and hopped in to eat with us.
"Here ya go," she said, handing/tossing $40 to Kristie.
"Mom, I don't want this."
"Oh take it," Gail said, her voice hardening the way my grandmother's did when she wanted to pay for dinner when she went out with my parents. "I won $80 at the casino. I left when I was ahead, so I want you to have half. Take it!"
And it just doesn't get any more like Kristie's mother than that! Of course, she told us about her usual gambling partner, Pat, who apparently felt the desire to gamble so much that she drove to the casino at 6 am! And Pat was still going strong when Gail walked in at noon!
I'm glad Gail has the power and good sense to walk away when she wins. In fact, I wish more people to gamble - and enjoy it - the way Gail does.
Friday, August 13, 2010
I guess the son of the worst vice president . . .
(remember when his father thought Chicago was a state!) . . . would be able to tell how the worst president is.
It's funny because I was talking about this same kind of 'shock' politics with my barber on Wednesday.
What ever happened to the middle of the road? What happened to compromise? What happened to bipartisanship?
In this age of Michael More, Fox News, Glenn Beck, Keith Obermann, and Rush Limbaugh . . . well, all gray is gone from many peoples' worlds (as my barber said).
Everything now is black and white.
And it's sad . . . and sickening.
It's funny because I was talking about this same kind of 'shock' politics with my barber on Wednesday.
What ever happened to the middle of the road? What happened to compromise? What happened to bipartisanship?
In this age of Michael More, Fox News, Glenn Beck, Keith Obermann, and Rush Limbaugh . . . well, all gray is gone from many peoples' worlds (as my barber said).
Everything now is black and white.
And it's sad . . . and sickening.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Kenz saves the day
For some reason yesterday Kenzie wouldn't settle down for her afternoon nap. She usually doses off between two or three. But yesterday she didn't settle down until 4:30.
Then she woke up after about 45 minutes, but Kristie rocked her and she slept some more.
This meant trouble because she woke up around 8 or so and stayed up until close to midnight!
When I finally got her to her crib, crawled into bed, and set the alarm clock for 6 am sharp, it was close to 1.
Luckily, Kenz woke up and was talking to herself at 7:30 because, for some reason, the alarm never went off.
Kristie heard her talking and asked me - who was dead asleep - "What time is it?"
I woke up and glanced at the clock - 7:30!
If it hadn't been for Kenzie, Kristie and I would have probably slept until nine!
Good thing she didn't sleep in this morning.
Then she woke up after about 45 minutes, but Kristie rocked her and she slept some more.
This meant trouble because she woke up around 8 or so and stayed up until close to midnight!
When I finally got her to her crib, crawled into bed, and set the alarm clock for 6 am sharp, it was close to 1.
Luckily, Kenz woke up and was talking to herself at 7:30 because, for some reason, the alarm never went off.
Kristie heard her talking and asked me - who was dead asleep - "What time is it?"
I woke up and glanced at the clock - 7:30!
If it hadn't been for Kenzie, Kristie and I would have probably slept until nine!
Good thing she didn't sleep in this morning.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
And here comes the apocolypse
Thanks to plastic surgery patients, a new 'super bug' has spread.
How do you like that? The end of the world thanks to some shallow nut jobs thanks to their cosmetic surgeries.
I always knew that Entertainment Tonight and the Bravo channel would lead to our demise!
How do you like that? The end of the world thanks to some shallow nut jobs thanks to their cosmetic surgeries.
I always knew that Entertainment Tonight and the Bravo channel would lead to our demise!
Sorry, Ene
You just can't make this up.
Don't worry cat lovers like me (and Nordine) . . . this has a happy ending!
And I'd hate to see what is in this guys fridge!
Don't worry cat lovers like me (and Nordine) . . . this has a happy ending!
And I'd hate to see what is in this guys fridge!
The Levels of Writing
There are three levels of writing.
The first is very informal, personal writing. This is done daily. Grocery lists, brainstorming, notes, and so on are usually in this category. This is written for you or someone close to you. Hence, there's no real reason to proof it. As long as you understand it, great.
The second is less informal. This is done more frequently. A second draft would fall in here, as would Facebook messages, texts, and email messages. A little revision might go in here since the audience isn't just you, but a quick glance or maybe some editing software will do the trick.
The third level is publishable prose. This should be done every couple of weeks. A final draft submitted for a grade, a letter to the editor, a memo going around the office, or some form of report - all are third level writing. You'll want to polish this up. Have someone else look at it. Put it through a few drafts. Read it a loud. Don't rely on simple editing software for this stuff.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that road signs and anything stenciled in paint on a road should fall under the third category.
Guess not, though!
The first is very informal, personal writing. This is done daily. Grocery lists, brainstorming, notes, and so on are usually in this category. This is written for you or someone close to you. Hence, there's no real reason to proof it. As long as you understand it, great.
The second is less informal. This is done more frequently. A second draft would fall in here, as would Facebook messages, texts, and email messages. A little revision might go in here since the audience isn't just you, but a quick glance or maybe some editing software will do the trick.
The third level is publishable prose. This should be done every couple of weeks. A final draft submitted for a grade, a letter to the editor, a memo going around the office, or some form of report - all are third level writing. You'll want to polish this up. Have someone else look at it. Put it through a few drafts. Read it a loud. Don't rely on simple editing software for this stuff.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that road signs and anything stenciled in paint on a road should fall under the third category.
Guess not, though!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The End of Education
In his vast study of democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville concluded that all our political problems end up in the courts. Had there existed a public school system when he wrote, he might have added that all America’s social problems end up in school.
And so begins Neil Postman’s interesting chapter on “The Law of Diversity.”
He states that it is undoubtedly become the job of schools to handle all the various social problems . . . as opposed to simply educate a young person so they can be a successful citizen in our democracy.
While there is no clear answer to whether schools should be doing anything about ‘social problems,’ one thing Postman feels strongly that schools should do is teach diversity.
When I was an undergrad, the multi-cultural/Affirmative Action/diversity movements was at its peak. I recall often learning that I should steer away from the literary canon of the great dead, white writers and try to inject some diversity into my curriculum.
That is not all bad. But Postman worries that the idea of ‘diversity’ is giving way to ‘ethnic pride’ in schools. He believes it is the school’s job to show all students how they fit into the vast multi-cultural mosaic that is American culture. It is NOT the school’s job (nor should it be) to teach minority cultures how the dominant white culture inflicted harm or suppression on them in the past. It should not give minority cultures a sense of separation and ‘otherness.’ If parents want to provide that at home . . . that’s their prerogative. But it shouldn’t be the job of the school or textbook, which I might add it seems to me it has become (through quotas and so on).
Postman defines the study of diversity as “how our interactions with many kinds of people make us into what we are. It is a story strongly supported by the facts of human cultures . . . It does not undermine ethnic pride, but places one’s ethnicity in the context of our common culture.”
I think that is often the goal of schools and textbooks, but often that doesn’t happen. It devolves into the uglier aspects of multiculturalism (such as learning just about what harm one dominant culture did to other cultures that were conquered. I’m not saying don’t learn about that; rather, I’m saying don’t stop there. Keep learning and investigating why it happened, how it happened, and the repercussions).
Here are specific areas Postman believes schools should focus on to teach diversity.
Language
He has an interesting idea: make French the official language in the United States for 15 years. Then make Japanese the official language for the next fifteen. In 30 years everyone would be trilingual. Not bad, eh?
But the importance of teaching language (as well as a greater understanding of our own language) is important for it reinforces the idea of diversity. Just look at our own language and how it is a hodgepodge of dozens of other languages.
Postman gives an interesting example - imagine that four people sit down at a diner for lunch and gave the following orders: First, soup, a cheeseburger with squash, and coleslaw on the side and then tea with cherry pie. The second wants a waffle, a banana split, and coffee. The third wants chili with plenty of pepper and a cookie. The fourth wants a turkey sandwich with gravy and soy sauce and a Coke.
Now, just look at all the different countries and languages covered in those four orders!
In terms of learning an entirely different language Postman notes the benefits. Namely, that you open your mind to another way to see and interpret the world. What a novel idea? And what a vital skill for the 21st century, flat globalized world.
In the end I like what Postman concludes on the matter of teaching diversity through language (as opposed to dealing with ‘social’ problems): “But the point is that our young ought not to be monolingual, and if the schools paid less attention to driver education, and other such marginal tasks, our students wouldn’t be.”
Religion
Here Postman examines the overly politically correct notion of certain groups being offended by Christmas carols being sung in school. Postman, of Jewish heritage, never was offended when he sang Christmas songs in choir. The point is to tolerate, not exclude. Would it be so terrible to sing a Hebrew song or a Muslim song as well? What learning opportunities might exist?
Schools should not exclude religion. Note here that it is not anyone’s job to proselytize. Instead, the job is to educate and understand. Differences of opinion should be tolerated and even encouraged.
But why study religion in public schools -
First, so much of the world and popular culture (art, music, lit) is intertwined with religion.
Second, many of the great religions are “the stories of how different people of different times and places have tried to achieve a sense of transcendence.” That is, they all seek to answer one key question: why? Science and philosophy do the same thing. So why not study religions for this?
Third, through studying religions students gain a greater understanding of diversity. This happens in two ways. First, students will see how different people from different times have tried to explain themselves and their beliefs. Second, students might be shocked to see the similarities in the religions’ explanations.
This would certainly call for tact and care. But what’s wrong with teaching tact and care when examining and studying something. Just watch, for example, FOX News for an example of the opposite of tact and care.
Postman notes that there is no need to dispute the differences of the major religions. Respect and tolerate the differences. Then look at how they overlap. Postman observes: “Is it insulting to reveal that the Jews borrowed from the Egyptians? The Christians from the Jews? Is there any cynicism in revealing that American Indian deities have a special relationship to the earth and sky, not found in Western religions but similar in many ways to ancient Greek deities? Is there anything threatening in learning about the religions of African tribes? Do we endanger anyone by showing that Gandhi’s religious beliefs were influenced by those of Thoreau, and that Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ideas were influence by Gandhi?”
This type of education will lead to a greater level of tolerance that says, “‘If I had been raised as you have, if I had been in your situation, if I had been led to respect the symbols you do, then it is very likely I would believe as you do.’” This doesn’t mean students give up or abandon their beliefs, which is something I think we can all live with and certainly benefit from.
Custom
We do this to some extent already. What person hasn’t been in a class of some sort where certain ethnic foods or traditions weren’t adopted for one class period? This causes different customs to be seen as almost trivial. That is not how to teach or experience customs.
Postman also notes that the study of customs does not need to be confined to far away places and people. Take a survey of the backgrounds of the students in any class (even if they all appear white or black), and you will be surprised to find the different customs and backgrounds. I discovered this when we discussed Christmas traditions prior to reading “The Lottery” (I know - what a juxtaposition!).
Another benefit of studying customs is to see how some become “Americanized” (such as we observed when we watched a 30 Days episode on outsourcing. An American computer programmer, whose job is outsourced over to India, spends 30 days in Bangalore. There he witnesses just how “Americanized” many Indians have become, from major things like women working instead of remaining at home and taking care of their husbands’ families to actually celebrating Christmas). Why and how did this “Americanization” happen? Was it beneficial? Or did it have a negative impact?
Best of all, maybe there is a custom that is so odd to Americans that it is almost incomprehensible (the idea of the traditional Indian arranged marriage is a good example. Postman offers the example from 1994 when an American student in Singapore was found guilty of an offense and sentenced to be ‘caned’). Here is a great chance for learning. Too often in America we only believe what we want to believe. We now live in such an advanced state of things that if I’m ultra liberal or conservative, I can simply surround myself with just the things I want to hear. I can read just the extreme blogs that tell me what I want to hear. I can watch the news channels or listen to the talk radio stations that tell me just what I want to hear. And when something arises that I disagree with or that challenges my beliefs, it’s a lot easier to ridicule or dismiss it that explore it and learn from it. As Postman puts it, “Before rushing to judgment, one must make an honest attempt to understand, and to teach the young how to understand.”
This ties into several things that I love to teach: To Kill a Mockingbird, Fahrenheit 451, The Jungle, The Crucible, and The Nacirema, just to name a few. Does it ever hurt to find a lens, in this case customs, through which we can not only look at different cultures and their ways of seeing the world, but does it also ever hurt to then turn that lens back on our own customs and culture and ask ourselves, “Are we so sure that we’re doing it right? Or are we so sure that we have everything figured out?”
Art and Artifacts
It’s hard to argue with Postman when he states that art nourishes the soul. And it’s important to remember, as Postman notes, that every time we visit an art center or museum, we must ask what is this place and things in them go about answering this question: What does it mean to be human?
This may seem like a bunch of touchy feely crap. I mean where the hell will you ever see that question on a standardized test? Our curriculum isn’t designed to answer that question.
Maybe that’s we why we have such an entertainment addicted society. I laughed at Grown Ups when I went to see it with my friend last weekend, but I wouldn’t say it nourished my soul the way other pieces of art have. But at least I am given the option of knowing the difference. How many of our students can say that?
Another important element of teaching art and its artifacts is that it allows students to experience different perspectives from different periods.
When I visited the Martin Luther King center in Atlanta, I got a much different perspective from a different period in time than I did from the prisoner of war museum in Andersonville or the museum at Gettysburg. It’s not to say that one perspective has to be cancelled out by another. I think - as does Postman - this is one reason under multiculturalism that we are so quick to condemn the Evil Whiteman for what he did to other cultures. Yes, it was terrible . . . from our modern perspective. And it might be terrible from the past perspective, but let’s try to at least understand that perspective.
Take the issue of the Native Americans. I was always horrified at what the Evil White culture did to their culture. But then my dad said, “Kurt, if we wouldn’t have done that to them, some other country would have done the same thing.” And I think Dad had Russia in mind when he said that. And that made an impression. Would another country have been able to absorb the Native Americans into their culture better than we did (and it’s hard to imagine how someone could destroy a culture more thoroughly than what we did to the Native Americans). But would the Spanish or Chinese or Canadians have done it differently? If so, now that’s another perspective that needs to be examined and learned from. When in our history have other cultures peacefully absorbed another one? Or is it simply in our human nature to destroy other cultures?
All worthy questions to be answered in a class.
This is one reason that Postman proposes having a high school class study museums. Here is his proposed project (notice, not a test!) . . . “students [must] write a prospectus for a new museum in their community. They would be required to indicate what the museum would try to say, as well as what objects of art, custom, and technology would best say it. Such a project might be the final exam of a year-long course devoted to an analysis of whatever museums are accessible in the community.”
Postman brings his chapter called “The Law of Diversity” to a close with this excellent idea: “I am keeping in mind that the purpose of public education is to help the young transcend individual identity by finding inspiration in a story of humanity.”
Now, I can hear the critics saying that this is more touchy feely crap that helped get America in the education mess it is currently in. There is no way designing courses around language, religion, custom, and art & artifacts is going to help us race to the top and rival Asia or India.
Well, maybe it won’t. But maybe it would restore the idea of citizenship to our world. Maybe it would help our students rise above the drama in their lives (or at least put it in perspective) rather than be addicted to it thanks to Facebook, Seventeen, Entertainment Tonight, and texting on their BlackBerries.
I recall something congressman George Miller told the National Press Club when the report “A Democracy at Risk” came out. Miller talked to CEOs to find out what kind of worker they were looking for, they told him that this is what they were trolling the world for: a worker who can work across their company, across the country, across the continents with the most divers workforce in the history of the world to assemble and solve emerging problems with the most diverse client base in the history of the world.
Now I think Postman’s call for schools designed around languages, religions, customs, and art & artifacts could very well provide us with those types of workers. Because stuck in the narrow scope of NCLB and RTTT, our current students are certainly not learning how to become the type of worker Miller calls for. Not unless all those CEOs want students who can do well on standardized tests and learn information quickly and forget it just as quickly in order to memorize more information before forgetting it again . . . Well, you see the vicious circle we’ve created.
I’d like to see us give Postman’s concept a try.
Only at the ALC
Will a student, when you're reviewing the answers for the day's work, say, "Hold on! My dad's calling."
And then take the call.
Really?
Your parent knows when you have class. So why call? Why take the call?
Kinda makes you wonder. Maybe we should have the parents attend the ALC and send the kids to work?
The Thing
In 1982 John Carpenter unleashed The Thing. I didn't know it at the time but it was based on the novella "Who Goes There?" by John W. Campbell. I read it was freaked out.
But what Carpenter does in The Thing is create a near perfect sci-fi/horror film.
Here is the original trailer
I recall seeing this on HBO in 1983. My parents were out doing yard work, and I snuck into the house. We would never actually pay for HBO. We either had a free trial offer or we stole it by wrapping tin foil around the cable cord (it worked! But it came in in black and white).
I caught it right at the point where the doctor attempts to apply a defibrillator to one of the 'infected.' In the scene, the doctor applies the pads, and just as he presses down, the alien transforms the man's chest into a giant mouth. The doctor's hands sink in - all the way up to his forearms. Then the mouth shuts. The doctor screams and his arms are bitten/ripped off at the forearms.
Well, that was enough for me. I was outside all too happy to do yard work.
But that scene sparked my imagination and I never forgot it. Now, I show The Thing routinely in my sci-fi class.
Family Get Together
My aunt (Bonnie) and uncle (Jim) were visiting from Colorado. They parked their camper at my sister's farm yesterday. So with the family together we decided to get together at our house.
Mat and I with Bonnie, Jim, and Barb.
Kevin and DeAnn. Kevin is a renaissance man, having biked across Australia, back packed in Alaska, and travelled to Costa Rica and who knows how many other places. He can talk to anyone and keep them interested with his vast experiences. I never knew that he had formed a close relationship with my late uncle Dick (Jim's oldest brother).
Kristie did finally snap a picture of Gail as she said goodbye to Arnie and Ashley.
The one person missing is Kristie! But she was wielding the camera. Maybe Gail will be able to pass some pictures of my beautiful wife along so I can put them up here too.
On hand were -
Bonnie and Jim.
It was great visiting with them. Jim - as an English professor - has always been one of the people I've looked up to most in my life. It was great hearing their travel stories and their recollections of Mom and Dad.
Mat and I with Bonnie, Jim, and Barb.
Kevin and DeAnn. Kevin is a renaissance man, having biked across Australia, back packed in Alaska, and travelled to Costa Rica and who knows how many other places. He can talk to anyone and keep them interested with his vast experiences. I never knew that he had formed a close relationship with my late uncle Dick (Jim's oldest brother). Jim brought this up when he said that he recalled Kevin and Dick talking for hours at family reunions. Then Jim asked Kevin if he could remember any of those talks as Jim was trying to put together a sketch of his brother, who was three years older than Jim and kind of distant. He was not a man of many words, but he always looked out for Jim (once calling the high school basketball coach to tell him that Jim deserved more playing time. Jim started every game after that. Dick also took a year off from Bemidji State to work so Jim could afford to attend college. Talk about a sacrifice. Dick never spoke of it and Jim really didn't realize it until his mother informed him of it years later).
But Kevin - put on the spot - couldn't really remember any of their conversations right at that moment. Hopefully, they'll come to him and he'll be able to share some with Jim.
I think one of the highlights was seeing Kenzie and her cousin, Demera, play. They had quite the time!
Gail! She saved the day with her awesome three bean hot dish. We always joke that at her funeral we are only going to have pictures of her hands (or pictures with her head cut out of that as she has done to some other photos). She not only saved the day with her great hot dish but she also was able to calm Kenzie down after she woke up rather cranky. Thanks, Gail.
Gail! She saved the day with her awesome three bean hot dish. We always joke that at her funeral we are only going to have pictures of her hands (or pictures with her head cut out of that as she has done to some other photos). She not only saved the day with her great hot dish but she also was able to calm Kenzie down after she woke up rather cranky. Thanks, Gail.
Arnie and Ashley. Arnie shared some interesting info on Dad. Dad always talked about how during one summer (I think it was summer) his folks left him in charge of the ranch in Texas while they came up to Minnesota to look at land up here. Dad also told me how much responsibility it was and how he kind of ruined it by racking up bills on his dad's credit.
Well, it was a few years ago that Dad's sister, Elaine, came up and clarified things. Apparently, Dad not only racked up bills but he 'lost' some sheep and goats (I recall Elaine thinking that Dad had thrown a big party and barbecued the animals to feed everyone).
I was astounded. Dad had never breathed a word of this! Dad was badass! I couldn't believe it. And somehow I suddenly felt better about all the trouble I had gotten in when I was younger.
So when I visited Dad next and informed him of what Elaine said, he quickly set things right (or so he thought) when he said, "Oh, Elaine. She's a liar!"
Well, last night Arnie informed me that it wasn't just a couple sheep and goats that Dad 'lost.' It was close to 100!
How I wish Dad was alive to rebut that!
Kristie did finally snap a picture of Gail as she said goodbye to Arnie and Ashley.
The one person missing is Kristie! But she was wielding the camera. Maybe Gail will be able to pass some pictures of my beautiful wife along so I can put them up here too.
It was a great night for our family (which doesn't get together nearly enough). But as Kristie always says, "You're the only ones who can do anything about that."
We need to do this more often!
Monday, August 09, 2010
Well, I'll be . . .
From John Clayton himself . . .
Phil in Columbus, Ohio, wants to know why so many of us in the media have picked the Cincinnati Bengals for a second-place division finish. The reason is the tough schedule facing the Bengals, but I'm ready to change my position. As much as I thought the Baltimore Ravens were an 11- or 12-win team, the injuries in the secondary will pull them down. The Ravens have a great offense but a very shaky secondary. Now that I've seen both teams up close, I'm going with the Bengals to win the AFC North.
Phil in Columbus, Ohio, wants to know why so many of us in the media have picked the Cincinnati Bengals for a second-place division finish. The reason is the tough schedule facing the Bengals, but I'm ready to change my position. As much as I thought the Baltimore Ravens were an 11- or 12-win team, the injuries in the secondary will pull them down. The Ravens have a great offense but a very shaky secondary. Now that I've seen both teams up close, I'm going with the Bengals to win the AFC North.
Global Warming
I'm no conspiracy buff, but is it me, or is something changing in our world? Or has it always been like this and now, because of our media saturated society, we just know about this stuff more than ever? I mean when has the word mega-disaster ever been used before the 21st century?
A University of Delaware researcher says the floating ice sheet covers 100 square miles — more than four times the size of New York's Manhattan Island.
WASHINGTON – Despite their tiny size, plant plankton found in the world's oceans are crucial to much of life on Earth. They are the foundation of the bountiful marine food web, produce half the world's oxygen and suck up harmful carbon dioxide.
And they are declining sharply.
How's that for an uplifting blog post?
To be fair, there were stories of conservation and innovation, but I just focused on the ones of impending doom. As I stated earlier, I'm no 2012 or rapture believer, but I tend to believe, as Buffalo Springfield declares, "Something's Happening Here." And it doesn't look good.
Practicing What She Preaches
Michelle Rhee vowed to get rid of bad teachers. Thanks to the new teachers contract, she is now living up that that vow.
More than 70 percent of the teachers and staff at two of the District's lowest-performing schools were slapped with poor evaluations this year, leaving Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee to bet on an influx of new teachers to help turn the institutions round.
Rhee, like Vallas in New Orleans, is banking on a lot of new teachers, many from Teach for America.
Rhee was able to settle a contract with the teachers union that allows for her to whittle away at tenure. Given Arnie Duncan's take on tenure, it certainly seems to be on its last legs.
In fact, one of the failing schools in the above article underwent what is known as "The Chicago Plan" (devised by Duncan when he was running the schools in Chicago) where a failing school is shut down. The entire staff (from administration to cooks) have to re-apply for their jobs.
Believe it or not, I'm not against this policy. For failing schools.
Remember, the new administration can choose to bring back teachers they deem effective.
I like this because it pushes out bad teachers and allows for good ones to come back. If they can overcome the fact that they have to reapply for their jobs.
Now, if I take the stance that Rhee and many inner city school authorities do, that if a student has three great teachers three consecutive years, their life outcomes can be drastically changed, I'm all on board with the Chicago plan.
Sure, as EA co-president, I can argue the benefits of tenure all day long. But the bottom line is that tenure often rewards the most veteran teachers, not necessarily the most effective. But I also don't think we should just through new - and often inexperienced and, to be honest, sometimes ineffective, teachers into the fray to fix the situation.
But for fixing a district in total disarray, I'm all for the Chicago plan.
In reading the article, one thing that brought hope was the number of evaluations. The article states that a shocking 72% of teachers were given unsatisfactory evals. That speaks far greater to me than teacher performance tied to test scores. If we want to get away from performance linked to test scores, then we have to embrace evaluations as a way to determine teacher effectiveness.
I think this is a dangerous step. Yes, teachers should get kids to learn. If the tests are any good (and I'm not sold on the fact that they are) and if students try their hardest (this doesn't happen. Just ask your own kid. Or in order to get kids to do well, we have to brainwash them on it. I am suspicious of that), then a student's growth should be illustrated on a test. But I'm not ready to tie my livelihood to it when they are so many outside influences.
More than 70 percent of the teachers and staff at two of the District's lowest-performing schools were slapped with poor evaluations this year, leaving Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee to bet on an influx of new teachers to help turn the institutions round.
Rhee, like Vallas in New Orleans, is banking on a lot of new teachers, many from Teach for America.
Rhee was able to settle a contract with the teachers union that allows for her to whittle away at tenure. Given Arnie Duncan's take on tenure, it certainly seems to be on its last legs.
In fact, one of the failing schools in the above article underwent what is known as "The Chicago Plan" (devised by Duncan when he was running the schools in Chicago) where a failing school is shut down. The entire staff (from administration to cooks) have to re-apply for their jobs.
Believe it or not, I'm not against this policy. For failing schools.
Remember, the new administration can choose to bring back teachers they deem effective.
I like this because it pushes out bad teachers and allows for good ones to come back. If they can overcome the fact that they have to reapply for their jobs.
Now, if I take the stance that Rhee and many inner city school authorities do, that if a student has three great teachers three consecutive years, their life outcomes can be drastically changed, I'm all on board with the Chicago plan.
Sure, as EA co-president, I can argue the benefits of tenure all day long. But the bottom line is that tenure often rewards the most veteran teachers, not necessarily the most effective. But I also don't think we should just through new - and often inexperienced and, to be honest, sometimes ineffective, teachers into the fray to fix the situation.
But for fixing a district in total disarray, I'm all for the Chicago plan.
In reading the article, one thing that brought hope was the number of evaluations. The article states that a shocking 72% of teachers were given unsatisfactory evals. That speaks far greater to me than teacher performance tied to test scores. If we want to get away from performance linked to test scores, then we have to embrace evaluations as a way to determine teacher effectiveness.
However, upon further digging, it seems that Rhee's evaluations are securely tethered to test scores.
I think this is a dangerous step. Yes, teachers should get kids to learn. If the tests are any good (and I'm not sold on the fact that they are) and if students try their hardest (this doesn't happen. Just ask your own kid. Or in order to get kids to do well, we have to brainwash them on it. I am suspicious of that), then a student's growth should be illustrated on a test. But I'm not ready to tie my livelihood to it when they are so many outside influences.
I thought Rhee might be able to work in some alternative evaluations. Take test scores into account. Fine. But also balance them with administrative performance evaluations, which I think are vital.
Now, you can honestly ask, what if an administrator has it out for a teacher and there's no tenure to protect them. And that's a legitimate concern. But seeing how the administrators don't have tenure and Rhee will clean house in a nano second if the principals don't get their teachers to excel, then I worry a bit. But still- be an effective teacher and engage your students. Challenge them and get them to learn. Isn't that our job?
But to be fair, had I been evaluated on my College Comp classes, I'd be a shining star. If I were evaluated on my other classes, well, I might well be out on the street!
So the system isn't foolproof. But it has to be better than the miserable tenure-protected system that was in place.
But to be fair, had I been evaluated on my College Comp classes, I'd be a shining star. If I were evaluated on my other classes, well, I might well be out on the street!
So the system isn't foolproof. But it has to be better than the miserable tenure-protected system that was in place.
I just worry about the 'test scores are all' approach.
Now comes word that Rhee wants high stakes testing in kindergarten through 12 grade. That scares the hell out of me. Our kids are already tested more than any other kids on earth. Will it work? I don't know.
What will we churn out when kids score well on high stakes tests? Will they be able to think critically and adapt? I don't know.
But all those tests - whether my job is tied to them or not - scare the hell out of me.
Instead, let's have more 'real world' opportunities for kids. Let them see how the skills they learn will improve the world around them or allow them to thrive in that world. Does a 4 out of 6 on the writing test offer anything like that?
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