Not knowing details, I can almost guarantee you that the number of minutes per week dedicated to Math and Reading has increased by a huge amount at the school being discussed (compared to a few years ago). It has at almost every school everywhere, because that what is being emphasized. Social work for 20-30 minutes per week isn't taking away from the standard subject areas.

Is there anyone that is actually saying that teaching kids how to deal with negative emotions is a bad thing? That accepting people and respecting them despite any differences is a bad thing? I'm really shocked by this. That's basically what universal social work programs such as this do.

Are we "failing to properly educate our children"? I would disagree with that. Today's students learn more, at a faster rate and a younger age than you and I ever did, I don;t think there is a question about that. I'd be interested to see which international school systems are more successful with all of their students as the US is as a whole. I'd guess that be almost impossible to compare due to differing standards and expectations.

_________________

Does success/failure in your daily life depend solely on your knowledge of math and science?

_________________

I don't care for it.

It does when it comes to math. I would argue that it helps more than lying to kids and IMO taking away some of their drive. There is a time and place for everything but I personally don't feel it is need weekly or even monthly.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

That is amazing.

_________________

Interesting. Most everything I hear (and I say this as someone without kids in school, just as a taxpayer) is that the United States is constantly falling behind in education with respect to other countries.

I just think that most kids should learn to deal with "negative emotions" (I quote that because mad and sad aren't "negative" in my opinion. It's human. We all experience this. All of us. We're all confused about our emotions at some point or another... odd to me) from their family and friends and most importantly from experience. We all need to experience loss, and failure, and someone spending 30 minutes a week explaining to you these things doesn't seem to me to be very effective. Of course, I have not observed one of these sessions.

I think this is schools stepping in something that they should not. This is not something that should be taught in a group setting. It's way too individual and personal for that. If someone is exhibiting problems in this area, I would prefer that they alert the families and work with this kid individually if necessary.

Perhaps I have a misunderstanding of what they're actually doing during this group therapy but from what I'm hearing... it's odd and out of place.

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Huh? Who is lying to kids?

By the way, your answer to my original question must be "no", I'm assuming?

_________________

That's what daycare and preschool were for. That's also what their parents are for. I imagine their teacher teaches them the same thing. There really is no need to bring someone in frequently to say the same thing. Do you really believe all of these kids are really listening to this? It's basically free time for them and their teacher.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

They could do it once a year, and come up with some snazzy branding for it, like the Emotional Olympics or something.

This sounds like a decidedly suburban experience. I don't think any districts would cut math and science, as so much fed money is contingent on test scores in those areas.

_________________
I don't remember half the time if I'm hiding or I'm lost

I'd prefer to do it than the school or government.

Does success/failure in daily life depend "solely" on knowledge of math and science? No. "Largely"? Yes. I would have to say that a solid math and science foundation greatly increases the possibility of success in life as having a basic grasp on science and specifically math is essential for learning other more advanced skills that would contribute to a successful life.

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

My answer was yes. Math is important in my daily life. I'm always playing around with numbers. It's how I feed my kids. I'm saying they are lying to them when they celebrate mediocrity (7th place trophies) because they will find out in no time that the real world is different.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

No idea. It gets tossed out from time to time, but I'm not sure how it could be measured.



Read this paragraph again, and I think you'll understand why these things are taught in a group setting, and why it's ok to dedicate 20-30 minutes out of......@2200 minutes per week to these things. (1-2% of a typical school week)


Social workers absolutely deal with specific cases in an individualized way. That's what the majority of their job is.And clearly the parents are notified of what is happening because, well......spaulding.[/quote]

_________________

You know, if other countries had the meat grinder of uniform instruction that we have, their results would be shit, too.

_________________

Yep.

I kind of feel like the mad or sad thing is now the norm. You can't feel it, ever. It's serious and has to be fixed right away. For kids you talk it out for adults you get drugs.

This is park district recreational sports, not social/emotional education.

_________________

_________________
"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

I'm guessing your understanding is the opposite of what s being taught. It's probably taught that these emotions are ok and normal. Not "wrong".

Has someone actually taught your kids that feeling mad or sad is wrong? Really?

_________________

and lack of competition.

More time is spent on math and reading than any other subject in every single school, and it's probably not even close. Science is probably third, but could vary from district to district.

_________________

That's some 8 year old's interpretation of it. That's part of the trouble.

Have you seen some 8 year olds interpretation of multiplying and dividing? That's why the education takes place. The subject matter really doesn't change the process.

And when an 8 year old struggles with a concept, hopefully the parents/family give that student extra help (or a different perspective) to promote learning.

_________________

With multiplying and dividing we pull on the same side of the rope. I don't think we do with the emotional and value stuff. I want to undo some of what they are teaching.

Yep, and beyond organized sports we also had Smear the Queer and King of the Hill to get out our anger and learn valuable skills for coping in our dog-eat-dog world. I hear kids today aren't even allowed to play dodge ball with slow pitch softballs anymore.

Developmental therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy can be really beneficial for kids who need it.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

I don't believe anyone here doesn't agree with that.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

However, due to personal perspective and and family experiences, every student has different ideas of how emotions and differences should be handled. Just look at this thread. The social learning that you are talking about is attempting to teach kids to find a common understanding about dealing with each other.

I don't remember the details, but not too long ago you were upset about how another student was treating your child in some way - and I believe you were upset with how the school handled it as well (at least partially). I struggle to understand your perspective on this - either those things should be taught at home and the kids "work it out on their own" (as you;re saying in this thread), or the school steps in and tries to teach all kids how to handle these situations in better ways. It can't really be both, can it?

_________________

Bigfan obviously doesn't. These therapists go to houses with bins of things, to work with kids.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

That's some of the other reason I'm against it too. It's not getting thur to that kid and there is no reinforcement of it at home. There was a situation and I needed the schools help and to work with them. I asked for it. I don't want them teaching something that I don't agree with or it to be interpreted in a way I don't agree with when I don't ask for it.

By the way that kid got into a shovey match with a kid at hockey practice last Wednesday.

/thread

_________________