The whole thing with getting rid of tag seems dumb, though, especially if they're replacing it with more structured games. Tag is a great game for kids -- not too many rules, but enough that they get some sense of having to follow them; enough leeway to get creative (freeze tag, TV tag, etc.); and enough space to play with the rules so that kids can get some sense of negotiation and compromise (like, figuring out things like "little kids are allowed to stay on base for 1 minute, older kids for 30 seconds; the kid who isn't allowed to watch TV can use movie names for TV tag," stuff like that.)

I think he is poisoning Spy Daddy, and making him sicker.

Yeah, he was pretty dismissive of Jack's having done research into treatments . And what's with pushing Jack to clear his conscience with Syd? I think he's got Jack bugged .

Hil, I agree with you. (Personally, I never liked tag, but I was one of those kids that just didn't like much of anything.) I even agree with her, at least with a lot of her anecdotes. It's just that... well, two things. The first is, I think things are rarely that simple, and I'd really like to hear from the people who actually do those things as to their reasoning. The second is that it seems... I guess it seems to be part and parcel of this idea that people running schools have no idea what they're doing. That teachers and administrators and parents are just doing things out of some touchy-feely hippy ideology without paying attention to the real task of school. I mean, she said at the end that what we really need to be doing is really engaging kids in the wonder of learning -- well, duh. What a stunning fucking revelation. I tell you what, lady, you come to the classroom full of kids who are about one more harsh word away from turning off entirely and coasting until they drop out, and you show me how to engage them -- otherwise, I'll keep trying whatever seems to work.

It doesn't help that I just got finished watching an hour of Lewis Black doing standup. It adds vehemence.

Jen, I agree

I think the bug is in his leg under the other bandage.

That teachers and administrators and parents are just doing things out of some touchy-feely hippy ideology without paying attention to the real task of school.

Interesting. Because Emmett's going to school in the East Bay (next door to Berkeley) and his curriculum is like...8 kerjillion (yes, I've documented this) times more difficult and demanding than mine was in third grade and what I clearly see on a daily basis is a strong grasp of exactly what works in education.

Alias: I definitely have bad feelings about Dr. Lenny. Michael McKean does a great job at being cheerful creepy (see X-Files), and he's doing it in spades here. If they kill off SpyDaddy, Ima gonna be mad.

Hec... um. That's good! But, uh, were you making a point? That's not me being snarky sarcasticperson -- I'm not sure if you're disagreeing with me, or pointing out that there are people with a good grasp, or what?

Yeah, I absolutely agree, Emily. She's got a lot of anecdotes, but I don't think they neccesarily add up to a large-scale problem. And actually, when I think about a whole bunch of schools where I've volunteered, I think that half of them don't even have playgrounds big enough for playing tag, which I'd say is a much bigger problem.

I think there's got to be a balance in there somewhere. She's not it.

Hil: Yup! On the other hand, who needs another book about how schools need more money, teachers need better pay, and the culture needs more respect for learning? Boring.

the real task of school

Here's a problem phrase. People have different views for what that task is. Is it mastery of core subjects? Is it teaching metacognitive skills? Is it producing a work force? Is it teaching interpersonal skills? Is it keeping kids off the streets/babysitting? Ask different people and you'll get different answers.

Personally, I think it's a combination of all those things. But, its also knowing that not every kid is going to achieve these things and you have to work with the individuals and their capabilities.

In college, grades should be determined by mastery of subject. But in high school? You can't fail kids in Special Ed no matter how poorly they do. They can make no progress over the year and they will still pass because you have to pass them. Is it fair to the kid who works through high school in regular classes or advanced classes when there's another kid who takes Special Ed classes and they have the same GPA? Depends on your definition of fair, I guess.