10/23/2012 5:00:00 PM
COLUMN: One of the R's
| |
|
Bob Weete
Essay
Yes, it is "old school", but in this contemporary world I have learned several things, believe it or not. One of the most important concepts is that just because something is "old", it doesn't always lose its value. In fact, many things actually increase in value.
Look at all these archaeologists out there digging around trying to find dinosaur bones, old civilizations. We value old books; we value old jewelry; we value old coins, old grandfather clocks. There even was a time where the life experience of our parents, our grandparents and other "elderly" was considered wisdom.
So, I am going to chance it. I would like to share some aspects of my 77 years of life, and 41 years of teaching high school English and counseling. In my day, the three R's were the focus of education. We did not learn about political correctness, we did not experience the values of alternate lifestyles, the value of our being happy every minute, and the concept of "fairness" so we could feel like victims.
Reading. That was the basic. All other areas necessitated the ability to read. So, to the modern parents, may I strongly suggest that your contribution to the livelihood of your young child's life - after providing love, food, clothing, and shelter - should be learning the value of reading.
Parents - both of them - need to read and read often, even when they bring that newborn home from the hospital. No need to read War and Peace just yet. Start with a book of nursery rhymes. There are a jillion volumes available. Even babies are comforted by hearing your soothing voice, and a sense of belonging and love are experienced.
You don't have to have fine, expensive books with gold-embossed pages. You can find them at K-Mart, at Walmart, at sales, garage sales, and the local library lends them and they have periodic book sales. It's what is on the pages that counts. It's okay to read the same ones over and over, too. They love it.
At the same time, think about the old saw, "Monkey see, monkey do". No, I am not implying anything about Darwin's theory. It simply is true. When your children see you reading - frequently - they are more likely to pick up that habit. It may take some encouragement from you, but that's what parenting is.
I know. Television is king these days. Not if you are in charge and are willing to shut the darned thing off for family reading. Then, to follow up with the reading, be sure you spend time with your child discussing what the reading was about.
Yes, even for the young non-reader. You can develop the habit in your child to realize that simply reading is not the only thing of importance. The important thing is that they understand what they have read. Avoid short-answer questions. "Why" questions are good for the older child. "Why do you think Sarah cried when her puppy ran away?" rather than, "What did Sarah do when the puppy ran away?"
Check on their knowledge of word meanings as you/they read aloud. Older children are apt to just skip the word and go on, rather than stop to ask or check a dictionary. By the way, a home dictionary is an important home study tool. And have it handy. All kinds of good habits of life are learned at home. We ought not "wait" until they start school.
There is a wealth of learning tools out there these days. Videos galore. All designed to take the parenting responsibility away. Be careful. Frankly, I happen to believe there is nothing that can compare with direct, personal parental involvement. It's worked for generations. I know. It takes your time. But what do you have to do that is more important?
With developing an appreciation of learning and reading and perseverance at home, the learning habits when they get to school will already be established, and their schooling will become more meaningful if parents continue to support their child's attitudes toward learning later.
You've seen that ad about not letting your doctor do your job as a big-time pitcher? Well, parents ought not expect teachers to do our job as a parent. Everything has a beginning. A child's opportunities begin right there at home, under our supervision.
How about some suggestions from parents out there? Go on line this week and help other struggling parents by identifying some especially good books they may use in guiding their child's early reading experience. Please identify the level of the book as baby, pre-school, 1-2 grade, or 3-4 grades. Identify the author, the title of the book, the publisher, and if possible, where the book may be obtained.
That way, you can take advantage of other parental experience and share what you and your child have experienced.
"TV. If kids are entertained by two letters, imagine the fun they'll have with 26. Open your child's imagination. Open a book."
- Author Unknown
|
Posted: Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Article comment by:
talking head
An evangelical came out (oops) and said that the hurricane was God's condemnation of homosexuals. God told him so. So there.
Posted: Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Article comment by:
never Romney
Please keep in mind that under a Romney admin, FEMA would be cut, states would be on their own for disaster relief (just imagine every state in the path of a hurricane, spate of tornadoes, faced with wildfires, etc. having to have its own equipment-- whether needed annually or once in 10 years), and of course his favorite, the private sector, with a profit motive and shareholders who want to see a return on their investment in clean-up and rebuilding. Yeah, the feds need to get out of the business of coming to aid of the American citizens in times of disasters!!!
Posted: Monday, October 29, 2012
Article comment by:
only a week
Time is running out, Mr. Weete. Everyone is still waiting for that Romney/Ryan endorsement. How are you going to feel when your boys lose and you didn't put forth ONE word to support their plan? Course, when they lose, you can say, "I never said they were the ones to vote for...." Cute.
Posted: Monday, October 29, 2012
Article comment by:
religion explained
I'll be brief. God chooses certain people to talk to. Those people tell all the other people what God told them. Then everybody has to follow those rules or the people who heard the original message get their knickers in a knot because some of the other people question their source. Weete is one of the people that God has chosen to tell the rest of us his message. Nuff said.
Posted: Thursday, October 25, 2012
Article comment by:
religion reality
Site Administrator's note:Please keep comments succinct; 300 words or less is optimal. Comments that are excessively verbose, rambling or too long for reasonable review may not be posted.
Posted: Thursday, October 25, 2012
Article comment by:
good grief
Thanks a lot, disappointed Christian, not only did Weete completely miss the irony of your comment, now he will treat us to more of his Bible thumping diatribe against public education and all its restrictions on force feeding that nonsense to our children. I already thought that he was going to go on a mission to cover all the R's he could think of: Religion (his, of course), Respect (for him, of course), Responsibility (to do everything his way), Redistribution (because he refuses to acknowledge how charity AND government work), the Right (just cause they are), Righteousness (by his definition)...
Posted: Thursday, October 25, 2012
Article comment by:
know yourself
I really wish these people who have silent conversations in their heads with "god" would just keep that private. When it gets out into the real world and people are told they MUST abide by the messages in these conversations "or else," I take that as an infringement on MY freedoms, MY privacy, My free choices. The LAW of the land is now that abortion is a woman's RIGHT, just like owning an AK47 or not paying taxes if you "believe" in an invisible friend or selling porn or printing trash in the local paper like your gospel is the only one. Get over it. Don't have an abortion if you don't like it. Don't buy an AK47 if you don't want one, stay home and read Hustler on Sunday morning if you want, and don't read the paper if some points of view irritate you. Personally, I kinda feel compelled to find out what some other people are trying to sell, so checking out Weete (and the comments) or giving FOX "news" 5 minutes of my time every so often helps me understand what we are up against in keeping our country FREE! Yes, Weete, no churches in Blythe have been forced to close, your words still appear in print and I'll bet any number of teachers have to explain a Biblical reference when teaching history or literature with no fear of being fired.
Posted: Thursday, October 25, 2012
Article comment by:
@disappointed Christian @Bob Weete
Weete, don't you know when someone is being sarcastic??? "fear of God??" Really? And you as the "protector of Christianity?" Sounds like you are getting punked here, but if you accept that those are both goals of your work here (as in "here on Earth!), well, nuff said!
@Blythe's Entertainer ucanbeeeeee: Haven't you figured it out yet that Weete generally responds to those remarks that are supportive of him, even if they are done as jokes. He doesn't see the humor, but I appreciate your efforts!!
Posted: Thursday, October 25, 2012
Article comment by:
Blythe's Entertainer U2canBeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
@ Mr. Weete: You dodged my question like a substitute teacher..
Posted: Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Article comment by:
@small town girl
Oh, dear, I want to rant against Weete as much as anyone, but I do wish you would re-think this just a bit. Reading is actually proven to be a whole brain activity that builds connections for lifelong learning. Make an effort for 20 minutes at bedtime to share a book with your child. Rotate to give everyone a chance. Consider it free therapy. Let the dishes go, laundry can wait, dust is never ending-- but children are yours so briefly... Give yourself permission to take the time for this-- please!
Posted: Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Article comment by:
Bob Weete
@disappointed Christian and @ small town/small time for children
Christian, you are absolutely right! I apologize, and will rectify that ASAP. The Bible has ALWAYS been and should continue to be, part of the home program of reading. Unfortunately, God and His book aren't allowed in the schools, so even more is tacked on to parents. I will write about that later. As to "small town..." I can only assume that you and your husband are so busy with your 24-hour day, that I also assume you may not have any children. So that shouldn't be a problem. If you do have children, please, even with all the things working moms have to do (and I am totally aware of the differences you refer to, though I don't remember my mother of the olden days running around with pearls) I would still suggest that children really need and deserve some quality time. I don't mean hours and hours, but so many of our children are kept so busy with things, they still need parents, and I hope you will make time, even as you drive them to dancing, boy scouts, etc.
Posted: Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Article comment by:
Small Town Girl, NOT Small Minded
I would read more but have you seen what most people are reading these days... "50 Shades of Grey" Etc. Etc. Etc. who wants to read smut. And as Shirley Maclaine's character in Steel Magnolias says, "I Don't go to plays because I can Nap at home for free, and if the book is any good they're gonna make a Movie!" WHO HAS TIME TO READ? Work an 8 hour a day job, go home, cook dinner, clean the dishes, do the homework with the kids (3), start and/or finish a load of laundry bath and get the kids ready for bed, Mr. Weete you must be stuck in the 50's when Dad worked and Mom stayed home in her high heels and pearls, baked cookies, sat and read and ate Bon-Bons all day. Men may have time to read but women... NO WAY! And that's NOT including any extra curricular activities mom has to drive the kids to and from, I know instead of texting and driving we should be reading and driving. Now hopefully you will see how absolutely (deleted) your column has been. Quit wasting your paper, ink and time writing about crap the average working person doesn't have time to do.Site Administrator's note: A portion of this comment has been removed because it violated our Terms of use Agreement.
Posted: Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Article comment by:
disappointed Christian
I cannot believe that a good Christian man like Mr. Weete would write such a beautiful piece extolling the virtues of good clean living and the value of reading to children and completely ignore the Bible as the best reading material for parents to use. Biblical stories are the very embodiment of our culture and must be preserved for the sake of our nation. There are Bible stories written just for the very young that will teach our babies the best way to live and help protect them from the evils of the public school life. Put the fear of God into them before they ever start school. I know some will say this is not Weete's job, but as the protector of Christianity in this town, he owes it to his faithful readers to continue as the voice of the righteous.
Posted: Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Article comment by:
@Blythe's Entertainer
Weete begins every column with a Uriah Heepish hand-wringing (check out the name on-line) that is designed to let everyone know how ill-used he is by anyone who disagrees with his positions. It is an apology for trying to be a champion of those good ole days. His "alternative lifestyles" probably includes single motherhood (as if any man is better than no man), divorce (better to stay with a man who beats or cheats), interracial or interfaith unions, co-habitation, and on and on, no doubt with Biblical sanctions. Our Constitution builds in redistribution of wealth with its taxation WITH representation stance and the inequality of wealth was very early on warned against as detrimental to the success of the new American nation. Of course the schools are not supposed to judge kids by the families from which they come to us. What they are indoctrinated with at home is the parents' business, but schools have a duty to protect people's rights.
Posted: Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Article comment by:
Blythe's Entertainer U2canBeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
@ Mr. Weete: The Liberal Platform is predicated on political correctness, fairness and alternative lifestyles, with an emphasis on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social justice and the redistribution of wealth. A contrarian to the universal liberal utopian agenda will be singled out, called a racist, biggot, hater, etc, absent of proof, for simply disagreeing politically. That said, I guess my question is this. What does the aforementioned have to do with primary or secondary education in the Palo Verde Valley public school system? Are you suggesting that liberal politics with a slight of hand, are being taught to our children in public schools to the detriment of reading, writing and arithmetic?
|
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
