Latest Weapon Against Child Obesity: A Video Game

Every middle school in West Virgina, 157 in all, is going to recieve "Dance Dance Revolution," a video game that going to help children melt away those extra pounds using the amazing power of dance. This is part of a new statewide progam designed to end child obesity in West Virgina-one of the top three states with obesity issues-and, perhaps one day, the country.

It the project goes well, all 753 public schools in the state will have the the game within three years.

Here's who the game works according to CNN.com:

Game players move their feet on a special mat to correspond to arrows that scroll on the TV screen. The player must tap the same symbols on the mat at just the right time to do well.

The plan is a wonderful idea, but isn't it a bit wrong for students to weasel their way out of sports? I'm not saying kids who don't like sports are losers. However, I am saying that children have enough video games at home. Sometimes children have to go outside a toss a ball around.

Male Students Who Wear Skirts are A.O.K

No longer will the boys of Hasbrouck Heights School (in New Jersey) be oppressed for wearing the "wrong" article of clothing. Now, thanks to 17-year-old Michael Coviello, a senior who was brave enough to fight back against the school's dress code, which is strongly against students who wear shorts to school between October 1 and April 15.

To protest the rule, he wore a (hopefully very long) skirt to school. The faculty sent him home to change. According to a CNN.com article, "The district's superintendent then advised the Coviello to purchase everyday dresses and skirts at a retail store, which Coviello did." The school even threatened to expel him if he continues with his protest.

But the American Civil Liberties Union came to Coviello's rescue and forced the school to let him wear his skirt.

Good for Coviello. There absolutely nothing wrong with standing up for what you believe in. I wish more adults would have the guts that this kid has.

Was Hasbrouck Heights a private school or something? What's the big deal about shorts?

Teachers, Students Can Share War Stories, Says Moon Man

There is a lot of violence, craziness, and ignorance at America's schools. In fact, it's safe to say that nearly every teacher, student, or school staff member in the country has at least one tragic story that has occurred in a classroom or lunchroom. What's your story? Does it involve racism, gang violence, or something worse? Don't be afraid to let Moon Man know. Make comments on this post or email me at short_nicholas@yahoo.com.

Worried about your identity? Not a problem. If you only want to reveal your first or last name or you prefer that I only use your online name, that's fine with me. Could you tell us, however where (you don't have to give a specific address or anything like that) and when your story took place. Please let the rest of the world know what is really going on in our schools.

USA Today Provides Heaven For Teachers, Students

USA Today's website has an education section that leaps beyond just a few articles. Now its section features programs and job opportunities that teachers, students, and everyone else involved in education can enjoy.

USA Today Education offers ideas and activities for all subjects-math, science, etc.-that will allow educators to continue their quest for knowledge. There are daily and weekly lesson plans, tips on finding and preparing for the right job, and more. It also features a section for K-12 educators and collegiate educators.

Check it out and tell me what you think?

Florida Middle School Student Shot Dead by Deputies For Carrying Pellet Gun

Fifthteen-year-old Christopher Penley has been declared dead yesterday after being shot two days before by a sherriff's deputy at Milwee Middle School in Longwood, Fla. for holding what authorties at the time thought was a 9 millimeter handgun. It turns out that the weapon was a pellet gun.

According to the New York Times, Penley was in a dispute with another student in a classroom over the gun. Soon, several deputies and a SWAT team showed up and trapped him. Penley refused to give up the gun and allegedly pointed it towards one of the deputies, causing that deputy to open fire.

Who should we blame for such a tragedy? Some would argue that Christopher should've known better than to carry such a realistic gun to school and then resisted the police when asked to give up the "weapon". Others might blame the police for not knowing the difference between a hand gun and a pellet gun. One group might say that it's the school's fault for not having better security. I wasn't there when when it all went down, so I'm not sure what to say. However, I think I speak for everyone when I say.....

This has got to stop!!!!

National Standard for Our Schools: Yay or Nay?

Education Week magazine has sent me a very interesting email.

Its website is having an online chat about setting a "national standard" for tests and curricula for America's schools. Do you think that this is a good idea, or would it be best to allow states to continue to have a different standard for each state? Personally, I'm not too sure about the national standard idea. Each state in the U.S. has its own problems and methods that may not fit into the national plan. After all, there is a huge divide amoung and even within our states.

Most people argue that the standardized system we have now is crap because some schools in America have fewer advantages and opportunities than others. Unless the government found a plan that would cater to all schools, which seems extremely difficult, wouldn't a national system make things a bit worse?

But enough about my opinion...what do you think?


Here's the magazine's email for more details about the chat:

Join us Wednesday, Jan. 18, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern time, for an online chat with guest Diane Ravitch on national standards, curricula, and tests. In a commentary piece published in EDUCATION WEEK's recently released QUALITY COUNTS 2006 report, "Quality Counts at 10: A Decade of Standards-Based Education," Ravitch contends that standards-based education reform has been compromised because each of the 50 states sets its own standards and monitors its own progress, creating mixed messages about what students should know and be able to do and incentives for the states to lower existing standards so as to demonstrate "progress." Ravitch argues that adopting national standards is the best way to solve the problem of inconsistent standards and to prevent states from lowering passing scores on state exams to show progress.


Want to join the chat?
It will be at www.edweek-chat.org

Want to send questions in advance?
Go to www.edweek-chat.org/question.php3

CNN Encourages Students to Learn More about Dr. King

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, the student news section in CNN.com featured an "extra!" that features a brief summary of Martin's life, his achievements, and his death. CNN encourages those who read it to "Use this Extra! as a springboard for your students to discuss and research the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."

I felt that that is a very good idea. I obviously can't discuss MLK to you all, but I can give you a few links that will help you learn more about him.


Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute

Selected Reference Sources from Louisiana State University Libraries, Baton Rouge, LA

The Seattle Times Website

Factmonster

The King Center

Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site (National Park Service)

American Rhetoric


Happy Birthday Dr. King!!!!

Weekend Sporting events dangerous for high school students?

In Anne Arundel, a high school in Washington D.C., disturbing acts of violence has occurred. The most recent act occurred at the Old Mill High School gym after a basketball game on Jan. 6. Because of the post-game violence, sporting events took place at an earlier time and on "odd days." There might even be a chance that weekend games will no longer exist in Anne Arundel, the Washington area, and maybe (sooner or later) the U.S.

Here were some of the highlights-or should I say "lowlights"-of the incident, fresh from the webpages of the Washington Post:

In the latest incident, school officials and police said a dispute between two boys over a girl spilled from the Old Mill High School gym in Millersville into the parking lot at 9 p.m., just after the game. A 17-year-old boy escaped from the brawl into his 1998 Ford Explorer, police said. Three youths surrounded the sport-utility vehicle and began pounding on it. Panicked, the driver accelerated, and the SUV struck the three youths as the driver left.

Are weekend night games a plague on society, or are teenagers today just plain stupid?

You make the call!