Are parents responsible

In the education field, I and many I have heard have often blamed parents for not training and instilling the proper values in our children so that they will be good students and good citizens. I have come to realize that many parents do not have that training or the values to teach their children. Because of this, the cannot be expected to know what they are not training their children. Parents need to be educated. Since we need to teach their children, then perhaps we need to teach parents what students need when they come to school and what they need for support when they are at home. But my question is, how do you do that?

No Zero Policy

I have been reflecting on a no zero policy that was described in a magazine. Basically, it is that you simply don't allow students to get a zero. At first, I thought, well it is the student's responsibility to make sure that they get their assignments in and that a no zero policy would allow them to shirk their responsibility. Then I decided to try it with a student. Even after giving him another chance, he still did not get his homework in. So, being frustrated, I assigned him detention in which he was required to do his homework. His homework was done by the end of detention. I told my principal what I had done and he told the student in front of me that if he didn't get his other work done then he would have to spend more time in detention. Then I realized that the student was having to pay a consequence for not turning in his homework on time and not just getting away with not doing it. I like the no zero policy now because I can see that students at this age (high school) often don't know what they are doing to themselves. I would protect them from a predator that would hurt them. I should also protect them from themselves. I don't want their education hurt because of their ignorance of the consequences of their actions.

Hi guys!

What do you do when your principal becomes your sub? I was really suprised. Mine makes a pretty good sub. She didn't make a big deal about it when I told her what she needed to do. She just said, "At least I don't have to speak Spanish to them." I said, "It wouldn't hurt." She said," Hola!" The students responded, "Hola!" She said, "I'm in trouble."

Who should change?

According to many of my Spanish students, when Hispanics (who they see only as Mexicans) come to America they should completely drop their language and customs and adopt ours. In short, they must completely change who they are. Many hispanics want to adopt our language and culture. They also hope to maintain their own heritage. They would like for us to learn about their language and customs so that their heritage does not become a thing of the past. What would you tell my students so that they can understand a little bit better?