Full Description
In today's education climate, parents, teachers and school leaders are often confused about the direction of education and what and how children are learning. For anyone interested in the minefields that young people navigate in schools today, this book exposes the ills, questions the status quo, engages the reader in a common-sense way, and provides solutions to the confusion created in schools.
The culmination of over exposure of young children to Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA) topics, the banning of religion in schools, and the runaway train of illegal immigration creates confusion that won't soon pass. In addition, the trend for politicians to appoint superintendents of schools, commissioners of education (at state and federal levels), and other education leaders who do not have experience or formal training in education is confusing and disturbing. Would anyone visit a doctor who was not experienced in medicine? It's not likely. There are gray areas in schools that are becoming standard practice. This top—down confusion leads everyone to ask the question: Is Gray the New Pink in Education?
Contents
Foreword
Pete Tamburro
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: The Graying of Teaching and Learning
Testing
Parent Involvement
Curriculum
Chapter 2: Educational Change and Bullying: More Gray Areas in Education
Educational Change
Bullying
Conclusion and Systemic Impact Chart (1A)
Chapter 3: What's it Like for Children in the Gray Zone
The Gray Zone
Lessons in Diversity
Learning Life Lessons Through Systems Thinking
Systems Thinking, the Value of Life, and College and Career Readiness
Just How Important is Everyone
How to Study Systems?
Conclusion: Being Connected
Chapter 4 Religion: The Light of the World
Is There a Place for Religion in Schools?
Paranoia and Religion in Today's Schools
The Fork in the Road
Chapter 5: Do Schools Contradict the Principles of Critical Thinking?
What Does Gray Represent?
Natural Reactions to Gray
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA)
The Government's Role
The Importance of Defining "Normal"
Chapter 6: Kids Will Be Kids
LGBTQIA—what's All the Fuss About?
Confusion in the Learning Environment
Caution in Premature Labeling of Kid
Conclusion
Chapter 7: Lessons in Systems Thinking
Teaching Children about Systems Thinking
Systems Thinking: Endless Lessons for Children
Activities for introducing systems thinking to children (At home and at school)
Using Systems Thinking to Problem Solve
Summary: Benefits for Children Who Study Systems
Chapter 8: Immigration: An Unspoken Gray Area in Education
Immigration: How are we doing?
Illegal Immigration and the Impact on Schools
Illegal Immigration and Moral Questions
Migration, Communities, and Schools
Open Conversations about Culture and Diversity
A Smart Approach to Closing Cultural Gaps in Schools
Chapter 9: Taking Schools from Grey to Pink through Effective Communication
The Journey
Do teachers and parents speak the same language?
Parent-teacher communication: Both Sides of the Coin
Defining Parent-Teacher Communication
The high school years: "The village"
Community and Schools: Finding Innovative ways to stay connected
Chapter 10: Exploring Weak Links in Education
Is Having Teaching Experience Overrated?
Who Schools Hire and What It Communicates to Parents
Are Charter Schools a Weak Link in Education?
Conclusion
Chapter 11: Education Leaders as Chief Communicators
What is a Quality Hire?
Lowering Standards for Today's Education Leaders
Who's on Top?
Conclusion
Closing Thoughts
