Week 42 times sure have changed

A little while back we got a letter from my daughters school informing us that they were changing the way the kids were being graded. They were switching from a grade system to a new system that confused the heck out of me. Basically the teachers are trying to engage the students thought processes more and determine if they are understanding and thinking about the information presented to them. For example they may read a news headline or watch a short newsclip on something like women trying to attain the right to vote in Saudi Arabia. Then they discuss various themes and ideas that were presented to them. The kids are then assessed on whether they understood the material and how it got them thinking. They write down in there own words answers to various questions that gauge how much the student understood the material and can give examples and conparisons to say, how different it is between life for women in Canada as opposed to Saudi Arabia. There are no perfectly right or wrong answers. It is more a question of how it got the student thinking and how they relate it to what they already know.
  
I like that they are getting the students thinking more. Not just doing the straight memorization of facts and figures or places on a map. There is so much information out there that kids can so easily access. They need to be able to look at this information critically and not just accept things at face value. Alot of so called factual information is presented from the angle that the writer wants the reader to reach. Kids today have to be able to be much more discerning of what is screaming loudly at them for their attention nowadays.

I am still old fashioned in that I can understand what 90% means as opposed to "meets the standard". But the information age is upon us and technology and the world wide web have shrunk the world to the point where everything is so close to home now. I just hope I can keep up with the changes and contribute in a positive way to my kids growth, both mentally and spiritually. By trying to be a positive role model and someone they can talk to about anything, I think I'm doing ok. The world is a much more complicated place then when I was a kid. I can't even imagine what the future holds for my childrens children and their children after that.

Weeks 40 and 41 Crazy time of year

Still busier then all can be with various work projects and family life. I have missed anymber of classes lately and that is bugging me alot. I don't like missing classes but have had to sacrifice a few for family and work reasons. I am definately looking forward to November when things settle down abit again and I can get back to my normal routine. I realized the other day in the kids class that I am not reviewing all my technigues as much as I should be. That is something I can and will add into my home training.

This past week I have been thinking about all the Sihings testing for black belt. My best wishes have been with them all as the test day approached. We have such a strong group this year and they are all a constant source of inspiration and amazement to me. I am sure that someday I'll be nervous as all can be as test day approaches. I just hope i can be as good an example to the Kwoon as they have been to me this year.

On an dang it note, my computer is starting to act up in little ways lately. It may be a sign that its time for a new computer. This one is 5 years old now and it does get alot of use. Hopefully I can get a bit more time out of it before the point of no return. Technology is advancing so fast nowadays that I'm not even sure what is good and what isn't in the world of computers. Time to do some research I guess.

Week 39 dang it

This last week I messed up my whole routine. My schedule had to adjust somewhat for the activities my kids and my wife have undertaken.  Shelby is back in dance this year and going 2 nites a week this year. Jordan is still in Kung Fu, plus running club in school and my wife is on the commitee for The Parkland County Santa's Anonymous party  again this year. I was expecting it, I just got so used to my routine that it was hard to rearrange it. I was surprised  that it was such a fight to get myself moving at different times than I'm used to. I know I can adjust, I just have to look at my goals again and retailor them as needed and realize I wont be able to put in as much time as I was before. I still have to be a father and a husband, and just because I am so into my Kung Fu doesn't mean I can just forget that I have other responsibilities.  My Kung Fu is very important to me, the journey I am on, I know I had no idea when I first started that it would have so much meaning for me and on such a deep level.  As the saying goes, a journey of a thoasand miles begins with one step. I'm about 1000 steps in with 100000 more to go, but I am so looking forward to and enjoying the journey.