| Author | Message | ||
     Montagnard Citizen Username: Montagnard Post Number: 319 Registered: 6-2003 |
Some people may find knitting therapeutic. Using it to deny children a real recess is sick. The fact that anyone thinks this a good idea is a sign of decline. | ||
| Dad23 Citizen Username: Dad23 Post Number: 34 Registered: 8-2003 |
They can knit if they want. But don't give up class time for it. Don't interrupt class for it. Don't take kids out of class for it. These kids have subjects to learn. Surely counting and yarn dyeing are kindergarten skills. Do you think Kris Harrison will be teaching knitting at Maplewood Middle? | ||
| tjohn Citizen Username: Tjohn Post Number: 2021 Registered: 12-2001  |
When the ancient Romans started knitting in grade school, their empire went into decline. In fact, recent research has revealed that Nero knitted as Rome burned. | ||
| las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2003 |
Alas - after six years of voyeurism, my first post. I do not teach in the school, but I know the program and I know the instructor, and I work with similar programs in Essex County. This is not about knitting, per se, this is about taking at-risk students and laying the foundation for some fundamental skills that most of our children learn naturally. Knitting does involve math, following instructions, fine motor skills, however, it is really about providing one-on-one attention to students who may not get that at home or who may get lost in their regular class. It is about providing structure during an otherwise unstructured period (recess), and possibly keeping a student from misbehaving or acting out without close enough supervision. It is about providing a class where children can succeed, whereas they might struggle academically. It is not about choosing art over physical activity. It is not a program that denies children recess. Rather, a child now has the option to choose: recess or knitting; they learn a skill, create an object, receive praise, feel pride. And once they excel, they can mentor a peer (and that can make any student feel pretty darn good). The children gain skills they will apply elsewhere as they move forward, and this is called empowerment. As many of these children are classified at-risk, the foundations they gain from a simple knitting class are encouraging self-respect and self-esteem, two very fragile components of all children. Who knows? Maybe walking home from school one day such a child will contemplate: do I want to hang out or do I want to go home? – and make the wiser choice. I'm not posting here for a debate, but I do believe some of your comments were reflective of having missed the true intention of the program. -las | ||
| ReallyTrying Citizen Username: Reallytrying Post Number: 230 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thank you, las! | ||
| Montagnard Citizen Username: Montagnard Post Number: 323 Registered: 6-2003 |
The purpose of recess is to get a break from these things. It's supposed to be unstructured. No one denies the benefits of craftwork for children in the 5-10 year old age group. The issue here is about when and where this kind of activity is appropriate. | ||
| nan Citizen Username: Nan Post Number: 1072 Registered: 2-2001 |
Knitting is a great and respected art form. I don't see why it can't be considered a worthwhile "subject to learn." When I was in middle school (1970's), all girls were required to take sewing and cooking and all boys took shop. This was considered part of a good education, along with academics and music and art. What was so wrong with that (apart from the sexual sterotype assignment)? Does anyone think the kids from my generation have turned out to be unproductive, noncompetitive, illiterate lumps? | ||
| cody Citizen Username: Cody Post Number: 448 Registered: 5-2001 |
Some children at our school don't LIKE unstructured recess - they ask to sit in the Library and read or take pads and draw rather than run and scream for 1/2 hour. For kids who enjoy the knitting activity, I think it's a great choice. I'd like to see more of it. | ||
| C Bataille Citizen Username: Nakaille Post Number: 1624 Registered: 5-2001 |
It's hardly an either/or situation. My Presidential Fitness Award kid chooses to spend one, count it, one recess per week knitting. The other days, weather permitting, she is running her butt off outside, or in the lower gym chaos. Occasionally she goes into the auditorium during bad weather. She's very pleased to have knitting as one more craft in her developing repertoire. She loves hanging with the older kids in a quiet activity, for a change. And no, it does not take away from academic time. "The issue here is about when and where this kind of activity is appropriate." They're not talking about masturbation, Monty. It's just knitting. Cathy | ||
| Montagnard Citizen Username: Montagnard Post Number: 324 Registered: 6-2003 |
When your child comes home from school frustrated and angry that his teachers won't let him go out for recess, you see this a little differently. The priority should be getting more aides to supervise the playground areas, not teaching handicrafts indoors. | ||
| spw784 Citizen Username: Spw784 Post Number: 431 Registered: 5-2001 |
Generally, the schools will not permit outdoor lunch recess if: --the ground is still wet enough that students could fall while running around; --students do not have appropriate outdoor clothing (you'd be surprised at the number of students who arrive to school with thin jackets, no hat/gloves, etc, in the dead of winter - and these kids HAVE the clothing, because we've seen them with it before); --there is snow on the ground (elem. students like to pick it up and hurl it at people, no matter how many times they've been told not to); OR --there are not enough playground aides (the district seems to be always advertising for more). I'm sure there are other reasons, but these are the ones I'm familiar with. | ||
| C Bataille Citizen Username: Nakaille Post Number: 1625 Registered: 5-2001 |
The point is, Montagnard, it is not knitting versus outside activity. Knitting is available alongside of other recess activity, independent of weather or other concerns. There is one adult (who is quite possibly donating her time if I know Ms. Symonds) handling a large group of children, making it easier for the remaining adults to supervise the remaining active children, whether they are inside or out. Your child's recess experience has nothing to do with the presence of a group of knitters. It may, on the other hand, be an issue of the behavior of the children in his particular classroom. Some teachers (at least at other schools I'm familiar with) use recess as a privilege for appropriate classroom behavior. Bad group behavior equals no outdoor recess in these instances. It's a powerful motivator for many kids. You might want to address the issue with his teacher if this turns out to be the case. But please don't suggest limiting everyone's access to a positive alternative activity because you are unhappy with the situation your child experiences. There are more effective ways to resolve problems. Cathy | ||
| Montagnard Citizen Username: Montagnard Post Number: 326 Registered: 6-2003 |
Independent of the weather? This makes it positively evil in my view. Encouraging children to stay indoors for knitting ranks just above giving them a television break with cookies and soda, an "alternative" activity that any sensible adult would oppose. Still, if other parents want the schools to do this, I suppose we're stuck with it. | ||
| Tom Reingold the prissy-pants Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 1614 Registered: 1-2003  |
Montagnard, why do you think knitting is such a bad thing? Tom Reingold There is nothing | ||
| Montagnard Citizen Username: Montagnard Post Number: 331 Registered: 6-2003 |
It's not about knitting. It's about passive versus active, indoor versus outdoor, and organized versus spontaneous. At least it's better than letting them watch videos. | ||
| C Bataille Citizen Username: Nakaille Post Number: 1627 Registered: 5-2001 |
Why do you posit these as mutually exclusive, Montagnard? My child is very physically active, enjoys outdoor and indoor activities as well as both organized and spontaneous/imaginative ones. And she loves science and math and art. At age 7 she can well afford to be a "Renaissance" gal, gaining skills and pleasure from a wide variety of pursuits. Different kids need and enjoy different things. Some, like mine, like to sample it all. I'm happy for her ability to do that. And I really don't think it takes anything away from your child. Again, I think you need to address your child's concerns on an individual level. Cathy | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 1762 Registered: 5-2001  |
Montag- just wait til he comes home with a nice new scarf for you! You know, they start cooking (home ec) in 6th grade...watch out, he may just like it! and dad23 - "counting and yarn dyeing are kindergarten skills"...well, you should see the gorgeous oriental rug my artist-grandmother made that is in my living room - hand dyed with vegetable dyes and minutely hooked - no easy feat and in the market worth over $1500  | ||
| Montagnard Citizen Username: Montagnard Post Number: 332 Registered: 6-2003 |
The issue is not with my child but with his school, which is far too quick to find excuses not to supervise children in outdoor play. So yes, an activity that makes it easier for the staff to keep children inside really does take something away from the children that want to be outside. And more generally, I would question the pedagogical soundness of denying children a proper recess where they can get some fresh air and exercise. Even if they'd rather sit inside and knit, it would be better to get them up and moving. | ||
| eliz Citizen Username: Eliz Post Number: 649 Registered: 5-2001 |
I think the knitting program is great idea. I agree that an outdoor, physical recess should be first choice for the majority of days - I'm appalled when I walk in to Clinton School and see kids watching videos in the auditorium at lunchtime. A carb-laden school lunch plus a video is definitely not a recipe for afternoon learning. | ||
| mwsilva Citizen Username: Mwsilva Post Number: 379 Registered: 5-2002 |
Funny, today I met jgberkeley. He was in a Bead store on SA showing a guy how to attach a clasp to a string of Beads he was making. I thought he did plumbing and heat stuff, not Beading! |
