Re: Klepper's Survey

[ALMassion <ALMassion...>]

Dear Colleagues,
Here in Los Angeles, we've thought long about the deterioration of children's
enthusiam and behavior. This is a big child development issue and I believe
some of the following issues contribute to it:
1) Look at the morning TV commercials. Watch some of the sitcoms that our
students are watching.  The attitudes  of the children written in the mediocre
but popular  ads & shows are indifference to adults, and lacking in
politeness.  I long for the old Cosby show again.

2) Our students are physically maturing at a much earlier rate ( at least here
in So.CA) and it's not the water. So the hormones kick in sooner.

3) Perhaps we, the educators, must start with the parents: teach derech
eretz, be specific on what behavior is acceptable.  And then move on to the
students.

4) AND it always helps to have a dynamo school, great curriculum, and
challenging all-school programs.  
This is all just the tip of the iceberg: as the media makes everything
available to our students now, and the occassion of depression and learning
disabilities rise, I have altered my approach to teaching/arts education
considerably in the last 15 years.
the good news is that when you scratch the surface of each kid, they are
wonderful inside!
As a colleague recently suggested, "they should cancel seventh grade religious
school for one year, provide tutoring and hands-on activities once in a while.
The kids are battling peer pressure, onset of hormones, bar mitzvah
preparations and ????"why put them together in one room? Give them room to
shape and grow." 
All the best. Happy Birthday, Trees!
Andrea Massion, BJE Jewish Music Educators Committee
Los Angeles