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On Facebook I see a lot of these posts talking about education and curriculum. The two biggest ones that have had me thinking lately is cursive writing and math. Now I know a lot of my close friends talk about common core education and I have really no clue what that's all about.
Is it just me or does it seem like using checks is now a thing of the past. Now call me old fashioned but I still love a checkbook. Let me explain a little on this. I had this amazing fifth grade teacher in Elementary School who taught us about checks and balances and managing money which has certainly paid off. She distributed to us students an envelope which contained a few checks, a simple checkbook, some fake bills and coins. However, every student was given the exact same amount. We had a week long experiment where we had to manage a budget and we could buy things in the classroom that our parents had bought and donated for the experiment. It was little cheap things like: Pencils, Notepads, Crayons, Stickers, Candy. It wasn't anything overwhelmingly expensive cause we were in 5th grade. Coloring Books and Fancy Notebooks were a little more expensive so those were called "big ticket" items. So you might wonder how exactly I remember this from so many years ago. Well this teacher took the time with her students. I was one of those students who struggled with math. No matter how many hours someone spent with me I just couldn't grasp it and kept struggling throughout the moving up of grade levels. My teacher when she did this experiment it really helped me understand the concept of money and math. Visualing and seeing how it worked made such a difference. We would be allotted about 30 minutes during each school day to walk around and buy different things. The teacher would also throw in curve balls. For example, she may have said something that an extra homework assignment was a cost of $5.00. Now if you had been balancing your checkbook and keeping track of your cash you could pay the $5.00 to avoid the extra assignment. If you had already spent all your money, you had an extra assignment and it was never nothing overwhelmingly hard. It may have been an essay question about the assignment or just to see what you've learned. Now 20 years later I can balance a checkbook like it's nothing, I can add and subtract quicker in my mind than most folks can do on a smart phone or a calculator. So why has check books really started to disappear? Technology does make a lot of things easier but you'll always run into a store where sometimes the system is down and folks can't seem to do simple math. Yes, I've been in grocery stores when the system has to be restarted and I hand them cash and they can't figure out how much to return. Sometimes you'll even come across the occasional stores where they don't accept Plastic. Checks or Cash and that's it. Okay, checks are also a little bit slower system. Everything is so fast paced but one reason I still use checks is I like having a paper trail. I have in my checkbook the checks with the carbon copy so that way if something ever comes up as a dispute I've got proof with my bank and in my hand as well. Okay, Okay, so I also like sending checks because I always order some with a beautiful design that says just a little something about me. Checks, cash and coins while I'm not sure if teachers even still talk or teach the use of them really are a great way for kids to understand how money works. I firmly believe it also helps one appreciate the value of a dollar and improves critical thinking along with counting and math. |
So what about cursive writing? I always thought it was so beautiful. Granted the letter "z" is still my enemy. After all these years I still can't do a perfect letter "Z". Cursive is really used on checks as well. I always signed my name in cursive writing. I write a lot of hand written notes in cursive.
Now what I absolutely despise is text lingo. I know this is a hot button issue for many folks but once again call me old fashioned. My brain was taught to read whole words not bits and pieces of one. It took me forever to understand simple concepts of: LOL, SMH, WTH etc etc. Granted I'm guilty of using them but I also firmly believe it makes us lazy and doesn't challenge our brain enough. For example, why write out three words such as Laugh Out Loud when you can do it in three letters?
Have you ever noticed that using text lingo truly affects the quality of our grammar, spelling and even punctuation? Now I'm not perfect by any means but I do try my best to ensure that what I'm typing or reading is correct. You know, now a days I I rarely ever see cursive writing.
I always loved receiving a letter from someone who wrote in cursive. It was like the words just fell off of the page so easily and it was just so pleasant and calming to read. I know that sounds crazy but have you ever realized that it took more time and effort to ensure it was readable? It was like that person writing truly cared about the words they picked to write. You know if you ever feel like writing a simple letter, why not go cursive?
It's so amazing at how our generations change dramatically. Please understand that my thoughts are not intended to offend anyone these are just my own personal opinions. As a mother myself, I can't wait to teach my son about the value of a dollar. Everything my fifth grade teacher taught me has been used every single day.
Up above on the left hand side, I have shared a few items from Amazon for ideas on money and teaching the value of it. I really like the cash register idea and even the grocery goods. I think teaching about the cost of groceries is fun, exciting and definitely helpful for when kids grow up.
Anyways, within the next day or so what I'll do is upload a small video of how I remember my teacher making money and the checkbook for our educational uses. So I'll be adding a Part 2 to this entry within the next day or so. Sometimes even as adults we try our best to educate our kids but things get expensive so I'll show you some easy ways to make this a fun little experiment at little cost!
I do hope you'll enjoy reading my blog and of course till next time...
Amanda, The Camper's Wife
Now what I absolutely despise is text lingo. I know this is a hot button issue for many folks but once again call me old fashioned. My brain was taught to read whole words not bits and pieces of one. It took me forever to understand simple concepts of: LOL, SMH, WTH etc etc. Granted I'm guilty of using them but I also firmly believe it makes us lazy and doesn't challenge our brain enough. For example, why write out three words such as Laugh Out Loud when you can do it in three letters?
Have you ever noticed that using text lingo truly affects the quality of our grammar, spelling and even punctuation? Now I'm not perfect by any means but I do try my best to ensure that what I'm typing or reading is correct. You know, now a days I I rarely ever see cursive writing.
I always loved receiving a letter from someone who wrote in cursive. It was like the words just fell off of the page so easily and it was just so pleasant and calming to read. I know that sounds crazy but have you ever realized that it took more time and effort to ensure it was readable? It was like that person writing truly cared about the words they picked to write. You know if you ever feel like writing a simple letter, why not go cursive?
It's so amazing at how our generations change dramatically. Please understand that my thoughts are not intended to offend anyone these are just my own personal opinions. As a mother myself, I can't wait to teach my son about the value of a dollar. Everything my fifth grade teacher taught me has been used every single day.
Up above on the left hand side, I have shared a few items from Amazon for ideas on money and teaching the value of it. I really like the cash register idea and even the grocery goods. I think teaching about the cost of groceries is fun, exciting and definitely helpful for when kids grow up.
Anyways, within the next day or so what I'll do is upload a small video of how I remember my teacher making money and the checkbook for our educational uses. So I'll be adding a Part 2 to this entry within the next day or so. Sometimes even as adults we try our best to educate our kids but things get expensive so I'll show you some easy ways to make this a fun little experiment at little cost!
I do hope you'll enjoy reading my blog and of course till next time...
Amanda, The Camper's Wife