Remediation

Students have always had to take tests, and probably always will. How can researchers and administrators quantify learning without data? One end product of “No Child Left Behind” is “No Child Left Unassessed and Untested.” In the past eight years we have seen a tremendous increase in the emphasis on end-of-the-year testing. In Georgia, we have what are known as the CRCT’s (Criterion Referenced Competency Test – which is a fancy way of saying, ”Now we’re going to test you to see if you learned what we said we were going to teach you!”)

As in most (if not all) states, children in the 3rd, 5th and 8th grades must achieve a certain score on at least some portion of the test in order to be promoted to the next grade. In the 3rd grade, the students must pass the reading portion. In 5th, it is reading and math. Those children who do not pass the test the first time it is given are provided a two-week “re-delivery” of the basic points of the subject, and then are given a second chance to pass the test. The process is also known as REMEDIATION.

Some schools wait until school is out before giving the re-delivery. Testing then follows later in the summer. At our school, we do the remediation before school is out, and the retake of the test(s) occur the last week of school. So, for the past two weeks I’ve been involved in redelivery of 3rd grade reading: Inferring, main ideas, synonyms, antonyms, homophones, opinions vs. facts, details, genres, author’s purpose, and on and on. Some students only seemed to need a fine tuning. For others, it was as if they’d never heard of any of the material before. On top of this we saw a variety of attitudes toward the experience, ranging from a real desire to learn to an almost allergic reaction to the subject, with guffaws somewhere in between.

In addition to the actual material, the colleague I was working with and I tried to imbue in our charges a better understanding of test-taking. You know, like “Read the questions before you read the selection so you have an idea of what to look for.” Or, “Know why you’re rejecting answers. Don’t just grab the first thing that comes along.” That type of thing. Even, “Take your time and read each item carefully. You have plenty of time on the test.”

Well, today we gave the retakes. And we even noticed some of the students applying the tips we’d given them. Nevertheless, there were still those that were finished, including rechecking their answers, in less than half the allotted time. What are you going to do (besides see the same students again the following year)? There are second chances, but no third chances.

As I thought about this while roaming the classroom this morning, I came to realize that my work as a “remediator” for these children is nothing compared to what the Lord has to go through with me. There are so many lessons I have to go over time and again, because I just don’t seem to be able to pass the competency test. It isn’t that the stuff is too hard, I just don’t seem to choose to put into action that which I’ve learned. I guess I understand too well Paul’s frustration – that which I want to do, I don’t do; that which I don’t want to do, I do.

My only hope is to throw myself into the arms of the Supreme Teacher. If I give total control over to Him, He’ll even help me on (through) the test. What a deal! There have been so many times I’ve had to fight the urge to lean down and move a child’s pencil, or to scream out, “NO!” when I see him or her getting ready to mark an obviously incorrect response. In the spiritual world, God can do that for me if I’ll only give Him permission.

Remediation. Through His mercy He’ll keep going over it until I finally make it. Second chances, thirds, fourths…hundredths. Whatever it takes, as long as I show an interest. What a God!


Dr. G

Love Through Me

Our men’s chorus sings a song that has become quite special to us. In fact, we sort of consider it our signature piece. The wife of one of our second tenors and the young daughter of one of the first tenors stand on either side of the chorus and do the song in sign language as we sing it. The basic theme of the song is a prayer asking the Lord to serve others through us. The name of the song is “Love Through Me.”

One of the lines goes “Somewhere somebody needs Your love today. Oh, Lord, Love through me.” It is something all believing Christians should do, although it is sometimes a little hard, especially for those of us who teach in public schools. But even there, opportunities arise. And it probably isn’t as hard as our minds might make it seem.

This coming Friday at my school we’ll be having Awards Day. Most schools have such events at year’s end. Numerous prizes, certificates and awards are presented to the children. Typically, the parents of those receiving the awards are notified so they can be present when their child is publicly honored.

Today was Awards Day at the school where my wife teaches. There is one little girl she has been working with on the side for over a year. The child comes from a broken home, and a difficult one even at that. She receives very little support or encouragement from any adult relative. Today, the child, who I’ll call Ana, received an award. She was hoping that her Grandmother, with whom she often stays, or her father (who is not employed) would be there. But no one showed up. So she sat alone crying, while the other children celebrated and shared their books with parents. Seeing what had happened, my wife went over to “Ana” and asked if she would share the book with her... As the song goes, “Love through Me.”

Some who read this today may be in a similar situation in the next few days. Is there someone at your work site that needs an encouraging word, a smile, or, perhaps, a brief prayer? What does it take to show love to a neglected soul? I think this is what the Lord meant in Matt 25 where he referred to the righteous as those who will take the time to care for the needy, those in the hospital, jails, those with no parents.

The Father appreciates such actions as if we’d done it for His Son. How many lives can you or I touch today?...tomorrow……next week….

Dr. G

Got Any Useless skills?

I was sitting at the desk a short while ago, taking stock of things. You know, asking myself questions like what are you doing, what have you done, what can you do, what should you do? Taking stock of abilities, assets, weaknesses, and the general direction of my life – something we should all do from time to time.

The bronchial asthma I’ve been fighting for three weeks had sort of gotten me down. It’s been pretty rough this time – especially the violent coughing spells. I’d have to say it’s been the worst I’ve had. Something had happened during one of the coughing fits that made me aware of something – I’m pretty good at biting my tongue, as in drawing blood! In fact, on a good day, I can get both sides at once without trying. Of what value is it to be good at something that has no use?

Useless skills. Do you have any? If not, how about unused skills? Like in talents? It is amazing what the Lord can do with the little skills we each have. I am reminded of the time Peter and John were entering the temple and a beggar asked for a handout, and the disciples responded, “Silver and gold we do not have, but we’ll give you some of what we do have.”

Are we willing to give of what talent and skill we do have to bring a blessing to others? Or do we sit back and say, “I really don’t have anything to contribute, so I’ll keep my mouth shut. After all, what good are a couple of barley loaves and a few small fish? I’ll just keep them to myself.”

Conversely, have we said to the Lord, “I don’t have much, Lord. But what I do have is yours to use as you see fit. Don’t let the least of my abilities go to waste.” Is it possible that unused skills are worse than useless skills?

By the way, I’ve found a use for my “useless” skill. I’ll put it to work the next time I get around some folks who are gossiping.

I guess I'll bite my tongue!

Dr. G

Looking Up is Better than Looking Down

At the beginning of my Musings, almost a year ago, I mentioned that this project was the outcome of something I’ve been involved with at work: The Flock. I teach in a public school, and for at least the last ten years a handful of us have been sending out daily e-messages of hope and encouragement to a fairly large group of teachers and administrators. A number of my Musings have been used in the Flock and vice versa.

Some time ago a Flock reader asked me how it was possible to see spiritual applications for so many events, situations, and happenings in my life. As most readers will recognize, that is the type of message I like to send out. My response at the time was that I felt I saw connections because I genuinely felt the presence of the Lord and His leading hand in my life and the life of my family. I guess when I know the Lord is there, I expect to see the effects of His presence and expect to have spiritual insights. So I give praise to Him for any good thoughts that have come out through these musings.

But the past few months have been a little heavier on the heart than I might desire. Things at work have been piling up. Things at home have been piling up. Don’t ask about the light at the end of the tunnel. At times I’ve not been sure I was even in the tunnel. Related to this, for the past few months I've found it hard to come up with sufficient ideas for my Blog. Have you ever felt discouraged or overburdened?

Maybe that is connected to the malaise I’ve been feeling lately: I’ve also been experiencing a spiritual malaise. I don’t mean I have been having doubts; I’ve not been questioning Him. I guess (No, I know) the problem has been that I’ve not been spending as much time with Him as I should. When I’m not putting Him in my life, I’m not seeing Him in my life. Does that make sense?

Having recognized this, there is only one solution: grab onto Him again and hang on. Life hasn’t changed, so there are still lots of things to be seen and written about, whether it involve children at my school or animals or plants out in the wild. God is still in control, and can bring the insights. It is so comforting to know that He has promised to always be there when we're struggling, to support, to guide, to comfort. All I can say is praise His name. He has never failed me yet (He never will!).

By the way, did you notice in the news earlier this week that a hand-written letter by the famous Dr. Einstein is up for auction, a letter in which he derides the scripture and idea of a personal God? I just checked things out today. God is still there, alive and well. I talked to Him. Einstein? He’s been dead about fifty years.

I know in whom I believe.

Dr. G

Anybody You Know?

This past weekend my wife and I flew up to SW Michigan to attend our son's graduation. The trip went well, and he was "thoroughly graduated." During our trip, several events occurred which, to me, seemed to be linked together spiritually.

The school he attended has an agriculture program, with orchards, dairy, and stuff like that. Interspersed on the grounds are woodlots linked together by small valleys, gullies, and tree-lined fence-rows. There are walking paths throughout, and Monday afternoon my son and I went for an hour's walk. It was a beautiful day; the trees are about three weeks behind where I live, and the wild flowers are just coming on, also. As we walked, my son asked about various plants we saw. He knew I used to teach systematic botany, and thought I might know some of the plants.

After a short while he expressed his amazement at the fact that I was able to name so many of the plants, especially in light of the fact that I've not had a scientific thought for the past twelve years or so. I explained that I had grown up learning to identify wild flowering plants, and tried to know them well enough that whenever I saw them in the woods, I would be seeing them as old friends. Many of the spring flowers in Michigan are found from Massachusetts to Washington State (both places where I've taught systematic botany), so I did, in fact, meet many old acquaintances. It was an enjoyable experience. Having said that, I must admit that if someone picked me up and dropped me into a forest in South America, or Africa, or Australia, I probably wouldn't know "anyone." I might see some similarities in a few plants, some vague resemblances, but for the most part, the plants would be strangers.

In the scriptures, Christ tells of a group of people who would come to Him at His second coming, pointing to their many works. I can see Him in my mind's eye, saying, "Those works sort of resemble those of my friends, but I don't know you. Sorry."

When our flight home arrived in Nashville, we were 20 minutes early. ("A miracle!" you say. Perhaps, maybe even worthy of its own blog posting in due time). Our early arrival was not due to any action on the part of the folks on the ground at the Nashville airport, but it was their activity on our getting there that caught my attention . The folks with the little orange sticks knew we were coming, and they were there to guide us into our gate. The folks with their little carts knew we were coming and were there to receive our luggage. The folks that run the jetport knew we were coming, but had made no preparation for us to come so soon. So we sat there for about ten minutes until someone was found to move the jetport about four feet so we could deplane. Just knowing we were coming wasn't enough.

Again, Christ told a story. This time, ten virgins had gone out to meet the bridegroom. They all knew he was coming. Some made the proper preparations, others didn't. So when the cry went out that the bridegroom was arriving, five had to scurry off to finish preparation; while they were gone the bridegroom entered in, and the door was closed. When the five finally came to the door, they were refused entrance. Not because they'd fallen asleep. Not even, directly, because they'd run out of oil. Again, the bridegroom said, "I don't know you."

I'm convinced that Christ is returning soon. I don't know all there is to know about it, but I know He is coming. And I want to go home with Him. The key to my going appears to be the necessity of knowing Him and Him knowing me. Do I know Him as well as I do my flowers? Do I spend as much time studying Him, getting to know Him, as well as I do my birds? If I really love Him, I will want to know as much about Him as I can. Won't you join me?

How many of the flowers shown above can you identify? Let me know by sending me a comment.

Even more important, how well can you identify the bottom picture?

Have a great day! -- Dr G