There are so many choices for most students this summer. A lot of high school students have part-time or full-time summer jobs. Others take holidays with their families. And a few take two week summer school courses which eliminates the need for that course in the fall. Others may be doing make up courses.

Whatever you are doing this summer, I hope you have a couple of months of fun, laughter, learning and listening.

Summer is a great time for exploring new adventures and making new friends.

These blog posts will be less frequent during the summer.

Cheers - Mike

Sports and computer or handheld gaming help develop hand-eye coordination.

Specialized coordination between hand and eye is just part of what a modern kid is capable of doing. I was watching my son play World of Warcraft and his mastery of the intricacies of the game and addons was fun to watch. The screen has what seems like hundreds of icons for so many things, all of which he knows. So he carries on a text conversation, plays the game, checks accounts, checks players, checks his guild, his booty and much more, all at the same time, and quickly, as he explains what he is doing and showing me. Fascinating!

Kids can think multi-level without batting an eye. They are actually developing more of their brain at a younger age. (They are certainly getting taller as early teens as well.)

Where is it going from here? Ask any kid who doesn't need a calculator anymore in school because it's like a game. Oh, and the school system is falling a bit behind and many kids are bored.

This leads us back to 21st century schooling. What do we need to do to challenge the kids of today and tomorrow?
Perhaps the first thing to do is try and understand their capabilities, not from a clinical point of view, but a personal experience point of view. Let the kids show YOU! Take part. Unstructured. Oops, what, can't do unstructured? Well, the new teachers can, but they are not allowed to do so unless it is a "special" school.

Can kids learn better in a semi-structured environment?

Cheers - Mike

This blog wouldn't be complete without covering home-based schooling.

Perhaps you as a parent or you as a student want to try home schooling. There are a number of issues, which can be overcome, such as, meeting the provincial curriculum, writing exams, entrance requirements for colleges and universities, peer social interaction, etc.

First, the Edmonton Public Library has a section on books at the library and websites to visit to get you started; because you really do need to come up to speed about home schooling.

From Ann Zeise, we have have a great website with many links to home schooling resources. The site is called A to Z Home's Cool Homeschooling and the page specifically about Alberta is here.

In Edmonton there is Argyll Centre, which is an important part of the Edmonton Public School Board which supports home schooling endeavors.

Make sure you talk with those folks who support home-based schooling to understand everything that is involved for the student and parent. For instance, there are a number of options you can choose.

The American Association of School Administrators has this to say about home schooling in Edmonton:

Home Education-Blended Programming: Combination of traditional home schooling and in-school programming for grades K-12.

Home Education-Christian-Based Programming: The programming adheres to a traditional home-schooling approach with advice and supervision by district teachers. The reference materials and resources used are recognized by the Christian community as acceptable resources.

Home Education-LearnNet Programming: On-line programming that allows students to carry out the majority of their schooling without leaving home, connecting with teachers, classmates and school resources through an on-line telecommunications link.

Home Education-Traditional Correspondence Programming: Programming for students grades 1-12 that allows them to carry out their schooling at home with advice and supervision by district teachers.

Remember though, in Alberta, children may be educated at home, provided their home schooling meets provincial standards under the School Act.

For the folks in the US, here is a start:
Part 1 - How to Have Renaissance Kids - The Home School Advantage

Have a great summer...

Cheers - Mike

Bullying can affect kids from kindergarten through high school and beyond. Because of the amount of supervision, bullying in kindergarten to the end of elementary school is usually nipped in the bud. However middle school (or junior high) is usually a breeding ground for those who really like to pick on others. High school can be really bad for some students as bullies are bigger or stronger and may have picked up some bad habits on the street or from their parents.

We know that bullying is not tolerated at school, but that does not stop bullying at all. It just means that bullies pick their time more thoughtfully. Make it look like an accident. Whisper instead of shout. Evil look or gestures. Swarm. Most bullies are cowards and if picking on a same size person or a person who shows no fear, they usually do it in a pack. Gives them courage. But one on one, no - that's when fear makes its appearance. However, some bullies think they can take on anyone. It's just that they haven't learned that there is always someone who is quieter, smarter, faster, stronger, or more competent.

There are a lot of resources available for parents and teens about bullying and three are referenced below.

How to not be a bullying victim? Learn how not to be a victim, which will be covered in another blog soon.

From KidsHealth, we have this article called, Dealing with Bullies. This is a great website with lots of info for kids, teens and parents.
Also from KidsHealth there is this article called, What Kids say about Bullying.

From the US government Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), we have this article called, Bullying Affects All Middle School Kids, A Family Guide

From the US Dept of Education there is this good article called,
Friendships -- Helping Your Child Through Early Adolescence, which would help parents and teens avoid situations where parents are not aware of bullying with their children.

There is no place for bullies. Some respond to guidance and some don't. The ones who don't usually end up in walkaway homes because they are unmanageable. They are most vulnerable to a life behind bars as well. So, if you can, try to talk with those who are on the bullying path. It may not be too late to help them.

Some website resources advise that fighting back is not the answer as it is violence. Well, I think people should learn to defend themselves.

Cheers - Mike

It seems that students haven't really stopped getting into fights at school. But what is more prevalent is getting someone in the hall or playground. Nothing done as a fight or a pick-on, just surprising someone with a punch or jab, ostensibly playfully.

The kids with fight training seem to fare better as they can react quickly and return the favour. When the student who started it is on the receiving end of a quick and effective response, that is usually the end of it. It seems to be kids testing each other.

These days it is important that kids have defensive/offensive fight training. For instance, my son was waiting for a bus at a bus stop after school and a guy tried to physically move him down the street to what, we don't know. However my son dropped him, got on the bus just coming around the corner and that was that. We have always said the the objective in a fight is to end it as quickly as possible, and that is what he does. His self-defense training gives him a lot of confidence. So the 6 years of karate pays off each day - just in self-assured awareness.

It is not so much the school kids who are trouble anymore, it is the predator driving or walking past looking to grab an unsuspecting kid like the one example above. It could be on a school day or weekend. Ordinary normal kids need new skills today - urban survival skills. Some kids who live a high-risk lifestyle already have the skills, but most kids do not.

As parents we think that the world environment is better and we are more kind and more thoughtful and our kids are too. Perhaps. But school age gangs try to recruit kids, perhaps your kid, with the lure of money or drugs, or perhaps by intimidation, and the road to a vicious and deliberately uncaring way of life and thought gets underway. Girls specifically are at risk as casual sex gives way to sex for goods and then blackmailed into much more than that.

There are many traps for kids these days which were not there two generations ago. Two generations ago kids were innocent. Not anymore. Not since the internet.

I believe we need to give our kids the tools to survive in the world of today and tomorrow. Now, that means online and gadget (iPod, etc.) safety and physical safety. So we educate the mind and educate the body.

These are tough times for parents. Most kids don't understand the dangers yet.

What sets a kid up as a victim? Another blog is coming for that diatribe.

On a positive note, most parents are much more aware and keep a watchful eye on their kids and their friends.

I do hope that parents and kids have a great summer together.

Cheers - Mike