1/14/2008

The New Zealand school system sucks

It has been a very long time since I've been to school, but not long enough that I don't remember some of my school days. I know the world has moved along in a big way since those days, but I would have thought that some things wouldn't have a need to change--or at least, not a lot.

My children are 11 and 13 now. But neither have been taught 'cursive writing'. You know, the way adults write when there's not a keyboard handy, the way you sign your name or jot down a quick list for the store--that's cursive, when the letters are connected and you don't raise your pen or pencil from the paper until the whole word is finished.

The first time I signed the younger one's home sampler book, he about had a stroke wondering what I had done to his book because he couldn't read it! I had to translate it for him.

Now, I distinctly remember learning in Miss Gillerlaine's class in second grade [that's age 7 or thereabouts]. It seemed logical and made me feel important to write like grownups. But, they don't do that here.

Apparently, students their age can 'connect' letters if they feel like it when they do their schoolwork, but that's as far as it goes up til 8th grade. I suppose one could argue that it's not important in this age, but the fact remains that those of us that actually write in cursive are still around and they will be so SOL when they have to decypher it one day.

1/06/2008

Where's the Kiwi pride?

I was recently at a community function where the national anthem was sung by a school group as the audience stood in respect. As I looked around, there were very few audience members joining in. What is the problem? Is there no national pride? Are the words too hard?

Any American activity that involves the singing of the national anthem is exactly as it is perceived on tv. The bulk of the audience joins in, the older folk with their right hand over their heart, and it is sung solemnly and proudly. And, yes, most of the time, there is a thunder of applause and cheering when it is over.

Maybe New Zealanders don't appreciate the freedoms and rights that they have. *shrug*