November 21, 2007 -- Ron Fletcher
Ryan__Guest_: College essay time for a friend of mine. Is it preferable to write a scholarly-like essay? Or a more personal narrative?
Ron_Fletcher: This is one of many great questions awaiting me; I'll try to get them all.
Ron_Fletcher: Before I begin, though, I have to take a moment to recommend Dan Shaughnessy's inspired and inspiring profile of my B.C. High classmate, colleague, and friend, Jon Bartlett. It's a great Thanksgiving story!
Ron_Fletcher: Okay, onward. College essays should express a part of the candidate's character not revealed elsewhere on the application. One's transcript and test scores speak to scholarship; encourage your friend to put the personal in his personal statement by relaying an experience that captures his character. Keep the focus tight and the details sharp; prefer showing to telling, and revel in the writing.
AC__Guest_: What's the best way to teach a middle schooler research skills? My son gets overwhelmed with all the data on the internet and doesn't seem to know how to winnow it down.
Ron_Fletcher: Decades ago T.S. Eliot had the speaker of his poem "The Rocks" wonder aloud "where is all the knowledge in this information?" Prophetic stuff. Have a conversation with your son; have him explain the project--what he knows and what he needs to know. Make sure he begins researching with a specific goal or set of questions in mind. In terms of navigating the wilderness of the internet, help him find his way to a library website; use it as a portal to more refined databases, such as Galenet. Hope this is a helpful start.
smile1__Guest_: What are your feelings about parent involvement? Is there a point where parents are TOO involved and smothering their children?
Ron_Fletcher: The so-called "helicopter parents" seem to be a growing breed. Sure, it's hard to walk the line between independence and involvement with a teen, but the former should prevail with each passing year. More, those parents who attempt to plot a kid's every move unwittingly increase the sort of stress or neuroses that complicates both the academic and social development. There is wisdom in slackening the leash yet remaining vigilant.
DisgruntledParent__Guest_: My daughter is having a difficult time in school (6th grade) she stayed back last year and this year is having problems still. I tried to schedule an appoinment but I can't get in for over a month. I feel this will be too late and she is falling through the cracks. What should I do now?
Ron_Fletcher: I agree that a month is too long to wait when each day is one of frustration or futility. Teachers, counselors, and administrators want to see their students do well. Put your concerns in writing to each and follow-up with a phonecall. If that fails, consider going over the head of whomever told you to wait a month. Good luck.
coach__Guest_: I am sure you have answered this before but I need to ask. Having attended a high level Catholic school, and then having taught at same school and worked with "talented" youth, how do you feel you can advise students/parents of public schools (or females for that matter)?
Ron_Fletcher: Well, the question has been asked and it deserves repeated asking. I quibble, however, with the premise that all understanding is based solely on first-hand experience. A lifetime as a student and fourteen years as a teacher have provided me with some insight into education--the sort of insight, I hope, that's not limited to one gender or type of school. When I don't know something, I read, research, and speak with colleagues and students--male and female--from public and private schools.
con_s_mom__Guest_: how do I get my 4th grade son to enjoy reading? I've tried just about everything and it is still a struggle to get him to read. Any suggestions?
Ron_Fletcher: No panacea for this one, just a reminder of the value of patience and persistence. That said, consider those activities he most enjoys. Have him explain his interest. Lead him to ask questions you can't answer. Team up with him and turn to a book or books for answers. For example, a lot of young boys follow a love for a sport from the field to the t.v. to the printed page. No need to start with literary fare, of course. Encourage his interests--and the deepening of those interests through reading. Also, make sure he has a chance to witness you and others enjoying reading daily.
Kendra12345__Guest_: how old are you
Ron_Fletcher: I know the answer to this one: 38.
red_light_top_shelf__Guest_: hello mr fletcher how are you
Ron_Fletcher: I am fine and thanks for taking a shot at my fragile (goaltending) ego with that moniker!
Brazil__Guest_: Hi Ron. I came to this country in about 7 years intending to learn english and go to school. I have been here and now I feel more confortable with the language. Somehow, as time goes by, I feel that I am losing interest in learning the language. I would like to know if you have a tip for me to have more willpower and something more challanging. Thanks
Ron_Fletcher: I'm ranging beyond my ken here, but I have a sense that you've settled in to a comfortable, functional knowledge of English. Perhaps you could build on that by turning to books and films that move beyond the mere expressive powers of language into something more artful. Consider looking at the stories of an author who shares your cultural background and language. Read his or her works in the original language as well as the translation. Weigh the differences. I've found that tuning into the nuances of language can vivify it.
no_hovering__Guest_: What is the best way to approach a teacher that has giving poor grades to a normally high performing student?
Ron_Fletcher: I took on this question in my most recent column; please check it out. To wit: have your son or daughter speak with the teacher, who should be able to explain the grade he or she gave to your kid. Have your kid approach the teacher in a spirit of curiosity-in-the-name-of-finer-scholarship rather than an accusatory you've-failed-to-see-the-genius-other-teachers-have-lauded.
Katie__Guest_: I have a 16 year old son who is not motivated in school at all. He does not spend much time on homework, and just brought home a report card of all Cs one D and one B. Alll teacher say he is capable of doing much better. He is hoping to go to college but I am worried about his lack of motivation. Do you have any suggestions on motivating him?
Ron_Fletcher: This was the $64,000 question during a recent parents' night at my school. Somewhere between the carrot and the stick is the sort of ongoing conversation between parent and student(or teacher and student) that helps a young man or woman realize that grades are earned on a day-to-day basis and, more important, the value of the pursuit lies in the student's development more than a parent or teacher's favor, approval. Help your son to see the value in tapping his potential, not for the sake of college, but out of a sense of obligation to use and improve his talents, ability. In fact, don't play the college card right now--it usually adds more stress. Let him see that learning is lifelong and, again, day-to-day. If that fails, take away his internet access! Good luck.
no_hovering__Guest_: If that approach fails to yield positive results, what next?
Ron_Fletcher: You could take up the matter with the student's counselor, if the grade seems legitimately unjust.
chatguest1: Some great questions remain unanswered; yet I have to make way for the etiquette chat. So, I sign off with wishes for a great Thanksgiving and the intention of tackling the remaining questions next month. Thank you!