Hampton Bays Middle School
Monday Memo #38
Schoolwork and Homework
This week, I'd like to present something from a slightly different perspective. As you likely know, in addition to the weekly Monday Memo to all of you, I also write and share a PTO PEX Express email with our PTO members. Here is the link to this week's edition: https://www.smore.com/rp0eh-hampton-bays-middle-school .
Last week, I found myself engrossed in a conversation with a parent of a middle schooler, who was asking about cell phone use in schools and how they seem to be everywhere these days. This led us down another road, which encompassed technology use (and misuse) by kids, social media use (and overuse) by kids, and how there's a real need for all of us to invest some real time in getting to know the world our kids are living in today and will live in, down the line. It was a good conversation that still has me thinking.
So, do you know what this is a photo of?
This is my daughter, seated at her desk, in her bedroom, studying for her English final exam. A few interesting side notes:
1. She asked me if she could study with her friend (this photo was taken on Sunday at 8:30 pm).
2. Her friend, who you may not be able to decipher in the photo, is visible and audible on her cell phone, and is seated on his living room couch.
3. She asked me if she could use OoVoo (which, before saying yes, I researched and learned it is a slightly different version of Skype, Face Time, or Google Hangouts...and slightly cooler, because kids are using it and adults are not).
4. She is holding a sheet of loose leaf, with handwritten words on it. They are her spelling words. Yes, I said spelling words.
5. And yes. They are studying. Not unlike chaperoning on the bus to Frost Valley or DC, I find regular excuses to engage with her, so I know exactly what's going on. I can hear the sweet sounds of spelling.
Kids today.
So I guess what has me thinking most right now has everything to do with learning. But it has more to do with adults being willing to learn about the lives and perspectives of kids, than kids learning from adults.
So here is my challenge to you in the coming weeks, should you choose to accept it.
Talk to a student or groups of students about how they learn. Ask about technology and how they make it work for them. And learn something new. If you haven't seen Common Sense Media, it's time to check it out. Here's the link: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ .
Why is this important? Well, almost two decades into the 21st Century, when teenagers are using tech tools to study for spelling tests, it's time for us all to commit to learning something new. Something new about how our kids see learning and see their world.
Will you join me in learning something new?
Pick an article, a video, or a resource from Common Sense Media. And let's talk about it. Or dive deep this summer to get to know this amazing and highly relevant 21st Century resource.
As always, thanks for your dedication to our students and our program, Let's make it a great week together.
Sincerely,
Dennis
The June Edition: 5 Resources
A Year in the Life: We Are HBMS!
Want to learn more about what's happening at HBMS?
- Subscribe to the weekly PTO PEX.
- Visit our school website: www.hbschools.us .
- Keep in touch! (Email, call, or visit us here at school.)
- Follow @HamptonBays_MS on Twitter.