The Pica Perspective

Will core standards harm or help children? Randi Weingarten defends against critics of K-3 standards. Listen @ http://tinyurl.com/ydjgbmq .

Kids not getting enough exercise in organized sports

No one should be surprised by the results of this study that determined that more than 75 % of children in organized sports such as baseball or soccer don't reach the U.S. government's recommended amount of physical activity during their practices. After all, how much physical energy is expended while sitting on the bench, waiting a turn, or waiting out in right field for a ball to come your way?

I've been saying for years that it's a mistake for parents to think their children are getting enough exercise just because they've enrolled them in sports programs. Now there's research backing it up!

Gay Students Punished More Harshly, Study Finds

By TARA PARKER-POPE (NYT)

Teenagers who are gay or bisexual are treated worse by school and legal authorities, researchers say.

SPORTS / COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Is electronic student tracking safe? Is it worth lessening teachers' administrative duties? Listen & decide: http://tinyurl.com/ydjgbmq

CA parents can sue if schools skimp on PE!: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/11/30/BA1F1GJMEC.DTL&tsp=1

Are we taking playground safety too far? Depriving children of the physical challenges they need to develop well? http://tinyurl.com/ydjgbmq

In England children given shopping vouchers to walk to school: http://tinyurl.com/252sd2f

Are learning styles real or just an excuse to blame children for their own failures? Listen to the experts @ http://tinyurl.com/ydjgbmq

Worth reading: "Time for Schools to Stop Damaging Children" - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ruth-bettelheim/post_1262_b_783651.html .

Learn "How to Make the Case for Movement in Education" from the experts @ http://tinyurl.com/ydjgbmq .

Fast food restaurants not fighting childhood obesity as promised. Actually doing the opposite: http://tinyurl.com/25z2o6s .