Letters February 2004

New School thinks we're cool
Teaching K-8's article about us ("Much Ado About School," October 2003) is beautiful! You said some very lovely things about us and the tone in which you wrote made us proud to be New School. We're humbled by your praise and always hope to live up to the image you've presented. Our students, too, were so happy to see that what they tell their friends about New School is really true. Thank you!
Karen Sorin
New School of Orlando
Orlando, FL

Daring to be different
"Thrilled" was the word that came to mind as I read all about author Alexandria LaFaye ("Dare to be Different," October 2003). She certainly deserves a "two thumbs up." I strongly believe that when you dare to be different, good things will happen in your life, to you and to those around you, too. I also completely agree with Ms. LaFaye's statement, "I needed to read in order to write." I would like my students to follow her example.

As a computer applications teacher in grades K-5, I've taken the "dare to be different" path as well. Our school has about 850 students, so I teach 42 individual computer classes a week. To say that I love what I do would be a total understatement.

Thanks again for writing about Ms. LaFaye and her courage to be different. She sounds like a great person.
Susan Wells
Knox, IN

Making a case for full-day K
As a future teacher, I'm concerned with the issue of half-day versus full-day kindergarten. Full-day kindergarten programs provide a developmentally-appropriate curriculum that involves a variety of aspects from which children can benefit greatly.

The research for full-day kindergarten shows that it allows child and teacher to explore topics of interest in depth with less of a time restraint. Other benefits include social and academic aspects that lead to more positive performance in the later grades. Giving a child time to explore on his or her own is what kindergarten is about and having a full day allows children to move at their own pace.
Lena M. Costa
Newark, DE

A simple answer
Why do I teach and read Teaching K-8? Because I aspire to inspire before I expire!
Joan Mary Macey
Binghamton, NY

February, 2004, Vol.34, No.5