Lately I’ve come across the coolest posts on blogs I read that I really want to say something about or highlight more than just adding a del.icio.us link. Usually they’re the posts where the original writer has said it so well the first time that I have nothing to add but want to share with anyone who might be reading this one. I think this little roundup from time to time might be the best way, but I’m open to suggestions on how to do it better. 
Anyway, here goes:
They’re learning the First Amendment but what about all that press on sedentary kids?
The Education Wonks: Banning “Tag” In Elementary School – Thoughts And Ideas Freely Exchanged
In a Spokane, Washington elementary school, students are no longer allowed to play “tag” on the playground. The kids aren’t giving-up without a fight:
The Princess Mom argues for grouping of gifted kids
More importantly, they don’t realize that they aren’t the be all and end all of intelligence. And why should they? Classwork comes easily to them. The teacher and other adults in their lives constantly reinforce how smart they are and how easy school is for them. They spend much of their day entertaining themselves while they wait for the rest of the class to catch up. They have no opportunity to struggle and fail, much less to challenge themselves and grow.
…To which I add a resounding “AMEN”. My personal story is one of ‘crash and burn’ in college after sailing through high school with relative ease. The only thing I would add to this is that by leaving gifted kids in an environment where they are not challenged, they are denied the opportunity to love the process of learning.
For the love of art, and expression
Liz turned me on to Elizabeth Perry’s blog “woolgathering” — you just need to see it. I can’t describe it and do it justice. I love the concept, the drawings, the storytelling. What a gift she has!
Dr. Helen highlights an article reporting that 86% of suicides are boys
I think this is incredibly sad. I don’t have an an analysis as to exactly why this is, but I don’t buy some of the commenters’ conclusions that it relates to boys’ tendency toward violence. And more interesting is why this issue isn’t more widely reported?
Don’t miss Swamphag’s LIST — her wish list for what she’d like to have in her next relationship. Subscribe to her blog, too if you like really nice photos, poetry and a journal of recovering after the loss of a beloved while struggling with the chronic pain of fibromyalgia.
Speaking of health and wellness…
Dr. Moser has suggestions for taking charge of your health, Dr. Farrell asks whether giving clean blades to cutters is tantamount to offering shotguns to the suicidal, and Gruntdoc wonders if we’ve reached the end of primary care (an excellent, excellent post!) .
Finally, congratulations to Denise for her position as one of the Health and Wellness editors for the new Blogher site! The congrats are way overdue. It’s a very cool site but I confess that I’m spending entirely too much time browsing through all the different areas!
HEY, I just found myself on this weeks’ Grand Rounds , hosted by Science & Politics, so a hearty welcome to any visitors who have found their way here from there!
Technorati Tags: blogs, education, health, wellness, recovery, suicide
