Written by Jane Scupham, principal 
Education is an interesting endeavor. It ebbs and flows and twists and turns with each new idea and technique that comes along. Some ideas are worthy and become commonplace in education, while other ideas are flashes in the educational pan and die a natural death (such as the concept of open classrooms). I recently had a very interesting conversation with some of the teachers about what is necessary for a student to succeed in the classroom. Is it the latest electronic gadget or the multi-color coded binder with built-in schedule maker that’s going to enable a student to succeed? After discussing some of the latest and greatest innovations in elementary education, it all seemed to boil down to readin’, ‘ritin’, and ‘rithmetic, and priority setting by teachers, students, and parents.
How can one expect students to read if there is not time to set aside to read with them? How can one expect students to solve multi-step problems when they don’t know their basic math facts? How can one expect students to write wellstructured sentences when they haven’t seen them modeled? Education takes time, both at school and at home. If a student is to succeed at reading, they need to be reading and see adults reading. In addition, students need to know that reading acquisition is a priority at home and school. If students are to succeed in solving higher level math problems, they must know their basic math facts, which require drill at home and at school. If students are to become proficient writers, they must see writing as a process and a priority at home and at school.
Now that we are halfway through the first quarter, it would be a good time for all of us in this educational endeavor--teachers, parents and students--to reflect on whether or not readin’, ‘ritin’, and ‘rithmetic take center stage in our lives, our school and in our homes. Education is an interesting endeavor…one that takes time to develop.