 news - [nooz, nyooz] - 1382, plural of new (n.) "new thing," from new (adj.), q.v.; after Fr. nouvelles, used in Bible translations to render M.L. nova (neut. pl.) "news," lit. "new things." Sometimes still regarded as plural, 17c.-19c. Meaning "tidings" is 1423. - noun - 1. a report of a recent event; intelligence; information. 2. the presentation of a report on recent or new events in a newspaper or other periodical or on radio or television. 3. such reports taken collectively; information reported.
4. a person, thing, or event considered as a choice subject for journalistic treatment; newsworthy material.
 Dr. Czaja's Notes
June 6, 2010
Dear Families,
 Some parents and teachers I have known have been enormously anxious about their children’s academic grades and standardized test scores – even about how many pages get completed in their daily workbooks – how many hours of homework get done in the evening after supper – adults all worked up over statistics. I have always felt this much worrying by the grown-ups does not belong in a school where the children are relaxed – where the children are alive and existentially at peace with their school life because their learning is really doing what comes naturally – where their daily school work is experiential -- and where the purpose of their education is not to please the adults in their world but to help themselves become self-motivated and self-directed learners. They know that their job is simply put to see the ball -- hit the ball – and run to first base as fast as the wind.
I must tell you that I have witnessed many such children who when doing what they love to do take on serious academic work with the same joy as they have when they are at play. They are not anxious but very relaxed and quite focused because learning has become essential to their own life at that moment. They really do not need us big guys worrying about them – they may not be able to put it into words but they feel themselves to be totally into learning for life. And I am here to testify that these happy learners go on to become quite successful in their future academic lives within higher education – and then out there in the big leagues in their chosen adult careers.
Being a Montessori educator and parentcator of such independent learners all the many years of my adult life has made me a man happy enough to wear a snazzy bow tie every day. You see, I know that all of creation surrounding me still needs passionate human nurturing to survive – and that is what these young enthusiasts are bringing to the game. They are learned and they are full of zeal. I can sit back and watch them go on to do what they can do so well. It’s like watching the Yankees play ball at the stadium in the Bronx! I tell you now: because of these happy learners, tomorrow’s tomorrows are bright with hope. Happy summer!
Peace,
Paul
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