Zero

Zero.

Interesting number.

I've noticed with my math intervention students that, whether they're in kindergarten or 5th grade, throwing a 0 in the mix can cause quite a stir.

Suddenly, students who were working intense problems of any type come to a complete standstill. And take on the appearance of the proverbial 'deer in the headlights.'

Zeros are hard.

Zero tolerance is an interesting concept as well. And everyone associated with education (or maybe, just everyone in general) needs to realize this.

I've seen zero tolerance applied

• to certain people but not all depending on race, socioeconomic status, etc.
• on certain days but not others depending on the mood of the powers that be on any given day
• by hard asses who want to control the world...

You get the idea.

 I'm not saying that I'm totally against zero tolerance policies but I am 100% against them when they are unfair. Unjust. Stupid.

My thoughts are, if the head 'people' in charge can't stick to the policy; if they can't make sure the policy isn't ludicrous; if they can't be consistent; if they aren't concerned with fairness; if they do not consider their motivation behind the making of the policy---then they should NOT attempt a zero tolerance policy.

Even kids know when something is in place to help them or keep them safe and when it's there for show. Or control. And they won't respect that policy.

And I don't blame them one bit. 

What about zero effort? I see that more than I'd like to just about everywhere I go.

We've gotten lazy around here. Whatever happened to the work ethic of our grandparents? When did it become acceptable for students to give as little as they wish in an effort to 'just get by'?

There was an undeveloped subdivision right next to ours. It's been under construction for about a year now. They are putting up those houses in only one month or less. And the lowest cost over there is $483,000. For a house that took them less than one month to erect. And there are people (with zero intelligence) paying more than that for a lot of the homes over there. You've GOT to be kidding me.

I think I understand why throwing a 0 into the math mix confuses students.

It sure is confusing to me. 

What are some other zeros?

I'm linking this post to the twenty-sixth and FINAL post of the April, A-Z Challenge!

Just click the badge below to visit other participants. 

Ok, let's see what y'all came up with for the letter 'Z'!