Re:Turn to Common Sense: Core Training; Training Common Core. 

Kinesiological, Pedagogical...Rats! Lots in Common here.

Re:setting, updating the scene: So, you've managed to get a millage and/or a bond, to build a building. Or, in the case of a "gymnasium", you've secured a loan to purchase an already existing building, with or without 'facilities', in need of some re-novation. Now your job is just starting, as now it's time to fill the seats and fill their minds...to fill the work stations and get some (literal) heavy lifting done. Now it's time to plot a course, to purchase a curriculum, a bunch of courses, work-out routines. And now, of course, it's time to recruit and hire those who will, once filled, instill motivation, a desire to learn, get in shape...teachers and trainers that, together with those in other support positions, will form a team for the long haul...lots of common ground here...and there.

What every ('busy')body knows: Every gym rat, that is. In order to earn such a moniker, one has to show up day after day, go through a certain routine, not caring what others are doing at such "insane!" hours, or even what the dude next to them are doing, how much they are 'putting up', on the rack...Based on ample individual experiences and collective ("evidence based") research in "Kineseology" (the study of the mechanics of body movements), after many of us have tried the newest gimmicks (some of which have risen to the level of "Shark Tank"), short-cuts ("you can cut 15 pounds and two inches of waistline by doing this each morning..."), it all comes down to basics...you gotta'  start somewhere, so it may as well be in the middle and work out from there...you've just got to build a stronger core, after which you can "elect" to focus on specific muscle groups of "special interest"..."tone up..." Yes, the benefits, while not as glamorous as the "beach body" of core training have been repeatedly documented, perhaps under-appreciated: "the benefits of living longer...ability to lift heavier objects around the house...reach the upper shelf...less lower back pain😌...which in turn allows you to turn ("twist" is the word I substitute here)...bend down to tie your shoes..." Yes, while not as glamorous as participating in elective, discretionary athletics that command a large audience, the type of core training that enhances P.O.T. (see October 4th for explanation, the value of) and long term-outcome, as in ADL's "Activities of Daily Living" which are often the basis for deciding whether an aging loved one has the wherewithal to 'stand on their own' or necessitates in-home assistance...it all starts and ends with core training, building a stronger core, getting back, down to basics😓. All the while...

Keeping in Mind: That even today, as we collectively have come to appreciate the value of adding a basic proficiency in technology and that there has been a recent, recurrent, rising demand for specific skills, trades that may not find their way into "classic, liberal arts, higher education" but may eventuate in "certificates of occupancy" in professions that have just as much value as those the 'higher educated' may enter...similar to keeping the body in good shape, WE (parents, teachers, administrators) collectively find ourselves every fall not only returning to school in most parts of the world that participate in "compulsory education" but once again return to the reality that we have to all "get back to basics" that studies in "Pedagogy" (the methods and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concepts...the psychological development of learners...how learners learn...) --much of which, of course, have first been done in 'labs', many of which in turn have involved rats, mazes...prior to unleashing them on the unexpecting kindergartners and beyond...before we collectively unleash our students who were "whipped into shape", first by drilling and mass recitation, drilling, fully digesting the core curriculum, prior to advancing to more abstract concepts, formulations, critical thinking (and being able to accept so-called 'constructive criticism'), "elective courses", prior to releasing them into reality, the "global economy"...

"I'm just saying" In the specific instance of a debate -- including about the strengths and weaknesses, shortcomings, politicization, of the "common core curriculum" -- what we ought to teach our children at a minimum and what 'contemporary lit' should be deleted...Or, on a broader, more often experienced scale, you make this qualifying remark when you are trying to soften a criticism or complaint, in order to temper their temper, make it less likely to offend someone. Here, in conjunction with "strong minds, strong bodies...minds and bodies in motion...are moving targets...while those at rest...are sitting ducks..." All this to re-Mind ourselves, every Body of the value of core training, of providing all our students with the basics. All this ahead of a view from the other side of the desk, from that of the actual consumer...as in...

Next: "What, Re:course?"😕😖