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Ritalin vs. Teaching to the SOLs
By Mike Hasley | November 20, 2008
Saw this picture at Precletic, a really good site. He spoke about it in a different way, but I was actually speechless (yes, for even a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon). The cartoon shows Calvin on Ritalin, but to me, it’s the same as only teaching to the SOLs and not incorporating more depth and engaging instruction in the classroom.
What do you think?
Topics: 21st Century Skills, Discussion, Instruction, Millennials | 14 Comments »
To some Calvin would appear to be engaged. I agree with your observation that the testing culture is starting to destroy the students and teachers will for adventure and fun in the classroom.
I agree, students aren’t given enough opportunities to use their imagination in classrooms because they have to focus on what they’ll be tested. I felt really sad when I saw Hobbes revert back to being just a doll. Even if he grows up, I thought that Calvin will still have that imagination to make Hobbes real.
As i read this, i really felt that calvin had grown up and that it shows by the fact hes working, hobbes is nothing but a mere doll. I felt slightly sad because I miss the old calvin, but this is a sign that he is growing up.
Hannah,
I was just curious, did you notice that Calvin was being medicated to act this way?
Why did Hobbes turn into a stuff animal when Calvin is not looking at him?
Hobbes is a stuffed animal. The premis of the cartoon is that Calvin is very imaginative, so whenever the two of them are together, Hobbes is real. Anytime someone else shows up, Hobbes reverts back to being a stuffed animal. Here, the idea is that Calvin is given ridilin which has killed his imagination, thus, killing Hobbes.
Wow, amazing how few people got the idea behind this. I love it. Medication is really being overused today to kill the natural curiosity and ambitious imaginations of kids. What a great way to show this.
This made me so sad when i red this i cant believe anyone would to do this to someone and Hobbes is like calvins alter ego. *whimpers*
this is the worst thing that ever happend to calvin and without hobbes theres no calvin
Look.. calving said he needs to finish his homework.. and the pills.. hes starting to see hobbes as a toy!
I agree. The evolution this comic shows should not be perceived negatively. With help from medication, the child is able to do what’s necessary — concentrate on his work until it’s completed. There is no indication that his imagination has been “killed”; rather, we see that he is now no longer a mental slave to an out-of-control fantasy universe. I like the cartoon very much.
Maybe you don’t understand Calvin and Hobbes. But Calvin is a little boy with a vivid imagination. What it’s showing is that his creativity is being killed by being on ritalin. It’s just like standardized tests that teach kids to think in a multiple choice world, not a creative world.
This essentially destroys everything Calvin and Hobbes stands for.
I know that this particular comic strip has been floating around the web for some time now, but whoever ripped off Bill Watterson in the first place to make a point about kids on pills is guilty of stealing intellectual property.
Every time I see this cartoon on the internet I get sad because this is not a genuine Calvin and Hobbes strip, and never was one. Watterson would not have even dealt with such a topic, and even if he had he would have been more imaginative and subtle and clever than this strip’s writing.
I don’t mean to kill the messenger here; I just want people to know that this is a phony, not a real Calvin & Hobbes. Whoever made this had no right to tamper this way. If people start copying, tampering with, or using artists’ works this way, where will it end? Just some food for thought.
PS: Calvin & Hobbes brought me so many hours of joy over the decade it appeared. I respect and admire Mr. Watterson for his talent and also for his principles.
This is interesting. I wonder if the person who changed this comic strip missed learning about copyright infringement while dreaming in class. It’s a conundrum.