|
 | From Beth Lewis, your Guide to Elementary Education It's only natural to think back to our own days as schoolchildren and compare our experiences with those of our current students. We learned cursive and weren't overwhelmed with high-stakes standardized tests. So much has changed, but for the better? ~Beth | |
Are Our Schoolchildren Turning into Statistical Fodder?
Apparently it's not just Americans who are extremely focused on standardized test scores. I recently came across an article from the U.K. that lamented the "over-reliance" on getting our students to reach test score targets. It seems that no matter where you teach, you're feeling the stressful pinch of constantly testing, scoring, and making sure your students measure up. In a way, this focus on test scores quantifies and rationalizes blaming teachers (disproportionately) for what's wrong in our education system. The pressure has definitely been mounting in recent years. How do you deal with standardized testing pressures?... Read more
| Dave Eggers Offers Concrete Education Solutions in Op-Ed
I didn't know that writer Dave Eggers is passionately involved in education-related issues. But I loved what he had to say in his recent New York Times op-ed piece (co-penned by real, live teacher Nínive Clements Calegari). I particularly enjoyed this opening point: When we don't get the results we want in our military endeavors, we don't blame the soldiers. We don't say, "It's these lazy soldiers and their bloated benefits plans! That's why we haven't done better in Afghanistan!" No, if the results aren't there, we blame the planners. There's been so much blame and shame directed toward teachers lately that it is refreshing to hear a fresh perspective that broadens the responsibility for what's going wrong. The authors go on to suggest higher salaries will go a long way towards recruiting top teachers and showing educators the respect they deserve, ultimately resulting in lower job turnover. What's your opinion? Of course, we'd all like to receive higher salaries. But is that really the key to fixing our education system?... Read more
| Is Cursive an Antiquated Skill?
Many of us remember our third grade teachers patiently teaching us how to write in cursive, how to make loops and connect letters with care and precision. My third grade students consistently show up on the first day of school gushing with enthusiasm over "getting" to learn cursive in the coming school year. It was like they had been waiting to learn this mysterious grown-up skill since kindergarten! I was happy to capitalize on their excitement and interest. That's why I was sad to read about the imminent (unavoidable?) death of cursive lessons in our elementary schools. Some say it's not a 21st-century skill and valuable instructional time should not be wasted on teaching handwriting when typing is far more important today. What do you think? Would you be sad to see cursive go? Or is the only practical decision to abandon it as an antiquated skill of times past?... Read more
| Professional Growth Tools
Professional Development resources that help you be your best professionally. The best teachers are reflective, always striving to better themselves and their practices. Here's what you need to know to take your teaching to the next level!
| |
| | Elementary Education Ads
| | | | Featured Articles | |
| |
| | | | Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics | | | | You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Elementary Education newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here.
About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy
Contact Information:
249 West 17th Street
New York, NY, 10011
© 2011 About.com | | | | |
Must Reads | |
Advertisement
 | |
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario