I'm a veteran teacher-31 years- and I have to agree with the points made
on good teaching. I do think that kids learn better when they are engaged
and hands on. Yes, of course, we need to teach phonics and math facts and
all the rest. But I agree with the pacing guide criticism because I've
seen it with my own children, especially in math. Teach a lesson, move
on. Teach a lesson, move on. There isn't any learning because there isn't
enough time to apply it and help those who don't get the lesson in one
day. We're expecting children to know too much, in my opinion. The way
high schools are now is ridiculous. They force students to take advanced
classes because it makes the school and district look good. I believe
that most kids aren't learning what they should because they are working
too hard, struggling with subject matter and curriclum that is too much
for them. I have a hard time accepting that other countries-our
"competition" take up the charge of educating ALL their population, which
is why these other countries look as if they are more advanced than ours.
I just don't buy statistics that say that there is 100% literacy in some
countries-Impossible

As teachers we should be standing up against ridiculous system we're now
in. We all know it isn't good teaching and it doesn't promote learning.
Shame on us for going along with such nonsense.

On 10/26/09, Veteran Teacher wrote:
> I don't know how long you have been teaching, Sweetie, but if you have
> 5 years or less there is still lots of time to learn. The fact is
> children need a blending of several methods. It isn't a case of
> either or. It's a step by step process. You didn't mention what
> grade you taught either. For first graders, phonics first helps them
> easily blend sounds where they can figure out the word themselves.
> Along with this a good teacher would take the word and write it in a
> complete sentence. They would learn phonics concurrently with
> contextual clues. And good teachers would also introduce writing in a
> way that interest children such as the themes you are talking about.
> They would write decent well constructed sentences.
>
> You don't just throw fun, themes at them and expect them to magically
> be able to read and write. It would be nice but it isn't reality.
> You can ask the 5th and 6th grade teachers who receive children who
> can't read and write what their opinions of this is. Thematic
> teaching has its place but a solid foundation must come first.
>
> One thing for sure fun and games is much easier for the teacher.
> However, along with the kids and the parents upper grade teachers pay
> the price.
>
> Think about it, Sweetie. Keep your eyes open. You just might learn
> something.
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>> Conspiracy--Let's not forget the all knowing Pacing Guide! This
>> allows for no review nor slowing down for anyone who does not get
>> something the first time around. We hurry up and leave most in the
>> the dust.
>>
>> Good teaching takes time. We need to be able to teach thematically
>> and holistically so that children understand why they are learning
>> and in a way they understand--creatively, hands on, and with lots of
>> fun! Teaching in isolation is simply rote learning--not true
>> knowledge. Children are not numbers on a test. They do not all learn
>> the same way nor in the same time frame (As parents...think when each
>> of your children learned to walk and talk--each child is different.
>> I can't understand why as teachers we cannot fight this together. Why
>> are we allowing this to take over our schools?

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