Well.
Dalton has made Gerard Kennedy the new Minister of Education. We'll see what develops.
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Curriculum Commentary
My guides arrived in the mail yesterday. Aside from the fact that I had the stomach flu for three days in a row, it was the highlight of my weekend. I have given the main docs a cursory glance. Thus far I have completed the preliminary booklet.
First impressions?
In the Beginning, there was The Curriculum, and The Curriculum was of The Ministry, and The Curriculum was The Ministry.
Two things caught my eye immediately. I'm quoting from pg 15 of Grade 9-12 Program Planning and Assessment:
"The report card focuses on two distinct but related aspects of student achievement: the achievement of curriculum expectations and the development of learning skills." (My emphasis.)
Now.
I'm no Einstein. But immediately when I saw the above, I was suspicious. Shouldn't the italicized words be paramount, above all teachers' goals? Immediately, I am wary of this curriculum's "expectations".
If a student's progress doesn't meet "curriculum expectations", what then? Does it mean that she or he isn't learning? It seems that it does to somebody. Why is this distinction made?
I also note:
"Thirty per cent of [a student's overall grades] will be based on a final evaluation in the form of an examination, performance, essay, and/or other method of evaluation..." Again from page 15.
So...Why am I smiling?
Did I mention...That although I plan on being a teacher...I HATE tests?!?
Well, it's out now. Too late to take it back.
Curriculum Verdict?
So far so bad. This is what I feel.
I have come to believe that teaching is a common-sense job. (I mean, I know it takes more than common sense, but work with me for the sake of argument, people. By common sense, I mean we teachers are an intelligent, articulate bunch. And then some.) Suffice it to say I know that those involved in most aspects of our education system have plenty of common-sense.
Honestly. If your idea of giving your kids an education is letting 'em fritter away their time shooting spitballs at each other--for no reason--then guess what? You probably shouldn't be teaching.
Chances are, those who teach, or want to, aren't in the game for the halftime show. They're in it to win it.
They (we) love kids. They have faith in our youth. They want to invest in their potential. They believe that as teachers, they have something to both gain and offer.
Education...GOOD, quality education, to me, is about sharing. I could go on, but I would be disclosing my educational philosophy.
I realize that everyone has to be told how to do their job to an extent. But oy vey.
First impressions?
In the Beginning, there was The Curriculum, and The Curriculum was of The Ministry, and The Curriculum was The Ministry.
Two things caught my eye immediately. I'm quoting from pg 15 of Grade 9-12 Program Planning and Assessment:
"The report card focuses on two distinct but related aspects of student achievement: the achievement of curriculum expectations and the development of learning skills." (My emphasis.)
Now.
I'm no Einstein. But immediately when I saw the above, I was suspicious. Shouldn't the italicized words be paramount, above all teachers' goals? Immediately, I am wary of this curriculum's "expectations".
If a student's progress doesn't meet "curriculum expectations", what then? Does it mean that she or he isn't learning? It seems that it does to somebody. Why is this distinction made?
I also note:
"Thirty per cent of [a student's overall grades] will be based on a final evaluation in the form of an examination, performance, essay, and/or other method of evaluation..." Again from page 15.
So...Why am I smiling?
Did I mention...That although I plan on being a teacher...I HATE tests?!?
Well, it's out now. Too late to take it back.
Curriculum Verdict?
So far so bad. This is what I feel.
I have come to believe that teaching is a common-sense job. (I mean, I know it takes more than common sense, but work with me for the sake of argument, people. By common sense, I mean we teachers are an intelligent, articulate bunch. And then some.) Suffice it to say I know that those involved in most aspects of our education system have plenty of common-sense.
Honestly. If your idea of giving your kids an education is letting 'em fritter away their time shooting spitballs at each other--for no reason--then guess what? You probably shouldn't be teaching.
Chances are, those who teach, or want to, aren't in the game for the halftime show. They're in it to win it.
They (we) love kids. They have faith in our youth. They want to invest in their potential. They believe that as teachers, they have something to both gain and offer.
Education...GOOD, quality education, to me, is about sharing. I could go on, but I would be disclosing my educational philosophy.
I realize that everyone has to be told how to do their job to an extent. But oy vey.
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Well...
Drama class went off without a hitch. Thanks to Mr. J and his fabulous, fabulous kids. They've got such energy, and passion...And ENERGY. If I didn't love 'em, I'd be scared.
In other news, I ordered a ton of provincial curriculum documents. They're available online, mostly for free. (I did a one-word search: "curriculum".) The only books I'm concerned with @ this point are the high school English and Arts guidelines.
But I fear one thing: Will this curriculum cramp my style? Will it keep me from teaching my kids the way I want to?
And will I ever get used to being called "Miss"? It happpened again today. The answer is still "No".
I know I'm being whimsical and nice. For now. But trust me. Heavier rants are coming.
In other news, I ordered a ton of provincial curriculum documents. They're available online, mostly for free. (I did a one-word search: "curriculum".) The only books I'm concerned with @ this point are the high school English and Arts guidelines.
But I fear one thing: Will this curriculum cramp my style? Will it keep me from teaching my kids the way I want to?
And will I ever get used to being called "Miss"? It happpened again today. The answer is still "No".
I know I'm being whimsical and nice. For now. But trust me. Heavier rants are coming.
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
Wish me luck!
Tomorrow I present a drama exercise to a group of Grade 10s. They're darlings, but I'm still a bit nervous.
Monday, October 13, 2003
Am I ready to be called "Miss"?
"NO!" I laughed. Yet I wasn't kidding.
That's an excerpt from a recent phone conversation with my uncle. I was telling him that I'd decided to apply to teachers' college. Currently, I'm volunteering at my old high school.
I don't know what it is. There are certain things in the form and formality of the teaching profession that rub me the wrong way.
Like the "Miss" issue. I wouldn't be offended in the least if a student called me by my first name. However various adults believe that students should address all adults as "Mr./Ms./Miss/Mrs." or else. They think it demonstrates respect.
I say this is an old standard, from the days when teachers used to wrap their students' knuckles for misbehaving.
So many things about today's schools seem designed to put students in their "place". It sickens me.
"NO!" I laughed. Yet I wasn't kidding.
That's an excerpt from a recent phone conversation with my uncle. I was telling him that I'd decided to apply to teachers' college. Currently, I'm volunteering at my old high school.
I don't know what it is. There are certain things in the form and formality of the teaching profession that rub me the wrong way.
Like the "Miss" issue. I wouldn't be offended in the least if a student called me by my first name. However various adults believe that students should address all adults as "Mr./Ms./Miss/Mrs." or else. They think it demonstrates respect.
I say this is an old standard, from the days when teachers used to wrap their students' knuckles for misbehaving.
So many things about today's schools seem designed to put students in their "place". It sickens me.
Thursday, October 09, 2003
Everything is going dead wrong. I own 2 URLs. Remain completely inept as far as accessing them effectively is concerned. One provider wants me to pay for domain forwarding. The other does not, but there are other challenges.
And as for today, I have one question:
What was the Harris gov't thinking when they came up with standardized testing?
And as for today, I have one question:
What was the Harris gov't thinking when they came up with standardized testing?
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