megalotis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2009
Posts: 226
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Post by megalotis on Dec 12, 2016 12:08:08 GMT -5
Jake,
Your project is wonderful!
"IMO, the education system fails students by not teaching them about the world. We do a good job of educating them on the standards of their subjects but don't open their eyes to what is out in the real world. Sadly, with all the topics that the state wants you to cover, there often isn't much time to go off script. Thats why I like this so much, its not really part of my state education standards, but it is getting kids interested in their natural world that they likely wouldn't see otherwise."
And that's one of my principal problems with standards in education. As in most things, we have noble intentions, but we overshoot the mark so badly that "true" education, which I believe your project exemplifies, becomes nearly impossible within the world of standards. The problem is, that by varying from the mind-numbing standards, you compromise the ability of the students to pass the state tests. "The nearer your destination the more you're slip/sliding away"...
How much of what you teach will really stick with students throughout their lives? I for one am grateful that you have found a way to reach these kids on a fundamental level of learning.
Great job!!
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osuguy0301
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 203
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Post by osuguy0301 on Dec 14, 2016 6:31:02 GMT -5
How much of what you teach will really stick with students throughout their lives? I for one am grateful that you have found a way to reach these kids on a fundamental level of learning. Students ask me that question almost daily. "When am I ever going to use this?" when we are talking about something they don't like. I usually have to come up with some far fetched answer and then cap it off by saying we want you to be a well rounded student. In an effort to make students "critical thinkers" we have taken away their ability to use their imagination to create. In my experience, students today struggle with problem solving and can't come up with creative solutions to problems. Supposedly this is what these standards were supposed to do, but have failed miserably. Students need more hands on time with these concepts in order to see how things work. This is what stimulates problem solving and creative thinking. Unfortunately, there is little time or money to expose them to that. Things are getting better but it seems like as soon as you get going in the right direction, someone comes up with a "better" way and screws it all up. Jake
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Post by txrockhunter on Dec 14, 2016 8:03:59 GMT -5
How much of what you teach will really stick with students throughout their lives? I for one am grateful that you have found a way to reach these kids on a fundamental level of learning. Students ask me that question almost daily. "When am I ever going to use this?" when we are talking about something they don't like. I usually have to come up with some far fetched answer and then cap it off by saying we want you to be a well rounded student. In an effort to make students "critical thinkers" we have taken away their ability to use their imagination to create. In my experience, students today struggle with problem solving and can't come up with creative solutions to problems. Supposedly this is what these standards were supposed to do, but have failed miserably. Students need more hands on time with these concepts in order to see how things work. This is what stimulates problem solving and creative thinking. Unfortunately, there is little time or money to expose them to that. Things are getting better but it seems like as soon as you get going in the right direction, someone comes up with a "better" way and screws it all up. Jake That is exactly the reason that my wife is homeschooling our kids. She taught 5th grade for 14 years and experienced the same frustrations. The thought of our kids continuing through public school & entering the real world scared the hell out of us! So many good programs and homeschool groups emerging as the education system continues to dumb down our kids. You are obviously in education because you want to make a positive difference in these kid's lives! It's very easy to get worn down when your employer makes it difficult to do the things you do best! Keep fighting the good fight!
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