Okay, I just wanted to let you know we are not air-headed ditzes.
In my classroom I do sometimes use cooperative learning. Although I teach a 3rd grade class. The receive below grade level, at grade level, and above grade level on their grade cards. I do cooperative groups when we are doing scientific experients (what impact does friction have on a moving object). In my classroom they do not receive a group grade. They did the experiment together and had to analyze the data on their own.
As for math, I do not use everyday math. My student are just now learning their multiplication facts. (no 9x9 estimation) We have NO calculators. The students work every problem out and I hand papers back if they do not show their work. I want them to know how to get the correct answer.
In English, we use Shurley English. My 3rd graders know noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition and object of the preposition. I also do not accept answers that are not in complete sentences. The students will be handed back their paper and write it again.
Furthermore, on every spelling test the students have two of the States names. I also show them where the state is on the map and a few facts about the state. Anything we are learning and if they mention a place, I will show it to them on a map or globe.
This saying of course, I have very conservative values. For the article, believe the education system today is failing because of where education starts... in the home. Teachers have all of these standards to follow... parents have none. If parents would care about their children at home, it would help the education system out greatly. The students who succeed greatly in my class have very involved parents. Those who don’t, I usually stay with after school or before school to help them get caught up.
Probably, as in many other government jobs, many teachers enter their profession with commitment and a desire to do good. Between the government bureacracy and the union corruption, those poor souls are leading with their chin (that's an old boxing analogy for someone foolishly facing off against an overwhelming opponent and presenting themself for an easy knockout).
You pointed out in your response, "If parents would care about their children at home, it would help the education system out greatly...". Those parents who are able to help educate their children at home might as well homeschool them. As more parents homeschool their children, there will be less need for taxpayer-supported education, property taxes can be decreased accordingly, more children will be better educated, and the less-committed teachers can pursue other careers not requiring forced funding from productive citizens.
The education system doesn't need to be "helped out"; it needs to be dismantled. Only a small fraction of the tax money devoted to "education" goes for anything related to education. Homeschool parents provide a better education, with full curricula from kindergarten through high school for much less money than one beginning teacher is paid in one year. And they still have to pay property taxes to support the government school waste.
“In my classroom I do sometimes use cooperative learning. Although I teach a 3rd grade class. The receive below grade level, at grade level, and above grade level on their grade cards. I do cooperative groups when we are doing scientific experiments (what impact does friction have on a moving object). In my classroom they do not receive a group grade. They did the experiment together and had to analyze the data on their own.
My daughter goes to a private school and cooperative learning is there in their reading program - individual unit tests and a “group” project on say, Sequencing. They use Foundations & Frameworks.
http://www.briarwoodchristianschool.org/content.asp?id=87132
It’s okay. Luckily we have a bright child and she cruises through it. I think it would be more beneficial to kids who have reading and comprehension issues. It is useful in presenting concepts in flow charts. It also uses repetition questions for the various comprehension concepts.
“As for math, I do not use everyday math. My student are just now learning their multiplication facts. (no 9x9 estimation) We have NO calculators. The students work every problem out and I hand papers back if they do not show their work. I want them to know how to get the correct answer.”
That’s not allowed at her school either. It’s memorization. I don’t like their curriculum - SAXON.
What text do you use for Math? What is your opinion of Saxon? I’m thinking about supplementing her with a Houghton Mifflin Math book. I find Saxon to be too SLOW in moving on and their word problems to be too easy and a cookie cutter approach.
“In English, we use Shurley English. My 3rd graders know noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition and object of the preposition. I also do not accept answers that are not in complete sentences. The students will be handed back their paper and write it again.”
LOL!!! So does my daughter’s school - complete with jingles! Ditto ... .
“Furthermore, on every spelling test the students have two of the States names. I also show them where the state is on the map and a few facts about the state. Anything we are learning and if they mention a place, I will show it to them on a map or globe.
Yeah, we’re doing the states and capitals, locations etc.. We just finished up a poster on Alaska. Sounds the same as her class.
If you don’t mind my asking, what book do you use for Science?
“This saying of course, I have very conservative values. For the article, believe the education system today is failing because of where education starts... in the home. Teachers have all of these standards to follow... parents have none. If parents would care about their children at home, it would help the education system out greatly. The students who succeed greatly in my class have very involved parents. Those who don’t, I usually stay with after school or before school to help them get caught up.”
I hear ya! I am a stay at home Mom and I keep after her. I am blessed that she’s a smart kid. As for other kids it varies there ... .
It’s easy to pick out the kids of divorced parents and easily see the impact of that ... it’s sad. IMO it is not up to teachers to raise the kids too! The advantage we have is that if kids are acting up in serious ways, they WILL and are asked to leave.
I’d appreciate your feedback on my questions. My daughter is also in 3rd grade.
I missed this - getting sleepy - east coast time.
Why do you grade like that?
We use the traditional grading system:
A+ ........100
A .........96-99
A- ........94-95
B+ ...........92-93
B ............88-91
B-........... 86-87
C+ ...........84-85
C ............80-83
C- .......... 78-79
D+ ...........76-77
D ........... 72-75
D- .......... 70-71
F .... 69 and below
Honor roll will be marked on the report card of any grade 3-5 student who has fulfilled the following criteria:
No more than one academic subject may be marked with a B- (86% or 87%). All other academic subjects must be 88% or higher. Academic subjects are the following: Bible, Reading, English, Spelling, Mathematics, Science and History. Because XXX is concerned about the development of the whole child, a “behavioral” grade that is less than an 86% will automatically dismiss a child from honor roll.
Handwriting and special subjects such as Art, Music, Choir, Band, Physical Education and Computers are not calculated into honor roll qualifications.
They are strict there but I like that.