An interesting site to review and monitor is http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/.The site is easily navigated and offers some interesting articles on preparing ourselves and our students for the 21st century.
One of the links provided on the site is a discussion by Ken Kay entitled: "Every Student Deserves World Class Knowledge and World Class Skills". What I found to be so true is the importance of teaching not only core curriculum, but also incorporating citizenship skills. Skills that do not just "prepare students for the work force, but also the 21st century citizen". These skills work together. One area that I found to be very important is how the state of Iowa is teaching classes such as financial advisement. I do not think it is ever too early to teach these skills. Many students will never learn how to manage thier finances if not taught in school.
In the article "What to learn: 'core knowledge' or '21st-century skills'?" I think it is a shame that E.D. Hirsch Jr., said that it is "an ineffectual use of school time." I think we teach to tests to much. We do not even allow students time to absorb and master a standard before exposing them to something new. I think this teaches defeat and lowers self esteem.
I also think we can find ways to incorporate both skills in the same amount of time. I am learning to incorporate math and LA standards together into one lesson and etc.
I would like to see my state incorporate a full core curriculum.
About Me
- amorea
- I am married, and we have been blessed with 2 wonderful children. Tallon is 15 and Esther-Cheryl is 12. I love going to thier activities. I grew up in Chattanooga, TN. I love living in the South. I love my choir at my church. I teach kindergarten right now, and love it!
Amorea,
ReplyDeleteI agree that there is too much emphasis on the test. The education system has lost track of the true purpose of schooling. Schooling is not about passing tests. It is about learning and taking what you learn and applying it to new things. Yes, tests can measure performance. However, how many students do you know that can perform a task any time you ask, but can answer a question about it on a test? It frustrates me that we teach standards that our measurable by students performance on tasks, then we test them on the theories of those tasks.
I see this move to 21st century technology as a step in the right direction. If we utilize technology the right way, people will be able to see students' daily performance in the classroom. Plus tests could become more task oriented.
-Carrie
Amorea,
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point about the importance of incorporating citizenship skills. Within my school district, many, if not most, students don't learn these skills at home and if they don't learn them at school, then they won't be prepared when they get out into the "real world". My primary school has adopted a Good Citizenship program where students are rewarded for making good choices. Where you teach, do you have a school-wide program or do you have a system for teaching and/or rewarding citizenship skills in your classroom?
I thought that you made excellent points on mentioning that financial skills will be taught, and that students can never be too young to learn them. I mean a perfect example is the global economy situation right now. Too many people making too many poor financial decisions has lead to chaos in many lives. I don't believe that money is the only thing that matters, but every student needs to possess some financial knowledge for a job or personal matter. Also, I enjoyed your point in mentioning that it is not a waste of instructional time. There are many times in my classroom that I would like to spend a unit working on something that would be very useful to the students in the future. However, the current Geometry curriculum is a mile wide and an inch deep, which leaves little time for my adaptions. Have you been able to make any curriculum adaptions in your classroom that the students have responded well to? I think it is important to teach these life skills.
ReplyDeleteIt is so true that some students will never learn to manage their finances if they are not taught in school. In our area there are many low income families and it seems to create a cycle of families making poor financial choices that put them in the same strains their parents and their parents are in.
ReplyDeleteIf we can learn to incorporate more it would be a more efficient use of class time. This could provide time for more engaging and meaningful lessons.
Brooke - We have a 6 character words we focus on as a school, but we do not have any set programs. We just incorporate them into our lessons/classroom more as a focus. I would be interested to hear more about the program you use.
ReplyDeletekrazymattys - I do a basketball unit in my classroom - I have talked about it before, so I do not want to be repetitive - but it sparks my interest as well as my students. We study my son's high school basketball team-I also did it when he was in middle school. I incorporate a lot of math, language, and science skills into my unit. We learn to graph, count money, write in journals, distance, counting by 2's, 5's, and 10's, etc. But I also bring in social skills by talking about the importance of following "rules", or you bring a "foul" on yourself in basketball and in life. When I have a behavior issue, many times I will say, "You just fouled by talking while I am talking. Go sit with your head down."
ReplyDeleteWe also had an Inaugural Ball on the day of the inauguration where I modeled etiquette and respect to my students. I told them I did not vote for President Obama, but I will respect him as my president, and we celebrated his swearing in together. My kids dressed up in fancy dresses and suits. We learned ballroom dances, waltzes, and the next day, we even watched a replay of President and Mrs. Obama dance at their ball. It was precious!
Christi -
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I know the area, and you are right. Most of those kids will not learn management skills at home. I just think it not only teaches students the importance of credibility, but helps all of us in the future.
Carrie - standardized testing is my podium! I have a daughter who is a straight A student and works very hard, but absolutely has the hardest time passing thoses tests. She stresses and worries about Georgia's NCLB test for 2 months. I hate it. I agree we need accountability, but I think the whole system needs A LOT of revamping.
ReplyDelete