Friday, November 6, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
CRISIS IN THE KINDERGARTEN
Here's some interesting news that I received from the BCTF E-News today:
A report published by The Alliance for Childhood in the USA warns of the dangers from the change taking place in Kindergarten towards didactic instruction and standardized testing. A powerful statement calling for a play-based approach to learning opens the report which examines extensive research evidence into the negative effects of scripted curriculum, testing, and arbitrary imposed standards and expectations on the ability, achievement, and development of young children.
"The withering of imagination in childhood is a looming catastrophe.... Just as decisive action is needed to reverse the process of climate change, we must change course now to restore child-initiated play and learning to our schools and communities."
The full report can be downloaded at www.allianceforchildhood.org.
A report published by The Alliance for Childhood in the USA warns of the dangers from the change taking place in Kindergarten towards didactic instruction and standardized testing. A powerful statement calling for a play-based approach to learning opens the report which examines extensive research evidence into the negative effects of scripted curriculum, testing, and arbitrary imposed standards and expectations on the ability, achievement, and development of young children.
"The withering of imagination in childhood is a looming catastrophe.... Just as decisive action is needed to reverse the process of climate change, we must change course now to restore child-initiated play and learning to our schools and communities."
The full report can be downloaded at www.allianceforchildhood.org.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The Serious Need for Play
Free, imaginative play is crucial for normal social, emotional and cognitive development. It makes us better adjusted, smarter and less stressed....
read the full article here! Do you agree? Do we provide enough time for children to just play?
read the full article here! Do you agree? Do we provide enough time for children to just play?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Student-Centered Classrooms Are What, Exactly....?
What exactly does a teacher mean when he or she says that they have a student-centered classroom?
I remember throwing this phrase around when I started teaching and now, years later, I wonder if I really knew what I was talking about! Here is a detailed definition described by Leo Jones, an internationally recognized authority on English language teaching.
'A student-centered classroom isn’t a place where the students decide what they want to learn and what they want to do. It’s a place where we consider the needs of the students, as a group and as individuals, and encourage them to participate in the learning process all the time. The teacher’s role is more that of a facilitator than instructor; the students are active participants in the learning process. The teacher helps to guide the students, manage their activities, and direct their learning. In a student-centered class, the teacher is a member of the class as a participant in the learning process.'
The above exert is taken from a paper called:
The Student-Centered Classroom ©Cambridge University Press
This article also addresses:
Autonomous Learning
Classroom Management
Motivation
Fluency and Accuracy
Teacher as Facilitator
Different Kinds of Activities
Please see the PDF below to read the whole article.
Do you agree with the above definition of a student-centered classroom? Do you have a student-centered classroom? I think I thought I did but to be truly honest, I don't think I achieved it on a regular basis. My first instinct as a new teacher was to have as much control as possible, which at the time meant teacher-lead activities. I think it takes more energy and planning to have a student-centered classroom, but in the end, I think it better learning environment for children.
Check out this 20 minute video called: How Kids Teach Themselves. This researcher proves how learning occurs naturally among children without the presence of a teacher.
Let me know what you think!
Jones-Student-Centered.pdf
I remember throwing this phrase around when I started teaching and now, years later, I wonder if I really knew what I was talking about! Here is a detailed definition described by Leo Jones, an internationally recognized authority on English language teaching.
'A student-centered classroom isn’t a place where the students decide what they want to learn and what they want to do. It’s a place where we consider the needs of the students, as a group and as individuals, and encourage them to participate in the learning process all the time. The teacher’s role is more that of a facilitator than instructor; the students are active participants in the learning process. The teacher helps to guide the students, manage their activities, and direct their learning. In a student-centered class, the teacher is a member of the class as a participant in the learning process.'
The above exert is taken from a paper called:
The Student-Centered Classroom ©Cambridge University Press
This article also addresses:
Autonomous Learning
Classroom Management
Motivation
Fluency and Accuracy
Teacher as Facilitator
Different Kinds of Activities
Please see the PDF below to read the whole article.
Do you agree with the above definition of a student-centered classroom? Do you have a student-centered classroom? I think I thought I did but to be truly honest, I don't think I achieved it on a regular basis. My first instinct as a new teacher was to have as much control as possible, which at the time meant teacher-lead activities. I think it takes more energy and planning to have a student-centered classroom, but in the end, I think it better learning environment for children.
Check out this 20 minute video called: How Kids Teach Themselves. This researcher proves how learning occurs naturally among children without the presence of a teacher.
Let me know what you think!
Jones-Student-Centered.pdf
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