Friday, June 20, 2014

Teaching

Today, I read the article in The American Press, "Update: Mixed Reactions to Governor's Executive Order on Common Core", June 19, 2014. There are many things about this article and Common Core that I have problems with, there is one in particular that bothered me.

Near the end of the article Carrie Griffin Monica stated,
"If we are going to start a new school year where we don’t have standards and don’t have an assessment, then our educators have no idea what it is that they are supposed to be doing in their classroom"
Now, I don't know about other teachers... I for one was upset by what she said. On May 21, 2013 I posted  about the word ROBOT...  I spoke of how in today's educational world we as teachers have to go through the motions and teach what we are told when we are told without regard to learning styles, or the child's readiness to move on. Teach the curriculum, verbatim.

I believe if you let teachers do what they do because they love their jobs and their students, without forcing them to abide strictly to a script then our students will do better, and learn more. Yes, we need standards and yes, we need to teach specific things during specific grades, for the development level of the child. Tell us what will be on the test (not exact questions but the skills), then we can and will get the job done.

In years past that is the way education was, there were curriculum, standards, and teacher's manuals. The teachers used their good judgement and the knowledge of their students to get through what was needed for all students to progress. I made it through school and feel that I have done well. I think that many of us who would really think about it, owe our ability to work and function in this world to a teacher who taught without mandates and scripts. We as teachers today can do that too! Just give us the chance. Don't say if we have no standards or assessments, we have no idea what to do.... we do!

Now, I know that I may be way off on what Monica was trying to say... it just rubbed me the wrong way. I felt like she was saying we are incapable of doing the job we were "called" to do without help from the powers that be. So forgive me if I took it the wrong way... I just needed to say what I feel.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Living Life in the Fast Lane

Rushing, rushing, rushing... days speed by and hours tick away, I seem to get lost in all the hustle. It has been a while since I have written, the journey has gotten in the way :(

There have been so many things going on during the past two and a half months. In school, we have given the State Test, I had my final observation (I hate those) and we have successfully finished the school year. It was an awesome year and I can't wait for next year. School ended on May 23rd, and I had one week "off"... I actually spent it preparing for my Computer Camps. 

The first computer camp was last week. The camp was a basic camp focusing on how to use a computer and common programs such as Word, and PowerPoint. I had 4 wonderful students ranging in age from Kindergarten to adult. One of the ladies from my church came to the camp. I think they all had a lot of fun together. 

This week is my second and final camp of the year. In this camp I have five students ranging from 2nd to 5th grade. We are learning to blog. I have them making their post at Kidblog.org which is safe and secure. No one can get to those blogs except for us. I hope that they will want to continue to blog and have a voice in the world.

I have also been helping a friend out that does not have a car. She needs to be at work at 6 am, so I have been getting up and taking her. This morning, I decided to stay and eat at the establishment where she works, while I was there I did my Bible reading. This is the first verse I read...
"My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer." ~Psalm 45:1
Needless to say that that verse is why I really decided to write this post today. I know I have been slack in doing this and I need to make an effort to write more. It keeps my mind busy, not that it haven't been, just not in this fashion.

As I continued to read I came to Psalm 51:10
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
This made me think of a song I first heard John and Micheal Talbot sing on the album "The Painter". The choir I was in when attending Baptist Christian College sang it as we would enter an auditorium to perform. I have always liked this song...
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, let me be like you in all my ways, Give me your strength, teach me your song. Shelter me in the shadow of your wings. For we are your righteousness, if we die to ourselves and live through your death. Then we shall be born again to be blessed in your Love." 
I need to slow down and remember to let God create in me a renewed and right spirit, to help me be more like Him.