My two little ones have grown so fast in the last few years
that I have a hard time saying that I have an eight year old and a ten year
old. Both so ahead of most of their
peers for example their size and their ability to socialize with their peers. This week’s agenda has made me think more
about my children and wondering if they are being measured/assessed in the
right areas. As a parent of school age
children I have always imagined that my children would be measured in the
following areas:
·
Socialization
·
Academically (Mathematics & Reading)
·
Cognitive Thinking
As an educator for the last fifteen years I have seen children
not developed in areas of academics because of the environment, events that
have taken place in the child’s life or just simply not interested in
learning. My children attend a magnet
school where the curriculum is built on IB units. These IB units are very important for this
school and as well as their IB attitudes.
“Who we are, Where we are in place and time” are both examples of IB
units that they taught within the curriculum.
Collaboration is encouraged as students make real-world connections
using real-world skills and strategies.
We can give children all the education in the world, but to not have
positive socialization among their peers will only damage their ability to
communicate positively with others.
Academically, children should be assessed on their level of math and
reading. Both are needed to become a
successful person in society. Cognitive
thinking plays in with the IB units.
Being able to deal with real life situations and have a successful ending
with each situation.
A country that does not necessarily follow the educational
assessments that most countries follows is Japan. Japan is a country that has
been in the top five rankings when it comes to mathematical achievements. For example, most children attend special
preparation schools (juku) besides regular classes. Most schools insist of children writing
entrance exams and this leads to competitiveness among their peers. Japan is a highly education-minded society.
Hi Crissy!
ReplyDeleteI also agree that learning should be connected to real world activities. Children need to have real world knowledge just as well as academic knowledge. Thanks for your knowledge on Japan. I had heard that Japan was a very smart country.
I love what you said about being taught real-world connections, skills, and strategies! Learning is so much more meaningful when it is connected to things children care about. On the other hand, if what we are teaching cannot be connected to a real-world lesson should it be taught? Thanks for the thought-provoking post.
ReplyDeleteHello Crissy,
ReplyDeleteI agree, learning problem solving skills both academically and socially are very important. I am unfamiliar with "IB" or IB units. It sounds like your school is working hard to build great relationships among the students. It's interesting how other countries educate children and the outcome of it. Thanks for the post.
Hello Crissy,
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed reading all your posts to your blog and hope you are in my next class. Thank you for all responses to my blog and on the discussion board it has been appreciated.
Good luck in all your endeavors
Mary Harr