Education
Readings
By Allan Alach
Now that the curse of national standards is being removed from
New Zealand education, the way is clear for schools and teachers to really let
loose. Bruce Hammonds’ two articles on Elwyn Richardson provide a really good
insight into this teaching genius of the 1950s, whose work is very relevant
today in the post national standards world.
I welcome suggested articles, so if you come across a gem, email
it to me at allanalach@inspire.net.nz
The
Northland school teaching with art
 |
| Oturu School Northland NZ |
‘There
is a place for the arts in the teaching of all subjects across the curriculum.
Teaching becomes lively and fun; children are ‘doing’ rather than sitting, and
the classroom becomes an environment where students love to learn. This is a
simple definition of ‘arts integration’ which is being researched by educators
globally: A small school in Northland has taken the ideas on board and the
results are proving remarkable.’
Teaching
to Forget - Will Richardson
Much of the ‘learning’ children do at school each day is gone by
the time they walk out of the
‘The
truth that we all know but are loathe to discuss is that the vast majority of
what kids "learn" in our classrooms will soon be forgotten. We know
this because we ourselves forgot the vast majority of what we learned in
classrooms when we were in school.
And
the other truth that we don't want to admit is that the grades that we give
that are supposed to show what a student has "learned" are pretty
meaningless considering that student will forget most of the
"learning" once the grade is given.’
Engaging
Practice: Making in English Language Arts
Use creative technology tools to engage struggling readers and
writers.
It’s
Time for a New Core Curriculum
'If
we were starting the American school system from scratch today, knowing what
skills our students will need, we could change the subjects and not base them
on what big-time publishers want us to focus on with our students. Building
on some of the great work from FutureReady.org, the ISTE NETS for Students and
keeping in mind those most desired future job skills from above, I would
propose the development of the following 7 courses for every student:’
6
Strategies For Dealing With ‘Difficult’ Students
‘As
a new school year approaches, the guidance offered by six “pillars” can help you
stay at the top of your game by dramatically influencing even your most
challenging students to want to behave and achieve. Each pillar is explained
followed by a few hands-on suggestions. Add or substitute other methods within
each pillar to reflect your style and preference.'
A
Surprising Strategy Makes Kids Persevere at Boring Tasks
‘With
the onset of early childhood and attending preschool, increased demands are
placed on the self-regulatory skills of kids. Children need to start completing
tasks that may be much less interesting than the myriad of entertaining
distractions around them. Researchers have been interested in how to develop
self-control and perseverance in children by teaching them tactics like
averting their attention away from distractions.'
Contributed by Bruce Hammonds:
Use Einstein’s Educational
Philosophy to Boost Your Learning
‘Although
he overall did well in school, Einstein was skeptical of the schooling system
and strongly disliked academia’s restrictions on learning. Here are 10 things
we can learn from Albert Einstein about school and education: “We cannot solve
our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”’
Why
This Second Grade Handout Should Be Your New Creative Manifesto
'Last
week, I attended curriculum night at my daughter’s school. In discussing the
things the kids will be learning this year, the teachers handed us the chart below.
My first thought was, what an amazing thing to give a bunch of second graders.
I am sharing it with you. I feel like this is as good a guideline for a
creative department I’ve ever seen. A simple chart for all teachers at all
levels.’
How
This School Library Increased Student Use by 1,000 Percent
From Bruce’s ‘goldie
oldies’ file:
What's the Point of School?
What's the Point of School asks Guy Claxton |
| Guy Claxton |
'The purpose of education' Claxton writes, is to prepare
young people for the future.Schools should be helping Young people to develop
the capacities they will need to thrive.What they need and want, is the
confidence to talk to strangers, to try things out, to handle tricky
situations, to stand up for themselves, to ask for help, to think new thoughts'
'This is not to much to ask', says Claxton, 'but they are not getting it.’
Reclaiming the joy of learning
and also
A new inspirational book about Elwyn Richardson - New
Zealand's pioneer teacher
 |
| A must for all teachers NZCER |
Two articles about the great NZ teacher Elwyn Richardson that
all teachers should read.
‘What matters is a curriculum that places children’s natural
curiosity at the heart, so that they are encouraged to explore who they
are and the world around them.This is evident in Elwyn’s use of an integrated curriculum,
focusing on intriguing questions that motivated children to pursue avenues
of enquiry. He encouraged the freedom to explore, the opportunity to observe
closely, and the discipline to record findings in various ways. He also upheld
the value of the arts as a vivid means of expression and not secondary to other
subjects. He also realised that one subject informs another; that
scientific understanding is enhanced by the aesthetic, and vice versa.'
Looking back
Dr Beeby and the first Labour Government set an example for today
‘Today teachers need to look back to ideas that have been sidelined by the imposition of the current technocratic curriculums of the 90s and to appreciate that it is these curriculums that have caused our current confusion and distress. Dr Beeby believed in a creative role for education. He reminded those present in 1983 that the most important thing realized about education in the previous decades had been the discovery of the individual child. It is not that individuality wasn't appreciated earlier but that the school system was based on a mass education vision which made realizing such an idea impossible.’
Dr Beeby, Gordon Tovey and the Art Advisers
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