This week in Social Studies Methods we have learned a lot of different things, that I have never even heard about before this week. First, we learned about the SMART goals and how they help us as teachers to form goals for our PDP's. This week we had to submit a rough draft of our PDP's to Dr. Parker, and going off of the SMART goals, they made this process a lot easier to understand. Without the SMART goals, I feel as if my goals would be very broad and not achievable. Next, we learned about what a Conceptual Lens is, and how that effects our lessons. I learned that the conceptual lens the compelling question in your unit. Also, the conceptual lens should support the title of your unit. The lens should be seen as a way to get from factual knowledge to conceptual knowledge without having to tell the students exactly. The conceptual lens causing for a deeper understanding, and that is a main goal for students. Lastly, I learned what generalizations are, and how they are important to your unit. Going into today's class, I was very confused from the generalization video, only because it was so new to me. However, talking among classmates and participating in a generalization project, helped to clear up my confusion. A generalization is meant to tie two concepts together, and that will be the focus of your unit. The goal for generalizations is for the students to understand and spot the generalizations without the teacher having to tell them.
Whew, okay that was a lot to learn for one week, but thank goodness I know what all that means now.
Onto this weeks research. Once again, I decided to use an article that I got in an email today from NeaToday. The article is titled "Is Kindergarten the New First Grade? Without a Doubt, Say Researchers" The title in itself really stuck out to me, because I was very confused what they were trying to say. I know that education is advancing at a fast rate, but how could it be a whole grade level? Well, this is what I found out upon reading the article.
The article was conducted by comparing research from 1998 to 2010. However, Common Core was not around in this time, therefore some of this information is up to change. The article was talking about different statistics from teachers in 1998 to teachers in 2010. Some of the statistics were staggering. One section of the article was talking about how music and art declined significantly between 1998 to 2010. In 1998, the percentage for teacher who implemented music and art into their classrooms everyday was 34%, and in 2010, that number dropped by half to 16%! I do not know about you guys, but I do not think I would have made it through school without art and music in my life. I seen those specials as an outlet for the day, and they were a way to express ourselves in a way that is different than just math and reading. Also, testing was not even thought of in kindergarten in 1998, they have no statistics for this, but in 2010 44% of teachers reported using standardized testing 1 to 2 times a year, and 23% once or twice a month! We test our babies a little too much, in my opinion.
I agree that we need to a few tests to see how the students are improving or how they are possibly falling behind, but the amount of testing that we inflict on our students is crazy, but it is state standard. I think that we are being dictated by test scores, rather than how well our students are doing in our class, and how they are picking up on essential skills that they need in their lives, and important social skills. In closing, I want to say how important it is to integrate in every lesson that you teach. That way, despite all of the testing, we can make sure our kids have fun and get the skills they need to succeed in life.
I could tie this article to NC Teaching Standard number five which is, Teacher Reflects on Their Practice, because the teacher is responsible for analyzing students learning, and by testing, yes that is one way, but we have other ways to know. We can analyze students by facial features, their actions or maybe even by the questions they ask.
Article Link: http://neatoday.org/2016/01/19/is-kindergarten-the-new-first-grade/
Amber,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you! I always enjoyed having a break during the day to go to specials and have a break from lessons. It is very important that as future teachers we learn to integrate AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! There is a lot of pressure on students today because it seems like they are expected to know so much. When I think back to when I was in Kindergarden and first grade, I don't remember it being hard or having to learn SO much and be tested on everything. I like how you mentioned, "I think that we are being dictated by test scores, rather than how well our students are doing in our class". This stood out to me because I agree 100%. I understand that there isn't much that we can do to change that, but it is our jobs to help students understand the material that they are suppose to know for those tests. I enjoyed reading the information that you have presented in your blog. Great job!
Great Blog post Amber! It seems that the topic of conversation is "are we testing too much?" There have been a number of statistics to show that Standardize testing has become "the indicator" of student progress but that is NOT the best way. If we are to create thinkers and problem solvers, we have to rely less on the testing and use summative and formative assessment as our tool. Yes, we should use tests to see progress, but if the students don't retain the content, what good is it? And if we spend a large portion of THEIR education on prepping to take a test, it seems to me they don't get the full benefit. Also, the arts are a very important part of students learning and development. SO many learn through the arts and the less they are used in school, I think the students can miss out on so much!
ReplyDeleteHey Amber,
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% with your thoughts on testing! As pre-service teachers, we are working towards an understanding of the field of education and all that that entails. It seems like there are a lot of differing opinions out there, but when it comes down to it, you really just need to trust and believe in your students! After all, there will always be other opportunities for students to showcase their abilities, such as your suggestions for art and music. I like how you mentioned all of those components of professional education because they somewhat represent the technical side of this world of education. And by the way, those are some shocking statistics of testing there! I recently was able to visit a classroom that was testing with the mClass "DIBELS" test. I could see the disappointment in the eyes of many students as they became discouraged. I applaud your ideology to teach your students regardless! Good read!
Good points here. The debate around educational testing will never end. The replacement for NCLB will continue this argument.
ReplyDeleteI know last week was crazy with the amount of new material. However, as you said, you know are smarter than you were last week - that's a great thing.
Keep on learning!
JP
I really enjoyed reading your blog this week!So, are we testing too much?I feel that we absolutely are. I understand progress-monitoring students is a necessity and I can see where the data helps us know how much the students have grown.I currently work in a Kindergarten class and we are currently testing. It seems that the teacher that I assist is always testing, which leaves me in complete control of the classroom. I absolutely love teaching the children but I don't have the degree yet and I feel as if the students are missing out on so much. They are being pulled out of the classroom to test during instructional time and typically, there is no time for the students to complete the assignments or activities they missed. I completely agree with you when you said that you felt that we are being dictated by test scores then how well our students are doing in class. Unfortunately, there is not a whole lot that we can do about that. As future educators, we just need to make sure that we are preparing them for their futures to our best abilities. Also, the arts are very important to students' development. Integration is definitely key when it comes to making sure students receive arts education as well.
ReplyDelete