Schools, Teaching, and Learning [spin-off from cell phone thead]

[This thread is a spin-off from the one about cell phones.]

"§ireßird & $ir Vivor" wrote [...]

shaz...

How do you propose to bring discipline back into schools. Teachers now have
to be so careful of how they discipline children, as teachers can be sued
for the silliest of reasons. Not allowed to separate kids fighting for
instance for fear of being accused of assault. Keeping kids in at playtime
brings the parents up to school to complain. Making them do extra work (they
never do it). All teachers would love to gain the respet of their pupils but
when the parents and the govt have none it is very difficult.

whole class teaching instead of

shaz...

Teaching assistants are worth their weight in gold in schools with Special
Needs. They can help small groups or individuals to work at their own pace,
assist children with behaviour problem to keep on task.

Tickettyboo...

They are worth their weight in gold in all schools, most children have
special needs in one area or another, not just those whose needs are so
great that they have been 'officially' recognised, very few children have
the same level of ability in all areas. The extra attention and help is
invaluable.

Firebird,
I do agree that the kids need to be taught the basic
skills first and foremost. I do believe in proper behavior in
the classroom. I was an old-fashioned teacher for many years,
with the kids sitting in rows and facing the teacher.
(Although we occasionally sat with the desks in a big circle
to encourage discussion, or in small groups for different
purposes.)

shaz...

I have been several kinds of teacher, sitting in rows with classes of 40,
sitting in groups of ability etc. Prefer the latter but that does not mean
to say that whole class teaching is not done.

Tickettyboo...

and only the teacher and the assistant have the necessary information to
be able to decide which is the best method for any particular subject, for
any particular class. As parents we know our own children and can identify
their needs, but their teacher has 30 odd other children to take account
of.

However, my sister has spoken to me of "cooperative learning".
The idea of cooperative learning is for the students to work
together to accomplish shared goals. This requires that they
sit in small pre-arranged groups, with each child having a
special role in accomplishing the group goal.

I see value in this because it can help to develop the important
interpersonal skills needed in life when working with others.
It can develop independence and creativity.

Of course, as you say, some children need a different approach
because they aren't able to handle what the other kids can.

shaz...

A good teacher should be able to adapt the National Curriculum according to
the needs of the children. They should be taught the appropriate Units of
Study for their ability

This is what makes teaching so difficult. The teacher is pulled in
so many directions, trying to satisfy so many different teaching
theories which are being foisted upon them.

Another point is that each teacher has different skills in dealing
with children. Some teachers are more comfortable with a lot of
structure, and others don't mind a bit of organized chaos. (g)
This applies to the students too.

No one method is the best for everyone. The gifted kids need to
be challenged so they won't be bored. The more insecure students
need a different approach.

Teaching is difficult by itself and on top of that, the teachers are
subject to all kinds of judgements because so many people
have different ideas about what characterizes a good education.

I guess my conclusion is that no one method is good for everyone.
Therein lies the rub.

shaz...

I agree with your conclusion Seadancer. With a lot of special needs in a
class a variety of teaching methods must be used.

BUT as to teaching NC to 3 year olds formally, that is totally wrong. As it
is for Reception classes. And again a good teacher will ensure that all the
teaching and learning is achieved through play and practical experiences.
Children love to learn through Music and Art/Craft activities. Just think of
what they can learn when making Humpty Dumpty, spiders, fish etc.

Tickettyboo...

Thing is, the NC has actually been 'taught' in reception and pre school
( and at home before children actually go elsewhere) for donkeys
years..its the formalisation that is out of place. A quick read through
the guidelines for maths for instance, doesn't seem to include anything
that hasn't been going on in pre school and reception classes and homes
for as long as I can remember. Its the reporting and statistics and

Shazonlaptop...

So very true.

Its the reporting and statistics and

paperwork that is un-necessary

Shazonlaptop...

How very true. The reports and records I had to keep on each individual
Nursery child were incredible. "can they use a spoon?" "Can they climb steps
one foot after the other?" "Can they communicate with 1/2/3 words" and so on
ad infinitum and when you are responsible for 3 groups of 26 children it is
so time consuming. Then the yearly comparisons to make. Uuugghhhh. Glad I

~~seadancer~~...

Hi Shaz,
I gave it all up too. After over 25 years in the teaching world,
I left and went to work in the offices of a couple of big companies.
I learned to function as part of their personnel or finance
departments. I learned to work with programmers, upgrading the
record-keeping systems. The transition to computerization
was a huge task for the big companies. The changes were
fast and furious. One needed to adapt quickly. After about
10 years of that, I retired early. (g)
Which world did I prefer? Teaching or Business?
Each one had its good and bad points. There was always a
trade-off and I think the scale was balanced on either side.
I was always too conscientious, and that makes any job hard,
even though it has its rewards. The "fast and dirty" workers
are often the survivors, sad to say.
These are comments from a lifetime of experience.

gave it all up

~~seadancer~~...

Glad you agree with me, Shaz.
Being from the USA, I don't know anything about the British NC rules.
What are Reception classes?

OK will get off my soap box now.

Tickettyboo...

LOL, watch how you get down, I usually trip when I get on and off mine :-)

Shazonlaptop...

Safely landed, but there's always the next time lol