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What I see in an Elementary School Classroom

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First Day

 I'm going back to the Primary this year after two years in the upper grades. This will be my 26th year in Elementary. Every year it is like starting all over again. But, it used to be just me that was getting in gear and remembering routines again. Now, it is the whole thing!! Everything is re-invented all over each year..This is the best, research shows, new texts. new regulations, new scheduling, new worries, blah, blah..and not  word about the "best ways" that we are just putting in the trash each year. Do Not look over in the dumpster and make a comment or long for teacher's manuals gone by. Well, I can't wait to see the new stuff we'll get this year, or the wacky theories we'll be told to teach with. I think it would be somewhat easier to take, if the administrators would simply say, "We don't know if this method is better, but we would like for you to try it and give us your feedback." or "We know this law is impractical, but we have to try to implement this until it is changed." or "We appreciate the extra work you have done to make this work." or "We need to know if you know a better way..."
Posted: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 3:24 AM by Samantha
Comments

Betty said:

The funny thing is that sometimes the theories are similar to ones from the past but just repackaged with another name, and they act like the ideas are new.  One of the hardest parts for me was having to code all of my lesson plans to go along with the latest theory. I spent hours just trying to think of new ways to word things.

# July 4, 2007 4:18 AM

sellen said:

I know what you mean!  Sometimes we are just required to follow a certain method only because asuperintendent buys into a program and feels that it will be the way to go. Every new super has his own pet projects, and we have to adapt whether we like it or not. After 21 years, many of the same basic practices are still good, with the difference being the delivery of content. When I was in school, it was so boring with all the sitting and doing worksheets or workbook pages.  I LOVE having my kids engaged in active learning!  I feel sorry for the students of teachers who still have their kids sitting silently all day! As far as textbooks are concerned, we have ones we are "supposed" to use, but I rarely touch them since there are so many better ways to teach the standards. I am lucky to have administrators in my school who tell us to teach in the most effective way we can, so we are not stuck with textbooks as our major teaching tool.

# July 4, 2007 2:07 PM
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