On 7/23/12, Kay wrote: > We have three 5th grade teachers and are trying to work out > the best schedule to begin departmentaization this fall. > any suggestions? One thought was to have Math, Science and > Social Studies teachers, with the students pre-tested for > the Math. However, it seems the students would then go to > Science and Social Studies with their Math groups. I am > not sure I agree with this idea? Any thoughts out there?
While it seems like it makes sense to have teachers teach where they are strongest, what is the role of an elementary school teacher? What of creating a sense of community for young children and having them establish the special bond that young children can indeed have with their teacher?
Middle School and the concept of it started when a school in Massachusetts didn't have the space it needed so it pared off its middle grades and sent them to a separate building. When parents and the community asked why, they weren't told the simple truth that there wasn't enough space to hold all the kids. We justify things with unproven assertions such as 'it's better', 'we're working to meet the needs of individual children', 'we feel it gives the children room to grow'.
Which would be nice but that wasn't the reason for the Middle School movement - it was simply a lack of space and now it's a bandwagon that mostly everyone has jumped on.
Departmentalizing in the younger grades is more of the same. As schools, we're often lemmings. > > > > On 7/24/12, ny/5 wrote: >> My school is departmentalizing this year for almost all >> elementary grades. I see by the number of posts that many >> other elementary schools are doing this too. Does anyone >> know why this is the latest trend? Does it have to do with >> the new APPR requirements. Seems to me that >> departmentalizing at such a young age doesn't really benefit >> the students, but there must be a reason why so many schools >> are turning towards it this year. How come?
Brittany BOn 7/27/12, Lisa wrote: > Please e-mail me if you are interested in being pen pals > this year. I will have about 20 students and we are in a > Christian school. Thank you!!!! I have a 10 yr old boy who I will be homeschooling and I know he would love to have a pen pal!
I will be teaching fifth this year for the first time. I taught fourth for three years was furloughed last year and was called back this year for fifth. I have always thought about pen pals but have never entertained it. I saw your post and am thinking - now might be the time. Our school is in Pennsylvania - small rural district.
As Merle Reese, the voice of the Philadelphia Eagles, fills the airwaves with talk of training camp and pre-season games, I think to myself, it can’t be time for football already, we just got done school. I haven’t recovered yet. But as that calendar turns to August the nightmares begin. ...
Click below to read the rest. You WILL identify with this teacher!