Every public/private school system would want with all their being for the purpose of school to be understanding. And yet, for whatever reason - efficiency, money, student-teacher ratio - the purpose of school has become simply completion and grades.
I think at the heart of the "No Child Left Behind" was this frightening realization: that we are creating robots out of our kids and not learners. However, the government and school systems just couldn't practically carry out our belief that understanding is more important than grades and simply getting it done - however good or bad the work is.
To understand or NOT to understand! That is the QUESTION!!!
Today Victoria and I had a discussion on the book The Plague (by Albert Camus - 1947). Awesome book! Reveals so much about nihilism, existentialism and the human need for hope and meaning in a fallen world.
Yet, as I kept asking questions about the basic subplots of the characters, it seemed that she hadn't read the book. Now, I'm not her judge and can't say with 100% confidence that she didn't read the book. However, the evidence just didn't add up. So I asked her mom to come in and facilitate the conversation a little more. This led to more frustration, reinforcement that she needs to take initiative if she doesn't understand something, and ultimately that her comprehension is much more important than completion of an essay, which she could undoubtedly BS.
I'm all too familiar with BS-ing schoolwork. And I don't want to pass that on to Victoria. I want to engrain in her the importance of comprehension, the satisfaction of discovering truth in a novel, and ultimately of doing things with excellence, as to the LORD and not to men.
SO, all that to say, I've decided to make her read the book again and summarize each part (5 parts in all). I'll let you know how all this plays out. Hopefully in the long run it will give the desired effects. For now, we gotta get down to the dirty work.
(drink in hand)..."here's to you, school! you WILL be conquered!"
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Definitely an advantage to a one-on-one setting. In a classroom of 20+ students, you don't have that luxury. Personally, I have never read the book. Who chose that book? The homeschool curriculum?
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me (to this day) why some books are chosen to be read by the students. There is so much that we try to force into brains that are either not willing to absorb or see no relevance to the subject matter. As a 60 yr old, I now have a greater appreciation of history, the experience of war and the affect that it had on the average person. In high school, I had little reason to learn about the different battles and invasions and dates there of. There were many things that I leaned in school that have had no value in my life. Turns out that I have used geometry more than anything else. (other than reading and writing!)
Conflict resolution would be high on my list of things to learn. AND money management.
Good luck my smart and caring Meggie.
I want to know how this pans out! Good job Teacher!!! You are a great one!
ReplyDeleteHey Megan!
ReplyDeleteThat rocks that you are getting Victoria to actually learn instead of just memorizing to pass the test. It is harder, but the long run benefits are so worth every ounce of effort.
Since you and I (and let's just say 99% of the rest of the country) were taught that way, it amazes me daily what I learn through teaching my kiddos! Like EVERYTHING in history! I hated that in school because it was only facts and dates to MEMORIZE to make a good grade.
Now, all of it is coming alive as we read together the stories of world history. And we are so excited to study Asian history this year because you are there. :)
We love you dearly and keep it up for the Lord, not for men! Bless you!
Much love and prayers from all the Robertsons...