tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post3395806067440828633..comments2024-02-09T07:57:45.221-05:00Comments on Leading Motivated Learners: 11 Things Paul Taught Me About SchoolTonySinanishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00624064743310267544noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-20537925936193267442016-03-28T21:47:33.457-04:002016-03-28T21:47:33.457-04:00As a grade six student I can definitely relate to ...As a grade six student I can definitely relate to almost all of the points that you made. Especially the point about worksheets, my teacher has taught us that there is no point in learning things and then just spitting it out on to paper because that just means that the people who can easily memorize things will do better on those types of sheets. If we really get the opportunity to show what we have learned like do a presentation or something then that will give a better idea what we have actually kept with us. I found this article very accurate and that I can really relate to a lot of these things.<br /><br />~Angie.C Angie.Chttp://ange5080.blogspot.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-59843761296483420802016-01-11T02:12:24.531-05:002016-01-11T02:12:24.531-05:00Excellent piece, Tony (and Paul) and friends!
Ste...Excellent piece, Tony (and Paul) and friends!<br /><br />Stefanie,<br /><br />I love what you wrote here: "Right now we're starting a social justice unit & my students are sharing why they are choosing their topics. I'm learning so much..."<br /><br />I love that you're doing social justice AND that the students are choosing their own topics. (and sharing why!)<br /><br />I retired from NYC DOE ten years ago and very seldom had the freedom to do anything like this. How is it that you can? Is it the school or system that you're in? an open-minded supervisor?<br /><br />Thanks.roger dennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03837584777920842662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-17821705219675968782015-12-26T09:03:38.375-05:002015-12-26T09:03:38.375-05:00I'm in! Let's make school suck less!I'm in! Let's make school suck less!Joy Kirrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08883167887036480979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-32050340138002842432015-12-19T06:48:03.826-05:002015-12-19T06:48:03.826-05:00Dug this, Tony -- and my guess is that 90% of the ...Dug this, Tony -- and my guess is that 90% of the kids in our classrooms would agree with your list and Paul's feelings about school. <br /><br />So here's the hitch from a classroom teacher's perspective: I'm ready to make the kinds of changes that both you and Paul suggest, but making those changes WON'T produce the kinds of results that I am held accountable for producing. Stated more directly, making those changes WON'T result in higher test scores -- and I am ONLY held accountable for raising test scores. <br /><br />That's been the tension for me as a teacher -- and every time that I slip into crappy instructional practices, it's because I'm responding to the very real truth that no one cares if I empower my students or if they leave my classroom with a sense of joy or interest. All they care about is whether or not my kids leave my classroom knowing a small set of facts from a ridiculously huge curriculum.<br /><br />And leadership at all levels gives lip service to the importance of other outcomes, but in official meetings where we set goals and look at data, the only goals we write are connected to improving our test scores and the only data we look at are scores on end of grade tests.<br /><br />THAT's why my classroom sucks sometimes. I'm working in the environment created by my bosses -- and until my bosses make it clear in statement after statement and goal setting meeting after goal setting meeting that there are outcomes BESIDES test scores that we are going to measure and pursue with tenacity, I'm probably not going to change my teaching in significant ways. <br /><br />Any of this make sense?<br />BillBill Ferriterhttp://blog.williamferriter.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-30161232283830939722015-12-17T14:57:01.245-05:002015-12-17T14:57:01.245-05:00I'm with you Tony! My daughters share many of ...I'm with you Tony! My daughters share many of the same concerns as well. All are great points, but Number 4 is top of my list! I'm right with you for numbers 10 and 11 too after hearing George Couros speak this month. Thanks for sharing and giving Paul's perspective of school!<br /><br />JonJon Wennstromhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13953279088419504430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-37114825042925021352015-12-16T07:24:19.800-05:002015-12-16T07:24:19.800-05:00My kids say the same thing. My 12 year old tells ...My kids say the same thing. My 12 year old tells me I can't understand her stress because I like school and she doesn't. She also has a learning disability so it's hard and stressful. Homework at our house is often a nightmare. I love the ideas above about talk, connections, socialization and letting them lead in learning. Right now we're starting a social justice unit & my students are sharing why they are choosing their topics. I'm learning so much about them and how thoughtful they are. Sharing their ideas is exciting. We need to figure out how to engage & create a positive learning space for all of our students! Thanks for this!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12910188019190187914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-2892961112214371472015-12-15T20:32:17.238-05:002015-12-15T20:32:17.238-05:00I'm in brother! My kids are saying the same th...I'm in brother! My kids are saying the same things, and I can't help but agree as I work in the same system they are simply existing in. I want to make it rich, and meaningful, and dare I say it... relevant! EdVentureshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05094866861827557917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45969838602256425.post-51379219883805416302015-12-15T13:13:54.623-05:002015-12-15T13:13:54.623-05:00Yes, I will join you! By the way, I think Paul wil...Yes, I will join you! By the way, I think Paul will be our next Lead Learner! Yay to Parenthood and Education: some of the hardest journeys in the world. Yet, we keep coming back for more. Keep Rising Paul and Kids. You make the world a better place.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12524825890848870988noreply@blogger.com