The Value of Play

You say that you love your children, And are concerned that they learn today, As am I, that's why I'm providing A variety of kinds of play. You are asking what's the value Of having your children play? Your daughter's creating a tower, She may be a builder someday. You're asking me the value Of blocks and sand and clay. Your children are solving problems, They will use that skill every day. You're saying that you don't want your son To play in that sissy way. He's learning to cuddle a doll, He may be a father someday. You're questioning the interest centers, They just look like useless play. Your children are making choices, They'll be on their own someday. You're worried your children aren't learning And later they'll have to pay. They're learning a pattern for learning, For they'll be learners always. ~NAEYC I would like to thank everyone that has read my blog and made comments on it.  I can't believe this class is over already.  I have learned a lot in the last 8 weeks and am looking forward to the classes to come.   See you in the coming classes!


Testing for Intelligence

I believe it is important to look at the whole child. Teachers should be able to work with the children in their class and know what kind of learner they are and adjust their teaching styles to fit those children.   Teachers need to know that not all children learn the same way they (themselves) do.

I don't think standardized tests are completely accurate.   It doesn't give a complete picture of the child.   A problem our school had this past school year was after the state test was given, the state decided to change they way they graded it.  Our school did horrible!!  It was so obvious that the teachers only taught to the test and only focused on the parts that in previous years were graded higher.  Another problem is some children are not good test takers.  They freeze up but if a teacher were to ask them the same question they would get it correct.

In Germany, the school system is set up very differently then here in the United States. Children aged three to six may attend kindergarten. Children in 1st to 4th grade attend elementary school.. Then, after the 4th grade, they are separated according to how well they are doing in school and what their parents want, and  they attend one of three different kinds of schools. They could attend a school that teaches at a slower pace and has some vocational opportunities.  Or a school that has part-time vocational opportunities and if the students have higher academic success they can transfer to the next school that prepares them for college.  Some students start right out in the school preparing them for college.

Reference
http://www.howtogermany.com/pages/germanschools.html