 The trend is all about mainstream To raise esteem, But that will fail For those who flail. We throw them in without the tools To swim in pools. Then say we know Their skills will grow. For learning math and English too, It’s just not true. Their future’s grim If they can’t swim. The Minute Poem consists of three 4-lined stanza (12 lines total) The syllabic scheme is 8444; 8444; 8444 The rhyme scheme is aabb, ccdd, eeff |
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
My thoughts, in a Minute poem, after the first few days of being back in school...
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beautiful flow.
ReplyDelete:)
I fear that you have written an accurate poem. It is a sad state of affairs.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, my father showed me his 8th grade math book. I compared it to mine, and mine was about 50% simpler. I was not nearly as ready for high school as he was. When my son was in 8th grade, he got caught in a new-math experiment. Not only did he not understand it, I couldn’t either—but he passed. Now as an adult, he avoids almost every form of math. None of my grandchildren are in the 8th grade yet, but from what I see of their homework, math has been dumbed down again. Now, they are not teaching to acheve mastery of a subject, but to score a passing grade on the government’s tests. When will we learn?
And even then there are students who are left behind. I don't know how they can be expected to learn what I am teaching if they haven't grasped the foundations upon which the current topics are built. It just makes no sense to me.
ReplyDeleteNice rhyme with a serious message esp coming from a teacher.
ReplyDeleteugh...i have a kid i work with that they are pressing so hard to mainstream and it is so not working...one size does not fit all...nice relevant piece...
ReplyDeleteSadly, that is so true. Wonderful piece!
ReplyDeleteWell written piece on a volatile subject. Don't get me started! I'm thankful we still ahve teachers like you who care. I'm old fashioned, and I miss the way it used to be. I look at what's going on in the world today then look at this situation you've written about, and I wonder does it even matter anymore. (See! I told you not to get me started!)
ReplyDeleteHere's some fction to take your mind (and mine!) off it: http://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/dearest-john-2/
I appreciate the vote of confidence, and I am glad I am not the only one who sees the inequity in the system. What lowers a child's self-esteem more - being pulled out to learn how to perform the basic operations or being left in and not having a clue as to what is going on?
ReplyDeleteA wonderful write...but, a sad state of affairs...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :-)