Education Poll

[author_by_night]

Just a poll based on an article I saw a while ago, where schools were banning kids from sending invitations in class, and another one where kids were banned from playing tag. It made me think.

There is no "right answer". I will give my opinion, but later. And if you think you know my opinion, don't base your answer on that.

Please comment! :)

On an OT note, fish update: I renamed her "Luna." :)


[Poll #789453]

Comments

[miss-daizy.livejournal.com]

Party invitations should only be given out in class if the entire class is invited. Otherwise, it's not a classroom issue and should not distract from classroom time. Teachers should not have to deal with the emotional fall out, when this situation can easily be avoided. Also, it's just polite. (This is the policy at the school my girls go to and it works well.)

I suppose Mr. Lucas could have an alternate book of equal length chosen and complexity chosen for the religious parents, although I'm actually of the opinion that you shouldn't send your children to public school unless your willing to accept what public school is offering. (I realize this doesn't consider financial issues, etc., isn't always practical and is never going to be the case, but it's my gut response. And the reason I don't send my daughters to public school ~ I don't like what's on offer there.)

Mr. Cole should either pick the teams himself or shut up. Highlighting Dennis's situation with his comments about "including everyone" doesn't help.

Religion should not be present in public schools, although no one should be prevented from praying should they care to and it doesn't interfere with learning time.

I never much cared about Student Office, so I really don't have an opinion on that.

Mrs. Gordon should arrange the groups when assigning group projects, but should also alternate group projects with individual assignments, allowing those students who work better alone as much of a chance to enjoy learning and to do well on the assignments as those who work best in groups.

A no tolerance policy on bullying should be very important for everyone involved in the school. I don't think being or feeling excluded is the province of the school, though. It's asking too much of the teachers and administrators. However, in general, stressing consideration and kindness just makes sense.

Schools are for learning, which can't happen well if they are also about all these other issues. That doesn't mean ignoring them entirely, but they should be placed in context and priorities should clearly be set to favor actual teaching activites. The schools were I live are dreadful and so much time and resources and energy is wasted on stupid shit ~ it makes me crazy. My close friend was a teacher and ended up leaving to teach in Catholic school. She was so tired of not being allowed to be actually teach in her classrom because there were so many other things that were considered more important by the administrators.

I'm guessing that some of my opinions aren't popular and will meet with disagreement. If so, I do like hearing another point of view and am alway open to reconsidering things when presented with information I haven't considered closely.