As I prepare for the Core Curriculum Committee meeting this afternoon, I'm looking forward to a healthy discussion about homework and how we can maximize the benefits of it while paying attention to the whole child.
This article from ASCD's Educational Leadership publication lays out a thoughtful analysis of the research that's been done to address the issue.
We are going to create a white paper outlining and defining our philosophy about the work we ask our kids to do in and outside of the classroom. This document will be distributed to the faculty and will be communicated to parents and the Board as a clarifying statement for us as a school.
Carol Dweck’s research (Mindset in particular) concerning the effects of a ‘fixed’ or ‘growth’ concept of intelligence is a key component in shaping this work and I'll be posting articles and links related to her work in future blog entries.
Big, important questions:
Are our students meaning makers or vessels waiting to be filled with information?
Do we recognize the messages we send them when we praise success based on being smart vs. working smart?
Other key questions:
Do we value play in our teaching?
What lessons from athletics and the arts are we incorporating into our academic work?
Have a great weekend!
You should check out the "Did you Know 3.0" video as a way to also look at your school in relation to the global community. How are schools, which are often continuing to teach in the ways we were taught 30 years ago, working to prepare their students for the year 2020? What a great metaphor for having a clear vision for our schools!
ReplyDeleteCertainly one of the things that attracted me to Jesuit education was the clearly defined Profile of the Grad at Graduation ~ it addresses a lot of specifics that answer the heart of the questions you pose.
Good luck!
Thanks, Tim.
ReplyDeleteI'll look at that. I've seen a few of those videos over the past couple of years. Really interesting...
We have to move out of the Industrial Revolution mindset and into the world as it is today.
Have a good one!
I think we all can agree that all people and therefore our students are creators. The bigger question is do we turn them into "vessels waiting for information" through the traditional view of schooling. When we put the emphasis on testing performance whether it is through SATs, APs or similar assessments do we then get caught up in the need to fill our students with the 'appropriate material.' What changes from the time when students are the curious learners in elementary school to asking "will this be on the test?"
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of incorporating more play into our teaching. Can we incorporate more ownership of learning to the students by allowing them to have more input into their instruction?
Looking forward to hearing more about your Core Curriculum meetings.
Absolutely right. SAT, ACT, AP - lots of money to be made in the testing industry - easy way to make it is to cultivate fear. Seems our biggest challenge is convincing ourselves as educators and parents that the journey is the thing - the end is about being present and connected in meaningful ways.
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