Reading curriculum?

[rchristiansen]

Had a good phone call with DD's teacher today trying to figure out how to do this journal. The impression we got was that the teacher wasn't super thrilled with this new daily assignment - and it was a "new thing" the district is requiring. We explained to the teacher that we want to make sure that reading is still fun for DD. She agreed and pretty much said this will replace their logs to "prove" they are reading each night and that she can read any book. The teacher also agreed that the rubric she sent home was without much explanation and realized it was confusing. She said that the kids will receive the highest grade no matter what they write, as long as it's daily. She also said that they are going to see how this goes. Doesn't seem like it may be permanent.

Ok - point taken.

Since when do people learn about the world and how others interpret it only to get a job?

I never said that. I said I wanted to make sure it stayed fun. And reading fiction is just that - pure entertainment. Schooling, is though, a means to a career and it's not a good thing if school took away something without a reason that was usually fun. I asked DD why are they doing this - she said "I think the government is making us do it"

Spend enough time drilling just for the sake of drilling, and it begins to wear.

Yup.

...seem like a chore for a while in a similar way that learning the multiplication tables can be misery for even a child that loves math

But you don't keep doing your multiplication tables when you master them. We skip that assignment each night. But if she had to prove she did it, I would throw a stink.

Reading was never was fun for me. It stunk. I had to read books (never finished them of course) that were assigned to me. To get credit we had to take these quizzes or give a book report. Never did I get to read a book that I wanted or that wasn't on an "approved list." I bluffed my way through all of these assignments. I wish I liked to read.

 

[princessmom29]

My daughter's 3rd grade class did this for two weeks and then stopped. I thought, "great, more work" (although I didn't think to start a thread) and then it stopped. It was good experience while she was doing it, and I'm glad the teacher is smarter than me.

But how would you have felt if this was a standing assignment every night for the entire year? I think that is the situation the OP is in. Someone correct me if I am wrong here.

 

[diznygirl]

But how would you have felt if this was a standing assignment every night for the entire year? I think that is the situation the OP is in. Someone correct me if I am wrong here.

I think I'd be peeved on her behalf that she had that much more work to do, but I wouldn't interfere with the teacher. Her job, not mine.

 

[princessmom29]

I think I'd be peeved on her behalf that she had that much more work to do, but I wouldn't interfere with the teacher. Her job, not mine.

I would not interfere either, but I might wonder about the effectiveness.

 

[cornflake]

But you don't keep doing your multiplication tables when you master them. We skip that assignment each night. But if she had to prove she did it, I would throw a stink.

It's reading though, not rote memorization. It's different every night.

As well, there is no real mastery of analyzing literature. I mean there aren't college classes centered around multiplication tables, as yes, you master them and that should be that, then they're available for use in other things, but there certainly are college classes entirely centered around literature - creating it, analyzing it, etc.

Schooling, is though, a means to a career and it's not a good thing if school took away something without a reason that was usually fun. I asked DD why are they doing this - she said "I think the government is making us do it"

I don't think schooling is a means to a career, at least not just a means to a career. How many people do something related to their undergraduate degree? I don't know that many who do.

Graduate school, sure, and obviously the reading/writing basics but in a broader sense, humanities education I don't think is generally meant to be career-based. I've yet to hold a job put my required art, philosophy, Latin (I suppose one could argue for my vocabulary being involved), foreign language, etc., classes to use.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Had a good phone call with DD's teacher today trying to figure out how to do this journal. The impression we got was that the teacher wasn't super thrilled with this new daily assignment - and it was a "new thing" the district is requiring. We explained to the teacher that we want to make sure that reading is still fun for DD. She agreed and pretty much said this will replace their logs to "prove" they are reading each night and that she can read any book. The teacher also agreed that the rubric she sent home was without much explanation and realized it was confusing. She said that the kids will receive the highest grade no matter what they write, as long as it's daily. She also said that they are going to see how this goes. Doesn't seem like it may be permanent.

This is what happens when a district tells the teacher not only what to teach but how to teach it.

 

[diznygirl]

I would not interfere either, but I might wonder about the effectiveness.

Sure, but the teacher has a masters in Early Childhood Education and continuing education seminars full of helpful teaching methods. I got a bunch of useless posts on a message board. I might wonder, but I give her the benefit of the doubt.

If I thought I was smarter than my kids' teachers I would just homeschool. But I know I'm not, so I don't. So I sit back and keep out of the way.

 

[pacrosby]

I don't think schooling is a means to a career, at least not just a means to a career. How many people do something related to their undergraduate degree? I don't know that many who do.

Yeah, and forgive me for being so brash but........ nowadays, how stupid is that? It may have been justifiable when a degree would cost you maybe 40 grand but at over 150? I think not. Especially in today's economy. Just ask the thousands of recent college graduates with less marketable degrees who stand side by side with those holding degrees that are actually related to the jobs they are seeking. I wonder whose resume is more likely to sit atop the pile?

Rest assured I will not be encouraging my kids to get any degree without a well thought out long term plan on how they'll use it. If all they want to do is expand their knowledge base in some area of study for the pure purpose of intellectual stimulation, they can take some adult education classes, audit a few classes at one of our many local prestigious universities, or simply spend some more time in the library

Sorry, off topic. Just couldn't help myself

As I like to say, play on.......

 

[qtwns]

In an effort to Leave No Child Behind, we Make Every Child Jump Through Hoops, Jump Down Turn Around and Pick a Bale of Cotton, and Do the Twist.

It's insane.

You forgot to add "make every teacher put on a dog and pony show daily."

Our students keep a reading log and response journal so the teacher can assess whether the kids are meeting the 25 book standard. I can see both sides of this issue.