Saturday, September 29, 2007
Blog #5: State Standards of Kindergarten
I think it is a good idea to have a list of what kindergarteners should know by the time they leave to the first grade. It allows all teachers to know what needs to be taught. Having broad goals does not ensure that every student is learning what they should be. While this idea is not a sure way to ensure learning, it does provide a benchmark for teachers to follow and will increase the likelihood of that happening. Many of the standards seem reasonable, like being able to say, spell, and write their name. Some of them seem rather difficult for the kindergarten level, such as distinguishing the number of syllables in words by using rhythmic clapping, snapping or counting; I noticed this occurring in a first grade classroom. Some argue that these standards may be restrictive. This may be true, but having “benchmarks” does not mean that a teacher cannot go beyond what is laid out as a standard; a teacher can always go farther than what is required.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
I think it is a good idea for teachers to have standards. A lot of time and effort was put into the benchmarks and standards for Kindergarteners. I have noticed that a lot of people think bad of state standards because teachers cannot do or teach what they want. I am glad you made the statement of teachers can always go farther than what is required because I believe that the standards tell you the information or content to teach. You are able as a teacher to make it more fun or adjusting your lesson plan to implement the standards.
I like how you mentioned that the standards should not be restricting and you still can go beyond them and teach other things. Do you think there is enough time to do this though? I know many teachers that are currently in the field feel they do not have enough time to teach the things they have to, let alone things they want to. However, I have not looked at the standards for myself. Are they fairly easy to incorporate into everyday activites?
I do agree with what you said about the kindergartners' standards. It gives teachers a guide of what needs to be taught, and the goals their students should accomplish. But, what if a student cannot pass these goals and standards? In a way, I believe the standards a lot to put on a kindergartner. Just like you said their are some difficult things a kindergartner should know. In every classroom it will be different of how these standards work, but the teachers can always adapt it to help fit the needs of the students. It will help the teachers because it is a good guide of what needs to be taught, but there is alot of things that need to be taught in one academic year.
You bring up some wonderful points, Jenn. Some standards are necessary, because they are required in all grades and there needs to be SOME sort of information learned by first grade. Some people ask what? Well, now there are defined skills the government has implemented. You bring up a good point- broad goals do not necessarily ensure that students in Columbus, OH and students in Bowling Green, OH are learning the same things. Let alone compared to a student in San Diego, CA. This does provide a good benchmark, like you said, and the standards do seem reasonable. If unreasonable, there can be ways to change this. I liked that you brought up that the teacher CAN go beyond- it’s not extremely restrictive where it impacts daily curriculum and lessons.
I like the way you are responding to the article. You seem to be able to deal with a structure environment like the one demonstrated in the article. I am one of the one that feels it is restrictive, but I have also worked in alot of classrooms. I have worked with many teachers that have set curriculums and none seem to like it very much. Reading this article has not really pushed me one way or another, because I will have to wait till I become a teacher and decide for myself. I like the way you stated your ideas though. It made me think about my feelings toward the topic.
Post a Comment