- The assertion that "Participation medals" are being doled out for anything a kid does.
- Some criticism that we aren't teaching the right things to kids.
- Some suggestions about the things we should be teaching...
- gardening,
- construction or repair,
- paying taxes & credit debt,
- cursive writing,
- cooking,
- voting rights,
- sewing,
- first aid,
- raising animals,
- etc.
Here's the thing.
- Teachers are not against any of these ideas.
- These are all valuable skills.
- Most importantly, they are all available to students right now - either through specialized high school programming or through independent study (especially in an age where Project Based Learning, Passion Projects & Genius Hour are encouraged and promoted by educators.)
The Ontario Curriculum is a living document. It is under regular scrutiny and efforts are always being made to refine it and improve its utility. It is not perfect. It will always be missing something or will include something that some find objectionable, valueless or pointless. However, as I have said in previous posts, teachers are a caring adult that interacts directly with the curriculum and helps navigate students through it.
Cursive Writing: We do, it is covered in the Grade 3 Writing Curriculum under Expectation 3.7 (Publishing). However, it isn't taught through drill & kill practice sheets. A student should be able to identify cursive letters so that they can read text that has been created in a cursive font - but the utility of mastering the skill of writing in cursive is fading. If a parent wants their child to perfect this skill, they are certainly welcome to provide them with practice opportunities at home. However, I would argue that that time would be better spent on keyboarding. When I taught Grade 5, I would register all my students on Typing.Com and encourage parents to allow their students regular access...especially those who request homework (which, I do not assign). There are also lots of options at this site, which highlights Ten Fun Typing Games for Kids.
Gardening: I can only speak to the school where I last worked - but we had a community garden and all the classes were invited to be part of its development. Here's the thing. The growing season in Ontario includes July & August when the school is empty. Consequently, we had a garden because members of the community spearheaded the project and were willing to take care of it during the summer months. Additionally, with a school population of nearly 1000 students, there were actually too many hands for the project. Each class was invited to participate in the development of the garden, but there wasn't enough for all the students to do. There are many factors that make a gardening project at an elementary school impractical. I do have a friend and colleague who teaches Horticulture and Landscaping at Parkside Collegiate Institute in St. Thomas. Agriculture programs are also available at other secondary schools in this board.
Financial Literacy: It has been promoted through many math classes - I know I included it with my Grade 7 & 8 students when I taught that grade. It has also been highlighted as one of the initiatives that the new Ontario PC government will include in the next Math Curriculum.
Construction & Repair: As can be seen at this Thames Valley District School Board Website 12 of the area's secondary schools offer programs in either Construction or Manufacturing. Additionally, Elementary Schools throughout the Valley are investing in the Makerspace Movement that has been growing since 2011.
Cooking & First Aid: Many secondary institutions provide programs in Hospitality and Health & Wellness.
I could continue, but I think the message is clear.
But why don't they teach ...
Cursive Writing: We do, it is covered in the Grade 3 Writing Curriculum under Expectation 3.7 (Publishing). However, it isn't taught through drill & kill practice sheets. A student should be able to identify cursive letters so that they can read text that has been created in a cursive font - but the utility of mastering the skill of writing in cursive is fading. If a parent wants their child to perfect this skill, they are certainly welcome to provide them with practice opportunities at home. However, I would argue that that time would be better spent on keyboarding. When I taught Grade 5, I would register all my students on Typing.Com and encourage parents to allow their students regular access...especially those who request homework (which, I do not assign). There are also lots of options at this site, which highlights Ten Fun Typing Games for Kids.
Gardening: I can only speak to the school where I last worked - but we had a community garden and all the classes were invited to be part of its development. Here's the thing. The growing season in Ontario includes July & August when the school is empty. Consequently, we had a garden because members of the community spearheaded the project and were willing to take care of it during the summer months. Additionally, with a school population of nearly 1000 students, there were actually too many hands for the project. Each class was invited to participate in the development of the garden, but there wasn't enough for all the students to do. There are many factors that make a gardening project at an elementary school impractical. I do have a friend and colleague who teaches Horticulture and Landscaping at Parkside Collegiate Institute in St. Thomas. Agriculture programs are also available at other secondary schools in this board.
Financial Literacy: It has been promoted through many math classes - I know I included it with my Grade 7 & 8 students when I taught that grade. It has also been highlighted as one of the initiatives that the new Ontario PC government will include in the next Math Curriculum.
Construction & Repair: As can be seen at this Thames Valley District School Board Website 12 of the area's secondary schools offer programs in either Construction or Manufacturing. Additionally, Elementary Schools throughout the Valley are investing in the Makerspace Movement that has been growing since 2011.
Cooking & First Aid: Many secondary institutions provide programs in Hospitality and Health & Wellness.
I could continue, but I think the message is clear.
- The curriculum is an adaptable document - parents are consulted in its creation & adaptation.
- Educators are responsive to the needs of students and try to create thinkers, makers & creators.
- Efforts are made to provide students with opportunities for many life skills.
- It is impossible to do it all - but we certainly make an effort to do as much as possible.
- There are practical limitations to some things that some people would like to see in schools. It's not as simple as just "adding it to the curriculum".
- The curriculum will never please everyone - there will always be "something missing" or "something that should be taught by the parents".
- Parents are welcome to augment their child's education with anything they want.
- I now have something to share the next time I see one of those Facebook posts - even those from my favourite comedian - George Carlin.
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