I can't believe it's the last day of June already. My brain is totally freaking out from information overload and me wanting to get to work on my class stuff. People have started posting their introductions and it seems like a good crowd so far. Some of them have already taken some classes so I feel like I'm starting off behind.
I'm checking out an open house this afternoon. I'm not expecting much because it's cheap, but maybe it'll work out too. It's so hard to tell in Warman. I just know that I need to move out. Sooner rather than later. I really should get a full-time job before I buy, but there aren't many rental options out there either.
Saturday, June 30
The End of June
Posted by Etherah at 11:44 AM 0 comments
Monday, June 25
A Rant on Education
So I've been watching some videos about education on Ted.com and I'm thinking about our education system. What is important for our students to learn? What should our priorities be? I've always thought that reading and writing and math (yes, I know the 3Rs that have been around forever) are the foundation. You learn to think and observe and gain all kinds of perspectives and experiences through reading. Writing is a terrific means of communication (and don't most movies, speeches, etc. begin with a written script), as well as a means of discovering more about ourselves. Math is used every day in so many different ways.
Science changes as we learn about the world around us. There are so many areas of science to look at and you're not going to find two kids who want to learn about all the same stuff at the same time and in the same way. Why do all Grade Threes have to learn about rocks and all Grade Fours about light. Why can't those kinds of things be learned as kids get interested? Granted you need something to focus on when teaching about observing and stuff - they just don't want kids to have a headstart if a new class teaches it after they've learned some stuff once. Can't they just continue where their interests have taken them? Maybe a student who's already focussed on a topic can help be an expert during that unit.
Saskatchewan seems to match the social studies curriculum to mental development. Starting with self and then growing outward, which I think is great. Not all students are ready for it at the same age - which is why I wish there was more flexibility in grade placement in the younger years. Some of the curricula choose which countries you have to focus on when you get out far enough. Why? Sure we can do bigger things and have projects where the students get to choose the countries they study if there's time. We're told we need to focus on the curriculum and get the students mastered in that, especially if there's standardized testing. Teachers have to pick and choose what student directed-projects they do throughout the year.
I don't know. It seems that guiding students in their interests (and sometimes we have to force them to see outside their interests) is more helpful to them as people. It would be nice to have more time to let them explore their passions and introduce them to ours. Who wants to worry about every little detail? Yet we make kids do their work over and over so that it looks right without giving the content enough thought. Why would kids want to try when they know every little thing is going to be torn apart? Sometimes, I just want to be told I wrote a great story because the story is good, not because the spelling and grammar are great and the printing is tidy.
Posted by Etherah at 8:50 PM 0 comments
Saturday, June 23
Eep
I kinda forgot about my blog in the midst of a bunch of computer troubles. A lot has happened since January.
I've had quite a few sub days and they have been rewarding. The education system is where I belong. I applied to, and was accepted in, the Teacher Librarian Distance Learning (TLDL) course at the U of A. I'm getting my Masters! and I start on Friday ~gulp~ I don't think I'm ready - my head hurts and there's so much to read and my room is too crowded. However, I do look forward to talking with my class and meeting people and getting ideas for my future library/classroom.
The search for a new place to live has commenced. There's pretty well nothing to rent at a decent price that let's cats in - I've been seriously looking for months now. The search turned into maybe buying. I've found one place that I just LOVE, but the community isn't fully wired for high internet speeds. At least it gets basic high speed. Gotta think and pray about it - this is one of those places where I really don't want to make a bad decision.
I'm still buying fabric, but not really doing anything with it. At least when I do move out I don't really need an entertainment budget - between school, gaming, and all my sewing projects I should be busy for the next four years... except that doesn't leave room for meeting Mr Right-for-me. Guess that part is still up to God's amazing hand.
I think I'm going to try posting some thoughts on my readings. Why didn't I think of that earlier? I only have a week to get my stuff together and I could've been getting my thoughts down all along. Oh well. No point in focussing on the past - just gotta look ahead to the future.
Thanks for catching up with me :)
Posted by Etherah at 3:45 PM 0 comments