skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Spring 2012: Blog Post #3
In this week's installment of Lizzy's case, Mr. Clawhammer administers Lizzy's first performance evaluation. And, though Lizzy aligns her instruction to the content standards, Mr. Clawhammer is concerned that "novel reading" will not help Lizzy's students improve on the expository reading test.
- Is there a place for creativity in contemporary high school English classes?
- Are teachers being asked to ignore large portions of the curriculum (and established standards) in order to focus on things that will be tested?
- What should Lizzy plan for Mr. Clawhammer's next visit?
2 comments:
First of all, Lizzy should be fired. If I lost out a teaching job that was given to a teacher with no lesson plans, no desire to grade students' work, and a bad attitude, I'd be a little angry.
Now, I think there is definitely a place for creativity in high school English class. Lizzy's activity was ok and she could probably make a case for how it could help on expository reading tests (especially concidering it was probably Mr Clawhammer that approved the book on the reading list). She probably wasn't able to think up a good response because she was up all night again making up for the fact that she's a slacker.
Of course teachers are being asked to teach to the test. That isn't new. We just have to find a balance between creativity and what is on the test.
Lizzy should plan a similar activity that used the type of reading that would be on the test so she can show Mr Clawhammer how the work carries across the different types of writing.
To answer the other questions from the story...
Mr Clawhammer's comment didn't necessarily mean worksheets, it mainly meant "teach to the test."
She could modify certain assignments to fit all learners, she may have to put some work into that though, which she seems to avoid. For example, she could ask questions that were in the same format as the test for the kids who are behind.
As for the last question, Lizzy probably needs something stronger than MD 20/20 in her cabinet... alcohol that cheap/weak isn't good for anyone... after her day, maybe some patron would work better.
Without creativity, I believe that it's more difficult for students to learn. I think that there is definitely a place for it in contemporary classrooms.
Unfortunately, it seems that the only things most administrators care about is teaching to take a test, which is not right by any means. It also seems that yes, portions of different curricula are being forgotten as teachers worry solely about test scores.
Lizzy should plan a creative writing activity that lets the kids think/see/listen/read and then respond by incorporating expository writing.
I don't think he necessarily meant worksheets, but it sounds like he doesn't necessarily appreciates creativity in the classroom.
The students could and should all be doing the same type of work, but she should allow for modifications to be made for the five other students that need the extra help.
As long as she doesn't drink it in the classroom I think she'll be okay ;P
Post a Comment