If I could start a school of my own--that runs the way I want it to--it would be a lot more easy going, less stressful. I would want to follow in Finland's example; have less homework and tests, not focus on grades but the growth of the student, have a highly qualified teacher in the school to make sure that the kids get the best they deserve. I would also want to make the school more hands-on activity based, rather than test based.
Taking tests is a good way to check if a student is understanding the concept taught to them, but they are also really really stressful to some kids. I feel like we took a system that was supposed to help kids learn, and turned it against them! Tests should not be something kids should freak out about, it should be something to use to check up on the student's progress. But there are other ways to do that. Maybe interactive activities that go along with the subject taught in class, that would help students learn and experience more. One great example of this is what my middle school did to teach us about the immigration system during the 20th century. They took us through Ellis Island and tried their best to show how these immigrants were treated when they came to America. It was so much fun, the entire grade was involved in this project. It was so much better than just sitting in class and listening to the teacher lecture about it. We actually got experience it! I think more creative ideas like that should be incorporated in schools.
Grades would not be the main focus of my dream school. The only reason someone should fail a class is because they never showed up. You cannot tell me that kids want to fail classes, every child wants to be successful. Just because they are slow, doesn't mean they should be ashamed. I think in my dream school, kids would be given good grades if they show up every day in class, participate, and put their best foot forward to learn. I know that sounds wishy-washy but the system we have now is not so great. Kids stress over their grades for each class, because if you get anything below a C in any class, your GPA falls down, and it's hard to get it back up. This means no college will accept you, and you can't have a good career. All this pressure is doing for these kids is teaching them how to panic. Nothing more. In my dream school, things will be different. And I know I will have to have a grading system since that's how the rest of the world works. But mine won't be so stressful and test-based.
Taking tests is a good way to check if a student is understanding the concept taught to them, but they are also really really stressful to some kids. I feel like we took a system that was supposed to help kids learn, and turned it against them! Tests should not be something kids should freak out about, it should be something to use to check up on the student's progress. But there are other ways to do that. Maybe interactive activities that go along with the subject taught in class, that would help students learn and experience more. One great example of this is what my middle school did to teach us about the immigration system during the 20th century. They took us through Ellis Island and tried their best to show how these immigrants were treated when they came to America. It was so much fun, the entire grade was involved in this project. It was so much better than just sitting in class and listening to the teacher lecture about it. We actually got experience it! I think more creative ideas like that should be incorporated in schools.
Grades would not be the main focus of my dream school. The only reason someone should fail a class is because they never showed up. You cannot tell me that kids want to fail classes, every child wants to be successful. Just because they are slow, doesn't mean they should be ashamed. I think in my dream school, kids would be given good grades if they show up every day in class, participate, and put their best foot forward to learn. I know that sounds wishy-washy but the system we have now is not so great. Kids stress over their grades for each class, because if you get anything below a C in any class, your GPA falls down, and it's hard to get it back up. This means no college will accept you, and you can't have a good career. All this pressure is doing for these kids is teaching them how to panic. Nothing more. In my dream school, things will be different. And I know I will have to have a grading system since that's how the rest of the world works. But mine won't be so stressful and test-based.
Mudita, that Ellis Island activity sounds immersive. How can you imagine creating something similar for your English students? Remind me to tell you of this activity called a "Tea Party" that you can use when teaching literature. I think you would like it.
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