Sailing Over the Edge

One of the articles I read recently was Sailing Over the Edge; Navigating the Uncharted Waters of a World Gone Flat by Kylene Beers.  I highly recommend that you take the time to read it!

One of my favorite quotes from this article was:

"High-stakes tests and packaged learning have created a generation of students who equate learning with finishing, and achievement with a decent grade.  Testing does not improve learning; better teaching does."

Wow!

I agree wholeheartedly.  However, so many times I have heard teachers and administrators say, "You need to know this because it will be on the test."  I have been guilty of the same thing!  The pressure that was felt by the adults was passed on to the students.  No wonder they equate learning to a test!! 

What are we doing to children? and teachers?  How can we shift the emphasis from the test to the learning?  How does our language need to change?  How can we foster creativity and prepare children for the test?  Will Common Core State Standards help?

We will have to work on the answers together.

I also relate to her discussion of the many complex skills that students will need to navigate the future.  We will be responsible for teaching these complex skills.

To sail over the edge will require us to leave our comfort zone.  To tackle new problems and not be afraid.  To present material and grade students in a different way.  To change our belief system.

It is an exciting time. It is an uncomfortable time.  

Happy Valentine's Day Ladies!

I want to share a few quotes and thank you's today!

"Staff development should not be perceived as something we do unto the weaker teacher or reserve for inexperienced staff members. All staff members, including principals, consultants, and teacher mentors, should be able to announce, "This is my year to study ------." There needs to be a genuine feeling that no one has arrived. Everyone needs to be swept up by the deeply engrained value placed on adult learning."
Shelley Harwayne

"I’ve come to believe there are only two things you need in any new teaching situation to succeed-humility and inquiry."Lisa Delpit

I have spent more time this year learning new things, than using what I already knew. It is a humbling experience to realize that there is so much I don't know! Thankfully, I have had wonderful mentors to help me. They have extended a hand of fellowship and made me feel competent and accepted.

Which leads me to a third quote:
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."  Maya Angelou

Thank you Cathy, Marie, Patti, and Jennifer for sharing what you know with me!