Monday, December 26, 2011

Whoever Wrote This Didn't Teach Real Students





I am convinced that the people who wrote our vocabulary curriculum have not spent time in front of actual students. If they have, they certainly haven't read aloud the script they expect me to read in front of real children. They would instantly recognize their mistakes.

"Mandate" is a word that if said to a group of ten and eleven-year-olds will bring an end to any serious discussion of vocabulary.  If you don’t believe me, try it some time and see what happens.

Explaining to students what a schwa is, will bring out the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in all of us.  For several weeks this vowel sound was a part of the vocabulary lists and for several weeks I had students yelling out “schwa!” in high pitched warnings of attack.  Then I found out that I still had several students who didn’t know Ə was a vowel sound.

When I noticed “dic” was a word part to be sorted the next week, I abandoned fidelity to the program.  This is why I write my own curriculum.

11 comments:

  1. hahah :) I can soooooooo see my 6th graders reacting the same way!!! It is exactly why I write my own lessons!!! Seems like those writing the curriculum have never been in a classroom or it's been so long they forgot!
    I wrote a post yesterday I think you'll like about sponge activities. Many of them review vocabulary in fun ways. Check it out :)

    ❤ Mor Zrihen ❤
    A Teacher's Treasure

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  2. So funny! I completely agree with you....it is like these people never thought of their audience when writing the curriculum.

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  3. I just wanted to let you know that I have given you the Liebster Award! Come to my website at www.bestpractices4teaching.blogspot.com and pick up your award and learn how to pass it on! Jennifer Ayers

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  4. Thanks Jennifer,
    I actually have already received this, but thank you.
    Mary

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  5. schwa is in my 3rd grade curriculum. I mean are you kidding me? Thanks for your post I have wondered if anyone else felt the same way I do.

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  6. I can imagine a classroom of crouching tigers... funny stuff :)

    Found you via TULA!

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
    (¸.·´ (¸.·`¤... Jennifer
    http://jennsrandomscraps.blogspot.ca

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and becoming a follower. I visited your site today as well.

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  7. You are soooooooo wrong ... they knew exactly what they were doing when writing out those plans. I imagine two young guys sitting in a teachers' lounge crying form laughing as they try to "spread the wealth" of potentially troublesome options throughout the year, all while imagining teachers everywhere dealing with the aftermath. ;) [#TALU]

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    1. You may be right. I attended a math training a few years ago and we couldn't get through the names of the activities without losing it.

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