I read a provocative article in Newsweek entitled “The Trouble with Boys.” In it the authors cite startling statistics indicating our nation’s boys are falling behind academically. Here are a few statistics referenced.
- Boys ages 5-12 are 60% more likely than girls to have repeated at least one grade.
- 8th grade girls score 21 points higher than boys on standardized writing tests.
- The number of male undergrads today is 44%; 30 years ago it was 58%.
Although the authors point to several factors for these trends, one indication is that boys are “wired differently” than girls. To that I say, “Duh.” One only has to spend time in a classroom or have boys of one’s own to recognize this. Boys are more active and have a harder time sitting still in class than their female counterparts. And, if their brains conceptualize in different ways, it stands to reason diverse teaching methods need to be employed. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: multiple intelligences
Public schools need an overhaul. Yes, suburban schools and rural schools do some things well, especially at the elementary level. But, let’s face it; our country has a problem keeping kids in school once they get to high school. According to an educational advocacy group founded by former Secretary of State Collin Powell, 1.3 million teens drop out of high school every year. Moreover, in the 50 largest cities in the U.S. the dropout rate is a staggering 48%. In a country as bountiful as ours, this is unconscionable. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: dropout rates, education funding, lecturing, Michelle Rhee, Opinion
I am a big believer in assessing students in a number of different ways. I don’t believe tests are the only real way to assess what students have learned or to show their growth. However, since students must take standardized tests throughout middle school, high school, for the SAT and ACT, and finally in college, I feel I should prepare my students for how to take tests. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: flash cards, games, Powerpoint, test anxiety, test taking
Classroom management is one of those topics that we teachers don’t like to discuss for a variety of reasons. First, it conjures up images of our first year or two of teaching where we may not have had a firm hold on student behavior, and it left us pondering the wisdom of our career choice. Second, it’s one of those things we just don’t discuss after teaching for several years. We just “control” our classes. And, finally it doesn’t hold the appeal of discussing one’s subject or talking about the latest educational software. However, it is a topic that must be addressed for the new teacher, or for, perhaps, the burned out teacher. Read the rest of this entry »
Yes, I get tense too when I begin a project with students. There’s the down time—the time students in group projects have to work in class and either get things done or really screw off and do nothing. Of course it makes me nervous, and it should have the same effect on you. My mind lives by the adage, “Busy hands are happy hands.” I cannot tolerate students in my class sitting and doing nothing. In fact, I WILL NOT TOLERATE IT! And, my students know it. So, if I can ease your mind at all, here’s what’s important about doing projects in class. You, the teacher, must circulate around the classroom and just by your presence provide the impetus/motivation for students to stay on task and actually work. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: curriculum, project based learning
