I disagree that knowledge-gaining is not as important as knowing thinking strategies. In math and reading, yes the the thinking strategies take precedent over knowledge. But without knowledge what do you have to think about? What is the purpose of thinking strategies in the real world if you are uninformed or ill-informed. Also kids love knowledge - they like to know "stuff". Finally knowledge does require a good memory and it is a skill that many students are not strong in, but they are not strong because they are not required to use it and therefore are not taught memory strategies. In terms of grading, I really like the idea of A, B or incomplete, and that works really well in reading, writing and math. In science and social studies where, I think, knowledge should take precedent I am not sure about that grading strategy. Also you need to consider how you decide to evaluate the students amount of knowledge as well as how they show what they know. It is always important to remember that the education system in the US was developed to insure that we had educated, thinking citizens for our country, which means that there needs to be a common body of knowledge that we all know. When we as educators undervalue knowledge we are doing a disservice to our students, our country, and our own futures. Darcy
> Glasser does say that this takes school-wide commitment, a high level of > collegiality and working together on the part of teachers, to help each other > with new ideas and strategies to really teach those kids who have not > achieved that A or B. It also takes a different kind of focus... one not on > knowledge-gaining (which requires a good memory and often a kind of > intelligence that some kids just aren't strong in) but on aquisition of > thinking skills, which anyone can do. Knowing "stuff" is overrated, since > anyone can look up anything in the world easily nowadays, but unless you know > HOW to use knowledge, what good does it do you?> > > ---------------------------------> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new > car" smell?> Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.> > _______________________________________________> Mosaic mailing list> > [email protected]> To unsubscribe or modify your membership please > go to> > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org.> > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
