"Joy in School" by Stephen Wolk

By training children to “do school,” Steven Wolk claims that our nation’s educational system promotes boredom and destroys a child’s spirit to learn. His article, “Joy in School,” begs the reader to rethink the purpose of school, and to reevaluate pedagogy, assessment, and degree of student ownership in an effort to make education a more joyful and nurturing experience.

What barriers do you foresee in implementing Wolk’s recommendations for making school a more joyful experience?

How could these barriers be overcome?

How do you feel about the “Tinkering School” that Wolk mentions?

Do you feel that such a school, which is wholly student-centered, would produce well-rounded students that would meet current standards?

Prompted by John (sans tim)

"The Power of Our Words" by Paula Denton

“The Power of Our Words” article refers to how the responsive classroom approach offers positive strategies that guide elementary teachers. As you respond to this article consider these questions:

Do you think the responsive classroom approach would work for secondary teachers?

What strategies from responsive classroom would benefit the secondary level?

What positive strategies do you use in your own classroom?

Prompted by Adrienne and Kelly

"Learning in an Inclusive Community" by Mara Sapon-Shevin

Prompted by Linda & Ceil

Mara Sapon-Shevin writes in the article Learning in an Inclusive Classroom, “Inclusive classrooms put a premium on how people treat one another. Learning to live together in a democratic society is one of the most important goals and outcomes of the inclusive classroom.” The author also suggests that we use the principles of universal design, planning for diversity from the beginning, rather than retrofitting accommodations.

What do you do to address how people treat one another in your classroom?

What do you think it means to think inclusively?

The author comments that a powerful way to combat political apathy is by helping young people make connections between their lives and those of others. What are ways we can encourage and support the idea that despite differences in cultures, experiences, and languages, as members of the human race we are all interconnected?

"Family Partnerships That Count" by JoBeth Allen

JoBeth Allen explains that “family involvement was likely to increase student achievement when that involvement was connected to academic learning”. Three important approaches were identified, building respectful relationships, engaging families in supporting learning at home and addressing cultural differences. As you comment on this article please consider the following questions.

What are your current school functions that include all families? Are they connected to academic learning? Are they successful?

What are some of the successful things you have done or seen to improve respectful relationships between families and school? Are you aware of any individual classroom practices that are highly successful that engage families in supporting learning at home?

How does your school support address and support cultural differences?

Do you feel that family social events at schools (like the Mardi Gras Carnival mentioned in the article) have merit? Why? Why not?

Prompted by Beth and Diane

"Decisions That Have Shaped U.S. Education

Lots of "landmark" Supreme Court decisions are detailed in the Zirkel article. Consider the following questions as prompts for you to respond to this article.

Do you agree with the San Antonio v. Rodriguez decision that speaks to "minimum" rather than "equal"? Explain.

Which of the Supreme Court rulings noted in this article will affect you most as a teacher?

What do you think about the New Jersey v. T.L.O. decision?

How is your life as a teacher affected by politics? Care to look to the future by considering the current presidential race?