Friday, September 28, 2007
What Kindergartners Need to Know
The article by Kate N. Grossman on what every kindergarten student should know focuses on the points of teacher training and the new changes that have been taking place regarding state standards. The subject areas that kindergarten students need to be involved with include language arts, math, science, social science, physical development and health, fine arts, foreign language, and social/emotional development. This appears to be a lot for a teacher to cover in a years time. It used to be that the subjects were math, science, social studies, reading, and spelling. States are now wanting teachers to focus on a child's development emotionally and physically. However, these areas will allow teachers to organize and plan accordingly, knowing that they have to cover these areas. Teachers are being trained on how to successfully teach these new skills to their class. One example that Kate uses in her article is one where you have children point to pictures in a book and have them retell the story. This is a way that you know that the child understands that the pictures and symbols have meaning to that story. By creating these standards, I think that teachers will now share a common ground and will be able to teach children from across states the same material and in a similar fashion.
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7 comments:
I like how you responded to the article, very detailed! I am curious to know though if you think that the work load maybe to much for kindergarteners, or why it was only four years ago that these standards were implemented. I think you are right on that teachers now are quite knowledgeable on how to teach the added areas, and that it can be done in a years time, but how do you think this would differ in other school districts? Thoughts? Good response though! :o)
I absolutely agree wiht your response. It was very thourough and you explained your point perfectly. I wish I came up with your ideas! You acknowledged that Kindergarten standards used to be basic, and now they're required to know language arts, math, science, social science, physical development and health, fine arts, foreign language, and social/emotional development. That surely IS a lot, yet it's very inportant to foster an environment and curriculum that focuses on the WHOLE child and prepares them for elementary curriculum. It's my belief that proper training and information be provided to kindergarten teachers. I guess that if this sort of standards become the "norm" and we don't compare it to the past so much, it can be a success. :)
Lauren,
Your response was very informative. I felt that you simply restated what was in the article for most of it. I really would like to have heard more of your opinion on what these standards are doing for classrooms and students. I think you do make a good point that these standards will create common ground for teachers, but do you really think teachers should teach in the same fashion. I mean, does every student learn the same way? I feel that there should be a wide variety of teaching methods so teachers can share activities that work and help students with certain needs. I would really like to know what your opinion was on this. Good post though!
Lauren
Your post was very informative, and well written. It is very true that the state is changeing many of there standards. DO you feel that this is a smart thing for the state to do? In my opinion, I feel that it is a very smart move for the state. I hope that they still let kids be kids in their big changes. You had very good remarks and did a great job, as a writer. Good luck with the rest of the school year!!
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I totally agree with your post. I think that the areas that the kindergartener needs to know is a lot different than when we were in kindergarten. I agree that the teachers may have a common ground now but don't you think that the studets should have a variety of teachers instead of them having each class be the same?
lauren. i think you make nothing but good points. teaching is definitely a dynamic and situational profession. you'll do fine!
I could not agree more with your response. I like how you gave examples and how you mentioned that teachers are expected to focus on the students emtional and physical development as well. It definitely is a lot of criteria that needs to be covered in school. Hopefully, it is something that will be obtainable for not only the students but for the teachers to producs. Also, it is teachnically "pre" school, so it is an introduction to school. So, do you think we are expecting too much out of our five year olds? Yet at the same time, I feel that it is better to expect too much. I do feel that it is an intelligent thing for the state to do and hopefully it will be successful!
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