(A) Earth is one of the nine planets that ORBITS around the Sun.
OR
(B) Earth is one of the nine planets that ORBIT around the Sun.
My son's teacher: B
My son: A
Me: A
The American Heritage Book of English Usage: waffly, but either appears to be accepted, with "...92 percent of the Usage Panel preferred the singular verb in such sentences."
I shall not raise this point with his teacher. Or should I?
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
School's (Almost) Out For Summer
Next Thursday is D's last day of school. First grade will be done with. I don't know who is going to heave the biggest sigh of relief: D, his teacher, or us, his parents. It's been quite a year. Let's just say that there have been issues with paying attention, wandering around the classroom, not listening to instructions - and I'm not talking about his teacher.
Somehow, D has managed to learn his math facts (to 20) along the way - well, mostly. He can write descriptive and narrative paragraphs. He's reading up a storm and loves books. He's collected an impressive number of pink slips (that's code for misbehavior citations) but has also earned a few blue ones (aka merit slips).
I know he's been under stress in class. Hmmmm, maybe it was the 'I hate school! I don't want to go to school." refrain that I've heard at least once a week.
I don't know. Is it just me or are kids required to know much more at a much younger age these days than when we were kids? Tonight at dinner, D was telling me that he was learning fractions in class. I can't remember when I learned fractions but I'm pretty sure it wasn't first grade. At this rate, there will be AP Calculus by fourth grade. Good grief. I can tell you this: requiring kids to know things by the end of the first grade isn't going to magically happen if these children are not yet mature enough process that type of information. We can drill them into submission and regurgitation of facts but is that really what we want? Is it?
Last Sunday, I was reading a really interesting opinion piece in the San Francisco Chronicle about testing for second graders in CA. I agree and think expectations are too high. Kids just need to be kids, especially six- and seven-year olds. Sure, we want to instill good study habits early but is all this drilling going to result in a love of learning? I don't think so. This is the time to make learning an enjoyable challenge. I bet those people who setting the learning standards are far removed from remembering what a 7 or 8 year old is like.
Hurray for summer and the freedom it brings. Yes, we'll still be reading and writing and doing some math (I'm not crazy - "Use it or lose it" is definitely a factor.) but, without the threat of testing hanging over our heads, we are going to have fun along the way.
Somehow, D has managed to learn his math facts (to 20) along the way - well, mostly. He can write descriptive and narrative paragraphs. He's reading up a storm and loves books. He's collected an impressive number of pink slips (that's code for misbehavior citations) but has also earned a few blue ones (aka merit slips).
I know he's been under stress in class. Hmmmm, maybe it was the 'I hate school! I don't want to go to school." refrain that I've heard at least once a week.
I don't know. Is it just me or are kids required to know much more at a much younger age these days than when we were kids? Tonight at dinner, D was telling me that he was learning fractions in class. I can't remember when I learned fractions but I'm pretty sure it wasn't first grade. At this rate, there will be AP Calculus by fourth grade. Good grief. I can tell you this: requiring kids to know things by the end of the first grade isn't going to magically happen if these children are not yet mature enough process that type of information. We can drill them into submission and regurgitation of facts but is that really what we want? Is it?
Last Sunday, I was reading a really interesting opinion piece in the San Francisco Chronicle about testing for second graders in CA. I agree and think expectations are too high. Kids just need to be kids, especially six- and seven-year olds. Sure, we want to instill good study habits early but is all this drilling going to result in a love of learning? I don't think so. This is the time to make learning an enjoyable challenge. I bet those people who setting the learning standards are far removed from remembering what a 7 or 8 year old is like.
Hurray for summer and the freedom it brings. Yes, we'll still be reading and writing and doing some math (I'm not crazy - "Use it or lose it" is definitely a factor.) but, without the threat of testing hanging over our heads, we are going to have fun along the way.
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