Capitalism - Feudalism without the Kings

Website Wednesday

http://gsi.berkeley.edu/teachingguide/tghome.html

I think my sites have been rather frivolous with my choices lately but frivolity does have its place. For a change of pace, this site is serious but so good if you are involved in teaching in any way. That is, if you're human because all of us, at some time(s) in our lives, teach. Little people, big people, genetically related people, strangers; it can be an endless list.

I've right in the middle of how kids learn/how kids should be taught since the boy has been preparing for a history/geography/social studies test on the Middle Atlantic and New England states since the start of the year. Now, remember he's in the 4th grade. Here are some of things he must learn (and spelling counts, this is not a multiple choice test):
1. All the appropriate states, their capitals and postal abbreviations
2. The chronological order of the modes of transportation in the area
3. The products, natural resources, and geographical features (ex. Hudson River) of the area
4. Why the Industrial Revolution began in the 1800's. (WTF!! I'm assuming this is short hand for why the IR flourished on the East Coast; particularly since the IR began in the 1700s.)
5. What and when was the Boston Tea Party and what were its causes
6. Why does this area have a service and not manufacturing economy now.
7. Describe the differences between the Puritans and the Pilgrims and when and why they came to America.

This is not the entire list but you get the idea. As a teacher, I'm livid. First, this is not a test for the grade level. It's designed to create a lot of angst in the kids, including the boy who has been studying diligently.Failure is written all over it. Split into separate tests, it would be fine. Looking at the study guide, I was reminded of my special ed class which I was preparing for a test the next day (I was subbing then.) They had to learn all about ancient Egypt - you know all the big words land their definitions like archeology. I thought then: These kids are not getting this. This is only something impressive to send down to the DOE in Trenton.

I think the same about the boy's study guide. WTF? However, this teacher is not working in a vacuum; we have a district curriculum director. Plus, the NJEA is locked in deadly battle with the NJ Gov (He wants to break the union and tenure and challenge them with private charter schools. Oh yeah, that will really solve everything! Private + profit = dedication +accountability.) and I think it's the kids who are caught in the cross hairs on this one. Districts can say: Hey Gov, look at this impressive junior high/high school level curriculum we're teaching in 4th grade.

That's way my site pick is so appealing to me. It shows me that schools are still teaching teachers about how kids learn and how they can help them to learn.

This site comes from the University of California, Berkeley and is prepared for graduate student instructors to be used with class lectures and assignments. But it is perfect as a professional teachers' resource and for dedicated parents. I say "dedicated" because this is not an easy read (The Flesch reading ease score ranges from 20 to 60; higher number = easier read) and it takes a chunk of time.

What I like is how it unpeels the levels of learning. It explains the importance of going beyond the facts. For example in the Critical Thinking in Social Sciences section, these are the topics which are discussed in length:
What is critical reading?
Overview of the Four-Step Approach
First Reading: Previewing
Second Reading: Annotating and Analyzing
Third Reading: Review
Fourth Step: Responding

This is a very easy site to digest in sections so don't be turned away because you're not a professional teacher. There's a lot here for everyone to learn. Give it a try.