Community Chat

[FUTURE]

On 4/19/2014 kdgn said:

It really is important that parents understand what Common Core is and isn't. Common Core makes complete sense. Some of the problems that are rising are from misunderstandings and some of the available adopted texts. The texts are supposed to align with the Standards but how they get there can be questionable.

It's not like when whole language was taught and phonics went out the window. I taught whole language for all of two days in kindergarten. I spoke with my principal, told him this wasn't going to work, that I wished to incorporate phonics back into the program. I was told as long as I kept the teacher's manual on my desk, in plain sight, do what I thought was best. I did. It was soon shown that thinking exposure was going to teach, that if a child didn't grasp a concept in first grade they'd get it in second grade, didn't work. All that happened is that children in trouble got further behind.

Phonics is back, good and strong, as it should be. Other methods are included though because not all children are phonetic readers.

edited to change a word.

I don't want to derail the thread, but just want to say Thank You for pushing phonics. I went to a private school where phonics was HUGE, hubby did not. My pronunciation (and spelling, to a small degree) is much better than his. And he's very intelligent -- JD from a top 5 school! Anyway, just thank you.

[kdgn]

On 4/19/2014 Disneylandfan said:

California kindergarten standards had patterning (a very important skill for reading and math), telling time using morning, afternoon, evening, graphing, naming days of the week, -just off the top of my head. Common core removed all those standards.

You're kidding????!!!!!! As I said, I do see many of the Reading Standards incorporated in Common Core so perhaps they were picking and choosing which ones to implement. Our original standards were tough, and rightly so. I recognize identifying the books (front cover, back cover), author, illustrator. Left to right, up and down.

But to drop patterning? Graphing? My kids loved to graph using the small packets of M&Ms. They knew we were graphing because a friend had picked up two tee shirts for me at the M&M store in Vegas. I still have my denim M&M jacket I bought from the Q. I could only wear it on graphing days! They learned so many different concepts from graphing those delicious little candies.....

I'm shaking my head on these.....

[kdgn]

You're welcome, Future. Before Whole Language entered the fray, I used one of the top 5 phonics programs in the nation. It irritated the ummmmm out of me to be told to discard it and start using the new program. I not only didn't discard it, I continued to use it for the rest of my career even after Whole Language was dropped.

A relative was in first grade when Whole Language was introduced. He is not one of the success stories. I don't think there were many success stories because veteran teachers soon figured out that at the lower level (k) anyway, that this thing was going to be a bust. Wasted years until it was replaced, and replaced with phonics.

[wildcat fan]

From what I understand, there are no cursive handwriting standards in Common Core. Some states are modifying to add cursive in elementary grades while other states are leaving Common Core in tact. So sad to see middle/high school students who print their names when asked for a signature because they don't know how to write their names in cursive!

[Disneylandfan]

On 4/19/2014 kdgn said:

On 4/19/2014 Disneylandfan said:

California kindergarten standards had patterning (a very important skill for reading and math), telling time using morning, afternoon, evening, graphing, naming days of the week, -just off the top of my head. Common core removed all those standards.

You're kidding????!!!!!! As I said, I do see many of the Reading Standards incorporated in Common Core so perhaps they were picking and choosing which ones to implement. Our original standards were tough, and rightly so. I recognize identifying the books (front cover, back cover), author, illustrator. Left to right, up and down.

But to drop patterning? Graphing? My kids loved to graph using the small packets of M&Ms. They knew we were graphing because a friend had picked up two tee shirts for me at the M&M store in Vegas. I still have my denim M&M jacket I bought from the Q. I could only wear it on graphing days! They learned so many different concepts from graphing those delicious little candies.....

I'm shaking my head on these.....

I know, right?! I still teach those concepts (because they're foundational) but it's tough to get it all in. Language arts has some items removed and added or just changed a tad so that it's not appropriate but reading is a bit easier to work around.

[kdgn]

Disney, I'm afraid I'd be doing the same thing you are: incorporate them somehow into the routine. And I was never known for following protocol if I felt it wasn't benefiting my students..... I was very fortunate to have supportive principals who listened and then said "okay".

Try the graphing with M&M's. Make a graph yourself with the ovals at the top. The kids color the ovals before they ever open the packet of candy. They can't eat the candy until the graph has been checked (and fixed if necessary). They know the candy in the little cup better amount to how many they graphed. Collect the graphs, stick them up where the kids can view all of them and see what they can come up with on their own. Their level of understanding always amazed me. It shouldn't have.....clever little darlings!

[MomOf4]

On 4/19/2014 wildcat fan said:

From what I understand, there are no cursive handwriting standards in Common Core. Some states are modifying to add cursive in elementary grades while other states are leaving Common Core in tact. So sad to see middle/high school students who print their names when asked for a signature because they don't know how to write their names in cursive!

I completely agree with you about dropping cursive. How are people going to sign legal papers if everyone can only print their names?

[FUTURE]

Hold on. People won't learn cursive?!?!?! Oh dear..............:-/

[wildcat fan]

On 4/19/2014 FUTURE said: Hold on. People won't learn cursive?!?!?! Oh dear..............:-/

Actually, I think my district must have phased out cursive a few years ago. At the beginning of the school year, I was expected to get students' signatures on various forms (internet policy, acknowledgment of receiving school rules, etc.), and I noted that only 1 out of 25 students in my homeroom (mostly 12 year-olds) could sign in cursive. Good example of how class time is used to teach for the test! I've stopped posting information in cursive because most students can't read it.

[biancardi]

On 4/19/2014 MomOf4 said:

On 4/19/2014 wildcat fan said:

From what I understand, there are no cursive handwriting standards in Common Core. Some states are modifying to add cursive in elementary grades while other states are leaving Common Core in tact. So sad to see middle/high school students who print their names when asked for a signature because they don't know how to write their names in cursive!

I completely agree with you about dropping cursive. How are people going to sign legal papers if everyone can only print their names?

printing is acceptable on legal documents. My signature is almost a print as my cursive is unreadable.

Besides, digital (electronic) signatures will be the future.