Jonah's now in fifth grade. Up until now, I haven't had too many opinions about his curriculum. He's had to learn how to multiply and divide, write an introduction to an essay, and identify the main characters in a novel. Pretty standard stuff. I know that others are very bothered by Everyday Math and Whole Language reading, but I've never really cared too much. I always figured a smart teacher blended pedagogical methods and added a dollop of common sense. Better to focus on getting smart teachers in the classroom than getting hot and bothered by instruction, I figured.

(Exception: I have gotten annoyed at the curriculum in Health Class (visual here) and a long rant here about other stuff. Oh, here's another one. I guess I do gripe a lot.)

I am starting to get more cross about the work that Jonah's bringing home, because it's starting to venture into my turf – it's stuff that either Steve or I has taught before at college.

Continue reading “Schools: Making Things Boring” →