Today someone asked the following question: if you're not in favor of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), then what standards would you propose we replace them with? Although my response below started out somewhat tongue-in-cheek, it has made me think about what it is I really believe. If it were up to me, I would say no standards. Instead, I would have the kids brainstorm their passions, those things they would really like to study. Then, I would categorize these with a group of colleagues. Next, I would lay out all of the things (S&B's) that students would be learning if they were allowed to study their passions. Along with this, would be all of the things teachers would be teaching that would help students study what they are truly interested in. Of course, there are other things I would do like reading and writing workshop, etc. Finally, I would present this to your principal. If you did a cross check of this with established standards I bet y...
This blog is a place to ruminate on the problems of teaching. If I am thinking thoughtfully, my posts will hopefully raise more questions than answers. By problematizing teaching we reflect on those questions that are constantly behind, in front, and at center of everything we do in the classroom. Feel free to comment. I'd love to hear what other teachers are thinking about on these and other issues. Cheers! Elisa