How many of us remember the days of our youth? I am not speaking high school glory days, but actual youth. Back in 1st or 2nd grade when everything was new information and students had an undeniable urge to learn. And then, as children progress in their education, they lose this desire and it is replaced with utter disgust of the entire school concept.
However, at this young age, each of us discovers something about ourselves, whether it be a passion or a talent. We all find out that we are unique and we must build upon these abilities to find our true potential. And this is not something that can be done alone.
Students who are too smart for their own good are not a problem in our society, but not encouraging them to reach further can grow to have damaging effects. In 2005, a 1st grade student was finding her mathematics class boring and had trouble paying attention. This was not due to her lack of motivation, but was a result of her already in-depth knowledge. If the student already understands the material, why is it necessary to reteach the information to them? To them, they are just wasting their time, even as young as 1st grade, and if they are not pushed, then they will have to settle and their edge will die out.
However, if these students are encouraged to do better...to achieve more...they feel a sense of accomplishment and these traits remain as are. The students can strive to meet their own goals, but when someone assists them, the outcome is far greater.
The debate arrives in the time they spend on their studies. If a student enjoys school, that is one thing, but to devote every second to this can be just as harmful as committing no time. When is it too early to push these students even more: Basically, advanced placement classes.
In Tampa Bay, 9th graders are allowed to take advanced placements classes, which means they are learning information that some of us would not have learned until our senior year in high school, or maybe even our freshmen year in college. This is where the fine line between a devoted student and an obsessive one comes in. The student may spend too much time doing homework and not enough time doing kid things. Many people may tell them "you are only young once." Is this true? Or are some kids growing up to early?
According to Kim Jorissen, English teacher at BCN high school, "Teaching is a lot like acting. You must keep the student engaged. If they are not picking up on the information, some of the problem could be in their attitude, but the majority rests upon the teacher. Not every student learns the same, but you have to teach as if they all wanted to learn, and the ones who care will pick up what you are putting down."
This is the paradox: When do we push the students, and when do we back away? "We should push them, if that is what they want. If it is going to harm their character or themselves as people, then yes, we should back away. But if taking trig is not hard for them as 9th graders, then why not let them? If it does not weigh them down, then who are we to stop them?" says Micki Bucholz, a sophomore at VCSU.
I guess on this issue, I am in the middle. I cannot decide which is better; hiding children's talents from them when their young or allowing them to become too smart? Is this was NCLB (No Child Left Behind) is about? Or is there more to it?
Kyle-
ReplyDeleteInteresting blog...I don't believe children should be held back from anything positive including education. Education is vast and endless it would be impossible to learn everything, because there is more to learn every day. I have heard about the brainiacs who attend college yet are only 15 years old. I say go for it! Sometimes I really wonder the value of education today, how good it is. I am originally from Fargo and have always thought having a kid there going to school would be great but the more I think about so many factors go into the value of education. Size of classroom, type of teacher, type of learning lessons and whether or not they cover all learning styles. There is just so much! I know live in a small town where they have a school that has won an educational award. When I heard this, I thought really? This small dink town won that?! However, the more I thought about it kind of made some sense. Smaller towns can offer better attention to all students. A teacher has more time and whatnot! Great Blog!
One interesting item I found was a story that stated when a child goes to school many of the teachers stifles a child’s creativity and interests. Many teachers, not all, want the child to confirm to their vision of what is acceptable. What is distressing is that some of these teachers do not take into account what the parents want for their children and their beliefs.
ReplyDeleteFortunately we have been blessed that our children have had teachers who were forward thinking and wanted to help our children create their own destiny.
I think that if the child wants to explore more then as a parent we should encourage our children to pursue their interests. We need to let children live their own lives not the ones we wish we would have had.
Great topic for a blog. It is very sad to think that teachers, the people who are suppose to be helping children grow, are the ones that are potentially stunting the growth of their inteligence.
ReplyDeleteI unfortunately have been taught by some very close-minded teachers who use their positions as educators to stand on their soapboxes and preach instead of teach us. It was frustrating in high school, and it is frustrating now, and to hear that it is going on in grades as low as first and second is very sad.
Kyle- very intersting blog topic! I honestly had never heard of such a debate before. I just assumed taht if you were excelling beyond your classmates in school, you just skip grades until you're at the right level. However, just because a given child can do trig at 7th grade doesn't mean s/he doesn't want to just do kid things. If that child went to college at a young age, those kid things wouldn't happen.
ReplyDeleteI think I have the same opinions as you on this issue. I'm in the middle. I don't find anything wrong with a child taking advanced classes if s/he has the ability, but I also don't think that child should be deprived from a childhood, taking 22 college credits.
Interesting topic Kyle. Every child has their own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to academics. It is sad that some teachers only think they should teach at the grade level the students are in.
ReplyDeleteIt is not fair to those students who are beyond their grade level and want to push themselves. When I was in grade school, they had advanced reading groups and also math groups, which I thought was a great opportunity.
Kyle,
ReplyDeleteIs it strange that I still like school? I have always enjoyed it and still do to this day. I do agree though that it is hard to find many people that feel this way. I think that because students understand the material and may get bored learning about it is part of the problem why certain students lose interest in school, but I don’t think it’s the only reason. If you like school and knowledge you are considered a “nerd” in our society. Intelligence is becoming less “cool” with every passing day. I think the mind frame of our generation is the real problem here.