Every know and then I check out the TED talks.  Gosh they're interesting.

 

One of them ???? mentions that "industrialized" teaching was for the industrial ages.  We now need "problem solving' education.

 

And with that in mind, the Montessori method of teaching with my minimal knowledge of it, would suit some children.

 

DEB

I think one of the problems is that so much time is given over to encouraging children to understand  the messages in what they read and far too little to teaching them exactly how those messages are created; i.e the basic tools of writing -  grammar and syntax.

 

A couple of years ago I was asked to edit some pieces of writing to be included in an anthology of youth writing. These kids had all been hand picked to take part in a series of master classes for young writers; they were keen, intelligent, brimming over with the most amazing ideas, but they simply didn't have the basic tools to express those ideas in sentences and paragraphs.  I could more or less understand what they were trying to say, I  could see - it was  there on the paper in front of me -  the linguistic contortions they were going through trying to say it, and I could imagine their frustration as they struggled marshal their words into meaningful sentences.  It nearly broke my heart.

 

I really think the only answer is to bite the bullet and go back to the basics of teaching English. When I was in high school I found the regular lessons in English grammar the most boring part of the whole curriculum. I have an 'ear' for language, in the way some people have an ear for music - I knew instinctively what sounded right and what didn't, but I didnt know or feel I needed to know why. Years later, when I started writing my first novel, I realised for the first time, that instinctive knowledge is not enough - it's like playing an instrument by ear without ever learning to read music or practising scales. At that point I suddenly realised how grateful I was to those nuns who persevered in the face of determined boredom and recalscitrence  to drill into me all those boring grammar rules.

I do agree with you Lloydslights, there are some excellent specialist schools like that which make all the difference to certain students, worth their weight in gold.

---

@vicr3000 wrote:
Well, I cant help it if you have no sense of humour and cant engage in a bit of banter.
Suggest you get out in the real world where people have a laugh, joke.
Not everyone in this world is taken over by the PC Crowd.

That is what the definition of comedy is, someone's comedy is a result of someone else's tragedy.

If you reckon that is hate, you haven't seen anything.

---

 Is it safe anywhere this morning?  It's like trying to avoid that drunken uncle that you have to invite for Christmas.  The one with the "sense of humour".

While there is probably no single reason why the standards have dropped so far I feel that more parental involvement would substantially help.
Parents need to be alert to what their children are lacking in and take steps themselves to seek remedies.

It's all too easy to blame a poor system but if it really matters you'll do something about it yourself

As a musician (classical and jazz), I feel compelled to say that learning an instrument by ear before learning to read music or play scales is something to be applauded and encouraged from my experience as a performer and music teacher (as well as in other disciplines).

 

When the ear is 'tuned' naturally, and children particularly thrive on doing that as well as adults, the practical side tends to 'kick in' extremely quickly without the theory and paper getting in the way to start with, then they catch up with the rest speedily.

 

It's interesting to watch this happen both academically and theoretically in terms of music education.

 

Reading and writing, expression and comprehension is something quite different, albeit music education has shown to really help student numeracy in particular as after all, music is essentially grounded in maths.

 

 

 

 

You and others would do well to take your advice and 'get out in the real world' instead of spending so much time at the computer.

Can't be good for your health and it is obviously not good for your spelling either  

"While there is probably no single reason why the standards have dropped so far I feel that more parental involvement would substantially help.
Parents need to be alert to what their children are lacking in and take steps themselves to seek remedies.

It's all too easy to blame a poor system but if it really matters you'll do something about it yourself"

 

Can't argue with that.   The problem is, many parents may have been "lost" in the same system and then it becomes too difficult for them to help with the fundamental needs their children are experiencing now in the same way.

I probably see more people and talk to more people of all ages in all states of Aus ( except ACT) in a month
Than you would in a year or two.

That includes Tasmania.



Some great posts above with insightful thoughts.

Agree with that, too.  However, a parent who isn't "educated" in current schooling practices can be stifled and stifling.

 

DEB