This is a combo post. I couldn’t relate to the #AprilBlogADay topic today, so I am finishing up my 5 Ugly Falsehoods About Education, which I hope can be removed from my classroom. And classrooms around the world, for that matter.
When it comes to education, we must stop pretending…
- That the teacher is the most important person in the room.
- That children should keep quiet, listen and sit still.
- That children will work harder for external rewards, than for the intrinsic value of learning what is important to them.
- That children who are obedient and compliant are somehow better than the rebels.
- That a numerical grade is the best way to report the learning of a child.
Thanks for the inspiration from Scott McLeod, who started this challenge to #MakeSchoolDifferent, and from Joy Kirr, who tagged me.