A Portuguese school - so the story goes - posted the poster below on their facebook page. It boldly states what many educators would like to say.
Through the years, schools have, indeed, taken on more and more responsibilities (transportation, lunches, breakfasts, after school care, weekend snacks, etc.). Still, that same system was always charged with teaching those academic subjects with fidelity. Sometimes the multiple burdens pull us in different directions, and sometimes we have to make difficult decisions because of it.
Do I teach to kids survival skills for the future, or should I feed kids so they can pay attention now?
Do I teach math and reading, or do I devote my time to teaching manners and so-called soft skills?
The poster is a bold one. Perhaps it's not exactly politically correct, but it makes an important distinction between home and school. Too many children in our system know how to defeat monsters on XBox One, but do not know how to blow their noses. Too many can sing every last word off of Kidz Bop 34, but they don't know the difference between Missouri and the United States. Too many pay more attention to the apps on their phones than they do to discussions about treating others with respect.
Through the years, schools have, indeed, taken on more and more responsibilities (transportation, lunches, breakfasts, after school care, weekend snacks, etc.). Still, that same system was always charged with teaching those academic subjects with fidelity. Sometimes the multiple burdens pull us in different directions, and sometimes we have to make difficult decisions because of it.
Do I teach to kids survival skills for the future, or should I feed kids so they can pay attention now?
Do I teach math and reading, or do I devote my time to teaching manners and so-called soft skills?
The poster is a bold one. Perhaps it's not exactly politically correct, but it makes an important distinction between home and school. Too many children in our system know how to defeat monsters on XBox One, but do not know how to blow their noses. Too many can sing every last word off of Kidz Bop 34, but they don't know the difference between Missouri and the United States. Too many pay more attention to the apps on their phones than they do to discussions about treating others with respect.
As an educator, I appreciate what the Portuguese school posted (even if it was stated so directly). As a parent, I can appreciate it, too: I want my children to learn home things at home and school things at school. Finally, as a taxpayer, stakeholder, frequent voter, and neighbor, I would love the kids in my neighborhood to have all of the positive, respectful skills they can get.
