New educational standards in Georgia and Arkansas - hope you’re paying attention, FCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Man oh Man! What a strange thing to care this much about. Ok Ok.. you did it in the 70's - great. I would rather my kids learn a foreign language or a programming language or some life skill (mechanics, shop, cooking). Something truly useful in life. Next you are gong to want them to have mandatory typing.

Is there some reason they can’t learn all of those things? Are your kids really that limited?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to Catholic schools and we had to memorize a lot! I still can recite the preamble to the Constitution, lots of Shakespeare, etc. In public school, where they can't really get kids to do homework, I doubt this will be successful. We were graded on our recitations as a homework grade. None of this practice was done in class.

Oh and we had to hand in our summary of our understanding of the text. That was also part of the grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is it important to you that your children learn how to memorize?

I get asked questions on the spot all the time. Memorizing information helps solidify this skill

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A good idea, so it’s a non-starter for FCPS.

Yep

[Anonymous]

/

Anonymous wrote:Are you seriously saying we should model our schools after Arkansas?!

Even a broken clock is right twice a day - the really smart people know enough to realize when even someone or someplace that they don't like is doing something right/good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Georgia and Arkansas?

Oh dear.

In this case? Yes. Good for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Memorizing classic words doesn’t mean they understand them. I’d rather my child understand the purpose and meaning without being able to recite word for word.

Bingo!!! Memorizing is not learning! Applying knowledge show mastery in learning.

Exactly. Think about the Pledge of Allegiance. Hoe many students can recite it? Of those, how many know what it means?

Um… all of them?

1A says we don’t have to do…
And most high schoolers don’t even stand so they don’t even care for it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A good idea, so it’s a non-starter for FCPS.

Yep

+2
There’s probably some excuse about it not being “equitable.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Memorizing classic words doesn’t mean they understand them. I’d rather my child understand the purpose and meaning without being able to recite word for word.

Bingo!!! Memorizing is not learning! Applying knowledge show mastery in learning.

Exactly. Think about the Pledge of Allegiance. Hoe many students can recite it? Of those, how many know what it means?

Um… all of them?

1A says we don’t have to do…
And most high schoolers don’t even stand so they don’t even care for it

I’m a high school teacher and you couldn’t be more wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:/

Anonymous wrote:Are you seriously saying we should model our schools after Arkansas?!

Even a broken clock is right twice a day - the really smart people know enough to realize when even someone or someplace that they don't like is doing something right/good.

+1
There are painfully few really smart people on this thread, that much is obvious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess I know what your kids will be doing this summer. Any thoughts on which works you will have them memorize?

I am not even into poems, but I really loved Splendor in the Grass that we had to memorize in HS.

This is where I remember starting it:
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower?
I We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind
In the primal sympathy
Which, having been, must ever be.
In the soothing thoughts that spring
Out of human suffering,
In the faith that looks through death,
In years that bring the philosophic mind.

Ulysses also, this was where I remember starting to memorize:
Come, my friends,
'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

[Anonymous]

^^ I think it’s some of these parents who won’t have a clue what those beautiful poems are about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Memorizing classic words doesn’t mean they understand them. I’d rather my child understand the purpose and meaning without being able to recite word for word.

+1. I can’t believe OP thinks memorizing is something worth praising and recommending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Memorizing classic words doesn’t mean they understand them. I’d rather my child understand the purpose and meaning without being able to recite word for word.

+1. I can’t believe OP thinks memorizing is something worth praising and recommending.

And, I bet you also don't do well on standardized tests.

Memorizing helps you learn to think on your feet. It helps you relate pieces of information. Why are you against it? If you cannot remember pieces of information, you have nothing to work with.

[Anonymous]

Everything shouldn't be memorization but it is a skill, and one that is worth occasionally working on to improve, IMO.

I support a well-rounded education.

I support working on public speaking as a general matter, from time to time too. That is also a good skill.