Teaching Content IS Teaching Reading

[Anonymous]

This video explains some of what has really been bothering me about my child's elementary school. I just feel they are spending way too much time teaching reading and math, especially rading "strategies" like finding the main idea and details, and spend very little time actually teaching children content. Social studies and science each get taught once a week... if that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiP-ijdxqEc&feature=player_embedded

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This video explains some of what has really been bothering me about my child's elementary school. I just feel they are spending way too much time teaching reading and math, especially rading "strategies" like finding the main idea and details, and spend very little time actually teaching children content. Social studies and science each get taught once a week... if that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiP-ijdxqEc&feature=player_embedded

I agree, but some kids do need more time for learning strategies. I expect that the push comes from testing requirements and am guessing that social studies and science are not tested in this grade. I see this as a way NCLB fails students who are ready to move beyond basics, since resources are spent preparing low kids for tests.

[Anonymous]

"I just feel they are spending way too much time teaching reading and math, especially rading "strategies" like finding the main idea and details"

Hope they're teaching spelling...

[Anonymous]

PP, you're going to complain about an obvious typo? G-d forbid they should spend our children's time on typing lessons!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I just feel they are spending way too much time teaching reading and math, especially rading "strategies" like finding the main idea and details"

Hope they're teaching spelling...

Sorry about that, I was in a real rush. I do make a lot of typos.

I still think my point was valid, though. Want to test me in biology, earth science, botany, physics, civics, geography, history and economics? These are subjects I think should be taught much more often (in age appropriate ways of course) in early elementary school. I'm pretty good at those.

The thing is, *I* can make up any lack of content knowledge for my own kids, and I do and I will. But there are a lot of kids in their school who simply don't have the resources to learn a lot of this stuff on their own or from their parents. It leaves kids -- especially lower income kids -- at a big disadvantage, in my opinion.

Also it makes school biring. Kids LIKE to learn real stuff.

Just my opinion, and again, sorry about the typo. I hope you were able to understand my intent -- hey that's a reading strategy -- understanding author's intent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Also it makes school biring. Kids LIKE to learn real stuff.

I apologize AGAIN for the typo. That was supposed to be BORING.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This video explains some of what has really been bothering me about my child's elementary school. I just feel they are spending way too much time teaching reading and math, especially rading "strategies" like finding the main idea and details, and spend very little time actually teaching children content. Social studies and science each get taught once a week... if that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiP-ijdxqEc&feature=player_embedded

I agree, but some kids do need more time for learning strategies. I expect that the push comes from testing requirements and am guessing that social studies and science are not tested in this grade. I see this as a way NCLB fails students who are ready to move beyond basics, since resources are spent preparing low kids for tests.

In Maryland, which is where my kids go to school, social studies and science aren't tested at all, expcept 5th grade science. I don't know about DC.