Edutopia featured a great great article on curriculum and the frustration that many teachers already feel this time of year about staying on track with pacing guides. One main point was that we need to focus our effort on what our students need to know and be able to do. My school has made this a primary focus this year. We also spend time looking at what do we do when students already know the material and what we can do when they are not learning it.
I really appreciated the comment that a reader attached to the article. . .
"I can't stand it when a teacher gives the impression that he/she is an effective teacher just because they are further into the curriculum. It's not how much you cover, it's how much are students learning."
I think that teachers sometimes tend to take things like no child left behind and race to the top way to seriously. I understand the intent but the reality is that these mandates and policies were written by politicians. I really try not to let the politicians decide how I teach in my classroom. I think my kids are better off that way. :)
