Education Education Education!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/26/education/26grades.html?_r=1&ref=education 

The article above speaks directly to grades and the ability to equate a grade to adequate completion versus exemplary scholarship - in relation to a higher education achieving market that is. 

What do grades really mean?  Are they authentically assessing students and are they applicable to the real world?

Let's chat a little about OUR classroom

• In OUR classroom we work as a team - the rules are simply, we all know how to appropriately act in school so no discussion is needed unless inappropriate behavior begins.  

• We are ALL responsible for our own work - quality is expected & quantity will vary but is guaranteed!  

• There is a positive reward behavioral system of payment where students are awarded classroom money for work completed.  They also pay fees and use checks/a check book  - money does NOT effect grades! 

• In-class work will vary from independent assignments to group projects & many different activities to allow students multiple opportunities to excel throughout the school year!  

• Whenever applicable students will be encouraged & required to include current topics from the news in our classroom material & discussions.  Students will learn why HISTORY and/or SOCIAL STUDIES are relevant to the real world/their current lives.  They will learn why it is necessary to cover our past in order to ensure they are educated adults who are civically responsible in their future.  

•  What we want to see is a child in the pursuit of knowledge not knowledge in pursuit of the child.

        -George Bernard Shaw 

• I believe in the GOLDEN RULE!

• I will always be FAIR but that may not be EQUAL!