[etni] 2 topics Unseens in JHS and the changes

From: ETNI list <etni.list@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Etni <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 06:38:27 +0200
From: ELEANOR ZWEBNER <eleanorz541@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: 2 topics Unseens in JHS and the changes

Re UNSEENS books in the early grades etc --
I certainly agree with Adele and Miriam -- modules, unseens etc are
NOT the curriculum  for JHS! and the books are certainly not the
"approved course boks!"

It is a known problem --- high schools have been complaining for years
of  kids coming in from grade 9 who have practiced unseens and even
who have practice bagrut exams. It is a negative aspect of the
"trickle down " effect  compounded by the Meitzav -- another exam!
It seem to me to be horribly boring!  Our English books have so many
subjects which have  been developed and we can further develop them
--a dditional articles, projects,  tasks.   That is the "fun" of
Junior high school, as oppsoed to the pressure of the high school
where a project has the bagrut hanging over it.

As for testing beginning as early as grade 10 -- it has been going on
for years and it has had success!  Weaker pupils --weak 4 pointers
start with A at the end of grade 10, B in the winter of 11, C in May
of grade 11 and slowly these weak kids manage to do a 4 point  exam.
Have they learned English --one would have to ask their ENglish
teachers --I imagine they have learned as much in that fashion as in
any other method.  In my own school we avoid winter testing altogether
-too disruptive, too many exams,  too... , too..., too.., but I do
know of several schools where this is the syllabus and I hesitate to
"knock it."


And now  to HOTS.  As Sharon Tzur wrote, we often must compromise.
But surely we must understand what the details are first!   I have so
m any questions about what these changes entail that I cannot commit
myself to an answer.
However, I am especially delighted that the program has been delayed
for the 4 pointers.  I believe this will enable a better option to be
developed  AND PILOTED!  4 points is generally NOT just less 5  points
and it should not be treated as such.

In any case, this is certainly the place to voice  our ideas and
feelings on the changes  and as I try to see what this means
"tachliss", I look forward to reading what our community says.
 Eleanor
----------------------------------------------- 
** Etni homepage - http://www.etni.org 
** for help - ask@xxxxxxxx **
** to post to this list - etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx **
-----------------------------------------------
[etni] 2 topics Unseens in JHS and the changes

Other related posts:
