[etni] Fw: Clarification
- From: "Ask_Etni" <ask@xxxxxxxx>
- To: "ETNI" <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:49:30 +0300
----- Original Message -----
From: "Danny and Esther Behar and Family" <behar123@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Clarification
Dear Powers That Be,
My main objection to the new HOTS/literature module is that in attempt
to hide the fact that students will only learn the same old tired
literature which their parents learned, we are being taught to dress
up these oldies by using the bells and whistles of HOTS. This will
force students, and teachers, to learn a whole new lexicon, which they
will NOT have any use for, outside of taking the new English literature
F module.
Of course our students analyze, compare, contrast, and find motivations.
We just never made them answer questions about 'which thinking skill did
you use'. We never did that because it is NOT necessary. Is that what
metacognition, the new buzz word requires? That students must be able
to analyze themselves and the way in which they arrive at answers,
beyond, what I believe is more important, being able to justify your
answer based on something from the text itself?
I understand the need to standardize the literature module so that
national bagrut tests can be written. However, what is wrong with
presenting students with an 'unseen' of a poem, or extract from a short
story, and having them use whatever tools or literary devices they know
to answer analytical questions? Why must we turn somersaults teaching
them useless verbiage when many five pointers still cannot use the
present perfect grammar tense correctly and consistently?
And yes, I believe that this new module also will require teachers and
students to delve way too long and too deeply into each piece of
literature.This, I believe, will only foster a lifelong distaste for
English literature in our students. This is the Facebook generation,
they are NOT interested in reading a short story six different times so
the teacher can complete the Unit Planner.
Shabbat shalom,
Esther Behar
-----------------------------------------------
** Etni homepage - http://www.etni.org
or - http://www.etni.org.il **
** for help - ask@xxxxxxxx **
** to post to this list - etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx **
-----------------------------------------------
Other related posts: