[etni] Fw: Lit. program: Clarification

From: "Ask Etni" <ask@xxxxxxxx>
To: "Etni" <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:46:17 +0200
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Esther Revivo - estherrv@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Lit. program: Clarification


I want to clarify MY concerns about the new Literature module, which are 
shared by others who have written me:

 As of this year, I teach only 9th/10th graders having gone on early pension 
due to a health issue. But I am often asked to sub. for the wonderful young 
teacher who took over our weak 11th/ 12th grade classes when the need 
arises. (i.e. during the war, I traveled to other schools to prep the girls 
as she has a young baby while my baby is in college:) And like many on this 
forum, I am extremely concerned about my pupils' success. (Those who are 
active on ETNI perform way above and beyond what they are paid to do-- that 
is clear!!)  I tell my girls, "I care as much about YOUR passing the 4 pt. 
exam as I did when all 3 of my daughters were in high school!" Hence, my 
worry is chiefly about the capability of our Ulpana's weakest pupils to 
reach the 4 point exam. For, as Jennifer wrote:

"....Should they (pupils) be struggling with texts which are way above their 
language level?.....Some pupils can
barely write a decent sentence, though their comprehension is good....And 
then there is the situation of the teachers, who must accomplish all the 
miracles in 4 hours a week, less all those deducted for trips, ceremonies, 
other teachers' exams etc......"

I won't lie; I'm not a martyr and money owed for any additional work we will 
be asked to do is also important to me especially  since I am the sole 
breadwinner in my family. However, once again, nobody I corresponded with 
has yet addressed my concerns about weak pupils "falling through the 
cracks," as it were. I heard that there was no pilot for weak 4 pointers. (I 
was told this by someone who did the HOTS course.) I AM NOT AGAINST CHANGE! 
I MEAN NO DISCREDIT OR INSULT TO THOSE HARDWORKING COUNSELORS LIKE ADELE 
WORKING ON THIS NEW PROGRAM! But, as yet NOBODY has addressed my 
misgivings!!!! I want to add to what Jennifer wrote above, "4 hours a week, 
less all those deducted for trips, ceremonies, other teachers' exams 
etc......" This "etc." includes many hours missed in mamad schools and 
Ulpanot where 12th graders go on "sayeret" to see which venues they'd like 
to apply to for Sherut Leumi!

We English teachers, yes, even the oldsters like myself, are often praised 
by principals (and guest speakers at in-service courses for the entire 
school) for being far more open to change than other staff members. I 
remember when computers were first introduced and became an integral part of 
classroom study in my former workplace "way back when." Of course, we 
English teachers were the ones chosen to be the "guinea pigs," and it was a 
roaring success!!

Most teachers here are highly professional and not afraid of change, nor are 
they afraid of learning new things. We just want to be reassured that

a- Our pupils' futures will not be jeopardized. (Go earn a living without 
study ; go study without a 4 point English bagrut :)

b- We have additional hours built into our schedules so that we can 
realistically do what we are asked to accomplish. Four hours per work is 
definitely NOT enough time for projects; literature; unseens; listening 
comprehension; writing; etc.....

c- (Last but not least...) that we FINALLY get paid for some of the vast 
number of hours we invest above and beyond the call of duty!

Esther Revivo
Ulpanat Tzvia Sedot Negev


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[etni] Fw: Lit. program: Clarification

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