[etni] Fw: understanding the misunderstandings

From: "Ask Etni" <ask@xxxxxxxx>
To: "Etni" <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:20:17 +0200
----- Original Message ----- 
From: sbshai - sbshai@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: understanding the misunderstandings


Dear colleagues,

It seems that, as much as we say we've had more than our fill, we keep 
returning to the HOTS controversy.  Someone has recently charged that there 
are widespread misunderstandings about the program; perhaps this is the case 
for teachers who have not participated in the course -- but what about the 
rest of us?  We are many, and cannot be dismissed with the wave of a hand 
because, having taken the course and tried out the program (at least to some 
degree), we know what we are talking about and objecting to!

It is a fact that MANY reputable teachers approached the course 
open-mindedly but soon realized that anything worthwhile in the program was 
not innovative at all because we have ALWAYS motivated our students to think 
deeply while teaching literature.

It is also inaccurate to say that we are following the program in the States 
because it is taught there in elementary schools (when students can more 
readily accept the explicit teaching of HOTS) and, most importantly, it is 
TAUGHT IN L1!

It is clear that this system provides a chance for success when infusing 
HOTS methodology into various disciplines, unlike in our case, where most of 
us are striving to achieve a basic level of proficiency in the language.
(I will stop short of rehashing why it's undesirable to dump the HOTS 
terminology into the laps of L2 learners while we hope to instill an 
appreciation of literature!  But if we can be rebuked for taking the joy out 
of a work of literature by 'over-anlaysis', then much more can be criticized 
about the HOTS albatross!)

At this stage, when so many of the country's teachers have expressed their 
concerns and reservations about the program, it is truly important to 
understand the misunderstandings -- on both sides!

Purim sameach,
Batya

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[etni] Fw: understanding the misunderstandings

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