[etni] Fwd: re: module f (literature) winter 2013
- From: ETNI list <etni.list@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Etni <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:34:39 +0300
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Judy Givati <jesg50@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: re: module f (literature) winter 2013
Although my students didn't do the Winter 2013 F, they are now faced
with the summer edition. These 5 pointers are bright, motivated
students who understand the literary pieces. We've had amazing
discussions. Their essays are serious and thoughtful. How is it that
in their practice papers based on the upcoming exam, they do so
poorly? Something has to be wrong when not only English speaking
students from Israel but also those who have come from American high
schools have such difficulty.
The teaching staff has been to the Hishtalmuot given in Jerusalem. We
have been in constant contact with markers, etc. to whom we directed
questions. Together we have sat the exams several times to answer them
ourselves, both as individuals and as a team. Yet a few weeks prior to
the exam we are baffled by our students' ability "to get it."
Needless to say, I found "comfort" knowing that my staff and I are not
the only ones asking ourselves this. ( By the way, the Hebrew
literature teachers thought we were exaggerating but were aghast when
they read samples of the actual tests and "acceptable answers." )
From the outset we rejected the log for the very same reasons that
Batya's school did ( "Our concern is undue pressure from students,
parents and administrators regarding the grades we must submit.") We
were not looking for an easier option. There were few "helpful"
textbooks.
Anyone who chose the exam, at that point, faced severe difficulties as
a result of "powers" who pressed for the log. Look at the basis of
the first New Literature courses that were given. (Yes, I must admit
ignorance of any changes that might have been made since then.) Since
I have a habit of forgetting to delete from my Inbox, I probably still
have correspondence from others throughout the country who felt the
same.
I heard a "power" say last September that students doing "D" do much
better than 5 pointers. The claim was that 4 pointers try harder...
and LEARN the format of answering the questions asked. Excuse me???!!!
IS this what it has come down to- back to American education of the
50s and early 60s where many of us were expected to learn by rote,
stifling any hints of creativity and thought process. In class and
tests we were expected to merely regurgitate the information we had
been fed.
I heard that students have already turned to the new Minister of
Education, protesting the new "F" exam. I think we should find the
courage to do the same.
Please keep in mind, I don't think anyone is protesting the inclusion
of literature but rather the ways it was designed and is "checked."
jesg
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