Final Lesson/Info

I feel I could also use Mr. Pauk's lesson information in that there is really nothing in the book that is directly related to my curriculum, so rather than an actual lesson, I am using a strategy mentioned in ch. 8 about how students need to work with something at least 3 times before they will remember or understand. 

One lesson idea that comes to mind is having students create a presentation, i-movie, or possibly a different type of project that shows what they know or have learned about beginning education and comparing it to the education system today.  In this they could place what they like/dislike and could possibly design/describe the "perfect" education system or school.

This was a very interesting book study where it was a good conversation/discussion each time we met.  Besides the fact of other things I felt I needed to be doing, I found myself looking forward to our TQ time.  

Relevant Issues in Education Lesson

This lesson asks students to analyze issues in contemporary education and write a letter to a peer influencing their position on the same topic.  Fifteen topics discussed in the book are included.

Click here to see the lesson.

Final Lesson Plans

What are a few ways to keep teaching interesting and to help prevent burnout?

If we could fix the educational system, these are the things we would do...

Is open up teaching opportunities to non-traditionally trained teachers a viable solution to educational stagnancy?

Finally the end.

Any thoughts on the author's conclusions?

The public is always demanding greater accountability from schools. The question is whether we should run schools more or less like a business (since business is seen as the "model of efficiency" for schools to emulate)?

Politicians focus on the quality of education in America. What is being done from a societal perspective in addressing the quality of student in our schools today?

They say ten percent of teachers in America aren't doing their job (whatever that means). How much do these people really impact the system?

Let's Make a List....

List the qualities of a good high school teacher.  Think of a teacher your child will have in high school.

There is a wide variety of teachers from talented and passionate to lackluster and burned out to all of the in between. How do we keep teachers talented and passionate and away from getting burned out or lackluster?

Hypothetically lets say that the Iowa legislature gives public education a blank check. Would unlimited funding fix schools?

Is it possible for politicians to ever agree on the shape and nature of public education?

Value Added?

Can you really analyze teachers through one test?

Why are teachers scrutinized through tests and in the public eye so much more than other careers/professionals?

If you were hired to most accurately assess the quality of schools, what characteristics of a school would you look at?

Why do states continue to use "high stakes tests" when all it does (seemingly) is tell the general public how bad of a job our schools are doing?